The Chronicles of a Raving Lunatic

The nurses in the Doctors office actually got the Pharm chick to see me a week early to teach me how to give myself injections. This past week was my first completely self injection. It's very weird. Feels strange. She gave me a bag of syringes, needles, alcohol wipes, and band-aids. And I got a little medical waste container. I have to take that into the office when it gets about 3/4 full for them to dispose. And I just tell them when I'm getting low on the stuff in the bag and they'll give me more. Anyway, he couldn't work it so I get my MTX from them because it's technically a Chemotherapy drug and is pretty dangerous. Like, I have to have my little medical waste container marked with "CYTOTOXIN" so they know what's in it. And a lot of pharmacies aren't certified to carry it. The pills, yes, but not the injections. So I have to buy it. BUT, it turns out, an entire month's supply is only about $20-25. Only, I got a better deal. Seems the Pharmacy couldn't get ahold of the vial size that I was prescribed, so they got me a much larger vial with preservatives (the smaller ones don't, so I have to toss what's left in the vial) that will last me 10 weeks. And it was only $18. And when I went to Meijer to fill my other prescriptions and I gave them my new Rx card, my total for 3 meds was only $16. Score. And from now on I'll only need to go to the doctor's once a month for blood tests and the occasional chest x-ray and my appointment.

I got the costumes done a little late. As in, the afternoon they left, a few hours after they wanted to leave. But it wasn't my fault. Paul was supposed to pick up a few odds and ends I needed to finish, like thread and ribbon, on Wednesday morning before he got home from work. But he decided to come home and go to sleep instead and didn't get to the store to get the stuff until Wednesday evening. That set me back a few hours. Also, there were some issues with Corie's. See, I made Paul's with only a slight guide for the flare of the bottom of the robe. And I had a home-made dress form we made. Well, i didn't have that for Corie. They went to the trouble to make it, but he never went and got anything to stuff it with, so hers was done with a little guide and NO FORM. So it ended up being a little small in front and I had to add some material, but that worked out okay. And then the top of the chest area was too big an puffed out between her chest and neck, so I had to temporarily tack that so it fit. And her collar was a little off. Though, they got that kind of figured out and fixed this morning. Sometime before next year I'm going to scrap the front and just remake it. Paul had to, of course, make a comment that it "looks like a 5-year old threw it together" this morning (Friday) before they figured it out. And he called from the road twice Thursday just to make make comments about being tired because they had to leave late. I hung up on him all three times.

Oh, and to top everything off, Just about the time they were supposed to leave Thursday, they got called into the school. Thomas got suspended for 5 days because he threw a chair at one of the teachers/teacher's aides (not sure what she is). She's 60. Apparently she was limping and had to go home and file Workers Comp because he hit her right in the knee. But, of course, since he's only 7, he doesn't really understand suspension and just knows he gets 5 extra days off school. And he was a horrid brat yesterday and today. I don't expect him to be any better the next two days, either. That's okay, he's already going to be in HUGE trouble when they get home that my constant yelling at him and his grounding is going to be a picnic.

And now, I'm off to bed.

I've been sitting here with the update window open for a couple hours now. I really don't know why I haven't just written the entry and hit post. Every time I get ready to I just... don't.

I guess I should start with the fact that dad was in the hospital for 5 days starting last Wednesday night after he got off work. He felt an infection in his leg and went in so he could get an IV antibiotic in the ER like he has to from time to time. He never ended up showing up afterward. Tried calling him all day Thursday, but his phone would go straight to voice mail and he never called. I figured they probably kept him overnight, as they often do. He never showed up that night or Friday either. I called his phone again Friday a few times, same result. I finally decided to call the hospital to see if he was admitted. They just connected me to his room. He said he hadn't called b/c he didn't know if brother's number was considered local or not and his phone was almost dead. They did some cultures, which didn't come back until Saturday. Meanwhile, they kept switching up his antibiotic to find one that would work. Turns out he had MRSA. And it was in his blood. They were worried it would get (or may have gotten) to his brain. The Dr. told him that if he had gone home and gotten a high fever, he could have passed out and never woken up. Guess it's a good thing he felt that infection and went in. They had him on IV antibiotics until early Monday evening. Like, he was supposed to be checking out, but they pumped 2 more bags into him in about 3 hours just to be safe. They sent him with a Rx for an antibiotic.

I had MTX shot #10 Wednesday. Also had a follow-up with the podiatry clinic. Not the same Dr. I'd been seeing, since he was out, but the other one. Anyway, my toe was slightly infected so he put me on an antibiotic. Funnily enough, it's the same antibiotic Dad is on. I'm still torn about it. I mean, I had to pay for it, which I don't with Keflex. It was only $7 for 10 days, though. Also, it doesn't give me, what I've dubbed 'Keflex breath'. That's definitely good. BUT. You can't have dairy within 2 hours of taking it. Before or after. Of course, I was told this after I got some ice cream. And dad bought cream pies. And I realized nearly everything around here to eat is LOADED with dairy. Yeah, it's been a fun couple of days trying to work around that. And I've got 8 more days. fun.

Gonna be watching the kids tomorrow and most of Saturday. They're going to a concert tomorrow night up in Detroit and then staying the night so they can go over to mom's (halfway across the state) to go pick up the presents she got the kids since she's extra busy at work. She's not going to get any time off until January. They're going to love the gifts. She got them bikes and Snuggies. They have been asking for Snuggies forever.

As usual, when I thought of this post earlier, I had other things I wanted to say, but I can't think of it now that I'm actually typing. Figures.

Twins had their first day of 1st grade today. Apparently, Ryan announced in front of the entire class the he had peed the bed. *facepalm* He hasn't peed in a long time, but I guess him and Thomas both did last night. I attribute it to tiring themselves out yesterday and first day jitters. Still...

Anyway, I had planned to get up and then go back to bed for a bit. I ended up not waking up until nearly 1pm. I went and laid back down until 3 and watched TV. When I got up I had cucumber sandwiches and mint tea for lunch. Well, it was technically breakfast since I hadn't eaten yet, but...

I had also planned on giving my eyes and brain a rest today from reading. I've read 3 whole books in 6 days. I ended up starting the 4th one last night. I'll probably do another couple chapters before bed tonight. I'm bad at following through. lol

I've been feeling creative lately. I might make some icons/banners/something this week. We'll see how up to it I am.

Not really anything else I wanted to say right now...

So, I knew the kids liked Michael Jackson, but not as much as they apparently do. On Saturday we were watching MJ vids on VH1 Classic and "Rock With You" came on. Connor was all, "I want that suit! I like those boots and that shirt. And those pants." And when "Smooth Criminal was on he kept saying that MJ was "so cool" and that he wanted the white suit, too. Actually, he kept wanting just about every outfit... And yesterday we were watching vids again and I changed it to HBO to watch the end of Fred Clause. As soon as the credits started, Thomas grabbed the remote and changed it back to VH1 Classic. So we basically watched MJ vids ALL DAY yesterday b/c the kids wanted to.

And isn't it funny when kids speak like adults? It helps that I've never talked to them like they were babies, even when they were newborns. Like earlier today. Ryan came up to me and asked me something. I didn't hear him so he tapped me on the shoulder and said, "Excuse me, but what is a blister?" They're always saying things that you just go, 'wait, did a 6/4 yo just say that? That sounds so grown-up.' Especially Thomas. He does it more than the other two. It's just funny.

And recently Ryan's been singing "Ring of Fire". One day he just started singing it. It's really cute.

Twins' last day was today. No more anyone getting up early. But also no me getting to sleep in ridiculously late Tuesdays & Thursdays. Meh.

And now I'm off to shower before I have to go to the hospital tomorrow.

First full day of brother and Corie being gone. The twins had school today, but someone must like me. They had a 2 hr delay for fog. Yay. Kids have been pretty good so far. Except yesterday Connor decided, for some reason, to play in the toilet bowl with his hands and feet. Yes, he's 4. I have no idea what was going through his head. He had no answer. And today while his brothers were at school he started crying for brother. I got him calmed down and we both took a little nap. Altogether a pretty good day.

Just updating.

I don't think I said anything before, but back in October I got an ingrown toenail that got infected and didn't heal right. It then developed granulation tissue (or "proud flesh'). It was supposed to heal on its own. It's not. 4 months later and it's barely gone away. I went back into the ER to get it taken care of and the doc REFUSED to do anything! Um, hello? Can't do that, Mr. doctor-man! Ohio has a law about ERs refusing service to anyone. When I told him about the proud flesh, he didn't even know what I was talking about. Then he told me about ingrown toenails, as if the extra tissue was the side of my toe and the toenail was under that. Uh...wrong again, buddy. I was told by several people to go into the ER and they'd just slice it off. Well, he told me that if he cut anything it would "just bleed all over". Seriously. Um...they have this invention now, doc. I believe they're called bandages. He was also extremely rude, saying on several occasions, "I can't do anything about it" before walking out of the room. The next day (it was 3 am when I went in) I called the hospital and filed a complaint about him. I'm supposed to hear something back as soon as tomorrow. Really, I just want them to say they'll take care of it. I'll drop it if they do. If not, I'm getting ahold of a malpractice lawyer. I need this taken care of. It hurts and I got a second infection in it (which Dr. Idiot prescribed an antibiotic for, luckily). I also have to stand in a wedding in 2 1/2 months and with this I can't wear dress shoes. BTW, did I mention that it hurts?

Also, upon urging from my dad, I've started the Disability application process. Just started that today. He seems to think I'll get accepted. I'm not so upbeat about it, having seen what they put him through only to end up denying him. And my aunt got accepted but it took her almost 2 years, I think. Whatever. We'll see.

Kids seem to be behaving a little better. Most of the time. Hopefully they'll get better over the summer.

On a lighter note, I've been playing a LOT of PokéMon on Gameboy Advance. I had the game nearly won. I only had 3 more towns to go to and a couple gyms to win. Then last night Thomas started a new game and saved it. You can only have one game saved at a time. Yeah.

Ooh! I saw Taken! OMG! Awesome!

I can't wait until May 8th! Star Trek! I still don't know what to think about it. Guess I'll HAVE to see it. *g*

Now, I think it's time to eat. *waves*

So, about 9:15pm brother and Corie got back from taking Connor to the ER. He had to get stitches. I forgot to ask how many. They took off to the store to get some bandages and Children's ibuprofen for him. I guess you could see down to the bone on his finger.

I know, how on earth did that happen, right? He cut it with a razor blade. At firstm he tried to say that Thomas got it and cut him on purpose. Except that Thomas was in the living room with me. All we knew at first was that he was playing in the room with all the toys when he suddenly started screaming and running around. He wouldn't tell anyone why he was crying at first. He came into the living room and stopped running around long enough for me to see blood all over his hand and arm and dripping on the floor. We got him calmed down a bit so we could see how bad it was. They decided to take him to the ER in case he needed stitches. While they were there, Corie asked him how he got cut and he told her the story about Thomas. ScinceI had told her before they left that Thomas had been sitting on the couch the whole time she looked at him and told him not to lie to her. He told her that he had gotten the razor blade down (they were put up) and was trying to cut the plastic off the crate that has my records in it. Serves him right.

Hopefully he's learned his lesson and won't play with things people have repeatedly told him not to touch because he could get hurt. But knowing him, probably not.

And to top it off, I have had a headache for the last 3 days and I'm about dead on my feet.

[ETA:] I just saw it because he unwrapped his finger somehow and he's got 3 stitches.

So, my brother/Corie is probably going to kill me when they get home.

A little while ago, about 30-45 minutes ago, they took off to do laundry and get a few groceries. About 20-25 minutes ago, Connor came up to me and asked where Robbie was. Since he couldn't find him, I got up and decided to look for him. I couldn't find him anywhere. I called his name 5 or 6 times from every room in the apartment. Nothing. I knew I didn't see/hear him go out the front door since I had closed it and I was sitting in a chair right in front of it, but you know how slippery kids can be, so I called for him out the door. Nothing. I started freaking out and went into the bedroom again in order to try and find brother's slippers so I could go look in the yard. Called dad's number but I got his voicemail. Told him to call me, it was important. I could only find one slipper, so I called all around the house for him again and then went outside and called/looked for him. Nothing. I tried to call brother and what happens? I hear Stephen Colbert's voice, "Your phone is ringing! Your phone is ringing!" Brother forgot his phone in the bedroom. I grabbed the phone and decided to go sit out on the steps so I could still hear the other two kids in the living room and keep an eye out for Robbie. Called Dad back, he answered this time, and I told him what was going on. He said he'd head out from the shop and see if he could help find him. After a minute or so I called him back and he agreed that I should call the police and see if anyone had reported a kid walking around town in his underwear. (yes! He was only in his undies. *headdesk*) Called 911 and they got a cop out here within a couple minutes. Cop asked if I looked inside, I said yes, but he wanted to see if we could look again, just in case. "About 90-95% of the time they're hiding in or under something like a pile of clothes and fall asleep." Came inside and looked all over then went into the bedroom. I happened to move a blanket on the bed just a tiny bit and I saw something move. Pulled it more and there was Robbie, asleep under the blanket. When the light shined in his eyes he woke up and yanked the blanket back up. Cop called it in that we found him, took down my/Robbie/brother & Corie's info, I thanked him, he left.

After I caught my breath and got my heart out of my throat, I went back into the bedroom and had a little talk with Robbie. I told him that I'm probably going to get yelled at for having lost track of him/calling the cops and he had better be ready for a talking to when his parents get home.

So, how was your day?

urgh. I think i'm getting over an intestinal bug. For the last 4 days or so, I've been having some intestinal issues. They finally seem to be tapering off. On top of that, I haven't been sleeping very well. So now I feel like crap. I hope I'll feel better by this weekend.

Does anyone else out there have the same problem as I do? There are a few family recipes (chicken and rice, fidello, tortillas, tamales, menudo, etc.) that you can easily make, but when you're trying to explain it to someone else you have to sit and think about it and almost re-enact the steps in order to make sure you don't forget something? Monday night Corie decided to make rice and was double checking with me on it and I actually had to stand there and pretend I was making it in order to make sure I told her right. All our family recipes are done by eye, so it's really hard to explain to her.

One week until I'll be watching the kids for 4 days (Thursday afternoon-Sunday night) while brother and Corie are off in Chicago at ACen (Anime Central). I'm not really looking forward to it. Of course, I'll be getting $40-$50 plus a yaoi. And a yaoi that he owes me from the last con. I told him more LOTR or some POTC are my first choice. I'd have him look for something from one of the Animes I watch, but they mostly have girls in them. Unless he found a Hideki/Shinbo. LOTR and POTC are still my #1 choices. I already have 2 LOTR yaoi, so it would add to my collection nicely.