105.1
No, that's not a new radio station.
That's not how much weight I lost after doing the walk (although that would be nice...)
And that certainly isn't the number of people who read this blog.
105.1 is the highest point of Jack's temperature this week. The kid has been sick. Very sick, scary sick. He's been sluggish and quiet and not interested in anything -- not even Sesame Street. It's been a long, painful week for all of us.
Today was his first day back at school. On Monday, Husband got a call from school at the end of the day that his temperature was 104. He raced to go get him and found a kid who was a disaster. (Although, he did dance in the car when Daddy played The Cure. Jackie loves The Cure.)
I immediately got a call into the doctor's office and to Ga to find out what we should do. They said the same thing: lukewarm bath, baby Motrin, fluids. Repeat.
By Tuesday, he seemed better -- at first. Then it went all downhill. We got into the doctor's at 5 p.m. (The only opening there.) He was playing well and in good spirits. I worried that maybe we'd jumped the gun... would the doctor just sigh at us and tell us it's a virus?
Nope. The nurse had to take his temperature in the one way that makes his Dad uncomfortable. And because it was so high, she did it twice. Jack was not happy. He was sobbing, actually. The staff immediately wrapped him in wet wash cloths to try to bring his body temperature down.
diagnosis: Ear infection
Apparently, an infant will get high temperatures (higher than what an adult can survive) because their immune system isn't fully developed. The baby's body heats up to essentially "fry" the bad bacteria. My kid was cooking.
Wednesday he was progressively better.
He does look sad with the little cotton balls in his ears.
Today he's back at school. I am about to call to see how he's doing. Husband is convinced he's fine. As soon as they walked in and saw his favorite teacher, Jack forgot that Husband even existed.
Back to normal.
29 September 2005
23 September 2005
Day XLXII
Well, it's over.
We did it.
All six of us completed the 60 miles in three days. Amazing, isn't it? Of course, it wasn't without a few injuries.
One of us had diarrhea all day, every day, every pit, every outhouse.
One of us was severely constipated... well, more than one of us was severely constipated.
One of us caught a fungus in the community showers that didn't really bother her until she was back at work Monday.
One of us had one bad knee when we started and two bad knees when we finished.
One of us got severe sunburn -- so bad in fact that my leg was covered in blisters from where my pant line ended and my sock began. So why didn't I put on block you ask? Funny thing, I did. My burn was exactly where I must have missed a strip of my leg. It's was horrifying and everyone I showed for the next few days gasped. Some gagged.
Then there were my pesky arches. Around 1 p.m. Saturday, they decided they'd like to take a rest. They basically collapsed. Turns out it's genetic but neither parent mentioned to me their issues until late that night when I called to tell them what had happened.
Dad: "I have a lot of problems with my feet. That's going to hurt for a while."
Mom: "Well, I had to wear inserts in my shoes when I was a little girl."
Hmmmm... seems like that would have been good preventive information for me to have BEFORE I walked 60 miles!
Organizers told me at 37 miles in that I shouldn't walk anymore. I was devastated. Wasn't there anything I could do? I almost started to cry, I even teared a little. She said she'd tape me up again (it would be my third time that day) but she couldn't guarantee anything. She tried to tell me there was nothing to be ashamed about, walking more than half was a noble effort!
I guess. But when you spent the amount of time I did walking and training for this event, you want some closure. How many Saturdays and Sundays did I spend away from Jack and Husband walkin'?
This last tape job was awful. It killed to walk. My arches were so shot that they were trying to concoct some sort of fake arch with white medical tape. I was detroyed, filled with pain and I was slowing my team down. None of us wanted to miss one step of that 60 miles. I had to take one for the team. I had to sacrifice my own ego so that each one of those girls could complete their goal. I was hobbling and it was bad. In my brain I knew it wasn't worth permanent damage but in my heart I was destroyed. I needed to be iced immediately and I had secretly decided to rip the tape off my feet and walk it off. Literally.
I know now that if I hadn't taken the time to get iced then and to readjust my tape, I would not be walking now, almost a week later. Honestly, if I hadn't had the sunburn and arch issue, I would have walked away from the experience with zero aches and pains. I am so proud of my walking buddy and myself for the amount of training we did.
And even though every night that I called home and heard my Jackie babbling in the background I cried a little, I know the nearly $7 million I helped raise for breast cancer may actually allow me to be around a little longer.
Now I just have to find a physical therapist for Boston in '06 baby!
We did it.
All six of us completed the 60 miles in three days. Amazing, isn't it? Of course, it wasn't without a few injuries.
One of us had diarrhea all day, every day, every pit, every outhouse.
One of us was severely constipated... well, more than one of us was severely constipated.
One of us caught a fungus in the community showers that didn't really bother her until she was back at work Monday.
One of us had one bad knee when we started and two bad knees when we finished.
One of us got severe sunburn -- so bad in fact that my leg was covered in blisters from where my pant line ended and my sock began. So why didn't I put on block you ask? Funny thing, I did. My burn was exactly where I must have missed a strip of my leg. It's was horrifying and everyone I showed for the next few days gasped. Some gagged.
Then there were my pesky arches. Around 1 p.m. Saturday, they decided they'd like to take a rest. They basically collapsed. Turns out it's genetic but neither parent mentioned to me their issues until late that night when I called to tell them what had happened.
Dad: "I have a lot of problems with my feet. That's going to hurt for a while."
Mom: "Well, I had to wear inserts in my shoes when I was a little girl."
Hmmmm... seems like that would have been good preventive information for me to have BEFORE I walked 60 miles!
Organizers told me at 37 miles in that I shouldn't walk anymore. I was devastated. Wasn't there anything I could do? I almost started to cry, I even teared a little. She said she'd tape me up again (it would be my third time that day) but she couldn't guarantee anything. She tried to tell me there was nothing to be ashamed about, walking more than half was a noble effort!
I guess. But when you spent the amount of time I did walking and training for this event, you want some closure. How many Saturdays and Sundays did I spend away from Jack and Husband walkin'?
This last tape job was awful. It killed to walk. My arches were so shot that they were trying to concoct some sort of fake arch with white medical tape. I was detroyed, filled with pain and I was slowing my team down. None of us wanted to miss one step of that 60 miles. I had to take one for the team. I had to sacrifice my own ego so that each one of those girls could complete their goal. I was hobbling and it was bad. In my brain I knew it wasn't worth permanent damage but in my heart I was destroyed. I needed to be iced immediately and I had secretly decided to rip the tape off my feet and walk it off. Literally.
I know now that if I hadn't taken the time to get iced then and to readjust my tape, I would not be walking now, almost a week later. Honestly, if I hadn't had the sunburn and arch issue, I would have walked away from the experience with zero aches and pains. I am so proud of my walking buddy and myself for the amount of training we did.
And even though every night that I called home and heard my Jackie babbling in the background I cried a little, I know the nearly $7 million I helped raise for breast cancer may actually allow me to be around a little longer.
Now I just have to find a physical therapist for Boston in '06 baby!
12 September 2005
Day XLXI -- 4
It's kinda funny that my walk is only four days away. Am I ready physically? Hell, no. Am I ready mentally? I think everyone knows the answer to that. Am I even packed? I'm laughing right now.
Today marks the beginning of my busiest time since starting my job. I leave for Chicago this afternoon. I have a conference Tuesday. Then I head back to home for a conference Wednesday morning. Then on Thursday night I fly back to C-town. At 4 a.m. we drive to Wisconsin to start our walk by 6:30 a.m. Then I walk. I walk and I walk so more. On Sunday night I fly from C-Town to DC for a two day conference there. I fly back Wednesday (our wedding anniversary.)
That's a lot of days without my Jackson Thomas.
This is the face I will see when my eyes are closed for the next two weeks as guilt washes over me.
08 September 2005
Day XLX -- 8
Sorry for the lack of posts. (Don't know who I am apologizing to exactly but maybe someday the future Mrs. Jackson T. will be interested to see what her hubbie was doing at 14 months.)
KATRINA
My company is amazing. Locations from across the country have jumped at the chance to help the victims of this disaster. My job has been to organize those efforts ie. no time for my regular work or anything for that matter.
JACK
Big news on the Jack front ... side... back... and top. JTR got his first haircut. After months of harrassment and comments about his gorgeous curls, they are sadly gone. My son is now a real boy -- not in the Pinnocio kind of way, silly.
I decided I could cut it myself Tuesday while he played in the bath. Hmmm... sounded brillant at the time. Last night we spent the evening at a local barber gettin' it fixed. Michelle the stylist did a fine job but hopefully those curls will grow back by the family pictures and wedding in Maui in November.
HOME
We have a bite!! We show the house for the first time Saturday afternoon. What does that mean? No R&R for Hubbie and me. We are racing to get anything we can finished. And yes, the damn cat still resides in our basement. I have had a live trap with food set for four days now and he's protesting. Jerk. Please little kitty get trapped!
3-DAY
Did everyone (all two of you who read this) notice that we are less than 10 days away from my big walk. Again, what was I thinking when I signed up for this?
KATRINA
My company is amazing. Locations from across the country have jumped at the chance to help the victims of this disaster. My job has been to organize those efforts ie. no time for my regular work or anything for that matter.
JACK
Big news on the Jack front ... side... back... and top. JTR got his first haircut. After months of harrassment and comments about his gorgeous curls, they are sadly gone. My son is now a real boy -- not in the Pinnocio kind of way, silly.
I decided I could cut it myself Tuesday while he played in the bath. Hmmm... sounded brillant at the time. Last night we spent the evening at a local barber gettin' it fixed. Michelle the stylist did a fine job but hopefully those curls will grow back by the family pictures and wedding in Maui in November.
HOME
We have a bite!! We show the house for the first time Saturday afternoon. What does that mean? No R&R for Hubbie and me. We are racing to get anything we can finished. And yes, the damn cat still resides in our basement. I have had a live trap with food set for four days now and he's protesting. Jerk. Please little kitty get trapped!
3-DAY
Did everyone (all two of you who read this) notice that we are less than 10 days away from my big walk. Again, what was I thinking when I signed up for this?
06 September 2005
Day XLIX -- 11
Today is a bit random.
The Roman numerals are getting a little out of control.
Recent update from the TX cousin -- Another boy will soon join Jack in the next generation of family. No name as of yet. Very exciting for all.
Talked to the 'rents in Ireland Sunday (while walking 18 miles). Things sound brilliant (to quote the Irish.) They spent the weekend with our family. This included going to an Irish dance festival and seeing the sites -- the family farm, the church where Mom's grandmother was baptized. I am sure it's been a very emotional and heartwarming experience. Wonder if they've remembered to take pictures?
Walked 18 Sunday. Walked 10 Monday. Still can feel my legs which is a good sign, I think.
Took Jack to the doctor Friday for his one-year checkout. He's doing well except he has fallen to the 25th percentile for weight. He's 21.5 pounds. The doctors a smidge concerned about this and wants us to put butter on everything he eats... and then mix in sour cream. He's very active and tall (75th percentile) and his head is quite large (98th percentile) so that may be why he's not gaining quickly. (Heavy head could be a real workout.) Husband of course laughed out loud at the the size of Jackie's noggin because it is indeed from my side.
Jack stood for about 30 seconds Monday until he noticed, giggled and fell. We are getting closer I think. I tried to get him to stand more -- and practive walking -- but he's just not interested.
Speaking of not interested, no nibbles on the homestead. Great!
The Roman numerals are getting a little out of control.
Recent update from the TX cousin -- Another boy will soon join Jack in the next generation of family. No name as of yet. Very exciting for all.
Talked to the 'rents in Ireland Sunday (while walking 18 miles). Things sound brilliant (to quote the Irish.) They spent the weekend with our family. This included going to an Irish dance festival and seeing the sites -- the family farm, the church where Mom's grandmother was baptized. I am sure it's been a very emotional and heartwarming experience. Wonder if they've remembered to take pictures?
Walked 18 Sunday. Walked 10 Monday. Still can feel my legs which is a good sign, I think.
Took Jack to the doctor Friday for his one-year checkout. He's doing well except he has fallen to the 25th percentile for weight. He's 21.5 pounds. The doctors a smidge concerned about this and wants us to put butter on everything he eats... and then mix in sour cream. He's very active and tall (75th percentile) and his head is quite large (98th percentile) so that may be why he's not gaining quickly. (Heavy head could be a real workout.) Husband of course laughed out loud at the the size of Jackie's noggin because it is indeed from my side.
Jack stood for about 30 seconds Monday until he noticed, giggled and fell. We are getting closer I think. I tried to get him to stand more -- and practive walking -- but he's just not interested.
Speaking of not interested, no nibbles on the homestead. Great!
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