a day...

Today TO had an appointment with her psychologist for the needle phobia and had blood work afterwards.  I am amazed at how well she did with the psychologist.  Dr. Kelly brought a butterfly needle into the room and by the end of the session, TO had held it, and had let Dr. Kelly hold it at various places on her hand and arm.  Definite progress!  But the best news is that there's no homework for us to do--other than the relaxation techniques.

After TO's blood work, they always let her pick from the treasure box, or sometimes they pick for her.  This appointment, being so close to Christmas, they gave her a bigger toy.  She got an American Girl doll!  One of the customized dolls.  Of course it's an African American doll, but I'm astounded that they have had gifts like that donated.  TO is absolutely in love with it and I know that CD is looking forward to TO leaving for school tomorrow so she (CD) can play with it.

And while TO had a good day (her blood work was no better or worse than usual), I did not have a very good day.  Things have just been off for me lately.  P has been getting longer chunks of time off in the afternoons, which is nice.  But, I'm definitely feeling the need to get out of the house--and there just doesn't seem to be time to do that.  Not like there's anything to do in this rinky-dink little town if I were to get out of the house sans kids.  P's parents are coming into town on Friday, and I'm hoping that they'll agree to stay with the kids one night so P and I can go out to supper.  We haven't been out alone together since we moved down here.  And, I'm thinking it might be time for a date night.

I know that a lot of my emotional status is stemming from the holiday season.  As excited as I am for the kids, I'm really missing being around family.  And the Christmas cards just aren't coming in like they used to.  And I'm kind of dreading P's folks coming down.  2 days of letting the kids do whatever they want and giving them whatever they want.  "McD's for the 3rd time?  Sure, why not?"  Arg.  I'm hoping things will be getting better after they head back north.

TO's class has monthly reward parties for all the kids that have met the requirements.  The requirements, you ask.  Not have more that one math homework turned in late and have completed 4 reading counts tests.  Well, the reward party this month is on the 22nd--they're heading over to the high school to watch the Polar Express on a big screen.  And she should be turning the last of her homework in tomorrow--just on time.  And as far as I know she only has one reading counts done.  And the rest need to be done by Wednesday.  Should be interesting to see if she gets it all done or not.

a very rashy boy

LE has been feeling kind of off for a while now.  Lots of complaints of headaches, stomachaches and leg pain, along with sporadic bouts of fever.  I took him in to the doctor on the 15th and they said he had a sinus infection and prescribed Augmentin.  They also did some blood work, which revealed a viral infection.  Then Thursday (the 21st) he stayed home with high fevers and Friday he was home as well (feeling better, but still not well enough to go to school).  Friday night after supper I noticed a rash on his upper torso and by bed time it had spread to his lower torso and upper arms.  By this morning it had spread to his whole body--all the way to his hands and feet.  We made a trip to the doctor this morning and they've pulled him off of the Augmentin, even though they are not calling it an allergic reaction and we're keeping him on Benadryl until the rash goes away.  The poor boy--the rash has continued to get worse--his checks are solidly covered with rash now, instead of just being spotty.  And it's starting to itch.  He's being a trooper though.

appointments

Yesterday we had a noon appointment with TO's psychologist, followed by a 1pm appointment with her oncologist.  According to her psychologist, she's doing really well with her anxiety--and we've noticed this at home.  We've been given some homework to work on, but our next appointment isn't for 10 more weeks.

She did fairly well with her blood work (finger poke)--not as good as the past 2 experiences, but definitely better than last year.  After the blood work, we met with her oncologist, who decided that she needed have a flu shot--which sent TO through the roof.  She's still pretty mad about it this morning.  She just doesn't understand why I didn't tell her that she was going to get a shot.  I don't think she understands that I didn't know about it either.  Honestly, I wasn't surprised that they wanted her to get a flu shot, but there was no way I was going to tell her about it and listen to her howling for days.  Now it's over and done with.  And the good news is, that she's old enough now that she only needs one shot.  No booster like the younger ones need.  Yay!