My knee's protesteth!

My knee's are staging a serious protest at the sudden reintroduction of stairs in my life after 5 yrs absent!

At home almost everyone I know lives in a single storey house including us and most buildings are the same. In England it's the exact opposite situation and so my knees have been brought out of retirement and are none too happy let me tell you.

At first they just niggled, then they swelled a bit, now they just ache when in use and have stiffened up. Tonight I resorted to the Ibuprofen and it helped....but seriously, how pathetic lol!!

I guess I need to get in the habit of going up and down our storm cellar steps once a day when I get home just to keep them from eventually siezing up.  I reckon they'll settle down about a week from now as I head home to the 'flat' lands!

"How did you miss my butt Mr. Mosquito?!"

"Because between my eyebrows maybe your idea of a joke, but I'm not amused!"

And of course I swell up with Mosquito bites, so if anyone knows a fast and effective cure, please let me know, because this photo makes it look better than it is.

Right now it's like a small pink egg is reshaping my forehead! After-Bite and Aloe gel have helped a little, but I'm open to any other ideas thanks.

One thing I hate about Okieland - enormous Mosquito's that just won't quit!

We have a major & expensive mystery?

Somewhere out there we have a huge water leak and we have a big yard, there are another two areas not shown here. Normally we would know where all the water lines run and be able to find it under the house probably. But the crawl space is completely dry and nothing in or under the house appears to be the problem.

However the previous owner installed an underground sprinkler system for the whole yard, which is wonderful in the summer. But when you have a major water leak it rapidly becomes a nightmare, as we have water lines all over the front and back yards as well. We have already done the obvious, like walking the yard feeling for soft or wet patches and sticking in a metal stick intermittently. We do have a plan of where all these lines are, but we can't use any kind of detector, because it will pick up water in the lines.

After long discussions with our city maintenance man, the Hubster this morning dug up around the sprinkler cut-off valve to check it, we were praying it was the source, but sadly it's not.

So he's back on the phone now chewing it over, and I have called his bestfriend to come and give his input to. The sprinkler system has been turned off for the winter but somewhere out there it's leaking. We are sure of this because we had a small leak last winter and the moment the system was turned back on for spring, it went away and we thought problem solved.

We have to find it fast. In November we used 10,000 gallons in the month, we have just used 12,000 gallons in the past 5 days! Our January bill is $120 which we still have to pay, normally it would be under $40! Unlike in England, the water comes from the city, so there is no water company to call for help.

I know it's unlikely, but if anybody has any good ideas on how to find the leak, please jump in.

We're no longer immune out here!

Well I'm still around but the flu finally hit our Elementary with force on Monday, and it's been a crazy week so far.

Monday morning my phone was red hot as all the parents called in sick children, and it didn't ease up for over an hour. This was followed throughout the day with more getting sick, as our absentee level rocketed. I have now commenced 'full defensive protection' and am wearing my N95 face mask and gloves everytime a child is sent to me. We are also constantly wiping everything down and using handwash incessantly.

Then late yesterday we were told we would get an H1N1 vaccination clinic tomorrow at the school, this is the first supply in our area. So this morning all the parents who wanted their children to get the vaccine had to call me by 9am. Well that resulted in over 60 calls in about 90 minutes, plus parents with sick children called too. In fact I had so many calls, some people said it took them many attempts to get through!

By the time I had prepared a three part form for every child (approx' 600 sheets) to take home, dealt with yet more sick ones coming to the office and my phone was still ringing off the hook - I was completely and utterly knackered by days end!!

But I am also very relieved we have been blessed with the H1N1 vaccine and so many of our parents are going for it. Their decision will give the whole community better protection, as there is no doubt we are currently under a sustained attack!

So I fully expect tomorrow morning to be even more crazy than today, as I collect all the consent forms and then help organise the clinic and call through the children. But all this additional work will be well worth it, if the vaccine and a few days break from school start us on the road to recovery.

Fall Break starts tomorrow night and couldn't be better timed for slowing the spread of the flu here - plus I will need a rest!

Never happier to be stuck!

With a needle that is!

In my line of work as an Elementary School Secretary and unofficial nurse, the flu shot is essential. Add in the fact I have an auto-immune disease and it's an absolute must.

I was supposed to get it last week at Walgreens, they had Dr authorisation and then I got sick. So when I could finally get there, they informed me they were out of vaccine and weren't getting anymore this year! In fact our whole county is a completely vaccine free zone, with no definite date for shipments.

I thought I'd just stick it out until the end of the month, but then things changed today. A neighbouring school where I live had 20 out yesterday with flu, a school 50 miles away has 2 confirmed H1N1 cases and we had 3 out with flu symptoms.

So I took a 1/2 day to make a 200 mile round trip to the only known Walgreens in our part of the state with any shots left! And they advised me I would be getting one of the last few shots they had. I have to say I was very happy to make the effort and am relieved I now have some protection.

On the bright side, a good friend went with me today and we turned it into a fun retail therapy trip too!

Now I have to decide whether to have the H1N1 shot, as I will be in the high risk group and offered it soon, right now I think I'll go ahead. So have you made more of an effort to get the flu shot this year and what are your thoughts on the H1N1 vaccine?

My new bestfriend!

This range of products may just have transformed my life!

For years I have had to put up with alot of 'negative reaction' from my stomach and bowels dependant on what I put in my mouth. About 8yrs ago I finally had some tests done and it turned up food intolerances to yeast, corn, oats, kiwi fruit and kidney beans. But after completely removing them for sometime they can then be gradually re-introduced , and then you find out where the intolerance level really is.

Despite kind of getting a handle on these, I have continued to have problems. Recently I noticed it seemed to be in conjunction with dairy foods, after all there really wasn't much else left it could be, when you consider how many things contain the others.

I cut out the dairy for a week before we went away and 'hey presto' no more problems. But also no more cereal, ice cream, smoothies, cheese, butter, strawberries and cream...sob! I tried goats milk and was disgusted, and Soy milk has always made me throw up instantly - no exaggeration!

So after reading an article about Lactaid I bought some of their milk on Thursday and being ever the optimist, two boxes of cereal. Well 4 days later I am doing fine, the taste is hardly any different to regular and I have had plenty now with no problems.

I just thought Lactaid had no Lactose in it, but it's much cleverer than that:

"LACTAID® Brand dairy products have lactase enzyme added to break down the lactose in the products themselves into two simple sugars (galactose and glucose), making them easy to digest. LACTAID® Dietary Supplements contain lactase that helps you digest dairy foods when taken with the first bite.

About 75% of the world's population is lactose intolerant."

Today we went and got some of their capsules, you just take one with the first bite of any dairy containing food and it will do it's thing. I tested the capsules with a milkshake (bliss after so long without) and have had absolutely no after effects.

So if you suffer similarly and have never considered it might be lactose intolerance, I urge to try Lactaid as you maybe one of the 75%. As for me, I will never leave home again without a capsule on my person.

Better News

Andy saw his consultant again and his field of vision has improved a little, which is good news. The consultant had reviewed all his results and the MRI again and decided it is probably Optical Neuritis causing all the problems. The cause he thinks is due to a very bad bout of flu earlier this year and high LDL cholesterol.

Although there is still a possibility there could be a small tumor, the blood work indicates not and if there is it is benign. So he has been sent home to see how he does for two weeks, work on the LDL and then his vision will be checked again.

So the news is finally more positive and we have all relaxed alot, thank you for all your prayers and well wishes.

Update

The latest is something has shown up on my brother's MRI scan of his brain, right by his optic nerve. They do not know what it is and he is being referred by the current consultant to a consultant Neurologist, who will do another MRI.

He is returning for more tests on his vision tomorrow, as he thinks the other eye is starting to get some feedback too possibly. They are still thinking he has an optical neurosis but it's what is causing it that's unknown. MS has been mentioned but only as a possible maybe, but I know that's worrying him and I have tried to reassure him.

He is very stressed understandably and emotional at times, which is very hard to hear when I'm so far away and can't hug him. I think we are all just totally frazzled with the stress of it all and personally nothing else seems important to me right now.

So I would ask for prayers and thoughts for my little brother, Andy Williams (easy name to remember!) and strength for all those supporting him.

Uh, finally they got me!

The kiddo's at school that is! I always knew as secretary in an Elementary, with nurse duties thrown in, it was a high risk job for much sickness.

And so finally with only 13 days remaining in this school year, I have succumbed to a stomach bug doing the rounds. Despite having an antibacterial handwash on the wall that I use religiously and keeping as much distance as I can taking temperatures etc, this time it got me too. I was honestly beginning to think I might make the whole school year, with nothing caught from the kids - more fool me!

Not long after waking this morning the bottom end hit and then the top end joined in the incessant 'party'. Let's just say it's a darned good job there is only 5ft between my bed and a toilet, but a few times even that seemed like 100 metres!! I have finally slept for an hour uninterrupted, but I'm not at all sure it's over, going on some ominous rumblings.

So back to bed, with sips of water only, as I fear it's just waiting for more ammunition in my stomach before it strikes back.

Bloody outrageous!!

This may just be THE most expensive (small) bottle of prescription cough mixture known to mankind!

You'd think it contained gold, frankinscence and myrrh going on the cost. But oh no it's just your regular old $86 cough mixture!! If you're a Brit' then that's 58 pounds! And yes I do have good insurance, but the pharmacist told us, most insurance companies won't cover cough mxture anymore. Sadly I need it, as coughs always settle on my chest and get very bad.

So instead of getting my lowlights redone next week, I'll be drinking the worlds most expensive cough mixture!

It's official...

I am UTTERLY knackered thanks to my thyroid! It is now officially sliding me into the hypo' range and oh boy can I ever tell. I think I could sleep for 24 hours and still be knackered!

So if my posts seem a little weary or below par, bare with me please until the new replacement meds kick in, I start them tomorrow. It's been a wierd few days, with some very funny feeling spells and it's about all I can do to get through my working day right now.

For those of you with thyroid issues, I know you know exactly how I feel. When Brit' Gal goes to bed at 9pm, then something just ain't right with the world!

For those of you who have wondered why I'm not on Spring Break this week, well our school has a cunning plan (for some reason I'm very Blackadder today - Brit's will get this!). We just take Thursday and Friday this week, but then we get all the Fridays except one off in April, so a 4 day week which we all much prefer.

And now I' m off to try and cook a curry, through the serious brain fog and sleepiness - god help the Hubster!

Hot to trot - unfortunately!

Been having a few thyroid issues again the past few days, once again I am hyperthyroid; which means I'm like Superwoman, can out multi-task Martha and could probably outlast the Duracell Bunny too!

My nails grow almost as fast as I can nibble them away, my hair sprouts like it's on Miracle Grow, I can eat anything and lose weight, my heart thinks I'm permanently jogging, my BP responds in kind and my bowels overprocess everything on warp-speed! And that last one is my particular problem the past 72 hours!!

Yep hyper is no fun, because you can't enjoy the superhuman benefits when you need to stick close to a loo!

My Endo has increased my meds to control the heart/BP and we both think in about 10 days things will be heading the other way - inshallah (god willing).

Now the Brit' way to deal with 'the trots' is to starve yourself for 24 hours and just sip water or re-hydration drinks. Basically let your internal system have a complete rest and reset itself. And there is a question mark over whether I could have a bit of a stomach bug/flu causing the trots, as a few kids did at school last week.

So as everything else has been slowed down since Friday night, and yesterday I ate normally and it just got worse, I am going to go with this theory and eat nothing today just in case it's the bug. I know over here you advocate things like Chicken Noodle Soup, but I just feel more comfortable with the Brit' way of nothing but water. Having said that once I get past the 24 hour mark at 7pm tonight, CNS will be the first thing I consume!

I am actually hoping this will cure it, as I would rather have the bug going around and not really be that hyper! So any other good tips to help me out (and note, I already have moist wipes!)?

It's 'the girls' big day out today!

And I mean 'OUT'...yep 'the girls' and I are off to the big city lights for our annual squish, pummel and flat-iron today. And seeing as I took a 'brutal' honesty pill this week, I thought what the heck I've covered facial hair, lets go for the boobies now!

So let's get serious for a moment, because it's not a joking matter and if I can convince just one of you to go get checked for the first time, then this has been worthwhile.

I am 42 and I had my first mammogam last year at 41, just to give me a baseline you understand, the plan was then to get one 3-5 years later. Well hey guess what, they found a shadow, so I was referred to the wonderful specialist clinic Breast Imaging of Oklahoma. It's staffed by all female technicians, aesthetically relaxing to women in decor, and tries to get everything done there and then. Well after a digital mammo' and an ultra-sound, turned out I had a cyst, which they quickly aspirated and I was good to go. But they requested I come back a year later for my next mammogram, as I have the kind of dense boobs prone to cysts and hard to self-examine.

My point though is I had no clue I had an issue before the mammogram, I also didn't know I had the kind of dense tissue that needs watching a little more regularly. All this just by going to get a baseline mammo' in my early forties.

And here is my next point; in the UK women aren't even offered a mammogram on the NHS under the age of 50, unless they are in a high-risk group. That's just considered 'old' for getting a baseline here, most Dr's will recommend it around 45, but some anytime after you hit 40. The thinking behind this is to get a baseline for future comparison, before menopause and all the changes it brings starts. Makes good sense to me!

But turns out 'the girls' have had a bit of a year, well the left one anyway! First of all I had mastitis in May and no you didn't miss me dropping a baby Brit' Gal, typically I was that 'rare' non-breastfeeding case! Then 3 weeks ago I woke up and found a very tender sizeable lump, that had literally popped up overnight?! I was a little concerned and very touchy as in "touch my boob and you're dead meat hubster", but also realised Breast Cancer doesn't generally appear overnight. After a week of anti-biotics and then a lovely steroid shot in the bootie, it finally went away and has not returned, probably just infection according to my Dr. But the Dr wanted me to get not just my annual mammo' but also a specialist consultation, on why my 'left boob' is determined to hog the limelight this year?!

So that's where I am off to today, pretty relaxed about it all and glad to be going to such a fantastic clinic, where I know I will get the best possible attention and care. Sure mammograms are not comfortable and this comes to you from a Gal who has alot to flatten! But I am now a total advocate of going in your 40's and getting that baseline done. If I was in the UK I would have paid to go privately by age 45, but I bet that cyst would have been an issue before then. I imagine most of us can say we know someone personally affected by Breast Cancer and these days it's got a high remission rate, so early detection is even more essential.

So if you're worried it'll hurt, go immediately after your period (less painful) and grit your teeth for the minute it takes to do each. No family history, well history has to start with someone! If you're in the UK don't wait for the NHS to decide it's your time, get that baseline in your 40's. And if you just can't be bothered, well look at your loved ones faces and do it for them.

And for all you men, just be grateful for that prostate exam, it could be so much worse! ;-)

My new BFF!

Despite barely leaving the confines of our personal compound since Christmas Eve, I seem to have contracted some kind of stomach upset! At the moment it's the nether end suffering, but judging by my headache, queasiness and general malaise the upper end may join the party soon!

The Hubster is suspecting the culprits are the roast parsnips we have been ingesting. But with my touchy stomach anything's possible, and I have been over doing the sugar, a known aggravator for yours truly. So as of now I am self-imposing a 24-hour fast, the only successful way I have ever found to kick this kind of trouble. It's at times like this when I truly appreciate the benefits of Charmin wet wipes!

Guilty party?

Bandaged baby Bon Bon is home

Our baby-girl is home, with her big bandage in place!

I picked her up after work, the nurse said "she is such a sweet kitty", I was so proud. This time the vet has sutured her externally and she has to keep this bandage and pad on for 7-10 days to ensure nothing goes awry. We will take her back for the sutures to be removed next Saturday. When she stands up, the bandage makes her look just like a whippet!

She talked to me all the way home and has settled back in with the other two immediately. After an explore, play and food, she is now sleeping. I did pick her up and roll her over gently to look, but she miaowed twice and so I know she is more sore this time. Last time she was back to her crazy self within two days, this time you can tell she is moving more gingerly.

We are so happy to have our baby home, we just haven't been a complete family these past few days :-)

More surgery!

Well Bon-Bon has a hernia, following her surgery to be spayed!

Still being a kitten it was impossible to stop her playing and jumping within a few days of being spayed. The nurse/tech at our vet had told me she wouldn't jump until she was ready. Well that didn't stop her and as a result she has a hernia that now needs operating on.

So she is off again on Wednesday to get it all fixed, and this time they will keep her in until Friday night to ensure no repetition! We'll miss her lots, but it needs doing and there's no way we can keep her enclosed and quiet as required.

Inexplicable but Undeniable!

Seeing as cold/flu season is upon us again, I thought I would share this valuable piece of information.

I first got this information in an email over a year ago and decided to try it the next time I had any congestion.

Coat the soles of your feet with Vicks VapoRub and then put on a pair of socks. Don't ask me how, but this will guarantee a good nights sleep, stop a cough and keep your nose clear all night!

Everything settles on my chest and I have always needed prescription cough medicine, but since doing this, I have come through 2 colds without the need for it. However heavy my cold has got, I have also been able to breathe relatively clearly all night.

The past few days I have been suffering with the curse of all Okies - allergies. So last night I put the Vicks and socks on and my nose cleared and I slept like a baby.

As I say no clue how this works, but it does and I suspect it might even guarantee a good nights sleep when you're not sick too!

Bon-Bon had her bits away!

So the other big event around here on Friday, was our little baby kitty Bonnie Blue, (now nicknamed Bon-Bon c'os she's so sweet) was spayed. You can just see her neat little scar below and this was when she was still uncomfortable.

She has been 'in heat' twice and the last time nearly drove us all nuts, with her moaning and writhing. So enough was enough and we packed her off to the vet Friday morning.

She came home late afternoon, very drowsy and tender. By evening it was obvious she was in some discomfort, but she finally fell asleep snuggled in my dressing gown.

By Saturday morning she was much more herself, feeling well enough to sit in 'her' laundry basket and has improved all day. You can still tell she's a bit sore though by the way she is moving.

Here's a little reminder of how tiny she was when we got her!

Doctored up

Well after another night of little sleep and constant coughing or congestion, this morning I went to see my doctor. I have a chest, ear and eye infection all caused by a nasty case of the 'crud' as he put it.

I am on antibiotics the size of horse pills, seriously I have never seen such huge antibiotics before! Cough mixture that has a suppressant and would have been $67 without my insurance. You Brit's out there, I nearly died when he told me how much the bottle of cough mixture was, before I remembered my insurance!!

I am also not allowed to return to work until Wednesday at the earliest, dependant on me feeling alot better.

One really cute kitty thing though. Cal-Jo, our middle child, has determinedly slept on my lap in the recliner for the past 2 nights, despite my constant hacking and wheezing. Bless her little heart, she just won't leave me for the bed and is catching up on all her lost sleep in the day, now I'm off to join her.

And now I have viral conjunctivitis!

Yep, the sickness just goes on in our home. In fact last night I had to sleep on a recliner to ease the coughing and nasal congestion! I am still very coldy, have swollen weepy eyes and I'd say there's a less than 50% chance of work tomorrow.

Last week was just too much. I got run-down, then sick and when you have an auto-immune disease, it's always harder to recover.