*cough* *cough* (excuse me)

Ok, now that I’ve updated you on school issues, let’s talk about health.  We just don’t have a lot of it at the moment.

Nathanael was the first, a little over two weeks ago.  His cough was horrendous, but we waited it out.  Then Shari and I got it.  Both in different ways – Shari more congested, sore throat, fatigue, and sore muscles.  Me – mostly the cough – a cough that made it a tad difficult in conversation class.  (I like to be able to say,"It’s nowhere near as bad as a migraine attack".  That may be true, but the problem is that these types of things tend to trigger the attacks, so many days I end up with both)

Finally, a few days ago, the bastion of health herself – Hannah – also got sick.  At this point Nathanael was starting to get a little better, but we had two new concerns.  Hannah’s cough kept her awake much of the night, and Shari seemed to be doing worse.  So we finally went to the doctor.

After doing a little research and talking to the doctor, I think we were wise to see him when we did.  However, I don’t like taking medication I don’t have to, and he sent us out with a sturdy list of what to take – different for everyone.

Going to the doctor here really is an all-day affair.  When everyone is sick, it’s hard to get them all out the door to start with.  Then the waiting room and the consultation.  Then buying the drugs.  I’m not sure I have ever been able to do it in one stop – we had to go two different pharmacies yesterday, and I still have one more place to go today.

Then figuring it all out at home, in addition to the medications we’re already on.  More than anyone that means Nathanael (those who get our newsletter know some of this story).  His medication is changing and becoming more complex, so now we have 7 days of doling out medicines – every day a little different, and every person a little different.  Some every six hours, some eight, some twelve, different dosages, some "required" and some "as needed".  My handy-dandy colour-coded chart is the only way I’m going to make it through this.

Anyway, as our friend Toby put it, we seem to have some kind of "bronchial thing".  Nathanael is on the mend.  Hannah is well enough to go to school.  Shari is about the same – in bed much of the day.

Strangely enough I’m feeling worse today.  I was feeling better yesterday morning.  I was heading out the door to go to school, when I realized that Shari was sick enough she wasn’t even going to be able to get the kids out the door.  I decided to take the week off school – I can do that and save the money for next week (Lord willing).  It was a tough decision at the time, but now I’m glad I didn’t try to go this week, considering the way Shari and I are feeling.  It will be all I can do to keep things going at the house, and take care of everyone else.

But I’m getting better at giving out the medicines – it took less than 25 minutes this morning.  And that was before I finished my nifty chart.

Here’s hoping that everyone will be feeling better by next week, and that we’ll be able to get back to a normal schedule.