Since this is my record/journal, I’m using it to record dates and facts I want to remember. It helps me keep my head on straight sometimes to be able to look back! I’m not sure it will be interesting to everyone, so just skip it if it doesn’t appeal.
1. I helped plan and facilitate a Reconciliation Retreat for the second graders in our parish on April 28th. To my knowledge, this is a first for our parish. Their teacher and I (in my role as DRE) are trying to implement diocesan guidelines. The retreat, in my mind, was a success. I switched out the saint play-acting with rosary making and the kids LOVED it! It was gratifying to see them enjoy the activities and stations that their teacher and I planned out. The diocese actually has a script we can follow, but we are able to add our own activities or choose those we want to include. One young girl even said, “I thought this was going to be boring, but I’m having a lot of fun!” This was said while we were making rosaries. At least one parent per child was asked to attend, and they had a parent session with our priest. I’m so thankful he was willing to give a talk. I still need to talk with parents to get their perspective on the afternoon.
This happened to be the same day that Eric and Angelina were at the Aerospace Camp, so Zeke came along to watch Marcus. So thankful the weather was decent so he could stroll around outside! He’s such a good big brother.
2. Angelina ‘got’ shingles. Yes, my not even thirteen-year-old daughter has been dealing with shingles. They are on her upper right chest, go under her arm and around to her back. They also travel down her right arm to just above the elbow.
When she first showed me, I thought it was just a rash or reaction to an environmental allergen. But, then, as I sat and continued what I was doing, the pattern of the rash (which at the time was a patch on her upper check, a spot under her arm, and a patch on her back) started to bother me. Within a very short time, it occurred to me that it could be shingles. Both the pattern and the ‘texture’ of the rash were typical of shingles. But, in a child so young?!?
It was too late in the day to make an appointment (May 9), so I called asap the next morning. When asked why I was calling, I said something like, “Well, I know this sounds impossible, but to my non-medical eye, I believe my daughter has shingles.” And then I described the rash. Thankfully we were able to get her in to the clinic that afternoon.
They physician was skeptical as first, too. But I said, “Wait until you see the rash, and you’ll see why I think it’s shingles.” She then examined Angelina, and it was almost comical to see her reaction and expression of agreement. It’s so rare for a child, you see. And the kicker is that Angelina did not have the vaccine, she really had chicken pox. For some reason I expected if she had a real case of chicken pox, any onset of shingles would come at a much later point in life.
The physician did some research in the office…her database didn’t show any cases in children my daughter’s age. I assume they just haven’t been recorded…I believe there are more cases, but maybe they were more mild than Angelina’s. Anyway, the physician prescribed Acyclovir – 5 times each day.
The medication (which, by the way, is the first medication Angelina has EVER taken) really helped shorted the length of the shingles. They scabbed over quickly, and the tingling pain subsided. I pray she doesn’t have to go through this again, but contrary to common belief, you can get shingles multiple times.
At this point, the rash blisters are healed and it’s not inflamed and red. You can still see where she was affected, though. I am not sure how long that will take to fade.
And the three youngest boys have been exposed …maybe. They can get chicken pox from shingles (we do not vaccinate for chicken pox), if they are exposed to the liquid from the blisters. Shingles is not a respiratory ailment like chicken pox, so contagion is not as easy or as great if the rash/blisters are kept covered. So, we’ll see. I wouldn’t mind the boys getting chicken pox, but it’ll make for an interesting couple months if they do come down with it. Prayers for God’s will appreciated because I’m not sure of my will!
3. It’s finally starting to green up. The trees JUST budded out last week and the grass is greening up. I even went out last week to see if any were living because buds weren’t visible! Turns out the trees know what’s going on with the weather.
I am worried about the landscaping we had done in the fall. Hopefully everything will make it…but I have a feeling we’ll have the company replace at least a few plants/shrubs that winter-killed.
Last night was the first measurable rain we’ve had in some time and it was needed. After so many wet years, this is a very different kind of Spring. I like rain and not having to water the gardens and lawn.
The trees we ordered through the soil conservation service arrived on Friday, too: two honeycrisp apple, one connell red apple, five black chokeberry and five golden currant. The five nanking cherry were backordered. Now to determine where I’ll plant! You’d think I would have figured that out before placing the order, but I was not thinking as clearly and just wanted bit of Spring.
