When It Rains........

Ok, so it's not exaclty pouring. But it does feel like things could be lightened up a bit. As our Pastor's dad, Dr. Kuiper, says ( in his awsome australian accent may i add) "You learn nothing through the easy times." He's quite right. So here goes our irritating and humbling events lately.

September, yes I typed September, Allie has this wierd rash appear on her booty. Yes I typed booty. She is potty trained by now so I'm not exactly thinking diaper rash, you know? My good friend Amy O'Mara (who didn't know she would be put to such good use when she moved here!) is a pediatric nurse practitioner. She took a quick look one day and said, chiggers maybe? Ok, so chigger rid isle at Walgreens here we come. Few days later, rash worse. Ok, fine, I make a dr. appt. I seriously DREAD taking 2 kids to the dr. But off we go. Diagnosis, Dermatitis. Treatment, some type of cream that i can't pronounce. Rash almost gone. About 3 weeks later, rash is back. Hhhmmm. Maybe I just didn't use enough medicine ( I love to be using some medicine.... it's why the stuff's made right?) So more fancy name cream on the buttocks and it seems better, pretty much gone. So by now it's sometime in November, the rash has re-surfaced itself and is much worse. Dangit.... back to the dr. I love LOVE our family dr. by the way.... it is just not what Allie or I would desire to be doing. Ok, so maybe it's cause by her sleeping in pullups He thinks, you know, just an extremely bad diaper rash. Treatment, a compound diaper ointment, better known here in tupelo as Jim Bains Diaper Cream and it can cure everything. EXCEPT this crazy rash that won't leave my poor baby alone. Well, it does seem to keep the rash at bay, and at least keep it from bothering her too badly. Early December comes, rash is worse. Treatment, oral antibiotic. Rash gone! Christmas comes and goes, booty rash however, back with a vengance. January brings bronchitus. The oral medication cleaned up the rash wonderfully. Her sweet little hiny was as soft as a baby. February, rash back. More Cream and oral meds. March brings strep and scarlet fever. Treatment, penacillin (sp?) shot and Orapred for the scarlet rash. Booty Rash, however, not budging. Are you getting the picture now? So, countless dr. appointments later, changing nightime diaper brands, pullup brands, detergents, soap, etc.... Dr. Ueltschey wants a second opinion. So we see Dr. Hilbun this past Tuesday. His treatment you ask? Food allergy. FOOD ALLERGY? I mean aren't those supposed to show up like the 1st time the food is presented? So he says to cut out peanuts, including peanut butter; berrys, including berry flavored candy and juices; chocolate; eggs; tomatoes including tomato sauce. WHAT? Why don't you just come empty my fridge?? Seriously, she loves her pb&j's, red grape juice, pizza, need I mention chocolate? and scrambled eggies that her sweet poppi got her hooked on. Ugh. This dang rash is going to be the death of me I thought. But I can do anything for 2 weeks, right? Afterall, I can start introducing them back after 2 weeks and surely it won't be food. So in the meantime he gives her a prescription strength hydrocortizone cream to clear it up. Finally, some relief, right....? WRONG!! So that was tuesday, by wednesday afternoon the poor girls bottom was so inflamed and irritated she could hardley stop itching it. Bring on the benadryl and the calls to the nurse. Diagnosis? there must be some yeast in the rash which the cortizone is making worse. Treatment? Monistat.....Gross! So, here we are, Thursday night, monistat and h.c. cream all over my baby's booty and the dumb rash is no better. Can we say "hello witts end, nice to freakin' meet you!" AAAHHH... I think we might end up on Discovery Health's show Mystery Diagnosis.
(note: any advice on the rash is welcome)
So is that the end of my 'when it rains it pours' story? Nope.... Aren't you glad you're reading this?
Wednesday we sit down to eat supper and frank picks at his food. He pushes it away and claims he feels full and wierd. "Great" I say.... "do you feel naucious?" You're so paranoid he tells me. Next thing I know Frank is heading to bed at 9:00. Mind you this man hasn't gone to bed but once before 10:30 since I've known him. Here's the following night:

10:00 I go to bed.
10:45 Mary Elliott wakes up screaming.
11:00 I get her back down
11:30 ish Frank heads to the bathroom. Yep, I knew it. Calling Ralph.
12:00 Mary Elliott wakes up screaming
1:00 Frank heads in for round 2. Need I mention I sleep right by the bathroom door. No amount of pillows over my head can drown out the stomach virus.
3:00 Mary Elliott up again........ seriously?
7:30, up for the day.

So, hhhmmm, surely the worst is behind us right? I mean, we've GOT to be on the right track with Allie's mysterious rash. The stomach bug usually lasts 24 hrs. so if tonight is awful with m.e. maybe frank can offer some assistance. And Dr. Kuipers words are still going through my head. You learn alot in the frustrating times. (just learn patience ginger, come on, just learn the lesson.)
SLAM.......... as i'm thinking those exact words while getting my fussy girls out of the car, slam, is what I hear. And below is what I did. I opened our rear left car door clear into the carport window. The door went so far into the window it was stuck. SERIOUSLY??? Ginger, GOOD GRIEF!!! I went and got my sweet husband out of the stomach virus infested bed saying "babe, my car door is stuck in the window."
So, all this novel to say.... No, it's not really pouring yet. Because I know people face much, much more..... but it's raining pretty hard!


Frank had to pull my car forward in order to get the door out of the window.