All Aboard the Struggle Bus

I took Kaydon to the doctor yesterday after he texted me from school to tell me he had hives all over his body.

We got to the doctor and he told the doctor he'd had them since Sunday.

WTH?!

Kaydon! Why did you not tell me until Thursday.

"I didn't want you to worry, Ma."

That's the everyday answer my kiddos give me!

He has a slightly compromised immune system because of all of his sicknesses when he was an infant and toddler.

He will be on steroids, steroid cream and antibiotics.

He will carry regular cream with him at all times.

The steroid cream will be for flare-ups.

The antibiotics are because they get infected. 

Steroids are to kick this batch of hives in the arce!

Onward we go.

All aboard!

Yesterday morning, Colton was VERY concerned about the bright star that was so close to the moon.

He did not feel that was right at all.

Mr. Watkins did some research for me when I got to work.

Turns out it was Venus.

Venus is the second closest planet to the Sun.

I went home and sat with Colton.

Me: "Colton. Mr. Watkins said it was Venus near the moon this morning."

Colton: "Where is Venus in the Solar System, Mommy?"

Me: "Mr. Watkins said it is the closest planet to the Sun."
Colton: "OK! It's okay, Mommy, because Mr. Watkins won't let anything bad happen to us, just like P."

And with that I cried like a small infant.

Getting There... Or Somewhere

I cannot remember the last time I was THIS sick.

Like, in bed or on the couch unable to move or even keep my eyelids open sick.

Like, hacking up so much crap that blood is spraying and I'm dry-heaving.

Like, someone shoot me. Please.

Thankfully, the boys have not gotten it.

When I got up this morning Braxton asked me where I thought I was going.

To work, I said.

He replied that he was taking me to the doctor.

To work, I went!

D has made loads of chicken soup, which is all I've injested.

Besides Sprite Zero, Gatorade and medicine.

A lot of medicine.

The humidifier has helped a ton.

I think.

I lasted two hours at work yesterday.

I am hoping for a solid four today.

I read somewhere that Utah is the sickest state in the nation right now.

I have no idea how they figure that, but seriously I feel like I have put in my solid effort to keep us at #1!

Poor KK

This morning, I took Kaydon to Instacare. He came into my room early, crying, and begged me to take him to the doctor. After a flu test and a strep test, it was determined that, for now, he has a terrible virus. That's all fine and great, but his is miserable. AND, he has a nissen. Which makes coughing pretty dang dangerous for his body. The more he coughs, the more chance that the nissen will come loose. That would be an immediate emergency. So, for now he is taking medicine to regulate his high fever, drinking gatorade like he's never drank a thing in his life, and tons of cough drops. Poor KK.

Chicken Noodle Soup

Several years ago, when we were in our ward in West Jordan, a sweet, sweet lady brought us dinner every single Monday night... because she wanted to. My kids loved her. I loved her more. She was my solace, my safety, my calm in the storm. Every time I had surgery, she brought her homemade chicken noodle soup. It was like nothing I have ever had. It was perfect. It was amazing! I love to make homemade chicken noodle soup. My kids love to eat it. I do too. Last week, I was really sick. I asked my sweet friend, Martha (Heidi W.), to make me some of her homemade chicken noodle soup. She did and I haven't stopped eating it since. It is so yummy! There is something about chicken noodle soup that warms the body and the soul, at least mine. It seriously makes me feel loved. And, I love it right back!

This quote, which happens to be my very favorite, also makes me feel loved. And, I love it right back! I can always hear Elder Holland's voice saying it. It reminds me that this is such a small part of our immortality. We need not give up. We need not quit. We need not stop trying. There is always help and happiness ahead. Always.

Peanut Update & Diversion

It's been quite an eventful few days for us! Braxton has now had four rounds of blood work since Wednesday, and an ultrasound on his kidneys. The lab work that was done for the depression appointment showed some problems with his kidney levels. We repeated labs on Friday and there were more concerning numbers. Yesterday, we repeated labs again and had the ultrasound on both kidneys and his bladder. This kid is done with blood work! He is so over it, but he has been a trooper! We don't have an official diagnosis yet, therefore I am telling him as little as possible. He knows that lab work has shown some weird numbers when it comes to his kidneys, and that's about it. The lab work also showed some serious problems with his parathyroid, as well as his body's lack of ability to absorb iron. We are dealing with the kidney issues first and foremost, since they are the most serious and dangerous. Braxton is at school today, and I am at work! Yay! We need to get back to a routine. We did everything we could this weekend to divert our attention from the scary things. We went bowling and played. Braxton wanted to spend Saturday with Josh, so Josh took him to his wrestling tournament with him all day. Braxton said it was the best day ever! He was SO happy when he came home. Onward and upward!