As in, where do they get it from?
Seriously, remember how much energy you used to have? I used to work all day on a Saturday and then go out. And when I say all day, I mean all day. 8a in the office to 7p. And this was running youth soccer programs so it was on my feet with hardly a break all day, dealing with kids ranging in age from 6 to 15 AND their parents. And then I would go out all night with friends. Now, I hardly have the energy to sit at a desk all day without taking a nap.
I don't know where kids get the energy. But they bounce back so quickly they must stockpile it or something. If I could find a way to bottle it and sell it I would be a gazillionaire! My house has recently been taken over by some super virus that affected us all (even the dog). Both boys were better somewhere around Thursday. I swear, for kids it only takes the # of years of their lives in minutes to be at full
energy. They could be sitting on the couch looking like they could fall asleep at any moment and then PRESTO!, off they go either down in the playroom, wrestling or just being crazy.
Parents, on the other hand, I believe it takes the # of years of their lives in days, not minutes to be back to full strength, if ever. I'm 36, so therefore it should take around 5 weeks for me to totally be back at 100% full strength. It's been 6 days already and I feel ok, but I just don't have the energy level I used to have. I guess I have about 4 weeks to go. Ugh, to be young again..
Rock Fists
Showing posts with label sickness. Show all posts
Showing posts with label sickness. Show all posts
Monday, December 31, 2012
Thursday, November 22, 2012
DNC
No, nothing to do with politics.. This stands for DO NOT CATHETERIZE!
After spending roughly 48 hours with my son who had a catheter in, I'm all set thanks. Based on what I just had to do over the past 2 days, if it's necessary just forget it.
He did not move from my bed for almost 2 days. I had to pick him up every hour to empty the catheter so that it did not flow backwards. Additionally, he was upstairs in my bedroom while I was downstairs trying to do work. This obviously presented a problem.
I had what I thought was a genius idea of giving him a bell (small Liberty Bell we had) that he could ring if he needed me. His voice was still very hoarse from the breathing tube so this would work perfectly. I recall from my childhood there was a cartoon with the same premise. Someone who was sick was given a bell to use to signal when they needed something. Then the bell would ring and the person would come upstairs only to find their kitten had gotten hold of the bell and was playing with it like a ball of yarn. We don't have a kitten, but it was something like that. I found him one time just playing with it and not needing anything. Thankfully his voice got better as the day went on so the bell wasn't as necessary.
But still every hour, if I wasn't going up to change the show, movie or bring him food/drink, it was upstairs to empty the catheter tube. Then, overnight he slept with me in my bed where every 2-3 hours I had to do the same thing. Plus, I had to make sure that in his sleep he was not rolling over on either side so the catheter would stay in place. Needless to say, I have not slept much since Monday.
Then finally Wednesday came and the doctors appointment to have it removed. He has had a bladder tube before (a tube inserted directly into the bladder that diverts the flow from the urethra and out a tube so it allows the urethra to heal) and my role was to hold his torso down (mostly his arms) and make sure he is as calm as possible and not flailing his arms around. I had to do that twice and it was not fun. But it was fairly quick so it wasn't too bad. (FYI, the bladder tube also naturally causes bladder spasms. At one point I had to stand in the middle of the living room and hold him in the same position for two hours because it was the only position he could be in where it didn't hurt). Yep, the things we do.
This however was different. After keeping his arms down for a few minutes and after he screamed his face off right in mine, I told him not to worry they were almost done, only to hear the nurse say that they hadn't even started yet. UGH! It got to the point where he was spitting up (kind of like the spittle that sometimes leaks out of your mouth when you sleep with your mouth open), except in a much bigger puddle accompanied by screams of pain. Yeah, good times. By the end, he and I were both literally sweating. His head was drenched and I needed to take off my sweatshirt and was having trouble breathing. Remember, this is a kid on HGH. You know, the thing athletes take to make them stronger? Let me tell you, it really does work.
But once he calmed down and was home, he was fine. So he's resting comfortably on the couch now watching Power Rangers and we're doing our best to keep him limited in his activity. No running, jumping, straddling or any quick or sudden movements for 10 days. Yeah, have you met the Kraken?
After spending roughly 48 hours with my son who had a catheter in, I'm all set thanks. Based on what I just had to do over the past 2 days, if it's necessary just forget it.
He did not move from my bed for almost 2 days. I had to pick him up every hour to empty the catheter so that it did not flow backwards. Additionally, he was upstairs in my bedroom while I was downstairs trying to do work. This obviously presented a problem.
I had what I thought was a genius idea of giving him a bell (small Liberty Bell we had) that he could ring if he needed me. His voice was still very hoarse from the breathing tube so this would work perfectly. I recall from my childhood there was a cartoon with the same premise. Someone who was sick was given a bell to use to signal when they needed something. Then the bell would ring and the person would come upstairs only to find their kitten had gotten hold of the bell and was playing with it like a ball of yarn. We don't have a kitten, but it was something like that. I found him one time just playing with it and not needing anything. Thankfully his voice got better as the day went on so the bell wasn't as necessary.
But still every hour, if I wasn't going up to change the show, movie or bring him food/drink, it was upstairs to empty the catheter tube. Then, overnight he slept with me in my bed where every 2-3 hours I had to do the same thing. Plus, I had to make sure that in his sleep he was not rolling over on either side so the catheter would stay in place. Needless to say, I have not slept much since Monday.
Then finally Wednesday came and the doctors appointment to have it removed. He has had a bladder tube before (a tube inserted directly into the bladder that diverts the flow from the urethra and out a tube so it allows the urethra to heal) and my role was to hold his torso down (mostly his arms) and make sure he is as calm as possible and not flailing his arms around. I had to do that twice and it was not fun. But it was fairly quick so it wasn't too bad. (FYI, the bladder tube also naturally causes bladder spasms. At one point I had to stand in the middle of the living room and hold him in the same position for two hours because it was the only position he could be in where it didn't hurt). Yep, the things we do.
This however was different. After keeping his arms down for a few minutes and after he screamed his face off right in mine, I told him not to worry they were almost done, only to hear the nurse say that they hadn't even started yet. UGH! It got to the point where he was spitting up (kind of like the spittle that sometimes leaks out of your mouth when you sleep with your mouth open), except in a much bigger puddle accompanied by screams of pain. Yeah, good times. By the end, he and I were both literally sweating. His head was drenched and I needed to take off my sweatshirt and was having trouble breathing. Remember, this is a kid on HGH. You know, the thing athletes take to make them stronger? Let me tell you, it really does work.
But once he calmed down and was home, he was fine. So he's resting comfortably on the couch now watching Power Rangers and we're doing our best to keep him limited in his activity. No running, jumping, straddling or any quick or sudden movements for 10 days. Yeah, have you met the Kraken?
Thursday, August 9, 2012
Reflection
This blog is usually pretty light-hearted, but unfortunately sometimes I need to be serious.
Everyone has problems and/or issues with their kids.. No one's child is perfect (although we all like to believe so). Trust me, I know. Medical issues started with my kids while they were still in the womb! Some children have difficulty eating, some have chronic illnesses, learning disabilities, and other issues that we believe are so awful that we become so stressed about them and they start to take over our daily lives. Not to make light of anything (I never would), but in many ways a lot of these issues are manageable whether via medicine, therapy or just good old fashioned time where the child will grow out of whatever it is.
However I heard some news yesterday about a friend's daughter that really threw me for a loop. Losing a child is quite possibly the worst thing I can think of right now. I don't know what I would do.
Thankfully they are persevering with help from friends, family and loved ones and coping the best they can with this obviously unimaginable tragedy.
So the next time you find yourself complaining about your child's issues whether it be not pooping in the potty, having trouble walking, or anything else, know that it more often than not will get better. The reason is because each day is another opportunity.
Now go hug your kids and tell them you love them.
Everyone has problems and/or issues with their kids.. No one's child is perfect (although we all like to believe so). Trust me, I know. Medical issues started with my kids while they were still in the womb! Some children have difficulty eating, some have chronic illnesses, learning disabilities, and other issues that we believe are so awful that we become so stressed about them and they start to take over our daily lives. Not to make light of anything (I never would), but in many ways a lot of these issues are manageable whether via medicine, therapy or just good old fashioned time where the child will grow out of whatever it is.
However I heard some news yesterday about a friend's daughter that really threw me for a loop. Losing a child is quite possibly the worst thing I can think of right now. I don't know what I would do.
Thankfully they are persevering with help from friends, family and loved ones and coping the best they can with this obviously unimaginable tragedy.
So the next time you find yourself complaining about your child's issues whether it be not pooping in the potty, having trouble walking, or anything else, know that it more often than not will get better. The reason is because each day is another opportunity.
Now go hug your kids and tell them you love them.
Monday, October 24, 2011
Things 4 Year Olds Say
So we're at the doctor's office and Mitch says, "I'm hungry". Well it just so happens that we always keep either crackers or gummies in the diaper bag, just in case.
So I pull out some peanut butter crackers and ask if he wants them. He says "no, I don't want peanut butter crackers". Well unfortunately for Mitch that's all I have. So I said "sorry Mitch, that's all I have. It's either peanut butter crackers or bust".
So naturally, his next words were "I'll take bust".. Smart ass...
So I pull out some peanut butter crackers and ask if he wants them. He says "no, I don't want peanut butter crackers". Well unfortunately for Mitch that's all I have. So I said "sorry Mitch, that's all I have. It's either peanut butter crackers or bust".
So naturally, his next words were "I'll take bust".. Smart ass...
Friday, October 21, 2011
Weekend at Thaler's
It's an All Testosterone weekend here at Casa de Thaler.. Amy is off with Cadi (our beloved 4 legged friend) to Maine for the weekend to visit friends for her birthday. A nice getaway she desperately needs and deserves..
Surprisingly enough the boys were in a great mood.. Usually by the end of the week they are so exhausted Friday nights are easy.. They're in bed pretty early and asleep not long after laying their cute little heads down on the Spiderman pillow cases.. However this week has been a little different..
Mitch had been running a high fever off and on since Sunday evening.. It would go up to 102 and then back down to 97. Max had a doctor's appointment Tuesday morning so when I went to drop him off, daycare told me that Mitch wasn't feeling well. They took his temp and it was 101.8. Looks like I was working from home. He slept for the afternoon and woke up drenched like one of those hot summer nights with no air conditioning. I figured his fever broke so he'd be good to go.
Unfortunately, he woke up Wednesday morning and his back could have lit a camp fire it was so hot.. I decided it was time to see what was up.. We sent Max to school and took Mitch to the doctor. He was such a rock star! Normally he's pretty good, but this was different. He was pleasant and courteous, he did everything the doctor asked him to and when it came time for the strep test, he just stuck out his tongue and said "ahh".. I was beginning to think this wasn't Mitch at all and he had been switched with some other kid.. But I digress.. It came back positive so he wasn't going anywhere for the rest of the day. Naturally, I was working from home again. This time, he did not sleep. He was eating, playing, jumping, had so much energy I didn't understand it.. Yes, he had a fever but he had all the energy of a normal 4 year old. Thankfully, he still allowed me to get work done because he plays well on his own. Had no problem also just chilling and watching a movie either. And then, he crashed.. Right in his SpongeBob Mac and Cheese.. Just passed out mid forkful while watching The Backyardigans. I didn't have the heart to move him (the fork was no longer in his mouth) so I just let him sleep for a bit..
Naturally, the phone rings and it's school. Max has a temp of 102 and needs to go home.. Well, I know where he's going instead; straight to the doctor for a rapid strep test. If Mitch has strep and his only symptom is a high fever, I can guarantee you that Max has strep too. I was more sure of this than I was the Patriots were going to cover the 14 point spread in the 02 Super Bowl.. (I even put $35 on it I was so sure).. Yes, I know.. lame..
So when Mitch woke up we went to pick up Max.. Sure enough, he comes bounding down the hallway, all excited, shows me the artwork he made and has no idea he's even sick.. We go to the doctor's office and while we're waiting I hear "Daddy, I gotta go pee". Ugh, OK. So the three of us cram into this little bathroom that an adult would have trouble fitting into never mind an adult and two 4 year olds.. So Mitch goes pee, which I guess I should just be happy he told me.. And we walk out and sure enough, they had called our name. So Max immediately says "I don't want a shot!".. I had to reassure him he wasn't getting a shot, he was just going to have a couple of large Q Tips shoved down this throat.. Hmm.. I wonder if the shot wasn't a better option..
Anyway, while waiting for the results, yes of course, Max says he has go to potty. Once again we cram into the bathroom the size of an apartment in the East Village and he does his business. Finally, the nurse comes out and says "Positive!" and I literally threw my arms up in the air in delight.. Listen, I don't want my kids to be sick, but if I have to be home anyway with one, it's only a matter of time before the other one gets it. I'd rather them be sick at the same time and start them on meds at the same time so they can be done at the same time. It just makes life easier. Like when parents send their kids to chicken pox parties.. Do parents still do that anymore?
Knowing I'd be home with Max all day Thursday, I let them sleep a little later hoping they would feel well when they woke up. We sent Mitch to school because it had almost been 24 hours since he started the meds and he had already had 3 doses by the time he went. Max however had to stay in the car because he had to stay away from school during his "contagious" period. You would have thought the world was ending.. Remember the scene in Just One of the Guys where the two aliens are picked to be on separate teams for gym dodge ball? Remember the awful nails on a blackboard, ear-drum puncturing screech they made while being pulled apart? Yeah, it was something like that.. They have absolutely zero separation anxiety from us (which I love), but from each other is a different story. Cute, yet sometimes a little annoying..
I had 2 RFP's (Request For Proposal) and a client pitch to work on while my boss is on vacation so at least there was nothing going on. Max for some reason wanted to watch the show Chuck. Not that prime program on NBC, this was a show about a truck named Chuck and his adventures with his friends. GENIUS! Just add that to another list of great ideas I didn't have. However since there was only 1 Chuck episode On Demand (or On Mand as they like to call it) he watched it 5 times in a row.. I thought of sticking a pen in my ears so I didn't have to hear the theme song anymore..
By the time Amy came home from picking Mitch up I was lying on the floor almost passed out while Max watched some movie I didn't know we owned. The Reef? Kind of like a budget Finding Nemo I think.. Never seen it before. They both went to school today and were totally fine. No problems at all. I completed my portion of 1 RFP and went to the client presentation. Just 1 more RFP to go.
And now, we get to tonight.. After work Amy drove to Maine with Cadi and it was chicken patties and homemade pizza bagels for dinner. Of course served with a healthy does of Super Hero Squad.
Surprisingly enough the boys were in a great mood.. Usually by the end of the week they are so exhausted Friday nights are easy.. They're in bed pretty early and asleep not long after laying their cute little heads down on the Spiderman pillow cases.. However this week has been a little different..
Mitch had been running a high fever off and on since Sunday evening.. It would go up to 102 and then back down to 97. Max had a doctor's appointment Tuesday morning so when I went to drop him off, daycare told me that Mitch wasn't feeling well. They took his temp and it was 101.8. Looks like I was working from home. He slept for the afternoon and woke up drenched like one of those hot summer nights with no air conditioning. I figured his fever broke so he'd be good to go.
Unfortunately, he woke up Wednesday morning and his back could have lit a camp fire it was so hot.. I decided it was time to see what was up.. We sent Max to school and took Mitch to the doctor. He was such a rock star! Normally he's pretty good, but this was different. He was pleasant and courteous, he did everything the doctor asked him to and when it came time for the strep test, he just stuck out his tongue and said "ahh".. I was beginning to think this wasn't Mitch at all and he had been switched with some other kid.. But I digress.. It came back positive so he wasn't going anywhere for the rest of the day. Naturally, I was working from home again. This time, he did not sleep. He was eating, playing, jumping, had so much energy I didn't understand it.. Yes, he had a fever but he had all the energy of a normal 4 year old. Thankfully, he still allowed me to get work done because he plays well on his own. Had no problem also just chilling and watching a movie either. And then, he crashed.. Right in his SpongeBob Mac and Cheese.. Just passed out mid forkful while watching The Backyardigans. I didn't have the heart to move him (the fork was no longer in his mouth) so I just let him sleep for a bit..
Naturally, the phone rings and it's school. Max has a temp of 102 and needs to go home.. Well, I know where he's going instead; straight to the doctor for a rapid strep test. If Mitch has strep and his only symptom is a high fever, I can guarantee you that Max has strep too. I was more sure of this than I was the Patriots were going to cover the 14 point spread in the 02 Super Bowl.. (I even put $35 on it I was so sure).. Yes, I know.. lame..
So when Mitch woke up we went to pick up Max.. Sure enough, he comes bounding down the hallway, all excited, shows me the artwork he made and has no idea he's even sick.. We go to the doctor's office and while we're waiting I hear "Daddy, I gotta go pee". Ugh, OK. So the three of us cram into this little bathroom that an adult would have trouble fitting into never mind an adult and two 4 year olds.. So Mitch goes pee, which I guess I should just be happy he told me.. And we walk out and sure enough, they had called our name. So Max immediately says "I don't want a shot!".. I had to reassure him he wasn't getting a shot, he was just going to have a couple of large Q Tips shoved down this throat.. Hmm.. I wonder if the shot wasn't a better option..
Anyway, while waiting for the results, yes of course, Max says he has go to potty. Once again we cram into the bathroom the size of an apartment in the East Village and he does his business. Finally, the nurse comes out and says "Positive!" and I literally threw my arms up in the air in delight.. Listen, I don't want my kids to be sick, but if I have to be home anyway with one, it's only a matter of time before the other one gets it. I'd rather them be sick at the same time and start them on meds at the same time so they can be done at the same time. It just makes life easier. Like when parents send their kids to chicken pox parties.. Do parents still do that anymore?
Knowing I'd be home with Max all day Thursday, I let them sleep a little later hoping they would feel well when they woke up. We sent Mitch to school because it had almost been 24 hours since he started the meds and he had already had 3 doses by the time he went. Max however had to stay in the car because he had to stay away from school during his "contagious" period. You would have thought the world was ending.. Remember the scene in Just One of the Guys where the two aliens are picked to be on separate teams for gym dodge ball? Remember the awful nails on a blackboard, ear-drum puncturing screech they made while being pulled apart? Yeah, it was something like that.. They have absolutely zero separation anxiety from us (which I love), but from each other is a different story. Cute, yet sometimes a little annoying..
I had 2 RFP's (Request For Proposal) and a client pitch to work on while my boss is on vacation so at least there was nothing going on. Max for some reason wanted to watch the show Chuck. Not that prime program on NBC, this was a show about a truck named Chuck and his adventures with his friends. GENIUS! Just add that to another list of great ideas I didn't have. However since there was only 1 Chuck episode On Demand (or On Mand as they like to call it) he watched it 5 times in a row.. I thought of sticking a pen in my ears so I didn't have to hear the theme song anymore..
By the time Amy came home from picking Mitch up I was lying on the floor almost passed out while Max watched some movie I didn't know we owned. The Reef? Kind of like a budget Finding Nemo I think.. Never seen it before. They both went to school today and were totally fine. No problems at all. I completed my portion of 1 RFP and went to the client presentation. Just 1 more RFP to go.
And now, we get to tonight.. After work Amy drove to Maine with Cadi and it was chicken patties and homemade pizza bagels for dinner. Of course served with a healthy does of Super Hero Squad.
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