We've just been staying put this weekend, trying to get ready for the next week. Caitlin has puked two nights out of the last week, which is a lot, considering she didn't puke at all for about a month and a half. The last two have been pretty bad and now that we know to be looking, she has shown signs that she has a bad headache, too. Hopefully this one will be a short cycle and we can recover quickly from it.
I strained something in my neck or shoulder this last week. I did it doing something the first night Caitlin puked so bad, something I did while cleaning, cleaning her or holding her while she puked. I spent 2-3 nights and days this week trying to get it back to normal. It is better, but threatens to tighten back up on me anytime I feel stressed.
Aunt Amy came over yesterday, and although the weather was nice, we stayed inside and let the kids stamp and color and mommy make a card. Notice I said "a" card -- the kids kept us so busy I only got one made. I have some cute pictures of Caitlin stamping with Aunt Amy that I'll post soon.
Conall also has a new caterpillar -- a tomato horn worm -- that Aunt Amy found devouring her tomato plant. He has named it Squeaker and is feeding it cherry tomatoes.
Conall had a great first week at school. He got a "green card" every day. His teacher uses a system of green, yellow, orange, and red cards for behavior. If he gets 5 green cubes (cards on his chart) in a row, he gets to pick something from the teacher's treasure chest. He can tell you every kid in the class who got something other than green and what each one did to get it! He is quite the little enforcer. We've gotten a lot of laughs out of this.
Hopefully, we can get Caitlin back on track this week and not be so worn out and do more fun things in the coming week.
Showing posts with label CVS. Show all posts
Showing posts with label CVS. Show all posts
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Monday, July 6, 2009
Holiday Weekend Update
It was a long weekend -- does that cover it? Here's a quick summary with as little negativity as I can muster. I just figured I hadn't posted anything in awhile and maybe should.
My family canceled the big 4th of July get together that I've gone to my entire life. Dad isn't really sure why and I'm hoping it is just out of being tired of the work rather than someone feeling bad. Conall has been excitedly talking about going for at least the last month. We figured we'd better find something comparably fun for him to do, especially since we kept assuring him that "Yes, we're going on the fourth. We always go." and "Yes, you can fish there. Yes, there will be fireworks." and other stupid things that really set him up for disappointment.
We were able to go to the fishing cabin which we thought would be really fun for the kids. Unfortunately, it was a frustrating trip. Conall got car sick on the way there and puked in the car. We got there and the electrical plant (or whoever does it) was generating and did so the entire time we were there, so the river was up the entire time. That means no fishing from the bank. Since Caitlin was with us, we didn't feel safe with her in a boat or with only one of us with Conall in a boat. So, no fishing.
The field that we usually use to head into the woods for long walks was very overgrown. It was maybe shoulder-high on the kids, so no long walks that way. Stu pulled a muscle or something in his neck before we left and it only got worse while there. The "Fun Zone" place changed their rules and Conall is now too short to ride as a passenger in the go carts. Caitlin would not go to sleep -- she was up until almost midnight Friday night.
It rained most of Saturday. Frustrated, disappointed, bored kids in a one room cabin are not sweet, well-behaved kids. We headed home Saturday evening. It stormed part of the way home, which woke Caitlin up. Caitlin is terrified of storms, so she puked. She puked again last night. We're hoping this isn't a "vomiting cycle."
Think that pretty much covers it -- we're home now.
My family canceled the big 4th of July get together that I've gone to my entire life. Dad isn't really sure why and I'm hoping it is just out of being tired of the work rather than someone feeling bad. Conall has been excitedly talking about going for at least the last month. We figured we'd better find something comparably fun for him to do, especially since we kept assuring him that "Yes, we're going on the fourth. We always go." and "Yes, you can fish there. Yes, there will be fireworks." and other stupid things that really set him up for disappointment.
We were able to go to the fishing cabin which we thought would be really fun for the kids. Unfortunately, it was a frustrating trip. Conall got car sick on the way there and puked in the car. We got there and the electrical plant (or whoever does it) was generating and did so the entire time we were there, so the river was up the entire time. That means no fishing from the bank. Since Caitlin was with us, we didn't feel safe with her in a boat or with only one of us with Conall in a boat. So, no fishing.
The field that we usually use to head into the woods for long walks was very overgrown. It was maybe shoulder-high on the kids, so no long walks that way. Stu pulled a muscle or something in his neck before we left and it only got worse while there. The "Fun Zone" place changed their rules and Conall is now too short to ride as a passenger in the go carts. Caitlin would not go to sleep -- she was up until almost midnight Friday night.
It rained most of Saturday. Frustrated, disappointed, bored kids in a one room cabin are not sweet, well-behaved kids. We headed home Saturday evening. It stormed part of the way home, which woke Caitlin up. Caitlin is terrified of storms, so she puked. She puked again last night. We're hoping this isn't a "vomiting cycle."
Think that pretty much covers it -- we're home now.
Friday, June 26, 2009
Tired and Slightly Defeated
Caitlin has done really well with her new medicine with no sign of vomiting ... until now. The neighbors who like to live outside startled her awake with their child's high pitched screaming a little before 9. She woke up terrified at the noise and then shortly after she started vomiting.
I don't know if the sudden waking did it for sure or not, but from what I've read about Cyclic Vomiting, anything that stresses, excites, scares, etc. can kick off the vomiting. Who knows?
I'm just tired and a little defeated today. I'm feeling like our home will never be clean because I'm always cleaning puke instead. Not to mention how upset Caitlin gets when this happens ... you can tell it hurts. It would be so nice to have this resolved and have her feeling better.
And, of course, Conall is back into his attention-seeking behavior. I'm not sure why, but he's back to wanting extra attention -- whether positive or negative. When will August be here?
I don't know if the sudden waking did it for sure or not, but from what I've read about Cyclic Vomiting, anything that stresses, excites, scares, etc. can kick off the vomiting. Who knows?
I'm just tired and a little defeated today. I'm feeling like our home will never be clean because I'm always cleaning puke instead. Not to mention how upset Caitlin gets when this happens ... you can tell it hurts. It would be so nice to have this resolved and have her feeling better.
And, of course, Conall is back into his attention-seeking behavior. I'm not sure why, but he's back to wanting extra attention -- whether positive or negative. When will August be here?
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Only Tuesday?
How can it only be Tuesday? This week has already been sooooo long. The power going out in the neighborhood last night really didn't help things ...
We took Caitlin back to the doctor today, and lucky for us, Dr. Elser was on call. He is the doctor that we had when Conall's malrotation of the small intestine was diagnosed and he's been through a lot with us. He also specializes in headaches in children. It turns out that he thinks Caitlin's vomiting is from Cyclic Vomiting Syndrome and not acid reflux. The vomiting is related to the gene that causes migraines and is believed to be hereditary, more common in girls whose mother's family have a history of migraines (which fits me and my family).
Apparently Caitlin's symptoms fit many of the symptoms of the syndrome. We should know within a few days if her new medicine is working or not. They treat the cycles of vomiting as they come and as the child matures, usually the child is more able to tell you whether or not they have a headache. If Caitlin hasn't improved significantly within a week, then we'll need to take her back to the doctor.
I've been reading a lot tonight about the syndrome and there is some pretty scary information out there. It is believed that in many patients, that as they mature, the vomiting is replaced by migraines and the vomiting episodes may go away completely.
Luckily it sounds like Caitlin doesn't have as severe a case as many people. If you are interested you can read more on these Web sites National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse and Cyclic Vomiting Syndrome Association . Until then, please pray for all of us -- mainly for Caitlin. I don't want her to have anything wrong with her, but knowing what is and having it treated and under control is better than not.
We took Caitlin back to the doctor today, and lucky for us, Dr. Elser was on call. He is the doctor that we had when Conall's malrotation of the small intestine was diagnosed and he's been through a lot with us. He also specializes in headaches in children. It turns out that he thinks Caitlin's vomiting is from Cyclic Vomiting Syndrome and not acid reflux. The vomiting is related to the gene that causes migraines and is believed to be hereditary, more common in girls whose mother's family have a history of migraines (which fits me and my family).
Apparently Caitlin's symptoms fit many of the symptoms of the syndrome. We should know within a few days if her new medicine is working or not. They treat the cycles of vomiting as they come and as the child matures, usually the child is more able to tell you whether or not they have a headache. If Caitlin hasn't improved significantly within a week, then we'll need to take her back to the doctor.
I've been reading a lot tonight about the syndrome and there is some pretty scary information out there. It is believed that in many patients, that as they mature, the vomiting is replaced by migraines and the vomiting episodes may go away completely.
Luckily it sounds like Caitlin doesn't have as severe a case as many people. If you are interested you can read more on these Web sites National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse and Cyclic Vomiting Syndrome Association . Until then, please pray for all of us -- mainly for Caitlin. I don't want her to have anything wrong with her, but knowing what is and having it treated and under control is better than not.
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