I know that is lame.
But I woke up with a runny nose this morning. I rode my bike and was annoyed by my nose that is now more faucet than nose. And you know. This is just the beginning of my fall allergies. Just in time for my race. Fabulous.
Big, giant sigh. Isn't that how it always seems to go though?
And, I know I had a sinus infection this time last year for a fact because my sister got married and I remember being sick the week before her wedding. I think she got married on the 29th of September. So I should have known better than to sign up for a race in September. There is a reason I don't usually do any races until the end of October. Fall allergies.
At least I still have 13 days to still train with my new handicap. As if just sucking in general wasn't enough of one.
Yay me!
I'll post something else when I am done feeling sorry for my poor pathetic self.
Showing posts with label allergies. Show all posts
Showing posts with label allergies. Show all posts
Monday, September 15, 2008
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
The School Nurse
I am getting to know her very well. We speak at least several times a week. And I am none too happy about this new relationship.
This is Carmella's third year at this school. And until this year she has never been to see the school nurse. I don't even think she knew she existed.
But then she went and got herself all allergic to cashews and the nurse and Carmella and I have all become the bestest of friends.
I am not sure if I ever gave an update to Carmella's allergic reaction but when I took her for the initial skin test she only showed allergic to environmental stuff: every kind of tree pollen, grasses etc. But they didn't have a scratch test for cashews so they took her blood and sent it off to be tested. Sure enough she is severely allergic to cashews. Apparently there is a scale. Anything over an 8 on this scale is considered severely allergic. She is a 12 for cashews. She is also a 7 for sesame seeds and a 6 for pecans. That is thought of as just "sensitive to" so it is advised we avoid those things too. So far only the cashew allergy will cause the anaphylaxis reaction.
So while Carmella's allergy is severe it is fairly simple to avoid by her just not eating cashews. Sure cashews might be hidden in a few foods but Carmella doesn't like those foods. But just in case someone pins Carmella to the ground and pries open her mouth and shoves in a fistful of cashews and then makes her chew them up and swallow them she has an epi pen.
And in case your child doesn't require an epi pen then you have no idea the amount of paper work and protocol that is involved letting your child have one at school. I think it is easier for a convicted felon to purchase a gun than it is for a 7 year old to have her medically necessary epi pen and benedrayl at a public school.
So I spent the first week of school getting forms filled out, meeting with doctors, the county nurse, Principal and school nurse so that Carmella would be eligible to have her epi pen at school.
The reality of Carmella ever needing to use her epi pen gets slimmer and slimmer each day. The child is well on her way to developing an eating disorder because she is terrified all foods might have cashews, sesame seeds or pecans.
She asks in the lunch room about every single item they put on her plate even though they already know she is allergic to cashews, sesame seeds and pecans because it is on the computer and warns them when she purchases her lunch. Not to mention that we go over every morning the menu of what she can eat. Not to mention she doesn't even like foods that might contain cashews, pecans or sesame seeds. Not to mention they are a peanut and nut free cafeteria. However, Carmella, since birth and was clearly a double agent in past life, operates under the assumption of "trust no one"-- especially your mother. She is the one who fed you those cashew nuts in the first place.
But even out of the lunch room at any given moment someone might be trying to feed her a cashew, sesame seed or pecan. They get lots of treats at school. And even though we sent a note home explaining her allergy and to please not feed Carmella a cashew, sesame seed or pecan she is still suspicious, worried. Every other day I get a call from Carmella, her teacher, or the school nurse reading me some label or asking me if Carmella can have such and such.
Twizzlers?
Yes.
Gummy bears?
Yes.
Lollipop?
Oh for Christ's sake, yes.
If it doesn't say cashews, sesame seeds or pecans she can eat it. But nevertheless I got a call the other day because they were making ice cream.
These are the ingredients the nurse said:Sugar, half and half, vanilla, ice, rock salt. Can Carmella have some?
Yes. Wait, is there nuts in that ice?
What? Oh, ha ha, well I just wanted to be sure. . .
So all this attention and allergy awareness has made Carmella very paranoid. So she goes to visit the nurse at least once a week if not more often for various allergy related complaints. I can't blame her. When she had her reaction to cashews she experienced every symptom of an allergic reaction you can have: burning mouth, sneezing, vomiting, GI distress, itchy eyes, hives, wheezing, shortness of breath etc-- in the span of 3 hours. She's 7. How is she to know that every time she doesn't sneeze her throat might be about to close up. I get that she is worried but if the adults could do a little to ease her anxiety it might be a tad helpful. Instead, they are more paranoid than she is.
The first time she went to see the school nurse was because she was sneezing too much. The nurse called the house and Ryan happened to be home. The nurse wanted to know if she could give Carmella some Benedrayl. Ryan said sure. So she gave Carmella 2 teaspoons of Benedryal. Later, Carmella came home complaining that all day she felt "dizzy" at school. Well, duh! I'm surprised you were able to remain upright. I told her if she had a problem with just sneezing to request the Claritan. Benedrayl makes you sleepy.
Last week she went because she had the tiniest patch of poison ivy. I don't mean to make fun of her as poison ivy is in the cashew family. But I was on top it. She was getting Claritan everyday and calamine lotion. It had been a few days so I slacked on the meds. But apparently the tiny patch started to itch again and Carmella got worried it was going to spread to her whole body. This is what I get for googling poison ivy rashes with her right next to me.
Apparently the nurse felt sorry for her because the nurse also has poison ivy. So I was summoned to bring the calamine lotion and claritain to school. Which I did and then spent 30 minutes talking with the nurse about poison ivy.
Now I don't know about any of the other times Carmella goes to see the nurse as I am only called if there needs to be medication administered or I have to come get her. So she could very well be visiting the nurse everyday for all I know.
Again, yesterday I saw the school nurse pop up on my caller ID. I knew I sent her to school healthy and had packed her lunch myself so I couldn't even guess what the problem was going to be.
The nurse informed me that Carmella had a headache. She had taken her temperature and sure enough Carmella had a fever. 101.1 I had to come get her. This was at 2 pm. They get out at 2:20. So I just got Beau too.
And because she wasn't feeling well I let Carmella lay in my bed and watch TV all afternoon.
And she didn't have to do her homework. Beau however, did have to do his homework. And he wanted to know why I was being so nice to Carmella and not him. Which, in my defense I don't think I was being mean to Beau. I was just letting Carmella watch TV. Which I suppose they don't normally get to do during the school week. But what else are you suppose to do when you are sick? I mean, I would go ride my bike if I were sick but Carmella isn't like me so I let her do that thing that I hear most people do when they are sick, you know, rest.
I explained this to Beau but he didn't seem to understand. . .
I took Carmella to the doctor today and she has a sinus infection.
A result of all those environmental allergies, I guess. I definitely empathise as that is my plight too.
This business with the school nurse it getting out of hand. I am thinking I am going to have not only put her on my Christmas card list but might as well start inviting her to parties.
So today Carmella stayed home from school and you'd think the school nurse got a reprieve but no. When I picked Beau up he told me that he went to see the school nurse today.
Oh really. Why?
Because I had a headache, he explained.
Oh. I see. And did the nurse take your temperature?
Yep.
Did you have a fever?
Nope.
That's because you are not sick!
I know. I just wanted you to be nice to me too.
Whatever, go do your homework.
This is Carmella's third year at this school. And until this year she has never been to see the school nurse. I don't even think she knew she existed.
But then she went and got herself all allergic to cashews and the nurse and Carmella and I have all become the bestest of friends.
I am not sure if I ever gave an update to Carmella's allergic reaction but when I took her for the initial skin test she only showed allergic to environmental stuff: every kind of tree pollen, grasses etc. But they didn't have a scratch test for cashews so they took her blood and sent it off to be tested. Sure enough she is severely allergic to cashews. Apparently there is a scale. Anything over an 8 on this scale is considered severely allergic. She is a 12 for cashews. She is also a 7 for sesame seeds and a 6 for pecans. That is thought of as just "sensitive to" so it is advised we avoid those things too. So far only the cashew allergy will cause the anaphylaxis reaction.
So while Carmella's allergy is severe it is fairly simple to avoid by her just not eating cashews. Sure cashews might be hidden in a few foods but Carmella doesn't like those foods. But just in case someone pins Carmella to the ground and pries open her mouth and shoves in a fistful of cashews and then makes her chew them up and swallow them she has an epi pen.
And in case your child doesn't require an epi pen then you have no idea the amount of paper work and protocol that is involved letting your child have one at school. I think it is easier for a convicted felon to purchase a gun than it is for a 7 year old to have her medically necessary epi pen and benedrayl at a public school.
So I spent the first week of school getting forms filled out, meeting with doctors, the county nurse, Principal and school nurse so that Carmella would be eligible to have her epi pen at school.
The reality of Carmella ever needing to use her epi pen gets slimmer and slimmer each day. The child is well on her way to developing an eating disorder because she is terrified all foods might have cashews, sesame seeds or pecans.
She asks in the lunch room about every single item they put on her plate even though they already know she is allergic to cashews, sesame seeds and pecans because it is on the computer and warns them when she purchases her lunch. Not to mention that we go over every morning the menu of what she can eat. Not to mention she doesn't even like foods that might contain cashews, pecans or sesame seeds. Not to mention they are a peanut and nut free cafeteria. However, Carmella, since birth and was clearly a double agent in past life, operates under the assumption of "trust no one"-- especially your mother. She is the one who fed you those cashew nuts in the first place.
But even out of the lunch room at any given moment someone might be trying to feed her a cashew, sesame seed or pecan. They get lots of treats at school. And even though we sent a note home explaining her allergy and to please not feed Carmella a cashew, sesame seed or pecan she is still suspicious, worried. Every other day I get a call from Carmella, her teacher, or the school nurse reading me some label or asking me if Carmella can have such and such.
Twizzlers?
Yes.
Gummy bears?
Yes.
Lollipop?
Oh for Christ's sake, yes.
If it doesn't say cashews, sesame seeds or pecans she can eat it. But nevertheless I got a call the other day because they were making ice cream.
These are the ingredients the nurse said:Sugar, half and half, vanilla, ice, rock salt. Can Carmella have some?
Yes. Wait, is there nuts in that ice?
What? Oh, ha ha, well I just wanted to be sure. . .
So all this attention and allergy awareness has made Carmella very paranoid. So she goes to visit the nurse at least once a week if not more often for various allergy related complaints. I can't blame her. When she had her reaction to cashews she experienced every symptom of an allergic reaction you can have: burning mouth, sneezing, vomiting, GI distress, itchy eyes, hives, wheezing, shortness of breath etc-- in the span of 3 hours. She's 7. How is she to know that every time she doesn't sneeze her throat might be about to close up. I get that she is worried but if the adults could do a little to ease her anxiety it might be a tad helpful. Instead, they are more paranoid than she is.
The first time she went to see the school nurse was because she was sneezing too much. The nurse called the house and Ryan happened to be home. The nurse wanted to know if she could give Carmella some Benedrayl. Ryan said sure. So she gave Carmella 2 teaspoons of Benedryal. Later, Carmella came home complaining that all day she felt "dizzy" at school. Well, duh! I'm surprised you were able to remain upright. I told her if she had a problem with just sneezing to request the Claritan. Benedrayl makes you sleepy.
Last week she went because she had the tiniest patch of poison ivy. I don't mean to make fun of her as poison ivy is in the cashew family. But I was on top it. She was getting Claritan everyday and calamine lotion. It had been a few days so I slacked on the meds. But apparently the tiny patch started to itch again and Carmella got worried it was going to spread to her whole body. This is what I get for googling poison ivy rashes with her right next to me.
Apparently the nurse felt sorry for her because the nurse also has poison ivy. So I was summoned to bring the calamine lotion and claritain to school. Which I did and then spent 30 minutes talking with the nurse about poison ivy.
Now I don't know about any of the other times Carmella goes to see the nurse as I am only called if there needs to be medication administered or I have to come get her. So she could very well be visiting the nurse everyday for all I know.
Again, yesterday I saw the school nurse pop up on my caller ID. I knew I sent her to school healthy and had packed her lunch myself so I couldn't even guess what the problem was going to be.
The nurse informed me that Carmella had a headache. She had taken her temperature and sure enough Carmella had a fever. 101.1 I had to come get her. This was at 2 pm. They get out at 2:20. So I just got Beau too.
And because she wasn't feeling well I let Carmella lay in my bed and watch TV all afternoon.
And she didn't have to do her homework. Beau however, did have to do his homework. And he wanted to know why I was being so nice to Carmella and not him. Which, in my defense I don't think I was being mean to Beau. I was just letting Carmella watch TV. Which I suppose they don't normally get to do during the school week. But what else are you suppose to do when you are sick? I mean, I would go ride my bike if I were sick but Carmella isn't like me so I let her do that thing that I hear most people do when they are sick, you know, rest. I explained this to Beau but he didn't seem to understand. . .
I took Carmella to the doctor today and she has a sinus infection.
A result of all those environmental allergies, I guess. I definitely empathise as that is my plight too. This business with the school nurse it getting out of hand. I am thinking I am going to have not only put her on my Christmas card list but might as well start inviting her to parties.
So today Carmella stayed home from school and you'd think the school nurse got a reprieve but no. When I picked Beau up he told me that he went to see the school nurse today.
Oh really. Why?
Because I had a headache, he explained.
Oh. I see. And did the nurse take your temperature?
Yep.
Did you have a fever?
Nope.
That's because you are not sick!
I know. I just wanted you to be nice to me too.
Whatever, go do your homework.
Saturday, July 12, 2008
Food that is NOT Good
Recently it has come to my attention that I might need to compile a helpful list of food that is not good. The reason for this is that some of my friends unfortunately have handicapped taste buds and seem to think some things are good when in fact they are not.
I want to help them not eat yucky food. I want them to know what really tastes good and what does not but most importantly when I go to their house I want them to not try to make me eat the bad tasting food. Because me? I know what tastes good.
I am sure you are wanting to know what makes me qualified to make such assertions and certainly it isn't scientific but I am basing my superior palate on the fact that when I cook something everyone always says how fantastically delicious it is. Be certain. This isn't bragging. I do not love to cook so really I could careless if I am a good chef or not but the fact is I am. When I make something it tastes good. People eat it and ask for the recipe. Which there is not recipe because usually I made it up. Also, I have noticed that when we go out to dinner with people often times they copy my choices. Wanna know why that is? Because me? I know what is good.
So in no particular order here is my list of food that does not taste good:
1. Brussel Sprouts
Thursday I got caught in a storm while riding my bike through Steph's hood. She graciously let me wait it out at her house. But I think the whole time they were really trying to get rid of me. Why? Well because that is the only reason I can come up with as to why they kept offering me brussel sprouts. This is really pretty smart on their part.
I mean I ride up and see Doug out in his very cute and flourishing garden. I saw corn growing there--an exotic and very tasty food by the way, and other tasty pickings. There were many good tasting choices.
I call out to him and he comes up to the house and all the sudden he is like "Hi Nat! We are having brussel sprouts for dinner. You should stay!"
See how that really is an uninvitation?
I just don't think you offer something so bitter and horrible tasting to someone you really want to stay for dinner. I do feel badly that they probably had to eat the brussel sprouts just to keep up the rouse. Poor Annika and Dags. Hope they don't hold it against me. I did take the hint and left right before they ate so hopefully they just threw them out. I'd feel badly if they made their kids eat brussel sprouts just because I stopped by uninvited.
Really, I've tried brussel sprouts. Not only do they look like tiny green brains they taste even worse. Not that I've eaten tiny green brains but brussel sprouts taste exactly like I imagine tiny green brains might taste. Which is, not good.
2. Black licorice
Seriously.
This is suppose to be a candy?
I think that if you don't want your kids to eat candy you should give them licorice. They will never ask for candy again.
I shudder just imagining the taste of licorice in my mouth.
I should add under this the German cookies Pfeffernuesse. I don't think there is actually licorice in them but that is what they taste like. I think it is a crime that they even call these a cookie. If I was a cookie I would form a union and would not let pfeffernuesses in. I know that might sound really extreme but these cookies tricked me. I bought them once-- you understand, spent money on them-- thinking that they were Russian tea cookies--which is a GREAT cookie--and thought I had eaten rotten Russian tea cookies. It was a very sad and bad day for me. Even though it was 5 years ago when this happened the bitter memory is still very vivid.
3.Eggs
Yes, I know they are a very popular breakfast food but they are not good. Sorry. They smell and taste bad. Boiled eggs are the worst. They smell like sewage. Why? Why would you want to eat that? It has only been since I had kids that I can even stand to cook scrambled eggs because while I think they are completely foul tasting I do recognize that they do have some good qualities. You know, like protein. But I don't eat them. I'll feed them to my kids though.
4. Lamb
I just don't understand why people say lamb tastes good. I will concede that it does smell like it is going to taste good but it always tastes like rotten meat. I try it almost every year and it is always the same: rotten meat. Not good. Even worse is that mint jelly. Rotten meat with green gelatinous stuff on it. Yeah, that's gonna taste good.
5. Gin
Is not good. Unless you like turpentine. Why would you drink gin when you could have vodka?
6. Fish
Okay, I will give you that maybe I find fish so gross because I am allergic to it so maybe the fishy taste is extra strong to me. But it is foul. Smells bad, tastes bad. Shellfish though is good. Eat that.
7. Oysters
Okay, I know I just said eat shellfish it is good and it is EXCEPT for oysters. Seriously. People. A food that carries a risk of hepatitis is not a good choice. Besides it looks like snot and tastes like snot. And snot? Also not good.
8. Bananas
Are creepy. Bad taste. Bad texture. BUT they are good for you so if you are immune to the foul banana flavor you might should eat them, occasionally. Like in a cramp emergency or something.
9. Goat Cheese
I continually try this one but it is always so gross. Tastes like sour, turned cheese. Not. Good. Stop putting it on pizza. Ruins it.
Okay. So those are my main bad foods that people think taste good but absolutely are not. Certainly there is other stuff I don't love but the above listing I just can't understand how people can willing put this stuff in their mouths and then claim that it tastes good. Because I know it doesn't.
And for the curious, in regards to Carmella's allergy testing she tested negative for all food allergies (she is very allergic to almost all tree pollen and, like me, grasses. Which I already knew.). They didn't have a test for cashews so they took her blood (not all of it, just a tiny bit) and are testing for that and again for the other tree nuts. So we still don't know what caused the reaction but it was definitely something she ingested.
Anway, I am sure my list is incomplete so feel free to add your own list of foods that are not good.
I want to help them not eat yucky food. I want them to know what really tastes good and what does not but most importantly when I go to their house I want them to not try to make me eat the bad tasting food. Because me? I know what tastes good.
I am sure you are wanting to know what makes me qualified to make such assertions and certainly it isn't scientific but I am basing my superior palate on the fact that when I cook something everyone always says how fantastically delicious it is. Be certain. This isn't bragging. I do not love to cook so really I could careless if I am a good chef or not but the fact is I am. When I make something it tastes good. People eat it and ask for the recipe. Which there is not recipe because usually I made it up. Also, I have noticed that when we go out to dinner with people often times they copy my choices. Wanna know why that is? Because me? I know what is good.
So in no particular order here is my list of food that does not taste good:
1. Brussel Sprouts
Thursday I got caught in a storm while riding my bike through Steph's hood. She graciously let me wait it out at her house. But I think the whole time they were really trying to get rid of me. Why? Well because that is the only reason I can come up with as to why they kept offering me brussel sprouts. This is really pretty smart on their part.
I mean I ride up and see Doug out in his very cute and flourishing garden. I saw corn growing there--an exotic and very tasty food by the way, and other tasty pickings. There were many good tasting choices.
I call out to him and he comes up to the house and all the sudden he is like "Hi Nat! We are having brussel sprouts for dinner. You should stay!"
See how that really is an uninvitation?
I just don't think you offer something so bitter and horrible tasting to someone you really want to stay for dinner. I do feel badly that they probably had to eat the brussel sprouts just to keep up the rouse. Poor Annika and Dags. Hope they don't hold it against me. I did take the hint and left right before they ate so hopefully they just threw them out. I'd feel badly if they made their kids eat brussel sprouts just because I stopped by uninvited.
Really, I've tried brussel sprouts. Not only do they look like tiny green brains they taste even worse. Not that I've eaten tiny green brains but brussel sprouts taste exactly like I imagine tiny green brains might taste. Which is, not good.
2. Black licorice
Seriously.
This is suppose to be a candy?
I think that if you don't want your kids to eat candy you should give them licorice. They will never ask for candy again.
I shudder just imagining the taste of licorice in my mouth.
I should add under this the German cookies Pfeffernuesse. I don't think there is actually licorice in them but that is what they taste like. I think it is a crime that they even call these a cookie. If I was a cookie I would form a union and would not let pfeffernuesses in. I know that might sound really extreme but these cookies tricked me. I bought them once-- you understand, spent money on them-- thinking that they were Russian tea cookies--which is a GREAT cookie--and thought I had eaten rotten Russian tea cookies. It was a very sad and bad day for me. Even though it was 5 years ago when this happened the bitter memory is still very vivid.
3.Eggs
Yes, I know they are a very popular breakfast food but they are not good. Sorry. They smell and taste bad. Boiled eggs are the worst. They smell like sewage. Why? Why would you want to eat that? It has only been since I had kids that I can even stand to cook scrambled eggs because while I think they are completely foul tasting I do recognize that they do have some good qualities. You know, like protein. But I don't eat them. I'll feed them to my kids though.
4. Lamb
I just don't understand why people say lamb tastes good. I will concede that it does smell like it is going to taste good but it always tastes like rotten meat. I try it almost every year and it is always the same: rotten meat. Not good. Even worse is that mint jelly. Rotten meat with green gelatinous stuff on it. Yeah, that's gonna taste good.
5. Gin
Is not good. Unless you like turpentine. Why would you drink gin when you could have vodka?
6. Fish
Okay, I will give you that maybe I find fish so gross because I am allergic to it so maybe the fishy taste is extra strong to me. But it is foul. Smells bad, tastes bad. Shellfish though is good. Eat that.
7. Oysters
Okay, I know I just said eat shellfish it is good and it is EXCEPT for oysters. Seriously. People. A food that carries a risk of hepatitis is not a good choice. Besides it looks like snot and tastes like snot. And snot? Also not good.
8. Bananas
Are creepy. Bad taste. Bad texture. BUT they are good for you so if you are immune to the foul banana flavor you might should eat them, occasionally. Like in a cramp emergency or something.
9. Goat Cheese
I continually try this one but it is always so gross. Tastes like sour, turned cheese. Not. Good. Stop putting it on pizza. Ruins it.
Okay. So those are my main bad foods that people think taste good but absolutely are not. Certainly there is other stuff I don't love but the above listing I just can't understand how people can willing put this stuff in their mouths and then claim that it tastes good. Because I know it doesn't.
And for the curious, in regards to Carmella's allergy testing she tested negative for all food allergies (she is very allergic to almost all tree pollen and, like me, grasses. Which I already knew.). They didn't have a test for cashews so they took her blood (not all of it, just a tiny bit) and are testing for that and again for the other tree nuts. So we still don't know what caused the reaction but it was definitely something she ingested.
Anway, I am sure my list is incomplete so feel free to add your own list of foods that are not good.
Sunday, June 29, 2008
Add Yet Another Member of My Family To The Epi Pen Club
Drum roll please . . .
Joining the ranks of Pop and Lala and Me (I don't have one but I probably should I have so many allergies) is Carmella.
But let me just start by saying today was not a good day in the world of Carmella.
Though, I'd like to think, most are good days in her little world. But today definitely wasn't.
That makes me sad.
Yesterday though was pretty good.
Yesterday after spending the night at Pop and Lala's she and Beau got to go to the nature center to see the reptile show. They also got to visit with their cousins Duncan and Miranda--who Carmella says is "perfectly adorable." Then she got to attend her swim banquet where she received the award for "Most likely to be an Ambercrombie and Fitch Model." Not that she owns anything from Ambercrombie but she definitely has that girl next door quirky prep thing going on.
Beau got voted "Most likely to be "George of the Jungle."
Yeah, that works too.
Today though I woke up sore in the arms and shoulders. Surprisingly the legs felt good. So today had to be a run today. Not a swim today. Ryan had work today at home so I took the kids to the Greenway Trail so I could run and they could ride their bikes.
Carmella was luke warm about the whole idea and then got further annoyed at me when I said they needed to go slow because Mommy had to run slow today. To that she said "What's the point in going?"
For exercise, to maintain, I said. I KNOW she rolled her eyes at me.
I know this because they blazed those first 2.2 miles in 15 minutes. I couldn't figure out why my legs felt like jelly until I checked the time at our designated break spot. Beau even took a picture of me all glistening.
After a brief break where I gulped Gatorade and tried to get my heart rate under control and again implored the kids to go slow, we were off.
I don't think they went slow and at the 3 mile mark Carmella was again annoyed with me when I said we were turning back. She argued and I told her all Mommy had was 6 miles today. Lame, she said and was off down the hill. Beau followed. I chased.
I yelled to her and Beau to slow down and wait for me at the bridge.
But it didn't matter. Carmella wiped out.
I didn't see until I rounded the curve.
She told me that people were coming around the curve on her side and she ran off the trail to avoid them and I guess over corrected and wrecked.
Her knee was, is, a mess. It really is quite an impressive road burn. I would be way proud if that were my knee. The one knee is skinned in 4 places and is now totally bruised. But the Mommy rule when your kid is injured is to NOT freakout and totally down play the injury.
Get back on your bike.
No, she said fighting back the tears.
We argued back and forth and I laid it out for her:
I explained that it has never been a matter of if you are going to wreck but rather when. And today is your when, I told her.
I told her to take a few deep breaths and then squirted water on her knee.
Get on your bike.
No, she said, now crying. I want to walk, she said.
Instantly I realized that she was fine but that she was now scared to ride her bike. She was scared because she has never fallen. In fact this was the first time she had hurt herself since she was probably a toddler. This was her first real injury.
I MADE her get on her bike. Plus, you know, I did want to finish my run. I won't lie. I always have my selfish motives. But nevertheless I would not be doing her any favors by letting her walk her bike for 2.75 miles. She would probably never ride her bike again.
So she got back on. Whimpering. And just as she was starting to get over herself who do we come up on the trail?
Lala.
Grandma sympathy resulted into a tearful waterfall right there on the trail. Lala even suggested the walking of the bike. But luckily Carmella herself had realized the eternity that that would take and at that point she just wanted to be done.
So Carmella and I ditched Lala with Beau and finished our ride/run. Total time was 53 minutes. Not so bad for all those stops. I was dripping with sweat.
After we finished I was hoping that Carmella had a sense of humor about her fall but she totally did not.
Man. She. Was. Done.
So we waited for Beau and then left.
But (boy is hindsight ever 20/20) I HAD to go to the store. Carmella whined and cried and did not want to go. She begged me to drop her at home. And when I called Ryan to see if he would mind he told me that was totally ridiculous to drive right past the store and then have to go back. Waste of gas, he said. I reported this to Carmella who was upset but dealt.
At the store we got there at sample time. Kids, not to mention me, were starving. Kids had a cookie, sampled turkey and smores. Then they had roasted cashews and almonds out. I took some, of both. I offered some to the kids. Neither of my kids have ever eaten nuts. But I wasn't worried about allergies. Carmella was tested for all food allergies at 6 months old and showed allergic to nothing. Not to mention nuts are in tons of stuff. Beau has no allergies that I know of so I figured good to go.
Beau said no to the nuts but Carmella tried them. First a cashew, yum. Then an almond, disgusting. And then she complained about said almond and the "horrible" taste in her mouth. I rushed through the store getting what we needed in record time before complete blood sugar meltdowns all around resulted.
Unfortunately the pictures I had dropped off were still not ready so we had to wait a few more minutes.
Carmella started to complain that she felt very thirsty. I was instantly suspicious but again reassured myself that she could not be allergic. She tested negative for tree nuts, I told myself.
I pointed to the water fountain. Relieved, she ran a few feet away to get a sip. I continued to wait for my pictures.
She returned and than started to complain that her tummy hurt. She felt like she was going to throw up.
Uh oh.
Let me tell you.
I can count the number of times Carmella has throw up in her life and the very first time was at that very store, in my pocketbook no less. Immediatly I started to usher her to the bathroom. En route she threw up in her hands. She carried it in her hands and held it together until we made it to the rest room.
Soon as the door swung shut she started to lose it. I instructed her to first finish vomiting and then to wash her hands. She did and then informed me afterwards that she was" fine, perfect" and that we should go now.
All the while Beau is I have to pee! I don't have to throw up!
Upon exiting the restroom I instructed more water.
And happily our pictures were ready and we left.
I queried her on the way home: how is your tummy? Your throat sore? Can you breathe okay? Do you feel itchy? Fine,no, yes, no.
Well, actually Mommy, she said, my tummy doesn't feel great.
Okay, stomach bug maybe, I thought.
Fast forward to getting home.
Carmella assists me with the groceries but barely makes it inside where she proclaims that she needs to throw up. I rush her to the bathroom and she vomits and starts crying. Unlike Beau she is not so good with the throwing up or any bodily function for that matter. It all freaks her out.
Finally she stops vomiting but then she starts sneezing. She can't stop and I am in sort of in shock at how much sneezing there is. I strip her clothes and put her in an almost cold shower. I instruct Ryan to go immediately to the store for liquid Claritan and for coke--since I am not entirely sure it isn't a stomach bug. Though at this point I highly suspect an allergic reaction.
In retrospect I should have told him to get Benedrayl and I weighed it out but I didn't want her to be groggy and we use Claritan more than Benedrayl. But for the record, always go for the liquid Benedrayl in the case of an allergic reaction. It is best.
Oh, where is Beau during all this? Well he is being punished in his room. I can't remember now after all the day's drama what he did but I do know that he was being punished during all this.
By the time I get Carmella out of the shower, dressed, clean her knee and dress the wound Ryan is back. I settle Carmella on the couch, give her the Claritan, a bucket in case she needs to vomit and I elevate her knee and put an ice pack on it. About an hour has passed since she had the nuts. She seems to do be doing better for the moment. Still sneezing but not throwing up.
I go make everyone lunch. I release Beau from his incarceration and finally
sit down to eat.
20 minutes pass.
As soon as I finish my lunch Carmella comes upstairs. She says she needs help changing her shirt. It is covered in vomit. I noticed that her eyes are red and her face looks a little swollen. She is also itching herself. I pull her shirt off and she has hives.
I grab her a clean shirt and tell Ryan that we are going to the Urgent Care. He unracks the bikes from my car and I grab Carmella a glass of ice water. She is starting to cough and sound wheezy and is still sneezing like crazy. I instruct her to drink the water and I crank up the AC and roll down the windows and haul ass out of the neighborhood.
I drive like a mad woman the 7 miles to the Urgent Care.
We wait 10 minutes. I tried to up play her situation. Carmella tried to down play it to the receptionist. I guess she believed Carmella. I feel certain that if she had kept her mouth shut we would not have had to wait. I know how to work the ER by this point. So instead I had to sit next her and try not to panic as I watched her about scratch her face off.
It has now been about an hour and 45 minutes since she ate the nuts.
We are called back and I try to quickly explain what is going on. Carmella finally admits that her throat is indeed starting to hurt. The nurse hears her wheezing but her oxygenation level is still decent. I think it was 92. Her temperature was way low but I told them I had been making her drink ice water so they checked her auxiliary temp and it was normal.
I hear them discussing what to do. I can tell they are little panicked. I know that they just need to give her the steroids and antihistamines and am annoyed that they aren't sure what to do but I try to keep my mouth shut.
As it was it didn't matter because immediately they give her an epi shot and then a steroid shot for which it takes 3 of use to pin Carmella down for. Then she gets some Benedrayl and the doctor debates whether he is going to call an ambulance to take her to the ER or just observe her. I know that they will not need the ambulance. They bring Carmella more water and almost immediately her wheezing is gone. After about another hour the hives are gone and I am greatly entertained by the wired Carmella.
The nurses all seemed amazed at how "resilient" she is but I am like, duh, you just jacked her up on an epi pen and prednisone.
So we leave with a script for an inhaler, prednisone and an epi pen. Oh, and that liquid Benedrayl.
So yeah, today was not a good day in the life of Carmella but she was pretty cool about it.
And rest assured. We will be visiting an allergist to determine for certain exactly what she is allergic to.
Joining the ranks of Pop and Lala and Me (I don't have one but I probably should I have so many allergies) is Carmella.
But let me just start by saying today was not a good day in the world of Carmella.
Though, I'd like to think, most are good days in her little world. But today definitely wasn't.
That makes me sad.
Yesterday though was pretty good.
Yesterday after spending the night at Pop and Lala's she and Beau got to go to the nature center to see the reptile show. They also got to visit with their cousins Duncan and Miranda--who Carmella says is "perfectly adorable." Then she got to attend her swim banquet where she received the award for "Most likely to be an Ambercrombie and Fitch Model." Not that she owns anything from Ambercrombie but she definitely has that girl next door quirky prep thing going on.
Beau got voted "Most likely to be "George of the Jungle."
Yeah, that works too.
Today though I woke up sore in the arms and shoulders. Surprisingly the legs felt good. So today had to be a run today. Not a swim today. Ryan had work today at home so I took the kids to the Greenway Trail so I could run and they could ride their bikes.
Carmella was luke warm about the whole idea and then got further annoyed at me when I said they needed to go slow because Mommy had to run slow today. To that she said "What's the point in going?"
For exercise, to maintain, I said. I KNOW she rolled her eyes at me.
I know this because they blazed those first 2.2 miles in 15 minutes. I couldn't figure out why my legs felt like jelly until I checked the time at our designated break spot. Beau even took a picture of me all glistening.
After a brief break where I gulped Gatorade and tried to get my heart rate under control and again implored the kids to go slow, we were off.
I don't think they went slow and at the 3 mile mark Carmella was again annoyed with me when I said we were turning back. She argued and I told her all Mommy had was 6 miles today. Lame, she said and was off down the hill. Beau followed. I chased.
I yelled to her and Beau to slow down and wait for me at the bridge.
But it didn't matter. Carmella wiped out.
I didn't see until I rounded the curve.
She told me that people were coming around the curve on her side and she ran off the trail to avoid them and I guess over corrected and wrecked.
Her knee was, is, a mess. It really is quite an impressive road burn. I would be way proud if that were my knee. The one knee is skinned in 4 places and is now totally bruised. But the Mommy rule when your kid is injured is to NOT freakout and totally down play the injury.
Get back on your bike.
No, she said fighting back the tears.
We argued back and forth and I laid it out for her:
I explained that it has never been a matter of if you are going to wreck but rather when. And today is your when, I told her.
I told her to take a few deep breaths and then squirted water on her knee.
Get on your bike.
No, she said, now crying. I want to walk, she said.
Instantly I realized that she was fine but that she was now scared to ride her bike. She was scared because she has never fallen. In fact this was the first time she had hurt herself since she was probably a toddler. This was her first real injury.
I MADE her get on her bike. Plus, you know, I did want to finish my run. I won't lie. I always have my selfish motives. But nevertheless I would not be doing her any favors by letting her walk her bike for 2.75 miles. She would probably never ride her bike again.
So she got back on. Whimpering. And just as she was starting to get over herself who do we come up on the trail?
Lala.
Grandma sympathy resulted into a tearful waterfall right there on the trail. Lala even suggested the walking of the bike. But luckily Carmella herself had realized the eternity that that would take and at that point she just wanted to be done.
So Carmella and I ditched Lala with Beau and finished our ride/run. Total time was 53 minutes. Not so bad for all those stops. I was dripping with sweat.
After we finished I was hoping that Carmella had a sense of humor about her fall but she totally did not.
Man. She. Was. Done.
So we waited for Beau and then left.
But (boy is hindsight ever 20/20) I HAD to go to the store. Carmella whined and cried and did not want to go. She begged me to drop her at home. And when I called Ryan to see if he would mind he told me that was totally ridiculous to drive right past the store and then have to go back. Waste of gas, he said. I reported this to Carmella who was upset but dealt.
At the store we got there at sample time. Kids, not to mention me, were starving. Kids had a cookie, sampled turkey and smores. Then they had roasted cashews and almonds out. I took some, of both. I offered some to the kids. Neither of my kids have ever eaten nuts. But I wasn't worried about allergies. Carmella was tested for all food allergies at 6 months old and showed allergic to nothing. Not to mention nuts are in tons of stuff. Beau has no allergies that I know of so I figured good to go.
Beau said no to the nuts but Carmella tried them. First a cashew, yum. Then an almond, disgusting. And then she complained about said almond and the "horrible" taste in her mouth. I rushed through the store getting what we needed in record time before complete blood sugar meltdowns all around resulted.
Unfortunately the pictures I had dropped off were still not ready so we had to wait a few more minutes.
Carmella started to complain that she felt very thirsty. I was instantly suspicious but again reassured myself that she could not be allergic. She tested negative for tree nuts, I told myself.
I pointed to the water fountain. Relieved, she ran a few feet away to get a sip. I continued to wait for my pictures.
She returned and than started to complain that her tummy hurt. She felt like she was going to throw up.
Uh oh.
Let me tell you.
I can count the number of times Carmella has throw up in her life and the very first time was at that very store, in my pocketbook no less. Immediatly I started to usher her to the bathroom. En route she threw up in her hands. She carried it in her hands and held it together until we made it to the rest room.
Soon as the door swung shut she started to lose it. I instructed her to first finish vomiting and then to wash her hands. She did and then informed me afterwards that she was" fine, perfect" and that we should go now.
All the while Beau is I have to pee! I don't have to throw up!
Upon exiting the restroom I instructed more water.
And happily our pictures were ready and we left.
I queried her on the way home: how is your tummy? Your throat sore? Can you breathe okay? Do you feel itchy? Fine,no, yes, no.
Well, actually Mommy, she said, my tummy doesn't feel great.
Okay, stomach bug maybe, I thought.
Fast forward to getting home.
Carmella assists me with the groceries but barely makes it inside where she proclaims that she needs to throw up. I rush her to the bathroom and she vomits and starts crying. Unlike Beau she is not so good with the throwing up or any bodily function for that matter. It all freaks her out.
Finally she stops vomiting but then she starts sneezing. She can't stop and I am in sort of in shock at how much sneezing there is. I strip her clothes and put her in an almost cold shower. I instruct Ryan to go immediately to the store for liquid Claritan and for coke--since I am not entirely sure it isn't a stomach bug. Though at this point I highly suspect an allergic reaction.
In retrospect I should have told him to get Benedrayl and I weighed it out but I didn't want her to be groggy and we use Claritan more than Benedrayl. But for the record, always go for the liquid Benedrayl in the case of an allergic reaction. It is best.
Oh, where is Beau during all this? Well he is being punished in his room. I can't remember now after all the day's drama what he did but I do know that he was being punished during all this.
By the time I get Carmella out of the shower, dressed, clean her knee and dress the wound Ryan is back. I settle Carmella on the couch, give her the Claritan, a bucket in case she needs to vomit and I elevate her knee and put an ice pack on it. About an hour has passed since she had the nuts. She seems to do be doing better for the moment. Still sneezing but not throwing up.
I go make everyone lunch. I release Beau from his incarceration and finally
sit down to eat.
20 minutes pass.
As soon as I finish my lunch Carmella comes upstairs. She says she needs help changing her shirt. It is covered in vomit. I noticed that her eyes are red and her face looks a little swollen. She is also itching herself. I pull her shirt off and she has hives.
I grab her a clean shirt and tell Ryan that we are going to the Urgent Care. He unracks the bikes from my car and I grab Carmella a glass of ice water. She is starting to cough and sound wheezy and is still sneezing like crazy. I instruct her to drink the water and I crank up the AC and roll down the windows and haul ass out of the neighborhood.
I drive like a mad woman the 7 miles to the Urgent Care.
We wait 10 minutes. I tried to up play her situation. Carmella tried to down play it to the receptionist. I guess she believed Carmella. I feel certain that if she had kept her mouth shut we would not have had to wait. I know how to work the ER by this point. So instead I had to sit next her and try not to panic as I watched her about scratch her face off.
It has now been about an hour and 45 minutes since she ate the nuts.
We are called back and I try to quickly explain what is going on. Carmella finally admits that her throat is indeed starting to hurt. The nurse hears her wheezing but her oxygenation level is still decent. I think it was 92. Her temperature was way low but I told them I had been making her drink ice water so they checked her auxiliary temp and it was normal.
I hear them discussing what to do. I can tell they are little panicked. I know that they just need to give her the steroids and antihistamines and am annoyed that they aren't sure what to do but I try to keep my mouth shut.
As it was it didn't matter because immediately they give her an epi shot and then a steroid shot for which it takes 3 of use to pin Carmella down for. Then she gets some Benedrayl and the doctor debates whether he is going to call an ambulance to take her to the ER or just observe her. I know that they will not need the ambulance. They bring Carmella more water and almost immediately her wheezing is gone. After about another hour the hives are gone and I am greatly entertained by the wired Carmella.
The nurses all seemed amazed at how "resilient" she is but I am like, duh, you just jacked her up on an epi pen and prednisone.
So we leave with a script for an inhaler, prednisone and an epi pen. Oh, and that liquid Benedrayl.
So yeah, today was not a good day in the life of Carmella but she was pretty cool about it.
And rest assured. We will be visiting an allergist to determine for certain exactly what she is allergic to.
Friday, May 16, 2008
13
That's the pollen count for today. The offenders are Hickory and Grass. Looks like I only have problems when the pollen count is in the high to extremely high range with grass being listed.
I checked the pollen count this morning before I planned my workout. I figured it would be low with all the rain we had yesterday but sometimes that can kick it all up and make it worse. But apparently we had enough yesterday that it washed it all away. At least that is the story my lungs and sinuses are sticking to.
But since I did --in my opinion-- a rather hard run (17 miles) yesterday I figured my legs might not be too enthusiastic about another hard run.
So I went to the Greenway and took hills out of the equation. It was in the 70's--which isn't terrible-- but it was very muggy down there. Even still I ran the whole trail out and back (12 miles) in an hour and 37 minutes. 8:10ish pace. That is a guesstimate since I stopped twice at the light at Kimble Bridge and for water 3 times at the water fountains--I didn't carry anything with me --well except my knife from which I have a lovely abrasion from. Oh and, of course, my ipod and cell phone and inhaler. My holy running trilogy.
The first mile felt horrible and it didn't help that before I even got to the first mile marker 2 people passed me. They only got about 100 feet in front of me and it made me feel better that the guy turned off before the 2 mile and then the girl turned back at the 2 mile--it would have bothered me to chase them for the whole 6 miles out and I would have risked blowing myself up.
Anyways, after they turned off I was alone for awhile and found my pace. I stopped at 3 miles for water since that is where the facilities are. And note, the fountain at the North Point trail head (where I started) does not work. Even though I thought I was going slow I was still at the 3 mile at 23 minutes (which, I know that is still slow to some people but I was aiming for 25 minutes). So I pulled back and at the turn around I was at 50 minutes. I stopped at 7 miles to get another sip of water and ran on. Stopped again at 9 miles before crossing Kimble Bridge.
In the 10th mile my mind started to wander--I was thinking about when I use to be a gymnast and how graceful and powerful I use to feel when I did flips and leaps and stuff and how I don't feel that when I run but was thinking how cool it would be if at the end of a marathon I had the energy to butterfly across the finish line. Not that I can do two aerials in a row anymore but it could be something to work towards. Of course, this line of thinking had everything to do with the song I was listening to: Another Scarlet Butterfly.
Right, I know. Definitely a caterpillar these days.
So anyway while I was off in reverie this guy passed me. And I looked him over: a bit heavy, little older, very sweaty. And first I thought, oh just let him go. And I considered it while I picked up the pace and hung on his heels. Yeah, sorry buddy, I thought, I got too much left in the tank. But then that good non competitive angel on my right shoulder (evil is always left--psst, re the part on etymology) said Nat remember that you want to ride your bike. . . Yeah whatever, (brushed her pansy ass off my shoulder) dude is going down.
He seemed honestly surprised to see me. I knew that he was going to try and put me back in my place just from the sideways glance he cast me. And everybody knows that if you pass someone after they passed you then you better be ready to bring it. snap, snap
So now my run became serious work. It was hot and I was thirsty.
I passed a few other people but started to feel myself wanting to fade to that comfortable pace again. Then all the sudden I realized I was being harassed by a bee. I am so scared of bees. Both my parents are allergic and since I seem to be allergic to most things I just assume I am also allergic to bees.
I swatted it away. It dive bombed me. I picked up the pace. It whipped in front of my face. Damn bee. I tried slowing but then I could actually hear the buzzing over my music. So I started sprinting--all the while I am whipping my hands all around my head. I think I was yelling too. I kept pushing and pushing the pace. I totally felt like my lungs were going to burst but I was so worried that if I got stung I would go into anaphlytic shock instantly because of how hard my heart was pounding. I assured myself that my inhaler would most definitely save me. Then I chided myself that is it an inhaler not an epi-pen. Idiot. You are going to die. Run. Run. Run!
I don't even know when or how or if I out sprinted the bee but when I got to my car it was gone. And when I looked behind me I saw none of those other runners. Not even the guy who probably didn't know that we were racing but we were. And at any rate, seeing how to them it probably looked like I just up and started bolting down the trail while wildly waving my arms it is probably a good thing no one was there when I finished.
Since my time was limited I got my bike out, pulled on my bike shorts, traded running shoes for bike shoes, grabbed my water and Cliff bar and took off down the trail. I gulped down half the water instantly, ate half my Cliff bar and relaxed. I am telling you. Run first, then bike. Feels like a nap by comparison when you get on that bike after running. It was so nice to sit down. Yeah, my quads were like what the fuck are you doing woman but they chilled after a bit and I enjoyed my ride.
I did one loop (12 miles) and realized I had time to do at least to 18 maybe 24 if I pushed it. I had finished my Cliff bar and refilled my water bottle so I just tried to maintain. It was getting really tough. The cardio was there but my legs started to feel heavy. The wind started kicking up and the sky got a little ominous. There had been tons of people out earlier but is was getting quite sparse. I checked the time and gauged my energy and decided to turn back at 4 mile marker which when I was done would make my ride 20. I pushed as hard as could and made it back to the car in plenty of time. I could have gone to 24 but I figured now I will have time to eat lunch. There was no one in the parking lot when I racked my bike so it is just as well as I left. I don't like being out the trail by myself.
At any rate I am very happy with my workout. 2 hard days in a row in the peak of allergy season. Maybe 13 isn't such an unlucky number after all.
Oh, and pray for me. I have the Cuddle Club here for a sleepover tonight. That's right, four seven year old girls. They have only been here an hour and every single one of them has cried at least once and there has been 2 twisted ankles, a skinned knee and not nearly enough kindness or "respect" going around--at least that is what I heard Carmella say. Oh geez, they've got Hannah Montana blasting. . .
I checked the pollen count this morning before I planned my workout. I figured it would be low with all the rain we had yesterday but sometimes that can kick it all up and make it worse. But apparently we had enough yesterday that it washed it all away. At least that is the story my lungs and sinuses are sticking to.
But since I did --in my opinion-- a rather hard run (17 miles) yesterday I figured my legs might not be too enthusiastic about another hard run.
So I went to the Greenway and took hills out of the equation. It was in the 70's--which isn't terrible-- but it was very muggy down there. Even still I ran the whole trail out and back (12 miles) in an hour and 37 minutes. 8:10ish pace. That is a guesstimate since I stopped twice at the light at Kimble Bridge and for water 3 times at the water fountains--I didn't carry anything with me --well except my knife from which I have a lovely abrasion from. Oh and, of course, my ipod and cell phone and inhaler. My holy running trilogy.
The first mile felt horrible and it didn't help that before I even got to the first mile marker 2 people passed me. They only got about 100 feet in front of me and it made me feel better that the guy turned off before the 2 mile and then the girl turned back at the 2 mile--it would have bothered me to chase them for the whole 6 miles out and I would have risked blowing myself up.
Anyways, after they turned off I was alone for awhile and found my pace. I stopped at 3 miles for water since that is where the facilities are. And note, the fountain at the North Point trail head (where I started) does not work. Even though I thought I was going slow I was still at the 3 mile at 23 minutes (which, I know that is still slow to some people but I was aiming for 25 minutes). So I pulled back and at the turn around I was at 50 minutes. I stopped at 7 miles to get another sip of water and ran on. Stopped again at 9 miles before crossing Kimble Bridge.
In the 10th mile my mind started to wander--I was thinking about when I use to be a gymnast and how graceful and powerful I use to feel when I did flips and leaps and stuff and how I don't feel that when I run but was thinking how cool it would be if at the end of a marathon I had the energy to butterfly across the finish line. Not that I can do two aerials in a row anymore but it could be something to work towards. Of course, this line of thinking had everything to do with the song I was listening to: Another Scarlet Butterfly.
Right, I know. Definitely a caterpillar these days.
So anyway while I was off in reverie this guy passed me. And I looked him over: a bit heavy, little older, very sweaty. And first I thought, oh just let him go. And I considered it while I picked up the pace and hung on his heels. Yeah, sorry buddy, I thought, I got too much left in the tank. But then that good non competitive angel on my right shoulder (evil is always left--psst, re the part on etymology) said Nat remember that you want to ride your bike. . . Yeah whatever, (brushed her pansy ass off my shoulder) dude is going down.
He seemed honestly surprised to see me. I knew that he was going to try and put me back in my place just from the sideways glance he cast me. And everybody knows that if you pass someone after they passed you then you better be ready to bring it. snap, snap
So now my run became serious work. It was hot and I was thirsty.
I passed a few other people but started to feel myself wanting to fade to that comfortable pace again. Then all the sudden I realized I was being harassed by a bee. I am so scared of bees. Both my parents are allergic and since I seem to be allergic to most things I just assume I am also allergic to bees.
I swatted it away. It dive bombed me. I picked up the pace. It whipped in front of my face. Damn bee. I tried slowing but then I could actually hear the buzzing over my music. So I started sprinting--all the while I am whipping my hands all around my head. I think I was yelling too. I kept pushing and pushing the pace. I totally felt like my lungs were going to burst but I was so worried that if I got stung I would go into anaphlytic shock instantly because of how hard my heart was pounding. I assured myself that my inhaler would most definitely save me. Then I chided myself that is it an inhaler not an epi-pen. Idiot. You are going to die. Run. Run. Run!
I don't even know when or how or if I out sprinted the bee but when I got to my car it was gone. And when I looked behind me I saw none of those other runners. Not even the guy who probably didn't know that we were racing but we were. And at any rate, seeing how to them it probably looked like I just up and started bolting down the trail while wildly waving my arms it is probably a good thing no one was there when I finished.
Since my time was limited I got my bike out, pulled on my bike shorts, traded running shoes for bike shoes, grabbed my water and Cliff bar and took off down the trail. I gulped down half the water instantly, ate half my Cliff bar and relaxed. I am telling you. Run first, then bike. Feels like a nap by comparison when you get on that bike after running. It was so nice to sit down. Yeah, my quads were like what the fuck are you doing woman but they chilled after a bit and I enjoyed my ride.
I did one loop (12 miles) and realized I had time to do at least to 18 maybe 24 if I pushed it. I had finished my Cliff bar and refilled my water bottle so I just tried to maintain. It was getting really tough. The cardio was there but my legs started to feel heavy. The wind started kicking up and the sky got a little ominous. There had been tons of people out earlier but is was getting quite sparse. I checked the time and gauged my energy and decided to turn back at 4 mile marker which when I was done would make my ride 20. I pushed as hard as could and made it back to the car in plenty of time. I could have gone to 24 but I figured now I will have time to eat lunch. There was no one in the parking lot when I racked my bike so it is just as well as I left. I don't like being out the trail by myself.
At any rate I am very happy with my workout. 2 hard days in a row in the peak of allergy season. Maybe 13 isn't such an unlucky number after all.
Oh, and pray for me. I have the Cuddle Club here for a sleepover tonight. That's right, four seven year old girls. They have only been here an hour and every single one of them has cried at least once and there has been 2 twisted ankles, a skinned knee and not nearly enough kindness or "respect" going around--at least that is what I heard Carmella say. Oh geez, they've got Hannah Montana blasting. . .
Miracle Drug?
Or maybe a lower pollen count? Yesterday was 54. Every other day this month has been in the high or rather, in the extremely high range. For me it doesn't matter what the range is unless the offensive allergen is grass and then of course the higher that is the worse it is for me.
Whatever the pollen count, yesterday was my second day in a row of Claritan. I swear, I know it says non-drowsy but I think it makes me feel a little sluggish. Maybe I am just looking for excuses for getting old. You know, I will be 37 in July. The 7th to be specific. You know, in case you want to get me something. . .
Anyway. . . I had a FANTASTIC run yesterday. Well, that probably isn't entirely true but it was definitely one of the best in a while. 16.82 miles in 2 hours and 21 minutes. An 8:20ish pace.
I have been trying for about 2 weeks to get myself to do a run longer than 10 miles-- well this week just try to run. I have to be honest. I have been on the verge of freaking out about it. Woe is me I am no longer a runner, sort of freaking out. Snap. Just like that. I go from marathoner to couch potato. Rationally, I know it does not happen like that but that is how my mind works. There is not a lot of gray. It is runner or not runner. And right, I did just run 40 miles last week but until yesterday this week I had only run 5 miles. Well 10 if you count the 5 on Tuesday that I had to walk/run. But I could tell. I was going the way of the non runner. Even worse, I was going the way of chubby Nat.
So yesterday, I hemmed and hawed and procrastinated, made a play list and finally sucked it up and left. I brought $2 and my handheld water bottle. I am officially off the GU since Country Music Marathon. Even on the bike. I am now an official Cliff Bar convert. Peanut butter Chocolate Chip, if you must know. I might go back to Luna moons or Cliff Shots for longer runs but No.More.GU.EVER! Ever!
I mean it.
That shit is evil.
But yes, yesterday I was minimalist with the fueling. And for me I think this is better. I know I can run 26 miles with just water if I had to. No, it won't be fast but it is doable and slow is better than tummy ache any day.
I have been worried I have lost all sorts of fitness but I made it to my 7 mile pit stop in 58 minutes. Generally I am there in 58-62 minutes so this was spot on. I bought some Gatorade, dumped out my water and ran on. About 2 miles later, as I was running up the 2 mile long hill it started raining. I started to worry about "severe" weather and what I would do if I got caught in a thunderstorm. Torrential downpour is one thing, lightening and wind another.
I figured my best hope was to get to the Walgreen's 3 miles away so I could duck in there. Really, nothing I could do but run on since I was in a residential area. I wasn't going to go knocking on stranger's doors. Especially when I looked like drowned rat. Don't think they'd let me in anyway.
Happily the weather didn't turn nasty. Just a steady rain and I ran the rest of the way home. I did have a coughing fit in mile 15 and I had to walk a bit. It is very hard to run up hills when you are choking on mucus. Why make it hard? I really don't think there is reason to train yourself to cough and run up a hill. So I just walked a bit. I do hate walking in the rain but it really wasn't so terrible yesterday. I must say I rather enjoyed myself.
So today I feel like a runner again. I know it is silly that I have to go out and run for a few hours to reassure myself but I have been marathon training since last August. I suppose it is a hard habit to break. But I am going to break it next week. Time to switch gears to shorter and intense runs, long bikes and long swims. Hopefully I can squeeze in a 20 miler next week and then I will bid adieu to any run longer than 2 hours til August.
Whatever the pollen count, yesterday was my second day in a row of Claritan. I swear, I know it says non-drowsy but I think it makes me feel a little sluggish. Maybe I am just looking for excuses for getting old. You know, I will be 37 in July. The 7th to be specific. You know, in case you want to get me something. . .
Anyway. . . I had a FANTASTIC run yesterday. Well, that probably isn't entirely true but it was definitely one of the best in a while. 16.82 miles in 2 hours and 21 minutes. An 8:20ish pace.
I have been trying for about 2 weeks to get myself to do a run longer than 10 miles-- well this week just try to run. I have to be honest. I have been on the verge of freaking out about it. Woe is me I am no longer a runner, sort of freaking out. Snap. Just like that. I go from marathoner to couch potato. Rationally, I know it does not happen like that but that is how my mind works. There is not a lot of gray. It is runner or not runner. And right, I did just run 40 miles last week but until yesterday this week I had only run 5 miles. Well 10 if you count the 5 on Tuesday that I had to walk/run. But I could tell. I was going the way of the non runner. Even worse, I was going the way of chubby Nat.
So yesterday, I hemmed and hawed and procrastinated, made a play list and finally sucked it up and left. I brought $2 and my handheld water bottle. I am officially off the GU since Country Music Marathon. Even on the bike. I am now an official Cliff Bar convert. Peanut butter Chocolate Chip, if you must know. I might go back to Luna moons or Cliff Shots for longer runs but No.More.GU.EVER! Ever!
I mean it.
That shit is evil.
But yes, yesterday I was minimalist with the fueling. And for me I think this is better. I know I can run 26 miles with just water if I had to. No, it won't be fast but it is doable and slow is better than tummy ache any day.
I have been worried I have lost all sorts of fitness but I made it to my 7 mile pit stop in 58 minutes. Generally I am there in 58-62 minutes so this was spot on. I bought some Gatorade, dumped out my water and ran on. About 2 miles later, as I was running up the 2 mile long hill it started raining. I started to worry about "severe" weather and what I would do if I got caught in a thunderstorm. Torrential downpour is one thing, lightening and wind another.
I figured my best hope was to get to the Walgreen's 3 miles away so I could duck in there. Really, nothing I could do but run on since I was in a residential area. I wasn't going to go knocking on stranger's doors. Especially when I looked like drowned rat. Don't think they'd let me in anyway.
Happily the weather didn't turn nasty. Just a steady rain and I ran the rest of the way home. I did have a coughing fit in mile 15 and I had to walk a bit. It is very hard to run up hills when you are choking on mucus. Why make it hard? I really don't think there is reason to train yourself to cough and run up a hill. So I just walked a bit. I do hate walking in the rain but it really wasn't so terrible yesterday. I must say I rather enjoyed myself.
So today I feel like a runner again. I know it is silly that I have to go out and run for a few hours to reassure myself but I have been marathon training since last August. I suppose it is a hard habit to break. But I am going to break it next week. Time to switch gears to shorter and intense runs, long bikes and long swims. Hopefully I can squeeze in a 20 miler next week and then I will bid adieu to any run longer than 2 hours til August.
Thursday, May 03, 2007
Update to Struggling
Still struggling.
I am back from my "10 mile run." And it wasn't 10 miles. More than 8 but less than 9 and took me almost an hour and a half. I felt okay for the first 3 and half-- though I had toyed with cutting it short and making it 6 as early as a mile in. That choice has to be made right before I hit the three mile mark. But idiot that I am decided to stay with the 10 mile plan. I started walking shortly after 4 miles. After walking for a bit I just decided to turn around--at least it would be mostly downhill.
It was a crawl home. I'd run for a bit, start to feel dizzy and then walk for a bit and then run and then feel dizzy and then walk and so on and so on. Just miserable.
Ugh!!! I just want to feel better.
Off to get Parker and Beau, then Carmella and probably Parker's brother Austin. I promised the kids I'd take them to the park today. Maybe I should wear one of those little masks I see old men wear when they cut the grass.
I am back from my "10 mile run." And it wasn't 10 miles. More than 8 but less than 9 and took me almost an hour and a half. I felt okay for the first 3 and half-- though I had toyed with cutting it short and making it 6 as early as a mile in. That choice has to be made right before I hit the three mile mark. But idiot that I am decided to stay with the 10 mile plan. I started walking shortly after 4 miles. After walking for a bit I just decided to turn around--at least it would be mostly downhill.
It was a crawl home. I'd run for a bit, start to feel dizzy and then walk for a bit and then run and then feel dizzy and then walk and so on and so on. Just miserable.
Ugh!!! I just want to feel better.
Off to get Parker and Beau, then Carmella and probably Parker's brother Austin. I promised the kids I'd take them to the park today. Maybe I should wear one of those little masks I see old men wear when they cut the grass.
Struggling
I know I haven't posted in a few days. Sorry. I have been overwhelmed with doing work for Ryan and I's landscape business--no I do not do any of the lawn care, maintenance or planting so don't ask me anything about trees, grass, or flowers. I know nothing of flora and fauna. I am the administrative end of things. Really I am errand and book keeping girl and anything that has to do with a computer or paper.
Also, Carmella had her dress rehearsals for her recital on Monday and Tuesday. Did I mention that those were at GA Tech?
I didn't?
Well, for her to practice her routines that took, oh, all of 5 minutes we had to drive in rush hour traffic for a round trip of commute of 2+ hours each day. Did I mention I had Beau with me?
I didn't?
It sucked. Big time. Beau was pissed that he couldn't be on stage. He really wants to take hip hop but they don't offer any dance classes for boys until they are 5. I should mention that Beau doesn't just want to take dance. He also wants to play soccer (you have to be 4), football (you have to be 5), hockey (you have to be 5), baseball (you have to be 5) and do swim team (you have to be 5) and take gymnastics. The only thing 3 year old boys can do is gymnastics and the classes all conflicted with his school hours. So he is pretty ornery about having to go to all of Carmella's practices.
Anyway, I will post pictures of the tap routine later. I even have video if can figure out the technology on how to get that on the blog. I forgot my camera (bad mom, I know) for the jazz routine so you will have to wait until the recital for jazz pictures.
On top of all of this I am still fighting my allergies. I have spent every night this week hacking a lung up and trying to clear my nose. Every morning I wake up thinking I have pink eye but then my eyes clear up only to be burning by the afternoon. I realized my miserable nights were partly due to Ryan opening the windows. We have since closed them and turned on the air conditioning.
Did I mention the sinus headaches that have left me dizzy?
No?
Here let me complain about that too.
Tuesday morning I tried to run but half way up the hill in front of my house I started to feel dizzy so I came home and took a decongestant. No running on a decongestant for me--to loopy and too dehydrated.
Yesterday morning I managed only 6 miles of my planned 10-13 mile run. And it took me 55 minutes to run six miles. That is because I had to stop twice so I could have a coughing fit on the sidewalk. I swear I am tasting the pollen as I run. I have been bringing my inhaler (I have allergy induced asthma but it hasn't bothered me in years) with me as a precaution. Saturday on my 7 mile run I thought I was having an asthma attack but luckily I had money with me and ran into Caribou coffee and bought an ice water. That helped and I was able run--albeit much more slowly-- the rest of the way home.
Yesterday evening I did feel a little better and the kids persuaded me to go to the gym. I managed a 5k in just over 22 minutes. Not great but better that it has been. Last night before bed Ryan begged me to take something that would knock me out so I wouldn't keep him up coughing. For some reason he thinks he doesn't keep me up every night with his snoring. He said, "It is not like I snore every night." Um, honey, yes it is like that.
So I finally caved and took some Benadryl (I don't like to take it because it gives me a hangover and makes me even thirstier than I already am). I did sleep better last night so I think it helped some. Hopefully I can at least do 10 miles this morning.
At any rate none of this bodes well for my 5k Saturday.
Also, Carmella had her dress rehearsals for her recital on Monday and Tuesday. Did I mention that those were at GA Tech?
I didn't?
Well, for her to practice her routines that took, oh, all of 5 minutes we had to drive in rush hour traffic for a round trip of commute of 2+ hours each day. Did I mention I had Beau with me?
I didn't?
It sucked. Big time. Beau was pissed that he couldn't be on stage. He really wants to take hip hop but they don't offer any dance classes for boys until they are 5. I should mention that Beau doesn't just want to take dance. He also wants to play soccer (you have to be 4), football (you have to be 5), hockey (you have to be 5), baseball (you have to be 5) and do swim team (you have to be 5) and take gymnastics. The only thing 3 year old boys can do is gymnastics and the classes all conflicted with his school hours. So he is pretty ornery about having to go to all of Carmella's practices.
Anyway, I will post pictures of the tap routine later. I even have video if can figure out the technology on how to get that on the blog. I forgot my camera (bad mom, I know) for the jazz routine so you will have to wait until the recital for jazz pictures.
On top of all of this I am still fighting my allergies. I have spent every night this week hacking a lung up and trying to clear my nose. Every morning I wake up thinking I have pink eye but then my eyes clear up only to be burning by the afternoon. I realized my miserable nights were partly due to Ryan opening the windows. We have since closed them and turned on the air conditioning.
Did I mention the sinus headaches that have left me dizzy?
No?
Here let me complain about that too.
Tuesday morning I tried to run but half way up the hill in front of my house I started to feel dizzy so I came home and took a decongestant. No running on a decongestant for me--to loopy and too dehydrated.
Yesterday morning I managed only 6 miles of my planned 10-13 mile run. And it took me 55 minutes to run six miles. That is because I had to stop twice so I could have a coughing fit on the sidewalk. I swear I am tasting the pollen as I run. I have been bringing my inhaler (I have allergy induced asthma but it hasn't bothered me in years) with me as a precaution. Saturday on my 7 mile run I thought I was having an asthma attack but luckily I had money with me and ran into Caribou coffee and bought an ice water. That helped and I was able run--albeit much more slowly-- the rest of the way home.
Yesterday evening I did feel a little better and the kids persuaded me to go to the gym. I managed a 5k in just over 22 minutes. Not great but better that it has been. Last night before bed Ryan begged me to take something that would knock me out so I wouldn't keep him up coughing. For some reason he thinks he doesn't keep me up every night with his snoring. He said, "It is not like I snore every night." Um, honey, yes it is like that.
So I finally caved and took some Benadryl (I don't like to take it because it gives me a hangover and makes me even thirstier than I already am). I did sleep better last night so I think it helped some. Hopefully I can at least do 10 miles this morning.
At any rate none of this bodes well for my 5k Saturday.
Wednesday, April 25, 2007
aNATomy of a cold
Sigh, it is the middle of the night and I can't sleep.
I have the beginnings of a chest cold and/or sinus infection.
It is from post nasal drip. I can feel exactly where the mucus from my sinuses has drained and formed a gross and sticky pool of congestion right at the bottom of my throat, right where I imagine my bronchial tubes begin. See the picture?
See the bottom part of my neck?
Right there, right above my collar bone.
No, over there, on the right side, behind all that skin.
That is where the goopey mucus is.
And I know it could go either way and there is nothing I can do to stop it. It might sink further in my lungs and become bronchitis or it might make it's way back up into my head so I can look like someone punched me in the face and feel like my head is a stuffed with cotton and then I am all dizzy and have a full on sinus infection. Or it could do both or it could just stay like this for a few days and keep coming back until June. I am not, in fact, an ENT specialist, but that is how it has gone in the past.
I guess grass is blooming. I am allergic to 7 kinds or grass--or something like that--and whole bunch of other stuff too. I got to have that really fun allergy test when I was 18 where they stick trays of needles filled with allergens in your back and then once your back is all bubbly from the wheals--that you are not allowed to scratch-- they then inject into your arms more allergens. It is a really fun and delightful test and you get to be really itchy for several hours with bumps all over you. I highly recommend you doing it so that you can know exactly what you are allergic to. Because it is important to torture yourself to find out what you pretty much already knew since for the most part you had already figured out through real life trial and error what you are allergic to.
Last month when everyone else suffering because of the ridiculously high pollen count I was not because that was trees. I am not allergic to trees--just grass, mold, dust mites, cats, dogs, horses, fin fish, codeine and penicillin. But I knew I would get mine come April or May so I was not smug at all and doled out sympathy for Ryan, Carmella and Beau and everyone else who was all miserable because of the the yellow dusting that coated all of metro Atlanta.
And I know I could some what avoid this if I would not run outside as much as I do--as has been recommended to me by several doctors-- or maybe even if I hadn't spent all day laying and playing and sitting in the actual grass at the park on Sunday. You know, looking back, when Meme offered to share her blanket with me and I declined saying I was fine laying in the grass reading my magazine maybe I should have used a little more common sense and taken her up on her offer. Oh well, at least the kids had fun (and are not sick)--especially Beau and his kite.
He flew that kite for almost 4 hours straight. There was almost no wind, so when I say "flew"; I mean he ran in circles for 4 hours.
Carmella flew hers too, for oh, about 5 minutes and decided it was way too much work. She is more of the stand there and hold the kite string type.Ryan is like that too. Me? I'm not so into kiting. All the damn stings getting tangled piss me off--not to mention the kite fetching.
Carmella decided to stick with climbing on the playground and baseball with Daddy and Uncle Pat and baby Pat.
Though baby Pat more just carried the bat and chased the ball.
Beau tried his hand at the bat too.
But decided that the kite was really more his thing.
So anyway, I am on my way to having a cold. I can't wait til I start coughing up all this thick and goopey mucus. Seriously, because it hurts like hell just sitting here clogging up my throat. Not to mention it makes it rather difficult to breathe properly and comfortably. And I guess that my long run isn't going to happen tomorrow. I mean it could but seeing how I have no idea when I will get back to sleep and I already can't breathe very well running 20 miles doesn't seem like the smartest thing to do. Though, I think we all know by now that I don't always do very smart things.
I have the beginnings of a chest cold and/or sinus infection.
It is from post nasal drip. I can feel exactly where the mucus from my sinuses has drained and formed a gross and sticky pool of congestion right at the bottom of my throat, right where I imagine my bronchial tubes begin. See the picture?
See the bottom part of my neck?
Right there, right above my collar bone.
No, over there, on the right side, behind all that skin.
That is where the goopey mucus is.
And I know it could go either way and there is nothing I can do to stop it. It might sink further in my lungs and become bronchitis or it might make it's way back up into my head so I can look like someone punched me in the face and feel like my head is a stuffed with cotton and then I am all dizzy and have a full on sinus infection. Or it could do both or it could just stay like this for a few days and keep coming back until June. I am not, in fact, an ENT specialist, but that is how it has gone in the past.
I guess grass is blooming. I am allergic to 7 kinds or grass--or something like that--and whole bunch of other stuff too. I got to have that really fun allergy test when I was 18 where they stick trays of needles filled with allergens in your back and then once your back is all bubbly from the wheals--that you are not allowed to scratch-- they then inject into your arms more allergens. It is a really fun and delightful test and you get to be really itchy for several hours with bumps all over you. I highly recommend you doing it so that you can know exactly what you are allergic to. Because it is important to torture yourself to find out what you pretty much already knew since for the most part you had already figured out through real life trial and error what you are allergic to. Last month when everyone else suffering because of the ridiculously high pollen count I was not because that was trees. I am not allergic to trees--just grass, mold, dust mites, cats, dogs, horses, fin fish, codeine and penicillin. But I knew I would get mine come April or May so I was not smug at all and doled out sympathy for Ryan, Carmella and Beau and everyone else who was all miserable because of the the yellow dusting that coated all of metro Atlanta.
And I know I could some what avoid this if I would not run outside as much as I do--as has been recommended to me by several doctors-- or maybe even if I hadn't spent all day laying and playing and sitting in the actual grass at the park on Sunday. You know, looking back, when Meme offered to share her blanket with me and I declined saying I was fine laying in the grass reading my magazine maybe I should have used a little more common sense and taken her up on her offer. Oh well, at least the kids had fun (and are not sick)--especially Beau and his kite.
He flew that kite for almost 4 hours straight. There was almost no wind, so when I say "flew"; I mean he ran in circles for 4 hours. 
Carmella flew hers too, for oh, about 5 minutes and decided it was way too much work. She is more of the stand there and hold the kite string type.Ryan is like that too. Me? I'm not so into kiting. All the damn stings getting tangled piss me off--not to mention the kite fetching.
Carmella decided to stick with climbing on the playground and baseball with Daddy and Uncle Pat and baby Pat.
Though baby Pat more just carried the bat and chased the ball.
Beau tried his hand at the bat too.
But decided that the kite was really more his thing.
So anyway, I am on my way to having a cold. I can't wait til I start coughing up all this thick and goopey mucus. Seriously, because it hurts like hell just sitting here clogging up my throat. Not to mention it makes it rather difficult to breathe properly and comfortably. And I guess that my long run isn't going to happen tomorrow. I mean it could but seeing how I have no idea when I will get back to sleep and I already can't breathe very well running 20 miles doesn't seem like the smartest thing to do. Though, I think we all know by now that I don't always do very smart things.
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