Needing Advice

For a very long time I have battled with my daughter's doctor to try and get an appointment with a specialist to see if she does indeed suffer with ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder). Due to the type of health insurance that covers Katie, a referral is mandatory. Even with numerous evaluations from her elementary school stating that in their opinion she does indeed show signs for ADD, Katie's pediatrician keeps insisting that she is quite young yet and will most likely "grow out of this phase".
I am not forcing this issue because I want Katie on some kind of adhd medication. I want to make sure so that all the necessary steps can be taken to help her out more in school. I get daily behavior/status reports from her teacher. For the most part she does very well. Except for when it comes time to read. She does so poorly in that subject and it is not because she can't read but because she cannot stay focus, she loses interest almost immediately when it comes to sitting down and reading a book. You have to constantly keep her on track. It is so frustrating but mostly for her. She WANTS to enjoy reading but she just can't. And although the school will allow her more time on her FCAT ( Florida's lame ass excuse for a competency test)this year if she does not pass it they will hold her back. That means she would have repeated not only Kindergarten but also the Third grade. I am at my witts end with this dilemma. Any suggestions? I am desperate.

It has been a very emotional rollercoaster....

I haven't blogged in ages because of what I may be dealing with. It is scarily possible that I have cancer. In fact until otherwise proven, I do have cancer. I have either Tongue or Thyroid Cancer and the pathology report will be revealed on my follow up appointment in two weeks. I have been seeing a specialist at the Moffitt Cancer Center for a few weeks now. I had surgery last Friday to remove the cyst on my neck and they did another biopsy on the mass that is on my tongue.

This is the first day that I have felt remotely like myself. The pain is subsiding although I do take my pain meds about every 8 hours instead of every 4. I have a hideous incision line that runs from the dip in my clavicle bone to the edge of my ear. No stitches. Just the medical glue and tape. The only thing that drives me crazy is that I have absolutely no feeling whatsoever from my left cheek down to the top of my left breast and my the top of my left shoulder. It is hard for me to judge just how far I can move my head from side to side without the fear of ripping open the incision.

I have come to terms with the term cancer and I have every intention of beating whatever it is that I have. The good thing about this whole mess is that it has probably been caught in the very beginning stages and it may infact be that once they removed the cyst that may have been the majority of the cancer itself. So... I will do my best to post regularly. I still get very tired and to sit at the desk for a long period of time makes my fatigue worse. For all of you that have been sending good thoughts, prayers etc... Thank you:)

If you have any questions... Are curious or whatever... just send me an email. mnetsrek@yahoo.com.

Getting better

I am feeling somewhat normal again. So far the only two to escape the agony has been Chris and Katie. Jeff was under the weather with different symptoms than mine. He had an earache and body aches but he was back to feeling better by Monday morning. I kept telling him that it was ok to stay home from school but when he knows he has tests, what I say to him falls on deaf ears.
The thing about Jeff is even though he may be sick, if he has something important going on at school, he will go no matter how bad he feels. His immune system is amazingly potent. He may get sick one or twice a year and when he does he bounces back fast. I was never like that. When I got sick I was down for a few days at least. Katie is like me in that respect. Jeff is like Chris. It's uncanny how much a like they are but they are not even blood related.

On a different note... I did do my cleaning jobs and I got them done without feeling terrible. I have the day off today but the next two days are booked. Today after the kids get home from school I will need to take the kids Christmas shopping for each other and Chris. Jeff needs to pick up a few things for a few of his friends and his Secret Santa gift for the Anime club he is in. I have also been nominated to make some cookies for his club on Friday. I told Jeff that HE can do most of the work and I will supervise him. I normally make Christmas cookies but I just have been so busy or sick to do any of it. I do not want to wait until the last minute so I am hoping to do some a little at a time every day. Hopefully that won't be to overwhelming.

Barley keeping my eyes open

Today was a long day. After dropping off my daughter at school this morning, I made my way to Longboat Key for a cleaning job. That is approximately a 35 minute drive from my house. The weather was lousy, rain and high winds made my commute seem never ending. I was supposed to be there at 9am. I called the client at 8:20 to let them know that I would be late. I was so happy when she told me that she figured as much because the rain is falling harder there and to take my time. I got there at 9:15. I didn't start cleaning until 10 because she is a talker. I was estimating that I would be there for 3-4 hours since this was a new client and I already knew it needed a thorough cleaning since they are snowbirds and only down here for the winter.

The apartment has not been cleaned in 6 months and the last cleaning lady never cleaned it after they left. It took me 5 hours! My client felt so bad that she gave me $20.00 dollars more than I told her the job would be. Apparently she was pleased with my work because I have now become her new cleaning lady. She gave me a key to her apartment and I will be cleaning for her every week and then once a month while they are up north for the summer. I also realized today that I am enjoying the independence of having my own cleaning company and being my own boss. The down side? I come home completely spent and exhausted. I had Chris and Katie help me with dinner tonight. They didn't mind. They could tell by the look on my face that I was fighting to stay awake. I am hoping that once I start to lose the excess weight that it won't be a problem. Only time will tell though!

It's that time of year people.....

and why does it always smack me in the face? I am talking about flu season. I swear the next person to come to work sick is going to get a knuckle sandwich from me personally.

I have been down for the count for five freaking days... My weekend was ruined and I have missed three days from work. I could take vacation days but screw it.. I am not wasting them on being sick. I have barely been able to do any school work. I am caught up but I do not like falling behind.

I have been pretty much a crab ass the whole time. I hate that my family suffers like this but when I get real sick I am freaking miserable. Can't sleep because of the funky ass dreams that fill my head. Talk about being delusional. Eat? No way, Jose. I do drink plenty of fluids though. The numerous potty trips can contest to that.

To top it off it is freaking colder than a witches tit outside and the wind is blowing like crazy. I feel like I am up in Ohio for crying out loud.

Ok... I am still crabby.. and I am getting off before I really let out some steam.

My son the GIMP

Jeff did something real stupid yesterday. He and another boy were wrestling on school grounds after school had already ended.
Jeff takes the SCAT bus (local transit here in Sarasota) and ultimately missed the bus because he could not walk to the bus stop. Why?
Well... while waiting to go the bus stop he injured himself while wrestling the other boy and sprained his ankle. Which means that I had to go pick him up. When I got there he was sitting under the pavillon where a local newstation was setting up cameras.. don't know what the were going to be filming but they were there nonetheless.
I parked my car walked over to Jeff. I helped him up and I took his backpack and he hopped to my car. I immediately took him home so his dad and I could check out the injury. His ankle on both sides was swollen but no brusing and he could move it a little. We had him all propped up in bed and alternated the heating pad and ice packs to bring the swelling down and pumped him full of Ibuprofen.
This morning the swelling went down significantly and he is able to put some pressure on his foot and limp. He now has an ace bandage on his ankle.
He still wanted to go into work but the only thing he would be able to do is strictly run the cash register. So.. he called to tell them that he injured himself and that he would still come in if they allowed him that one job. The asst. manager was appreciative that Jeff still wanted him to come in but that he should take it easy today and come in tomorrow. If he still can't do a lot of walking then he would do the register only. Sunday's are apparently the busier of the two days at the mall.
Jeff is liking the idea of being catered to... He is constantly calling my cell to ask for things. I don't mind becasue Jeff is rarely that dependant and he has been extremely healthy otherwise. He is the only one in the family that escaped the stomach virus that Katie brought home. Besides I feel needed with him. I don't normally feel needed or even wanted when it comes to my son. It must be the age. I know he loves me. I don't question that at all it's just the age where most parents are an embarrassment. I have done it with my parents.

And the illness has spread....

Guess what? Oh come on now really take a guess. The whole damn family with exception to Jeff because that kid seems to have an immune system that kicks all virus' asses has now gone through the gauntlet. Chris and I both stayed home from work yesterday because we both had gotten what our lovely Katie brought home.

I am over it people. It never fails, I always catch what she has. Ok... can't stay on too long... gotta go:(

It never fails...

someone always gets sick during the holidays. This year it happened to Katie.
We had a wonderful feast and all and she kept up with everyone else in over indulging but at about 5am Friday morning she came running into our room crying that her tummy hurt and lo and behold she threw up right in the middle of our room.
Although she had more than a mere tummy ache, she was raging with fever too. A dose of children's Motrin and some water with a new change of pajamas and she was back in dreamland.
Daddy got to stay home with her. Luckily for Daddy he wasn't scheduled to be at work yesterday. *Bastard*
The kids didn't have school yesterday anyway and If I did not go into work "on the busiest day of the year for plumbers" I would not have been paid for Thanksgiving. By the way.... it wasn't busy at all. DAMN!!!!
She has been feverish off and on all day today so hopefully she just has a 24 bug deal going on. I so hope no one else gets it because I am usually the last one and I normally get it 10 times worse than anyone else. I think I am going to stock up on Vitamin C and Cranberry juice now so I can prevent this thing getting to me.

I am beat...

and I feel like I have been run over by a semi. I have a feeling my migraine marathon is returning full steam on. All weekend I had a slight migraine. The kind that linger to let you know the mother of all migraines will be showing up shortly. No pain pills are available but Chris did get some muscle relaxers for his TMJ and he only needed one. I may try it to see if the tension goes away and then maybe I won't get a full blown one.

School is actually going smoothly. I am still learning the ropes on navigating through my classes. I haven't really connected with any of the other students other than in discussion boards which are quite similar to forum message boards. This coming week has me nervous because we will actually be beginning the course. The first week was to get familiar with everyone and the course material. Now it's time to really sink in.

Work is work... Apparently the techs are hyping mad because health insurance premiums have gone up 40% again. That's four times in two years people. It's getting a little ridiculous. I opted out of the employer insurance almost a year now. It's cheaper for me and my children to get it privately. Seriously!!! I am telling you guys that everything is going to go up in price, not just gas. I am positive that gas prices will reach if not exceed $4.oo a gallon here shortly. I am sure the western states have already felt that pinch. Ok.. gotta go the migraine is full blown now:(

See ya all tomorrow....

Still home...

and not feeling much better. Still have the same ailments but nausea has now joined the party. I would much rather have played hooky from work instead of actually being sick. That's par for the course right?

Migraines and Diarrhea...

not a good combination to have. I stayed home from work today. The migraines I can deal with for the most part, even at work, but having the runs also...no... no can do sorry. So feeling like I am failing my family, I still did work on the computer adding more products to Regalo Boutique.

I also lurked in a few of my favorite blogs as well. Now it's time to go... literally.

Stupid Migraine!!!

I cannot get rid of this migraine. I have had it off and on since Saturday. I give up trying to find the cause. I am sure it's a multitude of things and my life is so hectic right now I do not have the time to dissect it.

I am at work ( feeling like crap) not getting much more than what is absolutely necessary. Hey I have covered everyone else's butt, it's about time they covered mine.

I am ok....

I know I haven't been persistent with the blogging the last few days. I have had life issues that just took precedence.
Kids are back to school. Katie loves her teacher (she loves everyone really) and is enjoying the whole school atmosphere.
Jeff already had homework for his Honors World History - he has to read 65 pages before Wednesday. His schedule is real weird. He has A & B days. M,W,F are A days and T&Th are B days. His Aerospace Engineering class just blows my mind. The topics that they are going to review is incredible.
Britt found out that she only has to put 12 hours a week at the vocational school in the GED class so she wants to go M-W from 8-12. Chris told her for this week she needs to go everyday and he will be speaking with the instructor. Not sure if she is just saying that or not. But Chris wants to check it out first. She did score College level on her pre test. She has orientation for her new job tomorrow at 3:30.

I have been having thoughts of going to school myself. I want to be doing something I really like doing. I like my job but when you are promised a raise at your last review over a year ago and told that it is also retroactive but still have not gotten that raise it makes me think that I am not really that valuable. My third year anniversary was August 17th. My self esteem has been low for a while now and it's time I make some changes in my life.

I haven't been the easiest person to live with for quite some time now and Chris is getting fed up. Not a good situation. He loves me but when someone is constantly down all the time it takes it toll on the people you love. So.... I have taken some time to do a lot of soul searching. I am going to be restructuring the way I do things and really get my life back on track. I have let myself go and right now I don't like who I am. I can't even stand to look in the mirror anymore nor do I like having my picture taken. I have lost interest in a lot of things that use to matter to me and I don't like that. I know everyone gets depressed but I feel like I have gone beyond that.

SICK!!!!

I hate this.. I have been fighting this "bug" for a few weeks now and my body just gave in. So.. I am slowly getting better. Yesterday I stayed home from work. Trying to get through my day here at work now. I'll be back on later.

I hate being sick..

Two days off from work and I can't even enjoy it because I feel like crap. Normally Katie goes to camp while I am at work but she has been home with me and the teens.. Glad they looked out for her. Not to mention that daddy came home early yesterday because he wasn't feeling much better. I slept for almost 16 hours. I couldn't believe it.. Not including potty breaks. Every part of my body ached and my throat is so swollen.

Chris went to the doctors and was given antibiotics. I have been taking Silver and gargling salt water. I have similar symptoms as Chris does except that my throat is not sore or scratchy. I woke up this morning feeling better but not 100%. I am hoping tomorrow I will feel like my old self.

Down for the count..

not for long though, even with this stupid migraine which hit me on Friday. I still did the garage sale but not happily. Nothing better than having it and being sensitive to noises, smells and the light and having to sit in the driveway with no shade and my eyes tearing up and having to look all happy to be there and smile at everyone that stops by to see what junk you are getting rid of.

Chris managed most of the money and questions while I just sat and pretended like I was there for a reason. We started about 8 and ended at 11 because the heat was too much. After making lunch, I went and laid down and surprisingly I went right to sleep. I only slept about 4 hours the previous night because my head just would not stop hurting. Chris woke me up a few times to see how I was feeling only to be told to go away. He gave me a pain pill and about an hour later the migraine dulled to a tolerable headache. It didn't last long, maybe 5 hours because as I type this I feel it coming back.

Tomorrow we will have the garage sale again and anything left behind will go to Goodwill. So I hope tomorrow is better.

Puppies are doing great. Getting back their energy and playfulness. They finished off the last of their medicines today as well. Right now Bentley is sleeping in his bed and Reese is cuddled up against Scooter (both of them are snoring)

Ok... I am off for now.

Early Menopause

Actually I think the correct term for it is pre menopausal... whatever they call it I have been going through it for 4+ years. It started not long after I had my tubes cut, burned and tied with bands. I knew that the onset of menopause was a possibility but I decided to have it done because I did not want to take the chance of losing another baby (another post maybe).
I was never a candidate for the pill and the other birth control options were not all that appealing. Chris loved the idea of course, no precautions for him! Anyway shortly after having the procedure done I started to get hot flashes. Then I noticed that I was gaining weight big time. No change in my routine except for the increasing pounds. My mood would change from a serene individual to a complete hysterical lunatic. Although my libido increased. Yep that sure sounds sexy doesn't it? One minute I am a complete raging bitch to a sex starved tramp. It drives Chris crazy!
The funny thing is that there is nothing that I can take to control this crap. As long as my body keeps producing the hormones I get nada.
I had one hell of a hot flash today while at work. I could not get relief for nothing and let me tell you living in Florida where our summers get scorching does not help. I actually stood in front of the freezer with the door open for a good ten minutes while the other women in the office, both of which are old enough to be my mothers, laugh and sympathize with my situation. They CAN take drugs to ease their uncomfortableness where I can only dream that the estrogen in my body takes a nose dive. Now I am beginning to wonder it that too is also contributing to my migraines.
Damn I am never going to figure this out!

Ear Infections Suck

I have been out for the count for quite some time dealing with "Swimmers Ear". This infection kicked my ass. Not only am I taking two antibiotics but also a heavy pain killer. Ok I won't complain about that one;) I am feeling much better and I hope to be back to my normal self in no time. Hopefully I can continue to keep adding to Regalo Boutique and keep up with my posts;)

Colloidal Silver saves the day!

I was coming down with something yesterday.... until I took a tablespoon of my Silver Lyte. Before I went to bed I had major body aches and a severely stuffy nose and that stupid tickle in my throat... I was ready to bunker down in my bed all day today. I feel just fine... no aches, no stuffy nose and no tickle in my throat. Chris woke me up at 6:15am and I felt good. Silver Lyte is just another brand of Colloidal Silver which is a natural antibiotic. It boosts your immune system so your body can fight off infection quickly. I did not take anything but the Silver Lyte... no Tylenol, no Ibuprofen... nothing. Another great thing about Colloidal Silver is that it doesn't react with any other drug. But don't take my word for it research it for yourself. You can find Colloidal Silver at your health food store. Visit http://www.all-natural.com/silver-1.html to find out for yourself.