What is this thing they call “free time”?

The “thing” I alluded to a couple of weeks ago that would likely take what remaining free time I have left has panned out can now be announced…..drumroll….

I’m going back to school.

Not just any old school -  I’m going back for an MBA.  I learned last week that I was accepted to the program and will start my first class later this months.  In 2.5 years, taking one class at a time, I’ll have a full-fledged, honest-to-goodness MBA. 

And then what? 

Good question…

Hives and cuts and backaches, oh my!

It was another non-stop week of medical maladies in this household.

MONDAY – Mom still has hives.  They started Thursday and they ITCH! 

TUESDAY – Mom still has hives, gives in and goes to the doctor for a dandy steroid shot and a another 6 day prescription…because I’m not already enough of walking pharmaceutical cocktail.  My regular doctor was out of the office so I got to see Dr. I’m-Still-In-Diapers.  Seriously, I think this guy walked straight off of the medical school graduation podium and into the exam room.  Don’t get me wrong – I have nothing against young doctors – the kids’ pediatrician is in his early 30s and he’s great.  The guy I saw, however, not so great.  He was mumbling to himself while writing in my chart, things like “Hmm….let’s see…I’ll write ‘Patient presents with hives that itch.’ “  Not exactly the confidence inspiring prose I want from my medical professional.  The true gem was his assault at the end of the appointment.  With one foot out the door, he said “When was the last time you’ve had a full physical with blood tests for cholesterol and sugar?”.  I explained that I had had blood tests done in August, all with good results.  Apparently he didn’t hear me because he said “Well, fast for 10 hours before you follow-up appointment next week and we’ll draw blood for the tests.” and out the door he went.  I made the follow-up appointment because I was told to, but after further consideration I cancelled it.  My hives are gone.  My blood is fine.  I don’t like that doctor.  I’m not going back to him.  When and if I decide to have more blood tests, I’ll work with someone I have confidence in.

WEDNESDAY – Katey woke up with hives.  Not the little bug bite looking hives…not our Katey…she went all out with giant “take over your whole body” hives.  A dose of Benadryl, hives disappeared, off to daycare. Whew…  Another hive breakout in the evening but they were sufficiently cured with Benadryl as well.

Alex had a school project due on Friday for which I was cutting styrofoam to simulate earthquake damage.  In the process, I managed to slice nearly all they way through the tip of my finger with a serrated knife.  Much blood and deliberation later, I decided to forgo an E.R. visit and self medicate with liquid band-aid and Tylenol.  Going to the hospital would have impeded the progress of said earthquake which was due on Friday.

THURSDAY – Katey woke up with the mother of all hives cases.  I took her to the doctor.  Given her history of allergies, I thought it prudent to have this documented…and also because they were scary big this time.  The diagnosis was “giant hives” (which has a medical name that escapes me) treated with Benadryl and a 5-day dose of steroids.  On a side note, the doc said the steroids would also help to clear up her lungs, which were going down the path of almost causing wheezing again.  2 birds, one stone.

FRIDAY – My hives are finally gone.  Katey’s are still raging through the morning and afternoon.  They seemed to have disappeared by evening and have not yet resurfaced.

SATURDAY – Pleasant, uncomplicated, quiet.

SUNDAY – William developed a severe back ache to the point that he was screaming in pain.  There was no fever or “hot spot” that would point to a kidney infection or appendicitis and it seemed to go away with regular intervals of Tylenol and Motrin.  I could tell when the meds wore off, though, because the screaming returned in earnest.  I decided that if he was still in pain on Monday morning, we’d go to the doctor.

MONDAY – No hives.  Fingertip still attached. No screaming back ache.  We survived!! 

In retrospect, we probably should have taken William to the doctor to have his back ache checked out.  Can an almost 5 yr old get kidney stones?  My internet research leads me to think this might explain it.  However, in the very wise words of an E.R. doctor I saw way too many times last fall, “the two worst outcomes from the advent of the internet age are porn and medical misdiagnosis”.  I really need to learn back away from my keyboard at times and leave some thing up to the professionals.