And we’re home from the naturopath.
Note To Self: Spending an hour and a half in a room with a cranky 17 month old is your own personal hell.
Check.
The dr. looked at Maile and Kainoa’s skin and mentioned what many of you suggested which was that she may have a food allergy. I told her Maile had been tested when she was Kainoa’s age and that everything came back in our favor.
She said the tests where they prick your back are not always as conclusive and talked to me about cutting out gluten from Maile’s diet.
Sigh.
I was prepared for that. I’ve been it because it sounds like a lot of work. Gluten is in pretty much everything and I don’t want my kids to grow up feeling like they have to eat “different” foods then everyone else. Not to mention what a pain it would be to cook gluten free meals for my kids and regular meals for the rest of the daycare…ugh. Not fun. And not to mention my kids are as picky as they come and will most likely hate every gluten free morsel I place in front of them.
No thank you.
But I’ll try it with my kids if it means a more comfortable life for them…I’ll try it.
Dr. said I could also do the blood draw allergy test which will tell me exactly what foods Maile is allergic to, including wheat and 90% of whatever else it is we eat.
I went with the blood draw. It just seems easier than one by one cutting out each of her foods in an attempt to figure out if one of them is causing a reaction in her skin. We’re supposed to get the results back in a couple of weeks.
I was a little disappointed that the dr. did not spend a little more time trying to figure out what was wrong with Maile and the little sickness she has right now. When she took her temperature it was over 102. She did check Maile’s throat and found nothing out of the ordinary and that was it. I guess I was kind of hoping for a diagnosis.
SO.
$25 for special shampoo/body wash
$30 copayment
$50 for natural ointments and creams
$10 for fish oil vitamins
$126 for allergy test
_____________________
$241 later I have a still sick daughter, a pissed off son, a headache, and a depleted bank account.
Let’s just hope it’s not all for not.
I called Maile’s pediatrician last night when her temperature hit 104. The Motrin seems to bring her back to normal, but it’s unsettling to see her temp. get so high. She has another appointment with THAT doctor in two hours. It will be interesting to see if her findings are any different then the naturopaths. All I want is a diagnosis and some drugs. And not crack. Maile’s too young for crack. I am a lot of things…and a responsible, loving mother is one. We will wait AT LEAST four years before giving Maile crack.
Archives for 2008
The Hair Affair
Damn
I’m taking all of next week off. ALL of it. It’s the longest break from the daycare I’ve had since…well for at least two years. A whole week.
I’ve been giddy all day. Today’s my last day!! A world of opportunities to do WHATEVER I want for a WHOLE week. The zoo, the aquarium, movies, the children’s museum…we were gonna have so much fun.
Tomorrow night is game night at Lolo’s. Husband/wife teams playing pictionary. SO much fun. (nerd alert. I know).
Another night Pat and I plan to take the kids to Seaside. SO much fun.
I have a girls night planned with my high school friends. SO much fun.
Until about 5 minutes ago.
I had a hunch…just a small little voice in my head that we can call “mother’s intuition”.
Mother’s Intuition: Hmmm. Maile looks a little pale today….wonder what’s up with that.
Me: Ahhhh…she needs to drink more water. I’m not giving her anymore milk, she’s probably dehydrated.
Mother’s Intuition: Yeah….but she’s lacking that extra bit spunk she normally has and she sure isn’t eating much.
Me: Well, she didn’t have much of a nap today she’s probably extra tired.
Mother’s Intuition: Kind of weird that she’s asking to go to bed so early though…especially with a friend over for the night. Normally she’d be yapping all night, refusing to sleep.
Me: HEY Mother’s Intuition!! I got big plans this week and Maile being sick is NOT going to sit well with me so SUCK it.
No sooner did I finish saying this to Mother’s Intuition did I go into Maile’s room to check on her.
Maile: Mom I getting sick.
Mom: (cringe) Why do you say that?
Maile: Cause my troat hurts right here….and when I get up it hurts.
Mom: Where does it hurt?
Maile: Dest…here (she brushes her hands up and down her whole body)
I feel her head. Damn it. One of those times when only a moron would need a thermometer to tell you this child is burning up.
And here’s the somewhat comical part of a very un-comical situation…I gave Maile a teaspoon of MOTRIN to make her feel better. That video was bad Karma. I’m SORRY Motrin!!!!
So it looks like baby girl is going to be sick. She said she feels like she could throw up and I am BEYOND bummed right now. We were gonna have so much fun. Now she’s gonna be sick…and Laina and Kainoa will probably get it…no game night. No Seaside trip. I’ll get it just in time to miss my girls night. And this just sucks.
I guess it could be worse though. She could be sick AND I could be running the daycare. I hate it when my kids get sick and I can’t sit with them and take care of them like I’d like to because the other kids are demanding my attention. So at least I can dote on her proper like.
I’m going to hold out hope that it’s just a little fever and it will be gone in the morning…keep your fingers crossed for NO throwing up!!!
It’s 9:40 and I’m headed to the store to pick up some anti-sick tools to make my girl better.
The Hugging State
A lot of you were curious as to how the trip to the Hugging State went. I had never been to Hawaii before and it was awesome. We flew in to Oahu and it was like staying in a very sunny version of Seattle. Nice. But busy.
Then we flew to Lanai and I loved it. WAY more laid back there and there’s so much history! Aside from the two giant resorts that are there now, Lanai is vastly untouched by tourists. Everyone knows each other, there’s not one stoplight on the whole island and it’s one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever been to. Hard to believe Pat ever wanted to leave.
His family refused to acknowledge any awkward vibes I was sending and embraced me with open arms. Hawaiian style. I did hesitate a couple times like…now??…wait, huuuuug now?? in a weird white girl sort of way, but they just come right at’ya. No stopping, no stuttering, no hesitations, they mover RIGHT in for the hug. And actually that’s the way I prefer it…I can’t have someone hesitating with me…then things just get really weird.
Honestly though, I have never felt more welcome somewhere. I was nervous about how they would receive their brother’s tall, young, white girlfriend, but if they were surprised by my appearance they didn’t let on.
They were extremely friendly and in true Kathy style I barely spoke and spent most of my time listening to them “talk story” and trying to figure out what they were saying.
In fact…it’s been six years and it’s still like that when we go. I just sit and smile and laugh. They’re hilarious. And they make fun of Pat constantly. And I like that. I think I talk a little more each time we go…but it’s not easy for me. I’m sarcastic and dry and I don’t think a lot of people “get that”. I’m afraid I’ll say something that no one will get and they’ll all just stop and stare and be like “who told the white girl she could talk??” Have I mentioned I’m ridiculously shy? It’s stupid.
But still. His family is wonderful and every time we leave I start planning our next trip…hugging and all.
ps Whenever I see these pre-baby pictures I think “man! I had it SO easy”. Even now when I’m not with my kids, they are a constant thought. They never leave my mind. But in these pictures…back then…they didn’t exist. What did I THINK about?? Just relaxing in the sun, having a good time with my boyfriend…kid-free = carefree. Now when we go on vacation my mind is in over drive. I pack for four people, my kids are always in need of something, constantly cleaning up after them…you can hardly call it a vacation. Boy if I knew then what I know now…I would have drank WAY more.
I Remember When Pat Took Me To Hawaii
I remember when Pat took me for my first ever trip to Hawaii.
In preparation for the trip Pat gave me the rundown on social interactions in Hawaii.
Pat: Everyone hugs there.
Me: Why??
Pat: Because we’re family…and you hug family…it’s just a way of greeting people.
Me: I don’t hug MY family.
Pat: Well you should. People are gonna hug you in Hawaii.
Me: But I don’t even know them.
Pat: It doesn’t matter. That’s just how it is.
Me: What if I’m not a hugger…I don’t even like to hug…it’s awkward.
Pat: It’s not a big deal.
Me: I mean…if I hug you when I meet you, and then see you again the next day…do I hug you again??
Pat: You’re over thinking it.
Me: Well I can see giving your brother and sister a hug…do I have to hug their kids?
Pat: Yes Kathy. They’re all family.
Me: What if one of their kids has a significant other with them, do I hug them too??
Pat: Are you kidding me right now?
Me: Well I think I should know!! I mean WHO ALL am I supposed to be hugging? Do I hug the pilot?? Where does the hugging end??
Pat: They’ll probably stop hugging YOU right away, cause your whack.
Me: If I hug you at dinner do I hug you again after dinner when I’m leaving??
Pat: Probably…
Me: Two hugs in one night??
Pat: Is that a problem?
Me: It’s just…I’m not a hugger…that’s a lot of awkwardness for me.
Pat: Well it’s the Hawaiian way so get used to it.
Me: You guys are weird.
Pat: Well I think you’re weird. Why can’t you hug people??
Me: I can hug people!! In…say…an emergency or something…I just don’t hug excessively. Hawaiians sound like excessive huggers.
Read about my experience in The Hugging State of Hawaii here.
Point Defiance Zoo
Smart Ass and I took the kids to the zoo this past weekend. It’s funny because Me, Smart Ass, Lolo, and Baby all have kids close in age…so if I invite one of them on an outing it only makes sense to invite the others as well.
At the last minute I asked Smart Ass if he and his boy wanted to come to the zoo and when I talked to Baby that night she was all, “ahem.” and I was all “oops. It was last minute and you and Lolo live so much further (15 minutes away)…” and she was all “oh I know totally…hey I gotta go cause me and Lolo are gonna make some plans and I’d invite you…buuuut…you know, you liv’n so far and all…” :) Yes. All of my siblings are smart asses…it’s just that Smart Ass is the best at it.
Here he is with his boy. He knows I make calendars for the family every Christmas and any time he notices the camera on him he goes into GQ mode. He’s totally posing.
Back to the zoo. Kainoa. Loved. It. It was his first time and I swear he could have stood at the glass watching the animals for hours.
In fact I threatened to leave him there and he didn’t mind. one. bit.
I’m tempted to take him back next weekend because he had so much fun.
I’m An Ass
And here’s why.
Maile and Kainoa both have eczema. We’ve been dealing with eczema in this house for the last five years and I still don’t know how to spell it correctly. Isn’t there an ‘x’ in there somewhere.
Anyways it doesn’t affect either of their faces, mostly just behind their legs, the inside of their elbows, armpits…and then odd and ends places all over. Lots of patches of red irritated skin, and if they scratch too much they bleed and break out even more. It’s a vicious cycle.
We’ve tried everything. Lots of baths. No baths. No soap. Light detergent for sensitive skin. Extra rinse cycles. Vaseline. Aquafor. Aveeno. Oatmeal. Baking Soda. Jergens. Aloe Vera. Protopic. Eucerin. Lanolin. Benadryl spray. Shea butter. Baby oil. Drink more water. Don’t drink milk. Dust more often. Only wear cotton. Blah blah blah. Nothing really works and I feel like a crappy mom because my kids are itchy I can’t make it go away.
I’m an ass.
Maile: I don LIKE myself.
Me: Why would you say something like that?
Maile: Cause I’m itchy. Jesus made me itchy.
And in just five years of life my daughter has learned to blame Jesus for her shortcomings. Awesome. I guess when you tell your kids Jesus made the moon and sun and stars, it’s only natural for them to think Jesus is also responsible for your eczema. Don’t know quite what to do about that.
We’ve gotten to the point with Maile that we don’t even really do ANYTHING. The excema is still there, she still itches, but she doesn’t cry and complain so I don’t touch it. In the past I would put lotion on her and she would go into a screaming fit that sounded like she was being burned. It was awful. So I just gave up. Hoping it will go away on it’s own.
Kainoa is a little worse at this point. He’s a baby so he doesn’t realize he’s scratching the crap out of himself half the time. There are scratch marks all over his little hiney and on his shoulders and on his elbows. It’s sad.
The dermatologist was never very helpful with Maile. He told us excema is genetic and he taught us about the itch-scratch-break out cycle of excema, but he doesn’t have a cure. Maile was prescribed with a steroid cream called desonide that we use sparingly and only during an outbreak on the most painful spots. One bottle will last us about a year. I’ve never taken Kainoa in to the dermatologist. I just took the information I got when we were going with Maile and applied it to him. When he has horrible outbreaks we use the desonide on him and it goes away.
Last week we ran out of the good stuff and I called for a re-fill.
receptionist: Yeah…the doctor is denying your request for a re-fill.
Me: So what does that mean? I need to take them in???
receptionsist: Mmm-hmmm.
Me: Ok well I’m off during such-and-such week in November, can we fit them in at that time?
receptionist: Noooo. I’m afraid not. We’re looking at the next opening to beeeeeee……December 9th.
Sigh.
Why are they always so busy!?! I instantly flash back to a time two years ago when Maile was just three. I had put lotion on her after her bath and she started screaming as if she were burning alive. She was jumping up and down and scratching all over, red faced SHRIEKING.
I hurried and called her dermatologist for an appointment because I had NO idea what was going on. I needed an appointment THAT second, but they didn’t have an opening until the next month. What is that? I’m calling you with a baby who is being eaten alive by SOMETHING and you can’t get her in??
Why do they book themselves so solid that they can’t fit in a dying three year old? Tell that pimply teenager to throw some Proactiv on his face and call it a day. I was seriously irritated they were making me wait that long. I ended up being able to help Maile myself and by “help” her I mean I threw her in the bath and we both cried through it. The lotion I had put on her was basically like putting acid on an open sore.
I’m an ass.
The conversation I was having with the receptionist took me right back to that moment.
me: December 9th is just not going to work for me. My kids are breaking out and they need to be seen sooner than that if he’s not going to re-fill the prescription.
receptionist: I’m sorry maam that’s his next available appointment.
me: Well I don’t know what else I’m supposed to do. My kids need some relief, we’re just going to have to find a different doctor because that doesn’t work.
And at that we parted ways.
Our pediatrician recently gave us a new referral to a dermatologist who is a bit closer to our house. Aha! I thought…I’ll call HER! The sucky part about switching is that I have to do all the paperwork again and transfer Maile’s info from the one dr. to the other…but for a closer appointment I suppose it’s worth it.
I called the new doctor’s office.
me: Hi, I’m hoping to make an appointment for my kids, they’ve never visited this dr. before.
receptionist: ok well let’s get them in!
me: Great…such-and-such week in November works best for me since I won’t be working.
receptionist: Hmmmm…..it looks like the soonest we can get them in is….December 15th.
December 15th.
A week LATER than the original doctor.
Awesome.
I’m an ass.