Arizona Trip and Aftermath

February 22, 2008

Wow! It has been awhile since I wrote -- and so much has happened in the interim. Course since no one save me reads this thing, I don't suppose it matters much:>

Anyway, let me see:

We left for Arizona on Feb 7. Just days before Jason had woken with ear pain and when we took him to see the doc, it turned out that he had dual ear infections going. Now the current thinking is that one should leave ear infections alone but I said 'No, we are getting on a plane in a couple of days and I KNOW what can result from burst ear drums. No.' So the nurse practitioner put him on antibiotics. She also checked Xander's ears at the time. They were clear.... then!

Well, Jason woke at 3:00 am on the morning we were to leave -- which was fine as we had to be at the airport by 5 am at the latest. We ended up having to wake poor Xander though. He recovered from that, however, given the excitement of a car ride in the dark, a ride on a bus, a train and then a plane. Actually, by that point, he was close to ecstatic!

The flight was more or less uneventful. Jason and Tom spent it playing the DS and the Leapster L-Max. Xander spent it drawing. On the descent, however, I began to suspect that I had an ear infection -- and by the time we landed, I was sure of it. Ouch! On top of the discomfort, however, there was the fact that I was now deaf in my left ear. (Turns out, I still am!)

We picked up the rental car and our suitcases and drove to the hotel in Apache Junction. There was Mom, all primed and waiting. The boys, of course, did not fall asleep in the car as I had hoped so we told them that they had to rest for awhile before going out to the pool. Tom, Jason and Xander all fell asleep:> When they woke, several hours later, we dressed and went to the pool and everyone had quite a bit of fun. However, when we were getting out of the pool to go change for dinner, Xander began to complain of ear pain... and at dinner that night, he threw up. Sigh. He slept fairly well and the next day we went to the Ren Fest.

The weather was gorgeous, bright and sunny. We wandered at will -- Xander with me and Jason with Tom while Mom sort of wove in and out around us:> By noon, however, the littlest one was wearing out. Lots of noise and excitement. He declined the Joust -- was too tired and hungry so I left Tom and Jason to watch it and took Xander to find some food. Despite some miscommunications, we found each other in the end and were able to get everyone back to the car. Xander was asleep by the time we got to the hotel.

That night Xander woke complaining again of pain and this time, though it was Sunday morning at 2 am, I climbed in the car and drove until I found an all night Pharmacy. Got pain meds and decongestants and headed back. (Jason on Elepant)

The next morning, we got in the car and headed for Tucson. It was near lunch time when we got to the outskirts so we decided to stop at Tucson Mall and let the boys play at the playspace. That went well though Xander encountered a nasty 2 year old who went about pinching and pushing people. When his father was confronted with his behavior (for a second time) his response was that the other kids should've done it back. Gads! No wonder there are bullies in the world!

We ate lunch and headed to Mom's house. Once again, Xander was gone when we got there. He slept, poor tyke, and woke up fairly late -- but thrilled to be at G'ma Pat's. She is one of his most favorite people in the world. While we were in Tucson, he said 'I want to move here and live here. It has sunshine, warmth, and Gma Pat!' Such company my mother keeps!

We had a busy time -- the zoo, Old Tucson studios, the Desert Museum and an abortive trip to Urgent Care (never got seen) when I decided that I did not look forward to having both Xander and myself on a plane with ear infections. :? We even had a couple of not so busy days when what we did was go to the Bookstore and then to a nearby park. We saw Dad a couple of times but Joan was busy trying to arrange for her father's care and was unable to get away.

Then it was time to leave. Sigh. The good news was that we returned to sunshine, if somewhat colder weather. The bad news was that we left Gma behind and that Daddy had to go to work the next day.

And then, just to keep things even -- I got sicker. After some gentle nudging, I finally went to the Doctor on the 20th. He said that there was an ear infection and that it looked like, since it hadn't been treated, it had spread throughout my system. Oh, joy! So now I am on antibiotics -- Xander is too though in his case (Thank Heavens) the ear infection apparently cleared itself up and all he is battling at this point is a sinus infection! Gawk. And here I was thinking we'd dodged the winter bullet. No such luck, it seems.

Now we are home, the sun is still shining, the weather is still cold. I am deaf in my left ear and may have to tolerate that for a couple of months until the fluid behind the ear drum (if that is what is causing the deafness) gets reabsorbed. Xander is recovering with lots of sleep as is Jason and Tom, that iron man, is back to working late hours.

As it was, we messed up Tom's bday. I was sick and had a late doctor's appointment. We did get him a happy birthday banner and a cake but had to eat the cake the following night (late) because of how late we got home from the doctor's appt and dinner. And then, on Saturday we will go over to his parents' place for a small bday celebration. I pointed out that while it wasn't a great fantastic party -- it certainly is turning into a long one:> Sort of like most of our parties these days.

Update -- February 4

It is 5:53 am and here I am again, attempting to get some writing done before the crowds arise and the day begins.

Well, post ER... we all became sick. Tom slept, or at least, lay down, for most of the weekend. The rest of us went around feeling miserable -- me with a blazing headache and stopped up ears and the boys with sore throats, coughs and sneezles. The worst part for them, I think, was having sick parents. We weren't much fun, I know. Hopefully our 'lazy' days will ensure that we are healthy when we get on the plane on friday. MEANWHILE... I have a zillion things to do that didn't get done this weekend. Sigh. Isn't that always the case?

Nonetheless, I am happy to report that the boys are getting better and so am I. Tom, I worry about. He is still abed, still sleeping and plans to work from home today.