Oct 23 2007
My Earlobes are on Fire…
… and other random stuff.
The fact that my earlobes feel like they’re on fire really isn’t the point of this post. In fact, I don’t actually KNOW what the point of this post is yet. I’m making it up as I go along. But it’s definitely not that my earlobes are on fire.
See, I’m allergic to nickel, which means I’m also allergic to white gold (which is “white” because they mix gold with nickel). Since I look terrible in yellow-gold, I’m pretty much a silver or platinum kind of gal. ANYWAY. I’m wearing white-gold earrings because they said that the posts were stainless steel…
And yet, my earlobes feel like they’re on fire. Which, again, is NOT the point of this post.
Thanks to all who have written to make sure I haven’t fallen off the face of the planet. As it turns out, I haven’t. Though I suspect it might have been easier.
I have sick kids. Last week, Fluffy and Fuzzles were sick. This week, Scooby and Fuzzles are sick. Sigh. My poor babies. Fluffy is all well now, and Scooby will be all well soon. But things are never quite that easy for Fuzzles. Life has just been harder for my Fuzzles than it ever was for my other kiddos.
As you’ll recall, he was my baby who was born early, though not remarkably early, and he was sick from the start, though not remarkably sick. A few months later, all of my kids had a cold. Fuzzles got it, and it turned into RSV and bronchiolitis, for which he was hospitalized for about a week. Then a few months later, all of my kids got a stomach flu. Fuzzles got it too, and it turned into severe dehydration which landed him, once again, in the hospital for a couple of days. These are the two most extreme examples, but the point is that when everyone else gets sick, Fuzzles gets sicker.
On top of that, Fuzzles is very behind developmentally. He’s nearly 14 months old, but he’s wearing 6 month old clothing. He’s not walking at all, and, most alarming of all, he’s not talking. He’s months and months overdue for his first words. He’s not even close—he’s not even sort of saying words. An exam shows possible hearing loss, possibly (but hopefully not) permanent, and he’s slated to see a pediatric ENT this week. I just pray that we’ll have ANSWERS this week. Or at least some idea of what’s going on with him.
So, that’s that story. And could explain some of my absence, and much of my exhaustion, which sounds really selfish, so I apologize for sounding selfish. Or something.
Tonight I taught a class on budgeting and savvy shopping. See, in my REAL life—the one where I’m not called “Brillig”—I’m quite an expert at all of that. But it was a last minute request, because the person who was teaching a different class had to cancel at the last minute, so I subbed in with my class. It went well, but required hours of last-minute preparation. I’m glad it’s over.
And yesterday, my sweet mother-in-law, who I love as my own, had a mastectomy after having recently been diagnosed with breast cancer. The whole family was in a bit of shock—the women in her family die of heart disease and diabetes. No one knows of one single instance of cancer. So this was a big surprise. Hubby and the kids and I will take dinner in to her tomorrow and spend the evening chatting with her and my father-in-law. Apparently the recovery from a mastectomy is brutal. She’s in her early sixties and still teaches first grade full time. It’s hard on her and her students for her to be gone for so long. But the good news is that apparently everything went very well and she’s going to be just fine.
My parents are well. And frickin’ cute. They’re on a mission in Spain and they’re doing some amazing stuff. I had let contact between us slip, and I finally managed to resume it this weekend. I love being able to email them and know that by the time I wake up the next day, there will be a beautiful, exciting, adventure-filled email waiting for me.
And this post still doesn’t have a point.
Anyway, I’m off. And I’m going.
Oh, and California is on fire and New Orleans is under water again. I need to remember to be less whiney. Lots of people are suffering a lot more than you or I right now.
The end.
Ah, hang in there Brillig. Your family and you are in my prayers.
Sounds like Brillig has a regular (read crazy) life like everybody else. I can relate to the ups and downs and certainly empathize.
Even the developmental delays you are experiencing with Fuzzles - it’s surprising how many times you stumble across people with similar issues just reading blogs. Hope you get some answers soon!
Take those earrings out, by the way. You should be able to concentrate better without the fire!!
Take care~
Man. You are amazing. I was going to post something profound, but nothing quite worked out that way.
You are a total superwoman- I can’t believe all that’s been going on. I’d lose it….which is probably why the closest thing I have to a child is my job. I couldn’t do what you do.
Let me know if I can help!
My four year old hasn’t said a word by 2 1/2. By age 3 he had about 5 understandable words, so we started him in speech therapy. He’s been in therapy for over a year now and finally he talks and about 75% of what he says is currently understandable.
My oldest didn’t started talking till 2 1/2 and had no speech problems. Maybe fuzzles is just taking his time. I’m sorry he gets so sick. Poor little guy.
Hang in there!
Sometimes life just feels like being bombarded with one thing after another. You’re doing more than fine. Take it easy.
Praying for you, love.
Sometimes the posts without a real “point” are the best ones. Sounds like you have had your hands full for sure. My son has broncholitis when he was about 4 months old too. He’s had his share of issues as well. I can relate.
I’m glad that I found your blog (thanks Kim) I really enjoy your writings.
Poor Fuzzles. It sucks to be the one who always gets sick worse.
I’ll keep you in my thoughts with regards to the ENT visit. I had a friend who’s daughter didn’t speak forever too, and it wound up being fluid in the ears. The doctor inserted tubes, the fluid drained, and Robin is a completely normal 15 year old now (normal meaning she uses a sharpie for eyeliner when her mom says no make-up).
Poor Fuzzles. And I’m so sorry to hear about your mother-in-law. It’s tough, but hang in there. We’re thinking about you over here.
Brillig - first of all I feel your pain on the earlobes - I have the same problem with nickel and I just avoid earrings pretty much completely at this point.
More importantly, you KNOW I know what you’re dealing with with hearing loss and pediatric ENTs! If you’re saying that it’s hopefully not permanent, then I’m guessing that fuzzles has conductive hearing loss? A blockage or fluid build up? The ENT will help you.
My Baby J is 18lbs at 12 months old - his growth curve has tapered off and they’ve told me to encourage him to eat more. I figured he was just long and lean like me - but enter mommy guilt in bags full because now I feel like I’ve starved him!
Being the youngest of 4 kids, who I’m willing to bet will voice Fuzzles’ needs from time to time is part of the reason why he hasn’t started using words yet.
Praying for you and your family. I know how stressful this is and I’m not going to tell you not to worry. As others have done for me I’ll pray that all will be well with Fuzzles, and that you have the strength to deal with it all!
Oh, honey! I was going to email you if I hadn’t heard anything soon.
Yes, there are catastrophes all over the world (not the Kate variety, either) - but that doesn’t make your issues less important.
I am so sorry to hear about this all! Poor little Fuzzles!! And your mother-in-law, too. I really have to echo what an amazing woman you are. Strength abounds to get through all this.
I am praying for you and your family, hon. Take care and take more time off if you need it! Family is so much more important than keeping us updated (though I do appreciate knowing you’re okay!!).
Prayers your way. And if you need a break, I don’t actually live all that far away. I’m a willing and able babysitter.
I’m so sorry to hear about Hubs mom. That’s very sad to hear and I hope she recovers soon.
I also hope Fuzzles gets better soon causing you less stress because honestly? I have no idea how you do everything that you do and I’m well aware that you are Wonder Woman.
Love and prayers are always with you. Please call me ANY TIME to vent or rant or scream or whatever. Even if it’s in the middle of the night.
I have allergies to food, and I know the feeling of FIRE earlobes very well. Eventhough this post isnt about that…..
I hope yoyur mother in law recovers quickly.
And I hope your children feel better!
There may be a lot of people worse off than you, but there’s a lot better off. So it’s okay to feel overwhelmed and even sorry for yourself. I’m seriously welling up with tears of sympathy right now, wondering how on earth I’d handle all that. I’ve enough trouble handling my fairly easy life. But then, poor coping skills are one of the weaknesses I need to work on.
Didn’t realize how many worries you have over your dear sweet Fuzzles. Really, really hope you get some answers soon. Uncertainty is torturous. Praying for your family every day. ~Hugs~
Brill I hope things get easier soon sweetie.
Will be thinking of you all this week, especially M-in-Law and dear little Fuzzles.
Miss E always gets very poorly with stuff and the doc said it’s due to very reactive glands which she might grow out of. It’s awful to see your little ones so ill isn’t it.
Like Butrfly and Kim say, yes there are hardships and troubles all over, but yours count too.
Take care of yourself in all this.
Hugs.
Thinking of you and your Brilly babies! I am sorry they have been sick.
NONE of my children said a word I could recognize until 20 months of age. Now I can’t get them to STOP TALKING! :O
Hope you find some answers soon for your own peace of mind.
Poor Brillig! You are not even being the least bit selfish, so don’t even mention it. That is a lot to deal with, and I certainly hope that it all turns out for the best. Sorry I’ve been such a bad bloggy friend lately, but I’m still reading and thinking of you!
You mean you’re HUMAN too? I had no idea!
Take a break, get some snuggle time in and know that though you’re missed, we love you BECAUSE of the person you are to all these people. Best of luck for Fuzzles. I have one like that, though not as severe, and the worry can be equal in exhaustion as the nursing is. God bless.
Never diminish your troubles by pointing to the world’s problems and saying, “But mine are so small in relative comparison,” because then you must do the same with your every day joys and wins. And, of course, you would never, ever say something like, “My child spoke his first word today, but that’s nothing compared to the Red Sox winning the World Series.” In that context, the World Series is actually pretty silly.
Hey Brill, why don’t you come up with a good excuse.
Speedy recoveries to all! And keep us up to date on Fuzzles please.
I, too, feel your ear pain. I’ve given up on earrings. Hmmm, should sell them on eBay or something–if I had the time.
Hope your sicknesses are soon gone. At least they’ll all be well for the holidays
Well all I can say to all of that is, I hope your ears get better!
I’m feeling pretty worn out, so thank you for grounding me and reminding me that there is much more in the world that people are dealing with. I’m tired, too, but it will pass… Enough of me, I hope you are well, that Fuzzles gets better, that your MIL is healthy, and that life gets on the easy track for us all. Easy track, is there such a thing?
I’m so sorry Fuzzles and your MIL are going through a hard time. And of COURSE you’re exhausted! Take care of yourself and your loved ones. Huge hugs
ok all I can say is wow and thank you. I needed a good reality check this week and this post was just the ticket. Thanks again for that. I will keep the kiddos and your MIL in my prayers. Hope ev1 is feeling better soon. Good luck with the doctor also. Let us know how you make out.
Lots of prayers sent up for you and yours from Canada.
OK you have been busy.
I hope it all turns out well..ALL of it.
And I’m sending you hugs too.
I just want to give you a big hug - the point of this post (and yes there was one that I saw) - to remind all of us that sometimes we’re up and sometimes we’re down, be we are still alive so thank God for that.
Oh, and hey, take the earring off - I use to work in jewelry and not all stainless steel is actually stainless steel - ya gotta love the makers of this stuff, anything to earn a buck….
I’ll keep Fuzzles in my prayers.
My thoughts are with you Chica…I hope things settle down quickly.
Hugs, sympathy, heartfelt prayers… all heading your way. I hope you get some well-deserved rest this weekend.
Best wishes to you and your MIL and your kids and well, everybody. Best wishes!
Lots of stuff piled onto your plate and you hadn’t even realised you were at an all-you-can-eat buffet. My prayers are going out to you for strength, to you mother-in-law for healing and to your son for endurance.
Oh, man! You’re just not having the best week. I’m sorry.
Anne,
Hope you find out what is wrong with your sweet child soon. I’ll keep you in my prayers.
Good luck with your ears — clearly not platinum steel…earrings, not the ears.
Hang in there.
Wow, it sounds like life is keeping you on your toes. Hang in there. I love your positive outlook about it all. And good luck with those ears!
Let’s talk.
Can’t believe you are somehow thinking of yourself as selfish in all this… That’s A LOT to have on one plate. I can tell you’re the kind of mom who really feels it emotionally when your kiddos are suffering - I’m that way too. And to try and process your mother-in-law’s diagnosis in the the middle of it all? Well, I think you’re normal if you feel a bit like you’re coming apart at the seams. Just hang in there and love those little ones - which you do so fabulously well. Lots of prayers and warm thoughts coming your way when I am up in the middle of the night rocking my own back to sleep : )
What a lot going on. Hugs and strength to you and your mother-in-law. I have my masectomy soon too, and I can only imagine how she feels. How lucky she is to have you!
A lot has happened to you since I’ve read you last. I’m glad people are better. My son always ruptures his ear drums when he gets and ear infection– so I’m actually always paranoid that he’s going to lose his hearing too. I hope fuzzles doesn’t lose his.
I’m sorry to hear about your mother in law, but I’m glad that they were able to contain it by doing a mastectomy. You know, I read that only 20% of breast cancer diagnosis are hereditary . . . which leads me to wonder why we only get mammograms when were 40 unless it runs in the family.