Rest & Relief

After the stresses of college, unemplyment and a move. The boys and I are resting for a few days at our families places in. Personally, I have slept 22 hours in 2 nights... more than I have in the past week. (Actually, I am ready for a nap!)

The boys are enjoying being able to play and visit without lots of places to go, things to do, or the general chaos that comes with moving.

The biggest relief came this morning, when Tom received a job offer with Siemens. He will start work in two weeks, and so is planning to fly up here to join the boys and I on our camping trip. We'll start with Yellowstone (on Memorial Day weekend... not necessarily the ideal time to go there (it will be BUSY), but SO GLAD to be able to go out together as a family).

Now, for that nap...

Vacation Flashback

I just went to use an old back-up drive



where I found pictures from our last family vacation


(yes it was back in 2006).


The boys were 2 & 4.


This was the boys' AND Tom's first trip to Wyoming.


Oh!


They were so CUTE and CHUBBY!!!
The Boys, not Tom! ;)


Enjoy!

This Vacation Flashback brought to you compliments of Keith's Gift Kaser Portable Vault Flash Drive.

A Day in the Life - Birthday Boy

Pile of new *free* Legos + Insomnia until 3 am =

A Crazy Creation by "Mommay"!

I'm quite proud of my funky little Lego vehicle.


The fact that the vehicle is still intact this evening says the boys also liked it!


Jack kindly allowed Tom and I to sleep in this morning, despite it's being his fifth birthday.


I use "sleep in" loosely, since I was up at 7:30 and Tom by 8:00.


We met some friends, and my Geology Professor, who's also an Anthropologist, was kind enough to give us a private, guided tour around the college's dinosaur exhibits.


While Jack usually loves the dinosaurs, he was looking a little tired, and kept wondering around.


We adults learned quite a few new things though, which we'll be able to share on future visits with the kids.


Jack enjoyed playing with his friends who came to celebrate with him, while we went about looking at the many free exhibits.


Jack wanted a brown (chocolate) inside and out cake "this big" (as far as his arms could stretch.)


I made a 9x13 cake, then cut it in thirds lengthwise and shoved them together on a foil covered board.


The design would have lent itself to a train, but since we were looking at the dinosaurs, we choose to put some dino toys on the cake so the kiddos could each have some toys.


I am always loving the faces (and sounds) this boy can make. I wonder if he'll be a comedian (I mean and get paid for it, for he's already perfecting his act!)


Even tired out, Jack is just always HAPPY!!!


Tic-Tac-Toe. Franks favorite way to wait at restaurants.


I picked up this Crayola "rubbing" toy in a Thrift Store last year for fifty-cents... it was one of Jack's favorite gifts! Gotta love that!!!


I missed the funny, foamy face in the mirror, but you get the idea of what it's like to brush kid's teeth.


When I returned from reading with and tucking the Birthday Boy in, I found Tom and Frank engaged in a Pokémon battle.

Hope you enjoy the pictures, sorry for the sparseness of anecdotes, but, as I said, I had just four hours sleep for the second time in three nights. I'm going to bed!

It's Gonna Be A Great Day!

I must admit, the way today started I am surprised at how well it turned out and how happy and satisfied I feel at it's close.

It started with Tom tripping (as he often does) over something in the early (still dark) morning hours. Tom didn't just trip, he fell flat on his face (narrowly missing hitting his head on the way down). When he stumbled up, it was apparent he was in a great deal of pain, so I fetched a Tylenol, an Advil, and an ice bag. By this evening, his middle toe, on the left foot, is completely purple and black and, quite obviously, broken. Poor guys' been working (and hobbling around) on it all day.

Then I came down to check the paper and found my story lead on the front page, but none of my photos. Instead there was a photo from the staff photographer. I was bummed. My pictures sent another photographer out. I tried to focus on the fact that the cause made it to the front page, and that was, after all the main goal of my taking the photos, but you know how I *love* to see my pictures in print!

Next, I went to Physical Therapy and wore myself out.

Frank went with Tom on a long drive for work, and then the fun started... with Jack! I suppose this is the source of my Great Day. Jack. I allowed his natural energy, enthusiasm, excitement, giggles and smiles to invade my very core today.


After a little play time on the computer, Jack and I worked on a paper chain to help him track upcoming events (his birthday, our anniversary, my departure, some silly "Fairy" holidays, and our vacation in March). All-in-all, we created a colorful chain over 50 links long (all of which he cut and glued).


Jack now has a visual clue as to how long until all these things are happening... and also a memory of putting it together with Mom, which I hope will help any blues he might possibly have while I'm gone.


When Frank returned home, the first thing he wanted to do was play with his neighbor-friend. I said they could play, after chores and vacuuming was done. Frank sat and read for another ten minutes, then, in under twenty, had all his chores finished. Proper motivation, I tell you!

During the afternoon, Jack had been cracking a whip on me to clean out the garage more (we've burned out our projector bulb, and LOST the $400 spare *somewhere* in the garage). Since it's loss the end of last week, Tom and I have cleared out over 40 boxes, donating 1/3 of the contents and pitching quite a bit in the process. Today I discovered some of my father's antique bowler hats. They were *gently* packed UNDER a big pile of books. The dents, coupled with dust from past display, warrants these Stetson Hats essentially worhtless (to sell, I mean). But for fans of Disney's "Meet The Robinson's" they make for a perfect "Doris" and "Bowler Hat Guy".


Now, these hats have value and worth once more!

Funnest part of the evening with the neighbor boy? When I walked through and hear Frank say "J. it hurts my feelings when we always play your games and when it's my game you play for a few minutes, then quit." Then little brother pipes up and says "I don't like to play Frank's games!" At this point, the friend says "Jack, that's not very nice. It probably hurt Frank's feelings." Then, the three of them spent about five minutes talking, listening, and negotiating how they were going to play the game. They started playing again, only to pause after about two minutes to clarify some of the "rules" of their new game.

I was so pleased to hear these five and seven year olds involved in calm negotiations and discussions about feelings. No one ever said "I'm sorry", but they perhaps did something better... they listened and immediately modified their behavior. Also, of note, they didn't say "you're wrong to feel that" or "no I didn't" they just listened and responded.

Later, after a casual dinner, I was beat. Jack started rubbing my back, so I got out some back rubbing tools. Next thing I know, I'm getting pushed around by two eager beavers wanting to rub "Mommay's" back. Instead of grumping or yelling, I lay down on the floor. They each took two tools and went to town on my back. This was all well and good until Jack discovered my ticklish spots... then it turned into a silly giggle fest.
.
During the process, I rubbed (and tickled) two little backs, and Frank rubbed (and attacked) Jack.


I went upstairs to call some people and tell them about our fun and funny day. Then, I tucked sweet, silly Jack into bed. When I returned, I was delighted to find Frank and Tom engaged in Homeschooling Lessons. They'd already read (during their long drive) and were doing writing and math. Soon, Tom expanded on a basic science lesson. Instead of just teaching Frank about vinegar and baking soda, he showed him salt, sugar, flour and water. They tasted them and blended various combinations.


In the end, they wrapped a packet of baking soda in paper. Mixed water and vinegar, and put a lid on it.


I lost count of how many times Frank put the lid on and watched it pop off. He was SO EXCITED. More than that though, it was heartwarming to watch how focused and attentive he is. When Tom speaks, Frank listens.

I love my husband and boys!!!

Bringing it Back Home

Last Spring, when I decided to return to College, I made the difficult decision to stop Homeschooling Frank and enroll him in Public School. Homeschooling worked amazingly well for our family! I went to great lengths to interview different school's and enroll him in one where I thought we'd have the best chance of success.

Since September, we have been integrating ourselves into Public School. Not only attending school, but also PTO (Parent Teacher Organization) meetings, volunteering, and kibitzing with the other parents. Frank has now been attending Public School for an entire semester.

Frank Reading Aloud at Bedtime

I consider this to have been a Valiant Effort on our part, but in the end, it just doesn't work well for Frank or, for that matter, for our family. Tomorrow will be Frank's last day at Public School for First Grade. I have made arrangements to bring treats in at the end of the day for a little "Going Away" party.

Honestly, I have not been happy with the idea of Public School since the beginning, but in order to clear my mind (and schedule) for College, I knew I needed to "Grin and Bear It". It is important to note that I fault the system as a whole, and not the individuals at the school, for our dissatisfaction. We have had great interactions with the people at Frank's school! There are just so many problems with the way the program is set up! I'm not sure if I should go into all the details here, or just suffice it to say we are not happy with it.

A big part of the challenge with returning to homeschooling is the fact that I will be serving in the Wyoming State Legislature as part of my college courses. I will be an Intern in Cheyenne for four weeks (beginning February 5th). So, Tom needed to feel comfortable with whatever schooling was in place. Since I injured my back over Thanksgiving Weekend, Tom has been spending a lot more time at Frank's school, taking him, dropping him off, and even joining him for lunch and recess at school. With all the extra time around the Public School, what Tom saw infuriated him.

Tom and I talked extensivley, then a kind and generous friend loaned us her WinterPromise curriculum to review. We were quite excited to see that one of Tom's favorite topics (American History) is the basis of the curriculum she had. Last week we talked with Frank, and were quite frankly astounded by his hesitancy. (Then again, Frank has always been cautious about change.) Frank was ponderous and ask a lot of questions. He was also sad about the idea of not seeing some of his friends and teachers. After some more discussions, Frank thought some more. He actually went to school the next day and came home and still didn't give us a decision. Finally, on the way in to Ice Skating, Frank said "I've decided about school. I want to homeschool again, but first I want to finish the semester." Wow! Seven years old and such responsibility! I actually swelled with pride a bit at this point.

This week, Frank's been saying his good-byes and taking my small digital camera with him. Frank is taking pictures of his teachers, and tomorrow, during his party, I'll take pictures of him with his friends. We are also collecting phone numbers, and have made some "Trading Cards" for Frank to hand out. They include my cell phone number and his picture, so people can call him. We've already begun talking about the Pros & Cons of school, from Frank's perspective. Tomorrow night, we'll start a written Pros / Cons List so we can make certain to include things he likes and can restructure other areas that weren't working.

Jack has been fairly quiet about all of this, but he did say he liked Frank "going to work" every day. So, I'm sure that there will be some sibling issues to iron out again, but I suspect they will be minor.

Tom will Homeschool Frank until I return from the Capitol in March, then we will Team Teach. Tom has been studying the materials in preparation for him starting the teaching next week. Right now, I'll be in the role of Coach, helping to guide and direct them, but realizing the Tom and Frank will have to find their own groove as school begins again here at Shadona Central.

Puppycakes and Cat Biscuits

Talking with Jack about his upcoming birthday I asked "what do you want to do for your birthday?"

"Eat cake!"

"What else?"

"Not pupcakes, a BIG cake. Pupcakes are for grown-ups, kids get CAKE!!!"

"And what should it be like?"

"Brown... inside AND out!"

So, one big-ol' Chocolate Cake coming up! ;)


When I called to relate this story to his Great Aunt, I mentioned all it would take to make Jack happy was a big cake, when from the backseat I hear "AND PRESENTS!" So. Apparently, he *needs* presents too! ;)

As we were finishing our errand run, Jack added, "No Puppycakes and NO Cat Biscuits!"

Gee Tom, thanks for that one! How did we go from talking about birthday cakes and presents to cat poop? These are the things Mommy's of small boys the world over wonder about. At least This Mommy wonders!

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PS: The photo in this post was snapped the same day as the photo used in my header (in fact Jack's fingers were cropped out as they moved the red piece (notice how it's not lined up with the others)).

No one came close to guessing the origin of the colored squares... does this photo of Jack help?

Polymer Play

While I've been resting with knitting and photo editing; Tom and the boys tried their hands at their first Polymer Clay Project, using some well-written Dragon Embryo instructions from the DadCanDo website.

Here's my montage of the project:

They plan to paint their creations this weekend.

Waiting for a Turkey

Let's Get to the Point

Yesterday morning, while volunteering at Frank's school, and as therapy from an emotional morning, I took it upon myself to sharpen pencils until a blister formed on my finger. I sharpened pencils for an entire hour!

And. I took pictures of them.

Frank's teacher walked by and said "I'm glad to see you've found a project." I think she thought I was nuts.


After creating the above montage, Tom also said I was nuts.

So, what do you think? Am I out-of-my-mind or just in-tune (to take the moment for productive therapy) and artistic, to see the colors and be able to create something intriguing to look at?

No matter where you deem my mental state to lie, I think the above image needs a catchy and fun title. What are your suggestions?

Recipe - Chicken and Dumplings

Presented to you, by request of Mara Jade...

Chicken & Dumplings
Tom & Suzy, June 2004

Tired of super salty, quick-prep chicken and dumplings, my hubby and I set out to create a simple homemade version. In 2004 we came up with this, and we've been making it (to rave reviews from guests) ever since! Straight forward and simple, the trickiest part is remembering to put the flour and milk in AND remove the Bay Leaf. We hope you enjoy this "comfort food" as much as we do!

Ingredients:
1.5 lbs chicken, boneless skinless breasts, cut into one-inch cubes
2 cloves garlic
2 tablespoons oil

3 cups vegetable broth (or water)
2 teaspoons chicken bouillon
1 teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon pepper, freshly cracked
1 bay leaf
½ onion, chopped
4 stalks celery, sliced
5 carrots, sliced
if desired, fresh chopped broccoli
if desired, fresh snipped parsley (3 Tablespoons)
if desired, frozen / fresh corn

1/3 cup flour
½ cup milk

1 package Pillsbury Grands Biscuits

Directions:
1. Heat oil in Dutch oven (or a nice big pt that you have a lid for) on medium high heat, add cubed chicken and garlic. Stir; cooking until chicken is white.
2. Add broth, bouillon, salt, pepper, bay leaf, and fresh vegetables to create a stew. Bring to a boil.
3. Reduce heat on stew; simmer on low, covered, 30 minutes, or until chicken and vegetables are tender. Remove bay leaf from broth.
4. While stew simmers, open biscuits and set out on a plate (to rise) or make your own biscuits.
5. In separate container, mix flour and milk. After 30 minutes of simmering, whisk flour and milk into broth on stove. Stir well.
6. Add biscuits to top of stew. Cover and continue cooking on low heat 15 minutes.
7. Let stand a few minutes before serving.

Variation:
1. Make homemade or Biquick biscuits instead of canned.

Generously serves four.

As ever, I'd love to know if you make this and how you like it! :D

Leapfrogging

Yesterday, after a full day of Grouchy-ness on my part AND being a Certified Crab Apple (also on my part), my hubby, who had already cleaned house, sent me out on my own, did laundry, cooked repeatedly and totally kept the house running, told the boys that "Mommy is going up to her Sewing Room while we watch a movie together." Even when I can't figure out what I need... he knows!


I spent the first 25 minutes cleaning up the sewing room (and made a marked improvement in the room). Then, in just 75 more minutes I finished up this project, which I started TWO YEARS AGO (when I cut it). TWO MONTHS AGO, I assembled the parts (insides with pockets, outside with padding, straps). Last night I quilted and assembled it. I learned/remembered two things:

1 - I must sew more often... I love it!

2 - My current quilting setup is not as desirable as the one I would like to have... by way of a Juki sewing machine. The biggest problem (at least for small projects like this) is not the size of my machine, but the fact that the machine is slightly higher than the surrounding table-top. This is troublesome because I found a great tool to use (Quilter's Halo, by Sharon Schamber) but it works better when the area around the needle is flat. Hmm...

So. I need to find time in my busy schedule to make sure I am spending time each day (because weekly goals seem to disappear) in my sewing room... which probably means I will sacrifice computer time.

Anyway. Wanted to share a quick project completion in quick blog post.

We Make Homemade Bread

Yes.

It's true.

If Tom comes home with a bag of store-bought bread, he gets (at least) a glare, and usually Some Words. I think it's happened only three or four times since last Fall.

I'd have to say it all started with Jakob and Karin Herrman... German friends of mine from my early 20's. Karin was a full-time, stay-at-home-wife. They didn't have kids; didn't want them. She was an amazing homemaker. I was awestruck at how she made fresh bread, everyday, without a recipe, just "by feel".

Then, about five years ago, Becky showed me to a website about frugality in the kitchen (Hillbilly Housewife). There was a list of Store Bought Convenience Foods that got me thinking. Store bought bread was listed as a "Convenience Food"?!? This idea shocked me. I thought Karin was an anomaly. I thought you HAD to buy bread and those who always made it were simply, NUTS!


Last Fall we finally started making my own bread. Now, Tom is often better at it than I am. Here's our Honey Oat Bread recipe.

Honey Oatmeal Bread
by Suzy Sholar
September 2008

Ingredients:
½ cup butter
¾ cup honey
2 ¼ cups water

2 cups oatmeal
2T + ¾ tea yeast (3 packets)
1 T salt
5 ½ cups flour

3 eggs
½ to 2 cups MORE flour

Directions:
1. In small saucepan, combine butter, honey, and water. Heat over low-medium heat until mixture is very warm (120F -130F).
2. Place a pan of water on bottom oven rack. Turn oven on very low (170F).
3. Meanwhile, place oatmeal, yeast, salt, and 5 ½ cups flour into mixing bowl. Attach dough hook to mixer. Mix dry ingredients together.
4. Turn mixer to speed 2. Gradually add warm mixture to flour and mix about 1 minute.
5. Add eggs and mix 1 more minute.
6. Continuing on speed 2, add remaining flour ½ cup at a time, mixing about 2 minutes, or until dough clings to hook and cleans side of bowl. Knead on speed 2 about 2 minutes longer*.
7. Butter two bowls.
8. Split dough into two balls, about 1/3 and 2/3 of dough. Put dough into each bowl.
9. TURN OFF THE OVEN. Place each bowl on the top rack of oven.
10. Wet a flour sack towel with hot tap water. Squeeze out excess water. Cover the bowls, in the oven, with the damp towel.
11. Prop a wooden spoon in the door of the oven. Set a timer for one hour. Check the dough. It should have doubled in size. Remove from oven.
12. Reset the oven (with the water still in it) to a low temperature (170F).
13. Punch down dough. Use smaller portion as four mini-loaves OR 32 rolls OR one artisan loaf OR pretzels OR another regular loaf of bread. Divide larger portion in half. On lightly floured surface; roll each half into rectangle (about 9” x 14”). Starting at a short end, roll dough tightly. Pinch dough as you go. Pinch to seal seam. Pinch ends and turn under. Place in loaf pan, seam side down. (When using seasoned stoneware, there is no need to grease the pan, if using other types of pans, you will need to butter / grease the loaf pans first).
14. TURN OFF THE OVEN. Place pans on the top rack of oven. Rewet and wring towel. Cover dough. Prop wooden spoon in door of oven. Set timer for an hour.
15. When dough has doubled in size (finger pressed in leaves a dent) remove all pans from oven (including water pan). Turn oven on to 375F (385F high altitude).
16. Once oven has preheated, cook rolls / mini loaves for about 20-25 minutes and regular size loaves about 45 minutes. Pretzels should cook about 50F higher for 12 minutes.

Yield: 48 servings (16 slices per loaf).

Per serving: About 134 calories, 4 grams protein, 24 grams carbohydrates, 3 gram fat, 13 mg cholesterol, 162 mg sodium.

* You can remove this from the mixer at any point, and work the dough by hand! :D

This is the recipe as we use it in Wyoming (high altitude), but we didn't really "adjust" it for High Altitude, we just have a "feel" for the dough now and know what we need to do. Anyway, we like it a lot. We make dough for three loaves twice a week. We make two full size loaves and the third piece we do different things with: rolls, mini-loaves, pretzels, pizza dough, artisan-style loaves, baguettes, etc. By changing the shape or brushing with oil and herbs, you can really change the way the third loaf looks.


Here's a link to the crockery method of bread that I tried a few weeks back. We liked it, but I've only made it once (just because I'm so familiar with my Honey Oat Recipe).

One of my biggest obstacles to making regular bread was how to keep it fresh without wasting lots of plastic bags or wraps (plastic/aluminum/etc). I finally found a suitable container in the Lock'N'Lock 38 cup Rectangle. It's just the right size to hold a whole, uncut loaf (although I prefer to let the loaves cool to room-temperature and then cut before they are cold and hard). I can fit two of these on one of my fridge shelves, and put all three loaves (when cut up) in both tubs. I picked my tubs up for $9.99 at a Bed Bath & Beyond, so, if you are close to one, you probably can save a few dollars getting it in a store versus online.

At the beginning, every batch seemed a chore. Now, Tom and I have the recipe memorized. One of us can start the recipe and the other pick-up and finish it seamlessly.

We have been very pleased at how filling and satisfying it is to always have fresh, hardy bread on hand... for about $1.50 a loaf (including electricity and such). It tastes better. It's better for us. And we just plain enjoy it. :D

Let me know if you too give switching to your own homemade bread a try.

Three Important Sentences

Whenever I think of it, I smile over one thing I learned from my second husband. He often said these three VERY important sentences to me:

You were right.

I was wrong.

I'm sorry.

Today, I must offer these up to Tom... since I wrongly accused him of taking a charging plug for a cell phone. Tom is on a trip and we have two phones that use the same plug... I just found "my" plug still packed in a bag since my Arizona trip... which means I've been using his plug all month (not a big deal) until he packed it to take with him on a trip this week.

Wound Care and Heavy Hitting Antibiotics

I thought I’d intersperse a few pictures of the progress of the site of Frank’s incision with an update on recent progress.

Last Monday we decided to try to eliminate the Pre-Dosing of Tylenol and Benadryl for Frank. We missed five doses, then, Frank started throwing up. The vomit continued for five times in the next 14 hours.


That night I got just four hours of sleep. That day, I took Frank to the ER to have blood drawn and to the local doctor. As we knew it would be, the doctor said “this (was) way out of (his) league”, but he was able to be the Eyes and Ears for the SLC Doctor, whom he called.


Through phone consultation, they were able to determine that since Frank’s GI and ENT, as well as heart and respiratory was clear, all the nausea and vomiting was an allergic reaction to the Vancomycin, because we hadn’t been pre-dosing. Experiment failed… much to Frank’s discomfort and our dismay.


Just as Frank’s stomach settled down, a night-time dose of Benadryl wound up missing it’s target (it fell out of his mouth) and was discovered late the next day. Soon, he was throwing up again. Just one session with one missed pill.


A few days later, with the vomiting under control, explosive diarrhea started. My guess is it was another allergic reaction, however, it happened on the weekend and on Monday morning, we encountered another set of troubles.


The nurse came to try to clear Frank’s line (again). When it didn’t work, she ordered some Activase, then started to do the weekly bandage change and cleaning of the site of the PICC line.


When we were in SLC last week, the Nurse was very quick about pulling off all the tape. This time, Frank asked our Home Health Care Nurse to go quickly. I think she went to quickly. It only took about 35 seconds to loosen the adhesive, but in the process, she also pulled the line out 1½”. Then, she tried to push it back into him (which I think was unclean and dangerous since it’s originally put in during surgery with Ultrasound and X-Ray’s for proper placement). It popped right back out.


At this point, the Nurse had me call the Infectious Disease Specialist. When I got them on the phone, instead of talking with the Doctor’s Assistant (like normal) the Doctor himself was retrieved. He said that because we’ve “been having so much trouble with the line, pull it and switch to oral.”

We called the Home Health Care Pharmacy. As we were telling them to wait to send the medicine, the delivery driver was pulling up, so, three doses of Vancomycin and one of Activase had to be scraped. Man! That Pharmacy is FAST!


By this time, the itching and discomfort, combined with fear, caused Frank to start crying and getting all-worked-up. We calmed him down and pulled the line. Immediately after we pulled the line, SLC called and told us to wait and pull it the next day, since NONE of the local pharmacies carried the new medicine in the proper form (liquid suspension). Since the line was already out, Frank wound up going 35 hours without a dose of any antibiotic.


Last night, Frank and I slept like the dead. It was the first time in over two weeks we were able to get a full-night of uninterrupted sleep. Heaven.

Today we started Frank on the Zyvox. Tonight, at 12:45 am, one hour after I “usually” get up, VOILA, I’m awake! After tossing about and starting to rouse Tom, I finally got up to write this. Hopefully, I can go back to sleep before 3:00 am!

Tonight I needed to give Frank a dose of the Zybox, tomorrow, we’ll have shifted him to a 4am – noon – 8 pm dosing schedule. It actually took Tom’s help to convince Frank to swallow his medicine tonight. He has to take 13mL, and it tastes awful. With him being practically asleep, I needed Reinforcements to insure that he didn’t spit it out on / at me… it’s “just” $1.90 per mL! Like Tom said, “you’d think that for $24.70 a dose, they could make it taste good!”

I was completely drained physically and emotionally after yesterday’s hour-and-a-half session with the nurse (after pulling the line, we still had to draw blood for weekly lab-work). I was also disturbed at the change. I’m a SERIOUS creature of habit, and we were suddenly being forced to change methods of application and types of drugs. Would Frank have another allergic reaction? Would he be susceptible to some of the more serious side effects of the new drug (namely bone marrow troubles and or blindness)? Only time would tell and we were suddenly being forced to figure it out.

I wonder if we should have another PICC line put in. This one had a lot of troubles, but were they caused by us (I overslept once and put in the Heparin and hour to late, then the nurse pulled too fast). Would another line slow down too? Is the risk of putting Frank under anesthesia greater than the risks from the Zybox?

What about the cost of all of it? The PICC Line costs “about” $5,530.82 per month, just for the pharmaceuticals and supplies, plus the insertion cost, the Home Health Care Nurse and Weekly Labworks.

The Zybox costs $285 per bottle (our co-pay portion is $140 every 3.8 days) or $2,565 for the course until we see the doctor in February. The original plan was PICC for 6 weeks then oral for 4-6 more weeks, so, will we be on this Zybox for 8-10 weeks? That’s a lot of time to be on such a Heavy-Hitter. Of course, the alternative is to stop taking all these strong medicines, in which case, the infection in Frank’s bone would likely prove fatal.


These aren’t things a parent should have to think about.

We all want our kids to be healthy.

Frank is healthy, except for this one “little problem” he was born with. I AM grateful that once treated this shouldn’t affect him, I just hope the side-effects are short-lived and limited to fatigue and gastro-intestinal woes.