Here's a little hello from me. For a few months I needed to sleep more than write, but I'm feeling great again! I just thought I'd warn you that I might get a little excited to be back into writing here again. Here's why I was away. I'll write about more interesting things and post photos another day :)
Fortunately ... I turned 30 something in May. Umm, calculating ... 37. I'm blessed with forgetfulness!! Easier to remember, Elijah turned 8 and Jasmine 7. They delight me every day, and I'm so glad to have time to just savour their words, soft cheeks, cheeky giggles and sincere debates. It's all a marvel.
Unfortunately ... at age 37 I felt like I'd passed my peak (sounds pathetic, but true) because I was always SO tired. I got sick too, with a respiratory infection or virus that lasted most of two months. It became hard to cook, clean, or even read aloud, and I was starting to think if we couldn't find the cause I might have to accept that a change of pace was God's plan for me (in hindsight, I guess it was, for a time). I considered looking at back up plans for the kid's education. Like s-s-school, with someone who might be awake and energetic.
Fortunately ... I had an 'ok' day here and there, enough to manage. The kids were fine apart from sick of having a sick Mummy. Pete was great (though exhausted from doing so much after work). Even on bad days, I accepted that I had to rest, and stayed in bed and read the Bible, scribbled notes, let the kids play, slept and enjoyed the kids talking and reading to me.
Unfortunately ... for the second month, the kids had it too (no-one seems to know what IT was). Then Pete. The worst headaches, pains and coughs we can recall. It was a nasty bug!!
Fortunately ... as I found out sometime in the midst of that, I have Hashimotos Thyroiditis and anaemia, and now they're being treated I feel normal again, which is more than I hoped for. Really, I was just praying to live. Thank you Lord for allowing that!! I've also cut out foods that make me feel sick (not much, just gluten, dairy, oats, coconut and a few minor things) and so I have energy again and I feel really well.
Please excuse my possible verbosity.
I'm just a tad glad to be back!
Showing posts with label sick kids. Show all posts
Showing posts with label sick kids. Show all posts
Tuesday, July 17, 2012
Saturday, September 18, 2010
Out of touch
I have been out of touch lately for a few reasons.
Supportive ... of Pete and his family, missing his Dad and learning what life's like without him. I feel it too, but seem to process emotions in waves. It seems not real, yet also normal. The peace of the Lord has helped us all so much.
Sickness interrupted my Spring-cleaning spree ... a rotten sore throat, head, cough, sinus infection, glandular thing. Mostly Elijah and I, but Jasi has been snuffly and needy too so it's been full on. I should have been in bed, and have had naps when I could, but have been busy nursing and nurturing. Happier that way anyway!
Away on holiday ... starting today. We're getting better, I hope!!!! We've delayed for a day to try and be germ free and energetic. So we're hitting the road for the national capital to see the sights, and spend a couple of days playing in snow!
Offline ... our connection is dodgy, dropping in and out. That's ok because words have been elusive. I've also been reading some inspiring books, which I'll write about when we get home. I have written comments for your blogs but don't always get around to posting them because my inner editor is speaking too loudly and needs a tune up!! Just know I care.
So ... I'm going to hit "publish" now, pack a few more things and head off into a fun family adventure. See you when we return!
Supportive ... of Pete and his family, missing his Dad and learning what life's like without him. I feel it too, but seem to process emotions in waves. It seems not real, yet also normal. The peace of the Lord has helped us all so much.
Sickness interrupted my Spring-cleaning spree ... a rotten sore throat, head, cough, sinus infection, glandular thing. Mostly Elijah and I, but Jasi has been snuffly and needy too so it's been full on. I should have been in bed, and have had naps when I could, but have been busy nursing and nurturing. Happier that way anyway!
Away on holiday ... starting today. We're getting better, I hope!!!! We've delayed for a day to try and be germ free and energetic. So we're hitting the road for the national capital to see the sights, and spend a couple of days playing in snow!
Offline ... our connection is dodgy, dropping in and out. That's ok because words have been elusive. I've also been reading some inspiring books, which I'll write about when we get home. I have written comments for your blogs but don't always get around to posting them because my inner editor is speaking too loudly and needs a tune up!! Just know I care.
So ... I'm going to hit "publish" now, pack a few more things and head off into a fun family adventure. See you when we return!
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Quiet as a mouse ...
It's been a quiet week at my place. No running, squealing, screaming, shouting, jumping, fighting, wrestling and wiggling. And it was meant to be even quieter!
THE REASON
The kids and I were planning to go away with my Mum, for a few days holiday up the coast at my brother's place. Pete would be working, and coming home to an empty house and lovingly frozen dinners to reheat. (Note: Pete can cook, and often cooks delicious meals, but I thought ready meals would make him feel special while he was missing us)
But Elijah got sick. Well sicker I should say, as we'd all been taking turns with sore throats, aches and pains. Elijah took longer to respond, and clearly still wasn't well enough to travel. Even driving to the Chemist, he was complaining about aches and pains. My week or two of sore throat and head also intensified. With a cough, fever and aching all over, I wasn't fit to be anywhere but home. Our holiday plans were sabotaged.
Jasmine on the other hand, had a bad ear infection a week and a half earlier, but bounced back quickly once she started antibiotics. So whilst we were all laid low Jasi was bouncing around again, fighting fit, looking for action!!
THE ADVENTUROUS ONE
As a result of these circumstances, our little girl went away, on her longest holiday without us, and more significantly, without Elijah. Was she reluctant to go? Were we filled with trepidation and fear at letting her go?
Not a bit!! She helped load Mum's car and couldn't wait to leave. We know Mum and Joe are totally wonderful with our kids, so there was no reason for us to worry ... just to be happy for them, and pray that they travel safely and have a wonderful time.
We did wonder if Jasi would be lost her best buddy Elijah to play with. There was a chance, Pete suggested, she might miss us and cry a bit. Apparently not. She made herself right at home as soon as they arrived, and for the first few days didn't care to interrupt her colouring in or bath to talk to us on the phone.
Last night our Princess finally spoke to us on the phone. She sounded very distant, like she was tolerating our need to hear her voice, as she told us about the places they'd been and the fun they had. I'm sure it was just the rare and unusual experience of talking to Jasmine on the phone, but I wonder what she's feeling.
ANALYSIS
I've never been one to really MISS people, not as a habit anyway. When I moved away from home for Uni, I felt guilty about that, because I was supposed to be home sick. It took me many years to realise I'm just different in that way. I don't think I NEED to be away from people to love and appreciate them ... but when I have that space to breathe, it renews my energy so I can be more devoted. I like seeing people after some time away, and having interesting things to talk about. I deeply love and admire my family - immediate and extended, big and widespread - they are seriously the kindest, loveliest people I know, and I couldn't choose anyone better to be related to. Like normal people, I do have times when I crave to be with certain people, just want to be near them and comfortable in our familiarity. But I don't MISS people who are still alive, it's more like I look forward to seeing them again.
My point is, we all experience relationships and time apart in different ways. I understand and accept Jasmine's hot and cold, detached way of loving me. In contrast to her independence, she also expresses her love and neediness often, in exuberant, subtle and special ways. When Jasi is here (which she almost always is) she is demanding, caring, affectionate and talkative (these words are severe understatements, though people outside our home rarely believe it!) It's a fine line though ... if I listen to her at the wrong moment, or look too long, she'll stomp her foot and huff and puff, as if to say 'leave me alone!' I wonder ... is this, in part, what having a child with autism or aspergers is like?
In a beautiful photo of Jasi and I, framed on the dining room wall, I can actually see this puzzle. I am holding Jasmine, she's about 3 yrs old. I am facing her, about to kiss her cheek; her arms are around me comfortably, but she is looking away, nonchalant and self composed. It's an interesting study of our relationship. That we love each other is clear beyond a doubt, but it's a push and pull kind of balance!
MEANWHILE BACK AT THE RANCH
As for the QUIET home we've had ... it's been good to be able to rest. I'm still not well, but maybe it's just God's way of slowing me down. I hadn't intended to have 'school holidays' as such, like most people currently are, because we had such a disjointed few months. But we've had no choice.
Elijah and I have watched a lot of cartoons and DVDs, he has played contentedly by himself, and with me ... chess, toy soldiers, lego. Elijah spent hours yesterday cutting cardboard and making a little knight, which I helped him fasten with split pins and sticky tape. We went to the movies and saw Toy Story 3, which I thought Jasmine wouldn't like (since she hates noise and is easily scared) ... I was astonished when she told me that she also went to see that movie yesterday!!!!
With Pete we drove up to the beach cliffs to look for whales (and saw one, though it was very distant, so it's lucky we had my Dad's trusty old binoculars). While Elijah played and lay around watching TV, recovering, I sorted out mine and Jasmine's wardrobes (easily finding 8 bags for the Op Shop and one for a friend, and we still have way too much). I organised my notes and games for next week's FBI, all about Patterns in nature, art and maths. I spent a day writing the previous blog post. Read 3 novels. Printed odds and ends for the upcoming term of home schooling. Dreamed about doing so much more housework than the bare minimum I managed. Imagined getting all my papers in order for home ed. registration, but slept instead.
THE REASON
The kids and I were planning to go away with my Mum, for a few days holiday up the coast at my brother's place. Pete would be working, and coming home to an empty house and lovingly frozen dinners to reheat. (Note: Pete can cook, and often cooks delicious meals, but I thought ready meals would make him feel special while he was missing us)
But Elijah got sick. Well sicker I should say, as we'd all been taking turns with sore throats, aches and pains. Elijah took longer to respond, and clearly still wasn't well enough to travel. Even driving to the Chemist, he was complaining about aches and pains. My week or two of sore throat and head also intensified. With a cough, fever and aching all over, I wasn't fit to be anywhere but home. Our holiday plans were sabotaged.
Jasmine on the other hand, had a bad ear infection a week and a half earlier, but bounced back quickly once she started antibiotics. So whilst we were all laid low Jasi was bouncing around again, fighting fit, looking for action!!
THE ADVENTUROUS ONE
As a result of these circumstances, our little girl went away, on her longest holiday without us, and more significantly, without Elijah. Was she reluctant to go? Were we filled with trepidation and fear at letting her go?
Not a bit!! She helped load Mum's car and couldn't wait to leave. We know Mum and Joe are totally wonderful with our kids, so there was no reason for us to worry ... just to be happy for them, and pray that they travel safely and have a wonderful time.
We did wonder if Jasi would be lost her best buddy Elijah to play with. There was a chance, Pete suggested, she might miss us and cry a bit. Apparently not. She made herself right at home as soon as they arrived, and for the first few days didn't care to interrupt her colouring in or bath to talk to us on the phone.
Last night our Princess finally spoke to us on the phone. She sounded very distant, like she was tolerating our need to hear her voice, as she told us about the places they'd been and the fun they had. I'm sure it was just the rare and unusual experience of talking to Jasmine on the phone, but I wonder what she's feeling.
ANALYSIS
I've never been one to really MISS people, not as a habit anyway. When I moved away from home for Uni, I felt guilty about that, because I was supposed to be home sick. It took me many years to realise I'm just different in that way. I don't think I NEED to be away from people to love and appreciate them ... but when I have that space to breathe, it renews my energy so I can be more devoted. I like seeing people after some time away, and having interesting things to talk about. I deeply love and admire my family - immediate and extended, big and widespread - they are seriously the kindest, loveliest people I know, and I couldn't choose anyone better to be related to. Like normal people, I do have times when I crave to be with certain people, just want to be near them and comfortable in our familiarity. But I don't MISS people who are still alive, it's more like I look forward to seeing them again.
My point is, we all experience relationships and time apart in different ways. I understand and accept Jasmine's hot and cold, detached way of loving me. In contrast to her independence, she also expresses her love and neediness often, in exuberant, subtle and special ways. When Jasi is here (which she almost always is) she is demanding, caring, affectionate and talkative (these words are severe understatements, though people outside our home rarely believe it!) It's a fine line though ... if I listen to her at the wrong moment, or look too long, she'll stomp her foot and huff and puff, as if to say 'leave me alone!' I wonder ... is this, in part, what having a child with autism or aspergers is like?
In a beautiful photo of Jasi and I, framed on the dining room wall, I can actually see this puzzle. I am holding Jasmine, she's about 3 yrs old. I am facing her, about to kiss her cheek; her arms are around me comfortably, but she is looking away, nonchalant and self composed. It's an interesting study of our relationship. That we love each other is clear beyond a doubt, but it's a push and pull kind of balance!
MEANWHILE BACK AT THE RANCH
As for the QUIET home we've had ... it's been good to be able to rest. I'm still not well, but maybe it's just God's way of slowing me down. I hadn't intended to have 'school holidays' as such, like most people currently are, because we had such a disjointed few months. But we've had no choice.
Elijah and I have watched a lot of cartoons and DVDs, he has played contentedly by himself, and with me ... chess, toy soldiers, lego. Elijah spent hours yesterday cutting cardboard and making a little knight, which I helped him fasten with split pins and sticky tape. We went to the movies and saw Toy Story 3, which I thought Jasmine wouldn't like (since she hates noise and is easily scared) ... I was astonished when she told me that she also went to see that movie yesterday!!!!
With Pete we drove up to the beach cliffs to look for whales (and saw one, though it was very distant, so it's lucky we had my Dad's trusty old binoculars). While Elijah played and lay around watching TV, recovering, I sorted out mine and Jasmine's wardrobes (easily finding 8 bags for the Op Shop and one for a friend, and we still have way too much). I organised my notes and games for next week's FBI, all about Patterns in nature, art and maths. I spent a day writing the previous blog post. Read 3 novels. Printed odds and ends for the upcoming term of home schooling. Dreamed about doing so much more housework than the bare minimum I managed. Imagined getting all my papers in order for home ed. registration, but slept instead.
HOMECOMING
Today Mum and Jasmine are driving home. We'll meet them at Mum's around dinner time. It'll be lovely to see my little girl again, though I don't have high expectations for our reunion ... Jasi doesn't usually seem pleased to see us when we pick up the kids after sleepovers at Mum's, and clearly wishes they could stay for longer. This time she has stayed away longer, 3 nights ... I wonder if it seemed long enough for her?
I'm sure she'll be glad to see Elijah. There may be tantrums, rejections and silences (directed at us, and especially me). However Jasi acts towards me, I won't hold it against her. She is very much her own SELF, and I admire that. She feels what she feels, and will soon be back to her usual energetic, intelligent, precious and playful self!
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Good guys ... kapow!
Here's a violent story we use to help our children when they're sick.
I know that sounds terrible. I'm usually a pacifist. But please read on ...
We missed gymnastics and soccer yesterday. Both kids had fevers and sore throats, and by last night Jasmine was screaming with an earache. The after hours GP said both ears were red, and the worst one was fire engine red. Jasmine took some Panadol twice yesterday, but despite the pain, no way would she have Nurofen. She flatly refused all efforts to convince, bribe, threaten, explain ... she finally agreed to try, but only let a drop in before she pulled a face and covered her mouth again. The only pain relief she would accept were Panadol, prayer and cuddles.
Anyway, the GP sent us home with penicillin, and it was time to try a trick we learnt when Elijah had frequent tonsillitis and needed convincing to take his medicine ... let me introduce the GOOD GUYS.
There are germs inside you at the moment.
They are naughty, mean, smelly bad guys and they're making you sick ...
but here are some good guys who are on your side. They'll help you win the battle.
Antibiotics are good guys.
They run around inside your body and fight all the bad guys which are making you sick.
Kapow! Boom!
Gotcha! Take that!
You can't get away from me, bam!
Sshhhh, listen ... did you hear that?
I think they're working already. Hooray!!
This story (and many variations of it) used to be enough to convince my kids to take their antibiotics. They could still have a reward afterwards, but rewards alone didn't work. They needed the good guys versus bad guys story too.
It's oversimplified and probably scientifically inaccurate. I know the good guys also kill other good guys, but we deal with that (and have told the kids about probiotics) after the bad guys are gone. However silly it seems, it worked with toddlers. Would it work with a stubborn, tired, fussy little girl?
Mean parents that we are, we told Jasmine she couldn't go to bed until she'd had her antibiotics, even though she was begging to lay down. We insisted, pleaded, raved and asked nicely. After all that, only the story worked. The good guys won her trust with their promise to help. Plus she liked my idea of sneaking them in quickly when Daddy left the room! It took half an hour to get that first dose of penicillin in last night (around 1am, so it's no wonder I'm feeling a bit fuzzy today). Hooray for the good guys!
Jasmine's cooperating today, taking her medicine when asked to, and recovering very quickly.
Elijah slept through all the commotion last night and said he feels better too. Praise the Lord!
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