I’m drinking my coffee and spending a little bit of time blogging while waiting for Rich to get back. He’s out walking the dog. . . .
As was expected, yesterday was a busy day around here. The basement workers were on time and it was a flurry of activity downstairs all the way until 4pm. They have the whole basement framed in already and we are so excited. This is our first experience in hiring people to build for us, and it has been a great first day~the guys were so kind, and really seemed to enjoy the children and I checking out their progress now and then. They also were impressed with all the different sized boys we have around here, and the frogs and turtles that they were carrying around.
Having all the hammering and sawing going on was an expected part of the day, but taking Grace to the doctor’s was not. Yesterday morning, after breakfast, we all got ready to go outside. For whatever reason, Grace didn’t wear her usual long dress or pants…..she put on a pair of little short biker shorts instead. Outside in the bright clear sunshine, I was shocked to see a large round “bulls-eye” rash on her leg. It was then that her “red eyes” made sense to me. . .for the past couple of days she’s had a funny look to her, almost like she hasn’t slept a wink all night. Her actual eyes are clear, but the skin around and under her eyes was pink, like a raccoon mask. After checking her out, I found another round rash under her arm. The rash was pink, smooth to the touch, with a darker pink ring around the outside. I called the doctor and they got her right in.
That feeling, in the pit of my stomach, when I am concerned about the health of one of my children, is so hard for me to deal with. I drove with my sunglasses on, and cried a little, which helped some. My heart goes out to all the parents who truly have seriously ill children. It’s heart-wrenching.
We arrived at the Pediatrician’s and got settled in the room. Dr. came in and was curious about how David’s bite was healing, so I took him in to be looked at, as well. I left sleeping Caleb in the van, with Jacob and Ethan looking after him.
The doctor checked Grace, and we found another bulls-eye rash starting on the back of her arm. He said right away that it was the beginnings of Lyme disease, which is sadly almost common round here, because of the dreadful ticks we have. (oh how I HATE them, they are part of the curse for sure).
I am so grateful for antibiotics, and wise doctors. Grace will be on the meds for 3 wks, and it will completely cure her of Lyme. In the old days, children often died of Lyme disease, and that has been such a sobering thought for me.
(Did I mention that I hate ticks??? They are the blight that proves to me I do NOT live in paradise!! That, and the venomous spiders!! LOL)
The doctor was pleased with David’s bite. He wants me to rub Neosporin on it 3 or 4 times a day. He noticed David’s blotchy eczema on the back of his knees. . and guess what he told me to do?! He said to run him a bath and pour 1/4 of a cup of BLEACH in the water! He said that soaking in bleach water would take care of the eczema and also sterilize his bite, as well. Good grief, I just had to laugh. My mom laughed and laughed when I told her as well, she had the mental image of me sterilizing my children in bleach baths! He said I could do it 2 times a week.
Just goes to show, you learn something new all the time.
The other thing I learned, which I am so grateful about, is the use of PROBIOTICS. Last week, when David first started on his strong antibiotic, the medicine was making him sick to his stomach. When I mentioned that to the Dr. I was told that I needed to get “probiotics”, I had NEVER heard of them before! Antibiotics not only kill bad bacteria, it also kills healthy bacteria, like what you have in your tummy. I was told that a course of antibiotics could destroy that bacteria in your stomach, and sometimes it never recovers! The Dr. told me to give David 2 capsules a day, of a probiotic, while he was on his antibiotic, and continuing another month beyond that would not hurt. I just open the capsule and mix the powder into applesauce. He never was sick again from the meds! So I was sure to get another box (you have to ask the Pharmacist for it) when I filled Grace’s prescription yesterday. I will give it to her, as well. (I’m using a brand called “Culturelle” click on link to see more info.). I personally am also going to take it as a supplement.
While I was at Target, I also got 2 big bottles of “OFF” with Deet in it. Apparantly it repells ticks. I don’t like spraying bug spray on my kids, unless the bugs are really bad, but the Dr. encouraged me that a small amount of deet, absorbed in the skin, is much better than coming down with lyme. Okay then!
I let Grace pick out a small toy while we waited for her medicine, because she was sick, and I like to baby my sick ones just a little bit. On the way out of the store, I gave Jacob and Ethan the evil eye and said, “Don’t you boys even think about getting sick!!” And Jacob said, “Well, I’m seriously thinking about it, so that I can have a new toy.” I had to laugh.
Okay, that’s enough. I’ve written a lot this morning. Rich came in, and then went right back out with Caleb. They are mowing the yard. I’ve given David, Caleb, and Grace breakfast during this time, too! 
It’s the last day of May. Seize it. Hold it. Enjoy it. And if your little one puts his hand on your knee, cherish the moment, that small light touch. Kiss the little hand. Love is a beautiful thing. . . . . .
