Kelsey Has To Stop Being Shellfish

Well, we had to find out the hard way that Kelsey has an allergy to shellfish, or so it seems. For sure shellfish, possibly seafood in general. She had a reaction after she ate some fries that were probably cross contaminated with seafood after being fried in the same oil. She has never reacted like this to any food before, although in the past every time she has eaten any kind of fish or seafood, particularly shrimp, she has gotten a stomach ache, and has even thrown up afterwards. Last night's reaction involved lip swelling and tongue tingling. Not good. I gave her some antihistamine as it was happening, and it started to calm it all down. We (me and my mom) took her to emergency because I don't know alot about anaphylactic reactions, and thought it would be a good idea since this was her first one, to have her assessed by a doctor. As it turned out, she had to stay for observation for 4 hours because apparently after antihistamine has been taken, the reaction can come back. So, they just wanted to make sure she was okay before sending her home. All was well, and she's fine today.

She has to carry around an epi-pen and antihistamine with her at all times now, because who knows if she has another reaction how bad it will be. After I told the doctor about the stomach aches and vomiting in the past after eating seafood, she said it makes total sense that she had the reaction she did last night, so it was pretty much confirmed that she has this allergy. We now need to take her for some formal testing to find out what else poor Kelsey is allergic to. We picked up the epi-pen today, received instructions from the pharmacist as to how to use it, and now I need to write a note to the school, and Kelsey is now amongst the group of "special" kids with allergies at her school. Whatever. As long as we know and are prepared in case it happens again.

I'm just glad it happened the way it did. It was weird because I was eating crab (not crap) and shrimp for dinner, and kept trying to coax her into trying a bite of the crab, but she wouldn't have anything to do with it. I keep wondering what the hell would have happened if she actually ingested a bite of the actual meat. Scary.

I was really scared. I've never had to deal with anything like this before, and if it had been a worse reaction, I don't know what I would have done. I think I held it together pretty good in front of her, but I think if it had been any worse, an ambulance would have been called.

I know she's allergic to penicillin, rabbits, and now shellfish. She also gets stomach aches after she's eaten ranch salad dressing, so maybe she has an allergy to an ingredient in that. I'll make an appointment to go and see her doctor, and she'll be referred to an allergist from there. And THEN she'll be wearing a piece of Medic Alert jewellery at all times.

God already with doctors and hospitals and medicine and sicknesses in this damn house!!!!!!! Jake on an ongoing basis, Kenny at the start of this month and he's still not any better (still don't know what's wrong with him), me with my sinus infection and asthma, and now Kelsey and her allergies. When does it stop? If anyone knows, could you please tell me so I have an idea? Thanks.

No wonder I'm in a pissed off mood today and completely exhausted. I think I've had enough.

Oh yeah. I won $10 on Super 7 last night.

So, So Close!

Tonight was my very last 1:00 a.m. shift. I cannot express how happy I am that I will no longer have to come home to work to a dark house and everyone has been sleeping for hours by that point. I will no longer have no say in how much sleep I get each night, AND I will no longer have to work on weekends. Sunday is my last "old" shift, but because I have to start at 9:00 on Monday morning, the higher ups have allowed me to work an earlier shift that day. 1:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. Not bad.

I had to pack up my desk tonight and say good bye to some of my co-workers since after tonight, we will no longer be working together. I will still see most of them, but the ones I've become friends with will be working a similar shift to mine, although on different teams, but I'll still get to see them, which makes me happy.

It was kind of bittersweet tonight. You know how you kind of get used to something, even though it may not be the greatest thing? Well, I think that happened with this night shift I've been working. I was comfortable with the routine and all, and I felt a little sad driving away from there tonight. The hardest part of it is putting Jake into day care. I know he'll be fine, and I know it's a good thing for him, but he keeps telling me he doesn't want to go. He'll settle in and love it in no time. He really has no choice.

I'm going to miss being at home during the day. I have a schedule of shows I like to watch. Especially Y&R at 1:00 every afternoon. That was always my down time. I don't know when I'll get to see Y&R any more, unless I ask a certain someone's husband to possibly, maybe, download episodes for me so I can watch them all at once. Hmmm...there's a thought. I'll have to talk real nice to him...right Jenn?

I know I'll be working a pretty sweet shift. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. That will be nice, especially in the summer. I'll really miss having Fridays off as I've had for the past 2 1/2 years, but I could probably get used to Wednesdays off too.

One thing I've promised myself during all these changes is to do something to move up in that place. I'm getting restless doing my job, and there are alot of other opportunities I could explore. So, that is my goal for right now.

I wasn't even sure I'd make it through my whole shift tonight since I've been sick. The cough wasn't too bad throughout the night, and the only pain I had was my eye feeling like it was bulging out of my head. Well, that plus the headache that just goes along with a sinus infection. Other than that, I managed to get through just fine.

I don't know when I'll update again. I'll try over the weekend, but we'll see what happens.

Time to medicate.

Bye for now.

Sunday Night/Monday Morning

What the hell was up with the weather today? I had the kids dressed in shorts and tank tops, and then around 4:00 the temperature just dropped. I went to work wearing capris, sandals and a tank top. When I left, I felt like I should have been wearing woolies. And boots. And maybe a jacket. So weird. I think it even snowed at one point throughout the evening. Bloody lovely. Haven't we had awesome weather lately though? We've been so lucky on the weekends. Two in a row..not bad. From what I understand next weekend is supposed to be nice too. We damn well deserve it! The crap we put up with all winter. I seriously thought it was not going to end this year. But here we are. We even saw people planting flowers today. A little premature there, but it's nice to see everyone so anxious. Seems like all the yard work has been done, and everyone is more than ready for summer. I can't wait. We might even have Charbecue '06 this year. I'll keep you posted.

Oh yeah....this was my last Sunday shift working until 1 a.m. Next Sunday is my last shift before the changeover to days, and I'll be working 1-7, which will be a nice change, but even NICER is the fact that I won't be working Sundays any more as of May 1st. Just a little exciting. I like the thought of having a semi-normal life once again. For everyone who doesn't know, things around my house are NEVER normal, so I don't even really know what that means. Maybe one day I'll know.

Anyhow, I'm off to bed. I'm tired, sick, and still feeling oh so shitty from my awesome time out on Friday night. I'm paying big time for that one. But at least I have about a year's supply of coffee to show for it.

Off Days

I don't mean days off, I mean off days as in "bad" days. I had one of those at work tonight, and came home feeling really shitty about it. The night didn't end off the greatest with my supervisor, and because it was at the end of the night, it's going to sit with me and I'm going to let myself think about it until at least tomorrow afternoon. Why can't I just leave it at work? I've never had any issues at all with my supervisor, so maybe that's why it's bugging me so much. I usually am able to get through my shift with no problems, I don't usually have to ask her any questions, or transfer any upset clients to her, but tonight for some reason, I asked a million questions, and I wasn't able to think straight all night. I went to work feeling dragged down and really tired, and it really affected everything at work. At one point, I had to transfer a pissed off client to my supervisor, and right at the end of my shift, I had another customer who wanted to speak to my supervisor. When I went to her and told her, she actually let out a sigh and made a face while rolling her eyes. Like I wanted to deal with an asshole at 1:00 a.m. myself. She's the fucking supervisor (not the supervisor of fucking...the effen supervisor). Anyway, I told her what was wrong, and she basically told me to do what the client wanted. She wouldn't take the call. So, I had to look like the idiot and go back to the customer, and help him when I just argued with him for five minutes about why I couldn't. Also, the people who sit near me had to hear the whole conversation, and then the next thing they see, I'm giving the customer the information I was told to give him. I looked like an asshole. Or, I felt like one anyway.

When I was driving home, it hit me that I had a bad day today. I really did. I haven't had a bad day at work in a really long time, so I guess I'm entitled, but it's still really, really shitty. This is how I have to end my day. I'm sure she's not bothered by anything that happened, and I'm sure she's on her way home right now, and I'm the last person on her mind. So why do I have to waste my energy, time, and brainspace thinking about this? Sometimes I wish I was the type of person who didn't give a shit. But I do. Why can't we have allotted days off for times like this? Especially when it's affecting our work. I'm sure I completely annoyed the hell out of my supervisor tonight. I shouldn't really care since I'm not normally like that. I guess I'm feeling a little embarrassed about it and that's why it's bugging me so much.

I can only hope it's not like that tomorrow.

Speaking of tomorrow, Jake has an appointment for a hearing test. I told him that we have to go to this appointment, and he asked why, so I told him because we need to know how well he hears. He seemed satisfied with that.

Well, off I go for now.

Hellooooo

Wow..it's been a while. Alot has happened since my last post, but I don't know what to say at this point. Hmm..I was on holidays, Jake was sick and taken to emergency, Kelsey had a tooth pulled, Kenny was sick and taken to emergency, basketball starts up again this week (YAY!), I'm off for 3 days now, our vacuum is broken, I have a ton of laundry to do, the car needs a wash, our snowman is completely melted in the front yard and all that remains is his hat and scarf, I'm really hungry right now, but I'm too tired to eat, and I want to win the lottery.

That's about it. Nothing too exciting for now, but I'll think of something and post again soon.