I started my new job and everything went smoothly. Other than filing some shoes away in the wrong places I think my bosses think I will work out. In the stock room Mary Jane's are together
or strapped shoes, Dansko and Sanita clogs are together, other slip ons go in another area. Black dress shoes are next to black tie shoes while browns are in another area. Seasonal items are close to the door and will soon change out. Brooks and new balance are in the back hall and mens shoes are upstairs. All this will change when the new items come in each season so don't fall in love with that location. It was not unexpected that I miss filed a few even though that is the worst thing you can do in a shoe store, other than make a client mad, which I have not had the opportunity to do yet.
We had a call yesterday, another employee took the call. The woman at the other end was in pain and searching for a shoe that would work for her. She was trying to get an idea of what we had and virtually get fitted over the phone. It is a little difficult to fit someone over the phone. When the call ended, the woman called back to complain about our service. The clerk had been as helpful as she could, but there was no way we could have fit that desperate woman over the phone no matter how hard we tried. I would say that was our most difficult client so far and she didn't even come into the store. But it gives you a little idea of the pain and frustration our clients are in before we even see them. The letters of thank you plaster a board in the back from customers that finally found hope and comfort with good shoes by coming to us.
We can spend over an hour on one customer. But then some shoes cost $200 to $300 dollars. We have to get it right. I am learning a tone about cushion and cork soles, firm support and "last" shape, which is the bottom shape of the shoe and the beginning spot when making a shoe.
My first week and part time job is turning into a lot of days. Monday Tuesday and Saturday now add Fridays. Fill in for other employee on Wednesday and Sunday is a trade show. I think I will only do these long weeks occasionally. I am in training and want to absorb as much as I can in the first few weeks.
I tried changing out my manager's shoes as a practice. I Brought the wrong size, too small. I did figure it out, but I need to build up my confidence and skill in this area. You have to get the size right when selling shoes. I want to bring in my boys and have them try shoes. For family there is a 30% discount. We don't get commission, but we get great discounts. cost plus $10 shipping if it is for employees. Some manufacturers give 25% on top of that. They want you to wear their product. So I bought my first pair of shoes for work. Romikas retail for $130. I got mine for $51.87. Only $5 shipping cost from the manufacturer. Boots come in two weeks.
Even if this job doesn't last in the long run, I will have some very gorgeous shoes and comfortable shoes as compensation. But I see this job as working for me for a while. Gordon, the owner is 72. He likes to fuss with the store . He comes in 10 to 2 four days a week. Otherwise its all women like me, with teens at home or headed off to college. We are down to four staff. They need to hire again but they are waiting to finish training me. I think in a couple months they will add someone else. I hope so because none of the existing staff wants to work full time and now there is no give in system. Everyone is working a lot more hours than they intended, until I am trained and another new employee is hired to give some relief to the schedule.
Sunday, September 12, 2010
Thursday, September 9, 2010
First week of school and work
I can hear the laundry banging away. I must have missed a golf ball in a pocket of Tom's pants. I really have to stay up on the chores or I can see they can easily get out of hand. I walk in the door and send the kids off to do the chores they should have done before I got home from work. I have been going from work to football which means not getting home until 8:00 pm. Dinner needs to be made and eaten within the next half hour.
I don't like going to bed just having eaten a big meal. This family lives on steak or hamburger dishes; spaghetti, chili. I can get it done quickly, but there is no way to avoid the time. I realize though it is only for football season. After football I gain an extra hour or more in the evening. It is being organized that will be key. Having planned meals during the week, with all the ingredients on hand.
When I was in real estate, I had more time and I planned my time. I will get back into the being really organized quickly, I can see already. I am up to four days a week now. Another employee is no longer with the company. We were asked to pick up extra days. They are not sure if they will replace her any time soon as they have just started training me.
Meanwhile, the boys both started school. Trevor is his usual scatter brained self. Leaving important papers and books at home, not tuned in totally in class. I am hopeful that will improve if we stay on top of it. A computer, a new one that takes games, is on the line if he can make honor role all three trimesters. B's will do it, just nothing less than that.
Riley only got lost twice trying to find a classroom. He loves his teachers and thinks they will all work out well. You do tend to get better teachers when you take the accelerated classes. His math teacher is from Ireland on a one year exchange. She was the only one to pronounce his last name correctly. She gave out homework on the first full day of school. Riley didn't tell his dad or me until I got home, so he started late on his homework. I told him to expect 3 hours a night of home work now that he is in high school. Especially with his class load.
He has accelerated English, World Studies, Geometry (higher math class), Life sciences (which I think is a biology), and wellness. five classes, all core classes, no electives this trimester. We will see how he does. One of his teachers thought it might be a tough load. But really its all standard fare. He can get the electives in on other trimesters. He is healthy now. We don't anticipate his missing any school. This is the time to get the important classes done. He can take electives as fillers later.
He is in accelerated English. They will be reading Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury. I know he will like that book. They will also tackle the Odyssey, which I am thrilled about. He will like that book also if he can get through the language issue. Battling witches and monsters is just what he likes to read. They will also read a book of their choice and do a fun project or report to coincide with the book. Sounds like a great class.
World Studies wants him to attend a cultural event and then write about it. It can be a play or a music or even a sport event. It needs to be unrelated to school. A ticket stub and pamphlet from the event for proof of attendance is required. So we are off to the symphony for school, love it.
It is an open campus at lunch. You are not allowed to drive, but the students can go off campus to get lunch from any of the fast food places around campus. I have learned never to shop the nearby grocery store at noon. The cafeteria on campus cannot handle the volume of students all arriving at the same time for lunch.
Riley and I had discussed his options. I had put money in his cafeteria account, but also sent him off with cash. He told me he was the first in line at Burgerville for a milkshake and chicken strips. He was so proud of himself, going off campus. I asked how much he thought he might need eating off campus each day. He said $10. What? I don't think so. Tom was also appalled. Riley said it would leave him a little change. No, $5 max, or $20 a week. That is what we can afford.
He can do kids meals some days, or learn to split a meal with a friend. He never finishes his fries. Order off the dollar menus. Anyway, he melded right in, said he knew at least one person in all his classes.
He had called me at work all excited, wanting to tell me all about his day. I was so torn when I said I had to go. We had customers coming in the door. I could hear the disappointment in his voice when he said goodbye. I called back as soon as I could. I could still hear his enthusiasm, but the edge was gone. When I got home, it was homework time for math. He said it was new stuff, but as I watched him work, he whipped right through it. It did not stump him. He had 40 problems done in 30 minutes. He was tired so he left ten to do in the morning, which he accomplished without problems.
Getting him up took a little work. Both boys lay in bed for a while. I told them we would have to try for earlier bed times if they needed more sleep. Hard to do when we are already pushing 9:00 pm just getting homework and dinner in between 8 and 9. Once football is over though, we can grab that extra hour for sleep. If I can convince teenagers to go to bed at 8:00pm again.
The bus has been late picking them up before school, making them late for school, but I am sure that the schedule will be adjusted accordingly after this week. Mostly it effects Trevor as it makes him have to rush to class first thing. Trevor does not rush. He saunters. Its a problem I see when he is at football practice. Even when he brings on his A game, he still slows down afterwards to a saunter. Its the best word to describe the casual stride he uses to move his body from one destination to another.
A good friend of mine has a daughter full of energy. Even when the child is still, it seems as if she might leap up at any minute to do something. Trevor stops to smell the roses. He tends not to see the garbage to be picked up, but that is probably because its too far from his head. Roses reach out to be noticed.
On the days I work, Trevor and I must remember to remove his gear from my car, so he will have it to take with him when his Dad takes him. The first day of my job, Trevor forgot to eat and went to practice hungry. Worst thing he could have done. My family runs on its stomach. Full stomachs equals happy family. One of the other boys mentioned Trevor had a rough practice when I went to pick him up. The next day I called home and reminded Trevor to eat, not watch TV or play computer games to the oblivion of all else.
Tom is making a great effort being home early enough to get Trevor to practice on time. We may not love this house for the lack of land and noisy design, but the convenient location makes up for a lot. Tom and I both can be home with little commute time. It gives us that edge we need to be someplace on time. The boys also have the ability to get to where they need to be independently if we absolutely can't do it.
So far the new school year is going well. It helped that the bus was late, so when the boys came back having forgotten things in the house, they did not miss it. Work is not difficult and it is a great time filler and distraction. I was just not getting enough work from the school district to fill my time. I do not feel I have the energy or money to go back to school for that certificate of Teaching. Besides there are a lot of teachers already out there laid off. This new job is just right. I can also feel that I can be firm and tell them the days I need off. They seem to be pretty good about it as long as they have advance warning. The employee pool is a bit slim as there is not a lot of wiggle room when they do need to change people around. I was looking for just a part time job. This has become four days a week over night. But I was going stir crazy last school year when the boys weren't at home.
I can honestly say we had a busy summer. Not a lot of down time. It felt good to be busy. It feels good now to be busy.
I don't like going to bed just having eaten a big meal. This family lives on steak or hamburger dishes; spaghetti, chili. I can get it done quickly, but there is no way to avoid the time. I realize though it is only for football season. After football I gain an extra hour or more in the evening. It is being organized that will be key. Having planned meals during the week, with all the ingredients on hand.
When I was in real estate, I had more time and I planned my time. I will get back into the being really organized quickly, I can see already. I am up to four days a week now. Another employee is no longer with the company. We were asked to pick up extra days. They are not sure if they will replace her any time soon as they have just started training me.
Meanwhile, the boys both started school. Trevor is his usual scatter brained self. Leaving important papers and books at home, not tuned in totally in class. I am hopeful that will improve if we stay on top of it. A computer, a new one that takes games, is on the line if he can make honor role all three trimesters. B's will do it, just nothing less than that.
Riley only got lost twice trying to find a classroom. He loves his teachers and thinks they will all work out well. You do tend to get better teachers when you take the accelerated classes. His math teacher is from Ireland on a one year exchange. She was the only one to pronounce his last name correctly. She gave out homework on the first full day of school. Riley didn't tell his dad or me until I got home, so he started late on his homework. I told him to expect 3 hours a night of home work now that he is in high school. Especially with his class load.
He has accelerated English, World Studies, Geometry (higher math class), Life sciences (which I think is a biology), and wellness. five classes, all core classes, no electives this trimester. We will see how he does. One of his teachers thought it might be a tough load. But really its all standard fare. He can get the electives in on other trimesters. He is healthy now. We don't anticipate his missing any school. This is the time to get the important classes done. He can take electives as fillers later.
He is in accelerated English. They will be reading Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury. I know he will like that book. They will also tackle the Odyssey, which I am thrilled about. He will like that book also if he can get through the language issue. Battling witches and monsters is just what he likes to read. They will also read a book of their choice and do a fun project or report to coincide with the book. Sounds like a great class.
World Studies wants him to attend a cultural event and then write about it. It can be a play or a music or even a sport event. It needs to be unrelated to school. A ticket stub and pamphlet from the event for proof of attendance is required. So we are off to the symphony for school, love it.
It is an open campus at lunch. You are not allowed to drive, but the students can go off campus to get lunch from any of the fast food places around campus. I have learned never to shop the nearby grocery store at noon. The cafeteria on campus cannot handle the volume of students all arriving at the same time for lunch.
Riley and I had discussed his options. I had put money in his cafeteria account, but also sent him off with cash. He told me he was the first in line at Burgerville for a milkshake and chicken strips. He was so proud of himself, going off campus. I asked how much he thought he might need eating off campus each day. He said $10. What? I don't think so. Tom was also appalled. Riley said it would leave him a little change. No, $5 max, or $20 a week. That is what we can afford.
He can do kids meals some days, or learn to split a meal with a friend. He never finishes his fries. Order off the dollar menus. Anyway, he melded right in, said he knew at least one person in all his classes.
He had called me at work all excited, wanting to tell me all about his day. I was so torn when I said I had to go. We had customers coming in the door. I could hear the disappointment in his voice when he said goodbye. I called back as soon as I could. I could still hear his enthusiasm, but the edge was gone. When I got home, it was homework time for math. He said it was new stuff, but as I watched him work, he whipped right through it. It did not stump him. He had 40 problems done in 30 minutes. He was tired so he left ten to do in the morning, which he accomplished without problems.
Getting him up took a little work. Both boys lay in bed for a while. I told them we would have to try for earlier bed times if they needed more sleep. Hard to do when we are already pushing 9:00 pm just getting homework and dinner in between 8 and 9. Once football is over though, we can grab that extra hour for sleep. If I can convince teenagers to go to bed at 8:00pm again.
The bus has been late picking them up before school, making them late for school, but I am sure that the schedule will be adjusted accordingly after this week. Mostly it effects Trevor as it makes him have to rush to class first thing. Trevor does not rush. He saunters. Its a problem I see when he is at football practice. Even when he brings on his A game, he still slows down afterwards to a saunter. Its the best word to describe the casual stride he uses to move his body from one destination to another.
A good friend of mine has a daughter full of energy. Even when the child is still, it seems as if she might leap up at any minute to do something. Trevor stops to smell the roses. He tends not to see the garbage to be picked up, but that is probably because its too far from his head. Roses reach out to be noticed.
On the days I work, Trevor and I must remember to remove his gear from my car, so he will have it to take with him when his Dad takes him. The first day of my job, Trevor forgot to eat and went to practice hungry. Worst thing he could have done. My family runs on its stomach. Full stomachs equals happy family. One of the other boys mentioned Trevor had a rough practice when I went to pick him up. The next day I called home and reminded Trevor to eat, not watch TV or play computer games to the oblivion of all else.
Tom is making a great effort being home early enough to get Trevor to practice on time. We may not love this house for the lack of land and noisy design, but the convenient location makes up for a lot. Tom and I both can be home with little commute time. It gives us that edge we need to be someplace on time. The boys also have the ability to get to where they need to be independently if we absolutely can't do it.
So far the new school year is going well. It helped that the bus was late, so when the boys came back having forgotten things in the house, they did not miss it. Work is not difficult and it is a great time filler and distraction. I was just not getting enough work from the school district to fill my time. I do not feel I have the energy or money to go back to school for that certificate of Teaching. Besides there are a lot of teachers already out there laid off. This new job is just right. I can also feel that I can be firm and tell them the days I need off. They seem to be pretty good about it as long as they have advance warning. The employee pool is a bit slim as there is not a lot of wiggle room when they do need to change people around. I was looking for just a part time job. This has become four days a week over night. But I was going stir crazy last school year when the boys weren't at home.
I can honestly say we had a busy summer. Not a lot of down time. It felt good to be busy. It feels good now to be busy.
Sunday, September 5, 2010
Company
We had friends come to watch the Beaver game with us. We played and danced. Trevor got out a guitar and we pretended to air band to Led Zeppelin, who needs a Wii when you can do it to the radio. I had hoola hoops and they all competed. Tom made the boys do push ups then the girls then the adults. what a hoot. I was the worst, couldn't even do two. It was really fun.
The food was delicious and so was the company. Too bad the Beavers didn't win. But they are notorious for losing in September and they were playing the sixth ranked school in the nation. We were having so much fun even Tom didn't get too upset over the loss. It was so fun for all of us. The kids all played apples to apples. I loved it, the energy and happiness in the air.
These friends light up a room when they enter it. Even their children are wonderful. It was so good for all of us to have a good time. It was like our road trip on the east coast without all the stress. Bliss.
The food was delicious and so was the company. Too bad the Beavers didn't win. But they are notorious for losing in September and they were playing the sixth ranked school in the nation. We were having so much fun even Tom didn't get too upset over the loss. It was so fun for all of us. The kids all played apples to apples. I loved it, the energy and happiness in the air.
These friends light up a room when they enter it. Even their children are wonderful. It was so good for all of us to have a good time. It was like our road trip on the east coast without all the stress. Bliss.
Saturday, September 4, 2010
House cleaning
I woke up with Tom at 5am Friday. I had been dwelling on how to not have Riley miss any school the first week if I had to go back to the hospital for the cyclosporine test. I had decided the best route was just to take him in. Its the last weekday before school starts. There was no easy way with school starting at 8am and the lab not open until 9 am. He would miss at least three classes.
We just need to know the lows and creatinen numbers and see if Modified works as well as unmodified. Tom agrees that it should be fine to just go in. Labs don't need an appointment, just an order on the charts from the doctor. He would have done it yesterday had Riley not just taken his pills moments before the doctor walked in and the discussion took a few minutes to get around to the pill change order.
I need to make it clear to the pharmacy that they cant keep going back and forth modified vs unmodified. Its a big deal. I will have to personally call each month not computer order because the computer doesn't seem to see a difference.
The trip to the hospital went fine. We bypassed the construction zone and made good time. Waited maybe ten minutes at the hospital lab for Riley's spot in the Que. They are quick getting the blood draw. Not much is needed for the one test. I offer Riley breakfast, but he wants a donut shop. As we drive home I look but Starbucks has replaced Duncan Donuts these days. We don't see anything that perks Riley's interest. I suggest we stop at the Safeway in town and get donuts there.
The result is a dozen donuts in a variety box. It was still cheaper than the donut store had we found one. I use the donuts to bribe the boys to help clean up the house for Labor day visitors.
the first hour of work went well. Then the boys began to fade. They wanted breaks and more food. I worked through for 3 hours. The boys were not quite as dedicated. They tell me I screamed at them. I prefer the word yell. Either way, we made a dent on the mess, but the job is not done. I was tired and called it quits. I wasn't getting much work out of the boys any more. They were more a frustration than a help. I needed food and didn't see any point in ruining the day further with arguments. Their father would direct them tomorrow, with the things we missed.
Trevor wanted to go to the river. We hadn't been all summer. Riley's number were OK. The weather was hot. I said that was a great idea. I suggest KFC picnic. They want burgers but I am driving and its my money so they don't argue. They are just happy to not be doing chores, getting out of the house and going to do something fun.
Trevor has loaded camp chairs and an inner tub into the car. We swing by KFC . I order a thighs and legs meal. Trevor orders strawberry milk shake and chicken nuggets. Riley orders a root beer float and chicken snacker, what ever that is. By the time we get to the park, all the food is gone. So much for a picnic. We were hungry.
We had brought the dog. Trevor started blowing up his float. I offered him a bribe when he was done. If he would let Riley have the float, I would pay him $10. Trevor took the bribe. Riley wont go in the river without the inner tube. I knew that. I wanted to do everything in my power for Riley to do an absolutely normal activity like all the other kids. I thought perhaps the inner tube would clinch the deal. It did.
Riley hiked up around the bend with the inner tube to drift down the small rapids. He loved it. I had asked him if he wanted to take off his Hawaiian shirt he was wearing to keep it dry. He said he wouldn't be getting wet. I didn't argue. I just wanted to see him doing something fun and active for a change, rather than just hang out with his computer, which he did bring with him to the beach.
Trevor got right into the cold water and drifted looking for fish. He ran into some people he knew from school. Riley came drifting round the bend, with his shirt wet and a happy grin on his face. I was so happy to see him do something so normal and active. It was a lovely afternoon for all of us.
We just need to know the lows and creatinen numbers and see if Modified works as well as unmodified. Tom agrees that it should be fine to just go in. Labs don't need an appointment, just an order on the charts from the doctor. He would have done it yesterday had Riley not just taken his pills moments before the doctor walked in and the discussion took a few minutes to get around to the pill change order.
I need to make it clear to the pharmacy that they cant keep going back and forth modified vs unmodified. Its a big deal. I will have to personally call each month not computer order because the computer doesn't seem to see a difference.
The trip to the hospital went fine. We bypassed the construction zone and made good time. Waited maybe ten minutes at the hospital lab for Riley's spot in the Que. They are quick getting the blood draw. Not much is needed for the one test. I offer Riley breakfast, but he wants a donut shop. As we drive home I look but Starbucks has replaced Duncan Donuts these days. We don't see anything that perks Riley's interest. I suggest we stop at the Safeway in town and get donuts there.
The result is a dozen donuts in a variety box. It was still cheaper than the donut store had we found one. I use the donuts to bribe the boys to help clean up the house for Labor day visitors.
the first hour of work went well. Then the boys began to fade. They wanted breaks and more food. I worked through for 3 hours. The boys were not quite as dedicated. They tell me I screamed at them. I prefer the word yell. Either way, we made a dent on the mess, but the job is not done. I was tired and called it quits. I wasn't getting much work out of the boys any more. They were more a frustration than a help. I needed food and didn't see any point in ruining the day further with arguments. Their father would direct them tomorrow, with the things we missed.
Trevor wanted to go to the river. We hadn't been all summer. Riley's number were OK. The weather was hot. I said that was a great idea. I suggest KFC picnic. They want burgers but I am driving and its my money so they don't argue. They are just happy to not be doing chores, getting out of the house and going to do something fun.
Trevor has loaded camp chairs and an inner tub into the car. We swing by KFC . I order a thighs and legs meal. Trevor orders strawberry milk shake and chicken nuggets. Riley orders a root beer float and chicken snacker, what ever that is. By the time we get to the park, all the food is gone. So much for a picnic. We were hungry.
We had brought the dog. Trevor started blowing up his float. I offered him a bribe when he was done. If he would let Riley have the float, I would pay him $10. Trevor took the bribe. Riley wont go in the river without the inner tube. I knew that. I wanted to do everything in my power for Riley to do an absolutely normal activity like all the other kids. I thought perhaps the inner tube would clinch the deal. It did.
Riley hiked up around the bend with the inner tube to drift down the small rapids. He loved it. I had asked him if he wanted to take off his Hawaiian shirt he was wearing to keep it dry. He said he wouldn't be getting wet. I didn't argue. I just wanted to see him doing something fun and active for a change, rather than just hang out with his computer, which he did bring with him to the beach.
Trevor got right into the cold water and drifted looking for fish. He ran into some people he knew from school. Riley came drifting round the bend, with his shirt wet and a happy grin on his face. I was so happy to see him do something so normal and active. It was a lovely afternoon for all of us.
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Emotional lows and highs
Riley finally came and gave me a hug. I had suggested a little while ago he might be hungry. He barely ate his breakfast at the hospital. Just as we were sitting down Tom called and said the doctor could see us earlier than our appointed time. We had to rush eating on top of the stress of worry.
Riley's mood had been somewhat withdrawn and got worse on the ride home. He was making an irritating sound in the back seat. flipping his phone open and closed with a snap while listening to his brother beg for computer time. I finally pulled over to the side of the road. Trevor apologized immediately for being irritating, but Riley refused. I got out of the car and came round to his side door. Opened the passenger door and asked him to walk the rest of the way home. If he could not just graciously say sorry, even if he didn't know the reason, he could mull it over on a hot walk home. Besides he is supposed to get exercise. He might even feel better afterwards.He stomped off down the sidewalk, not forgetting his computer bag in the process. Not once relinquishing control of that computer to share.
He did feel better, by the time he got home. He was still trying to be mad, but I could see the stuffing had been taken out of the fight. I suggested he might like food. He realized he was hungry and made some macaroni and cheese. Then he came and gave me a hug. He said he hadn't realized he was so hungry. His whole mood is improved from a little exercise and food. He is now playing with the neighbors and his brother included. I did not lose my temper the whole time, amazingly. Though my jaw was sore from gritting my teeth while I prayed for calm.
Riley's mood had been somewhat withdrawn and got worse on the ride home. He was making an irritating sound in the back seat. flipping his phone open and closed with a snap while listening to his brother beg for computer time. I finally pulled over to the side of the road. Trevor apologized immediately for being irritating, but Riley refused. I got out of the car and came round to his side door. Opened the passenger door and asked him to walk the rest of the way home. If he could not just graciously say sorry, even if he didn't know the reason, he could mull it over on a hot walk home. Besides he is supposed to get exercise. He might even feel better afterwards.He stomped off down the sidewalk, not forgetting his computer bag in the process. Not once relinquishing control of that computer to share.
He did feel better, by the time he got home. He was still trying to be mad, but I could see the stuffing had been taken out of the fight. I suggested he might like food. He realized he was hungry and made some macaroni and cheese. Then he came and gave me a hug. He said he hadn't realized he was so hungry. His whole mood is improved from a little exercise and food. He is now playing with the neighbors and his brother included. I did not lose my temper the whole time, amazingly. Though my jaw was sore from gritting my teeth while I prayed for calm.
family
I asked Trevor if he wanted to come with us to the doctor. I wanted to make sure he was feeling included in this family defining event. Seeing the doctor and discussing Riley's options. Trevor would be impacted by what decisions were made as much as Riley and the rest of us. I didn't want Trevor to feel excluded.
Riley takes his computer with him to his doctor visits. The games keep him busy. He is supposed to shut it or stop playing while the doctor is in the room. Trevor asked if Riley would be taking his computer.
Yesterday we were visiting friends and the boys downloaded a new game Civilization onto Riley's computer. Trevor was following the game. Last night he asked if we could wake him as we were leaving in hopes the computer would be left at home and he could have exclusive use of it and uninterrupted time to play the new game. Riley disappointed him by taking the computer with game to the hospital visit. Trevor said he would go with us as a result.
I warned the boys that their father was on a short fuse today. He was very antsy and stressed out as he geared up for the doctor's visit. It was also a down day at work. He needed to get back to the office. He had spent the evening the night before studying the Internet regarding BMT and Aplastic Anemia. He was looking at the studies and the blood numbers available on other cases to compare with our own situation. I knew he was tense.
Last night was the league football monthly meeting. A friend reminded me of it in a phone message. I gleefully leaped into my car to attend, just so I could get out of the tension in the house caused by Tom. I truly appreciate all his research. I have also done some of my own reading, and read what he showed me. I also know I can not let it tear me apart. I have to make life as normal and pleasurable as possible for the whole family. I also knew the in all likely hood the boys would do something to bug their dad and he would yell at them, just to vent a little tension. It was almost unavoidable. This house has no where to hide, or keep the noise down. So, last night I ditched and ran knowing Tom growling was inevitable this particular evening.
Sometime the boys will learn how not to be noticed by their father. Keep the noise down, not argue over a silly computer game, not sit right by their father while they argue loudly. There are easy ways not to get in trouble. Meanwhile I knew what was coming and I had a lovely time sitting in on the board meeting for football. The small arguments seemed so pleasurable to watch as I was only an observer and I knew it wasn't personal. At home I can't distance myself that way.
I got home about 9:30pm just in time for Tom to tell the boys to turn off the computer and go to bed. I got them set up quietly in their rooms. Trevor read. Riley went right to sleep. He has been sleeping a lot. Tom thinks its related to lack of activities. Lethargy feeds on itself.
In the morning Trevor chose to chase the computer to the hospital. I thought it was a thoughtful gesture until I found out his motives, by then it was too late. We were in the car driving. I took the boys to breakfast in the hospital cafe only to have Tom call and say the doctor could squeeze us in early. I was surprised the blood was back that quickly.
In the observation room, I asked Trevor to go down to the play room where there is a play station. The observation room is not really big enough for the whole family. Its more set up for parents and sick child. Trevor didn't take the hint so again he brought down the wrath of Tom. Trying to argue with me about leaving the room without the computer, which was still in Riley's possession, in front of his father was not a bright move.
Tom questioned my reasoning for bringing Trevor along. I forget sometimes to think like a teenager. I truly had thought he might sit home and dwell on how it was going at the hospital. Instead I should have realized for teenagers the world revolves around them. Trevor's only focus was getting that computer out of Riley's possession . If perchance there was an opportunity at the hospital to play the game, he was not going to miss it.
After words from his father, Trevor discovered the PlayStation in the children's game room, he was contently occupied while we spoke with the doctor. The doctor was very impressed as usual with Riley's extremely large feet. At the end of our meeting we brought in Trevor to show that younger brother was also of unusual proportions. Trevor had worn his sandals. His toes have begun to creep over the outer edge of the size 12 shoe, but he likes their comfortable fit. The doctor is a modest sized gentleman. Trevor easily out weighed him by 30 pounds. He jokingly told Trevor to knock off the "roids".
He also asked if we had Trevor's blood tested since it was football season. Tom thought that was funny, but I missed the humor of it. I had asked way back when, if football might have had anything to do with Riley's illness. A hard hit to an organ or something, anything that might have triggered what happened to him. That doctor has a mind like a steel trap. Probably why he and Tom get along so well.
The appointment is over. Tom went back to work. Riley is a little fussy, but I bet it is reaction to the emotional tension of the last 24 hours. He makes it seem as if it doesn't get to him, but he knows what is going on and is very intelligent. It makes him edgy, a little like his father. He is refusing to share the computer game with Trevor. Its a power trip. Poor Trevor doesn't know how to dodge and keep his head low. A bull in a china shop when it comes to subtlty, that is what Trevor is. Trevor keeps harping on that computer until I either override Riley or confiscate the computer because Riley is being such a jerk and not sharing.
We also have company coming this weekend. I told the boys to tackle the game room. Trevor started, but quit when Riley didn't come help. They really cant do it together anyway because they either distract each other playing games, or fight because one isn't doing as much as the other.
We just need to put space and time between us and the hospital this morning. Next week new blood draw because of the medicine screw up, then three months before our next visit in December. School and job will keep us occupied mean while.
I know I am going to love distractions. Tom came home giddy the other night after reading my blog that I might consider spending our anniversary in Corvallis at the Civil War. Get a hotel. He has extra tickets, but they are in the duck section. Last time I went to a game where he sat in the opponent's section, he almost got in a fight.
Huskies were down and Tom was up and cheering. Husky fan behind us asked Tom to sit down. Tom turned to the guy and said "If you wanted to sit down and watch the game you should have stayed home and watched it on your couch." We moved to the student section at half time, where his enthusiasm was more appreciated. OSU lost that game. Tom swears its because we ruined the Karma by moving.
I told Tom I would get a hotel, but he needs to see about trading those tickets for Beaver seats. His one season ticket is now worth $700 according to some Internet site. I truly hope he can pull off a trade. I don't mind seats that aren't so strategically located, but he loves his seat.
Riley takes his computer with him to his doctor visits. The games keep him busy. He is supposed to shut it or stop playing while the doctor is in the room. Trevor asked if Riley would be taking his computer.
Yesterday we were visiting friends and the boys downloaded a new game Civilization onto Riley's computer. Trevor was following the game. Last night he asked if we could wake him as we were leaving in hopes the computer would be left at home and he could have exclusive use of it and uninterrupted time to play the new game. Riley disappointed him by taking the computer with game to the hospital visit. Trevor said he would go with us as a result.
I warned the boys that their father was on a short fuse today. He was very antsy and stressed out as he geared up for the doctor's visit. It was also a down day at work. He needed to get back to the office. He had spent the evening the night before studying the Internet regarding BMT and Aplastic Anemia. He was looking at the studies and the blood numbers available on other cases to compare with our own situation. I knew he was tense.
Last night was the league football monthly meeting. A friend reminded me of it in a phone message. I gleefully leaped into my car to attend, just so I could get out of the tension in the house caused by Tom. I truly appreciate all his research. I have also done some of my own reading, and read what he showed me. I also know I can not let it tear me apart. I have to make life as normal and pleasurable as possible for the whole family. I also knew the in all likely hood the boys would do something to bug their dad and he would yell at them, just to vent a little tension. It was almost unavoidable. This house has no where to hide, or keep the noise down. So, last night I ditched and ran knowing Tom growling was inevitable this particular evening.
Sometime the boys will learn how not to be noticed by their father. Keep the noise down, not argue over a silly computer game, not sit right by their father while they argue loudly. There are easy ways not to get in trouble. Meanwhile I knew what was coming and I had a lovely time sitting in on the board meeting for football. The small arguments seemed so pleasurable to watch as I was only an observer and I knew it wasn't personal. At home I can't distance myself that way.
I got home about 9:30pm just in time for Tom to tell the boys to turn off the computer and go to bed. I got them set up quietly in their rooms. Trevor read. Riley went right to sleep. He has been sleeping a lot. Tom thinks its related to lack of activities. Lethargy feeds on itself.
In the morning Trevor chose to chase the computer to the hospital. I thought it was a thoughtful gesture until I found out his motives, by then it was too late. We were in the car driving. I took the boys to breakfast in the hospital cafe only to have Tom call and say the doctor could squeeze us in early. I was surprised the blood was back that quickly.
In the observation room, I asked Trevor to go down to the play room where there is a play station. The observation room is not really big enough for the whole family. Its more set up for parents and sick child. Trevor didn't take the hint so again he brought down the wrath of Tom. Trying to argue with me about leaving the room without the computer, which was still in Riley's possession, in front of his father was not a bright move.
Tom questioned my reasoning for bringing Trevor along. I forget sometimes to think like a teenager. I truly had thought he might sit home and dwell on how it was going at the hospital. Instead I should have realized for teenagers the world revolves around them. Trevor's only focus was getting that computer out of Riley's possession . If perchance there was an opportunity at the hospital to play the game, he was not going to miss it.
After words from his father, Trevor discovered the PlayStation in the children's game room, he was contently occupied while we spoke with the doctor. The doctor was very impressed as usual with Riley's extremely large feet. At the end of our meeting we brought in Trevor to show that younger brother was also of unusual proportions. Trevor had worn his sandals. His toes have begun to creep over the outer edge of the size 12 shoe, but he likes their comfortable fit. The doctor is a modest sized gentleman. Trevor easily out weighed him by 30 pounds. He jokingly told Trevor to knock off the "roids".
He also asked if we had Trevor's blood tested since it was football season. Tom thought that was funny, but I missed the humor of it. I had asked way back when, if football might have had anything to do with Riley's illness. A hard hit to an organ or something, anything that might have triggered what happened to him. That doctor has a mind like a steel trap. Probably why he and Tom get along so well.
The appointment is over. Tom went back to work. Riley is a little fussy, but I bet it is reaction to the emotional tension of the last 24 hours. He makes it seem as if it doesn't get to him, but he knows what is going on and is very intelligent. It makes him edgy, a little like his father. He is refusing to share the computer game with Trevor. Its a power trip. Poor Trevor doesn't know how to dodge and keep his head low. A bull in a china shop when it comes to subtlty, that is what Trevor is. Trevor keeps harping on that computer until I either override Riley or confiscate the computer because Riley is being such a jerk and not sharing.
We also have company coming this weekend. I told the boys to tackle the game room. Trevor started, but quit when Riley didn't come help. They really cant do it together anyway because they either distract each other playing games, or fight because one isn't doing as much as the other.
We just need to put space and time between us and the hospital this morning. Next week new blood draw because of the medicine screw up, then three months before our next visit in December. School and job will keep us occupied mean while.
I know I am going to love distractions. Tom came home giddy the other night after reading my blog that I might consider spending our anniversary in Corvallis at the Civil War. Get a hotel. He has extra tickets, but they are in the duck section. Last time I went to a game where he sat in the opponent's section, he almost got in a fight.
Huskies were down and Tom was up and cheering. Husky fan behind us asked Tom to sit down. Tom turned to the guy and said "If you wanted to sit down and watch the game you should have stayed home and watched it on your couch." We moved to the student section at half time, where his enthusiasm was more appreciated. OSU lost that game. Tom swears its because we ruined the Karma by moving.
I told Tom I would get a hotel, but he needs to see about trading those tickets for Beaver seats. His one season ticket is now worth $700 according to some Internet site. I truly hope he can pull off a trade. I don't mind seats that aren't so strategically located, but he loves his seat.
Numbers September 2nd
Numbers
Platelets 95,000
red 11.2
white 2.6
reticulcites 27
creatinen up
Its Thursday. We saw the Doctor today. Lots of questions and lots of discussion. Its six months. This is when we discuss options and next game plan. Riley is considered mediocre success. The goal at 6 months was to have 100,000 platelets at a minimum, red is in the minimum zone, white cells are also close to the low goal. As Tom put it the results were "acceptable for government work".
Tom and I had gone in with a plan to ask the doctor to start weening Riley off the cyclosporine to force his hand on the bone marrow. Turns out the doctor has a similar game plan. He told us that best results are to keep this dose for another 3 months. Statistics show that weening off before nine months can cause the numbers to fall 25%. He also said that at a year if the numbers are not satisfactory, or sub normal still, because we have such a great bone marrow match he would recommend doing the BMT at that time. He said in our circumstances with Riley's age to consider he would not recommend another course of AGT, which is the alternative treatment. He would do the AGT for a 35 year old person with a poor match. But we are lucky with our options. We have a near sibling match. Not a sibling exactly, but so close as to be negligible.
Last month while I was at the funeral in Tucson, the pharmacy messed up on the prescription again. They go for the least expensive manufacturer and they don't keep it in stock. Riley was out so he had to take what they had available. They gave him modified cyclosporine rather than the unmodified he had been taking. The size of the pills were 25 ml instead of 50 ml. It was a $15 copay so I figured we would use it up and get the right stuff next time. Had I been home I probable would have driven down to the pharmacy in Woodburn to my girlfriend.
The Safeway there keeps it in stock as they have other clients that sadly take it also. If that pharmacy was closer I would have her do our meds. She was the one that alerted us to the difference initially. She warned us about needing a few days to fill a new prescription that was not normally stocked. I just hadn't realized it would be such a big deal. On the other hand if that mistake in the modified pills is what caused the leap in platelets, I look at the bright side of the mistake.
Riley asked the doctor about the difference. the doctor was not happy to hear Riley had been on the modified. It is more potent and effects people differently. Riley's creatinen levels were up which showed his kidneys were working harder, not dangerous levels, but showing that Riley was not drinking enough fluids to keep the stress on his organs down. But it now could also be related to the modified pills. It makes the number results fuzzy.
As a result, we will be doing another blood draw next week to check his cyclosporine levels before we need to reorder his pills. The doctor didn't want Riley bouncing back and forth on the meds from modified to unmodified. The platelets were up substantially, now we have to see if it was from the change from unmodified to modified and see if his body responds better to the modified. There are some serious side effects like solid tumors associated with the modified. But if it gets his platelets up more effectively, then maybe the benefits out way the risks. Especially for only a year or less. It will be a telephone conference with the results next week. I still have to go up to Dornbechers as they are the ones that test the cyclosporine levels. Every lab being slightly different, for consistency and it might be timing, as we are testing absorption levels, the doctor wants the levels tested at his lab.
Riley will hold off taking his morning pills until after the blood draw. They are looking at the lowest level. I want to call and find out how early the lab opens so we can try and avoid missing too much school. We will get stuck in rush hour either way.
tom and I tested the routes this morning during rush hour. I took the free way and he went across town on the streets. We arrived pretty much the same time. He had stopped for a coffee and I had gotten stuck at a construction sight leaving town. Though the traffic on the freeway slowed occasionally, it was steady forward progression. As I tell the boys, if we are going over 13 miles an hour we are traveling faster than the pioneers did in a day.
At nine months we, Tom and ,I want to reassess the dose. There could be room for adjustment. The doctor said that this dose is known to work. But with the createnin levels I would love to see Riley on a minimum dose or weened completely off eventually, sooner if possible. The doctor anticipated Riley being on the cyclosporine for a year. So February/March is our next really big visit. If Riley is not well by February then we do BMT. The doctor is in agreement.
School starts next week. I want to make sure Riley gets his fluids. My fear is he wont. It is crucial that he not have long term damage to his liver and kidneys. Often it is not the BMT that fails, but the stressed out organs from long term drug use.
We asked about the worry of fever and colds now that he is going back to school. Without the picc line that worry is decreased enormously. Treat the cold and fever as you normally would. Be careful and stay away from sick people. Wash hands regularly and be cautious but not paranoid. Call with really high fevers or questions, but don't freak out.
So here we are six months out, improved but not completely well. At nine months we meet with the doctor again, early December. Then March we see again where we are. I was hoping it wouldn't drag out, but that is the beast. It will be a year in February. Tom asked me to find out how much to set aside for flexible spending, if the doctor had any idea. It is so irritating that we know the illness, but not how much extra we may need to cover. I am guessing $3000. I will go ask the pharmacy the amounts on this years prescriptions copay. That will at least provide a minimum amount needed.
Today was what it was, good news mixed with the gray unknown. Another 6 months to go, minimum. Maybe BMT maybe not, have to wait another six months to find out. Problem is neither Tom nor I are patient people. We like our gratification and answers now. Tom looks like he has done a term as president of the united states. He has noticeably aged. Good thing men age gracefully and look more sexy with grey hair. Or maybe its just my failing eye sight. My doctor implied , no there was no implication it was straight up blunt, I was just around the corner from a stroke or heart attack. I have been dieing my gray hair for several years now. So neither one of us is escaping the stress unscathed.
Platelets 95,000
red 11.2
white 2.6
reticulcites 27
creatinen up
Its Thursday. We saw the Doctor today. Lots of questions and lots of discussion. Its six months. This is when we discuss options and next game plan. Riley is considered mediocre success. The goal at 6 months was to have 100,000 platelets at a minimum, red is in the minimum zone, white cells are also close to the low goal. As Tom put it the results were "acceptable for government work".
Tom and I had gone in with a plan to ask the doctor to start weening Riley off the cyclosporine to force his hand on the bone marrow. Turns out the doctor has a similar game plan. He told us that best results are to keep this dose for another 3 months. Statistics show that weening off before nine months can cause the numbers to fall 25%. He also said that at a year if the numbers are not satisfactory, or sub normal still, because we have such a great bone marrow match he would recommend doing the BMT at that time. He said in our circumstances with Riley's age to consider he would not recommend another course of AGT, which is the alternative treatment. He would do the AGT for a 35 year old person with a poor match. But we are lucky with our options. We have a near sibling match. Not a sibling exactly, but so close as to be negligible.
Last month while I was at the funeral in Tucson, the pharmacy messed up on the prescription again. They go for the least expensive manufacturer and they don't keep it in stock. Riley was out so he had to take what they had available. They gave him modified cyclosporine rather than the unmodified he had been taking. The size of the pills were 25 ml instead of 50 ml. It was a $15 copay so I figured we would use it up and get the right stuff next time. Had I been home I probable would have driven down to the pharmacy in Woodburn to my girlfriend.
The Safeway there keeps it in stock as they have other clients that sadly take it also. If that pharmacy was closer I would have her do our meds. She was the one that alerted us to the difference initially. She warned us about needing a few days to fill a new prescription that was not normally stocked. I just hadn't realized it would be such a big deal. On the other hand if that mistake in the modified pills is what caused the leap in platelets, I look at the bright side of the mistake.
Riley asked the doctor about the difference. the doctor was not happy to hear Riley had been on the modified. It is more potent and effects people differently. Riley's creatinen levels were up which showed his kidneys were working harder, not dangerous levels, but showing that Riley was not drinking enough fluids to keep the stress on his organs down. But it now could also be related to the modified pills. It makes the number results fuzzy.
As a result, we will be doing another blood draw next week to check his cyclosporine levels before we need to reorder his pills. The doctor didn't want Riley bouncing back and forth on the meds from modified to unmodified. The platelets were up substantially, now we have to see if it was from the change from unmodified to modified and see if his body responds better to the modified. There are some serious side effects like solid tumors associated with the modified. But if it gets his platelets up more effectively, then maybe the benefits out way the risks. Especially for only a year or less. It will be a telephone conference with the results next week. I still have to go up to Dornbechers as they are the ones that test the cyclosporine levels. Every lab being slightly different, for consistency and it might be timing, as we are testing absorption levels, the doctor wants the levels tested at his lab.
Riley will hold off taking his morning pills until after the blood draw. They are looking at the lowest level. I want to call and find out how early the lab opens so we can try and avoid missing too much school. We will get stuck in rush hour either way.
tom and I tested the routes this morning during rush hour. I took the free way and he went across town on the streets. We arrived pretty much the same time. He had stopped for a coffee and I had gotten stuck at a construction sight leaving town. Though the traffic on the freeway slowed occasionally, it was steady forward progression. As I tell the boys, if we are going over 13 miles an hour we are traveling faster than the pioneers did in a day.
At nine months we, Tom and ,I want to reassess the dose. There could be room for adjustment. The doctor said that this dose is known to work. But with the createnin levels I would love to see Riley on a minimum dose or weened completely off eventually, sooner if possible. The doctor anticipated Riley being on the cyclosporine for a year. So February/March is our next really big visit. If Riley is not well by February then we do BMT. The doctor is in agreement.
School starts next week. I want to make sure Riley gets his fluids. My fear is he wont. It is crucial that he not have long term damage to his liver and kidneys. Often it is not the BMT that fails, but the stressed out organs from long term drug use.
We asked about the worry of fever and colds now that he is going back to school. Without the picc line that worry is decreased enormously. Treat the cold and fever as you normally would. Be careful and stay away from sick people. Wash hands regularly and be cautious but not paranoid. Call with really high fevers or questions, but don't freak out.
So here we are six months out, improved but not completely well. At nine months we meet with the doctor again, early December. Then March we see again where we are. I was hoping it wouldn't drag out, but that is the beast. It will be a year in February. Tom asked me to find out how much to set aside for flexible spending, if the doctor had any idea. It is so irritating that we know the illness, but not how much extra we may need to cover. I am guessing $3000. I will go ask the pharmacy the amounts on this years prescriptions copay. That will at least provide a minimum amount needed.
Today was what it was, good news mixed with the gray unknown. Another 6 months to go, minimum. Maybe BMT maybe not, have to wait another six months to find out. Problem is neither Tom nor I are patient people. We like our gratification and answers now. Tom looks like he has done a term as president of the united states. He has noticeably aged. Good thing men age gracefully and look more sexy with grey hair. Or maybe its just my failing eye sight. My doctor implied , no there was no implication it was straight up blunt, I was just around the corner from a stroke or heart attack. I have been dieing my gray hair for several years now. So neither one of us is escaping the stress unscathed.
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