These two guys aren't feeling well so they both stayed home today. Jack has been cranky and just plain miserable. He's had an earache since Friday night. The big guy has sinus issues. Jack won't take acetaminophen orally so this morning I went to Walmart and bought the last box of acetaminophen suppositories for children. He was deeply unimpressed with me when I put it in his bum but it worked and the pain went away. Right now they are both napping and it's heaven! Nobody is talking or asking questions and they will both feel better when they wake up, bonus.
That was then, this is now. We ended up having to take Jack to a walk in clinic on Monday night because his fever and earache weren't going away. The NP started him on antibiotics and the big guy figured out how to get him to take tylenol orally, with a yogurt drink that has lots of flavor to mask the tylenol. He's taking the antibiotics, once a day, just fine thankfully and is back to daycare this morning. He stayed home with me yesterday and although his ear was still sore, he was obviously doing much better.
Gracie did not ask once how Jack was doing or about his sypmtoms. She was supposed to call him Monday night but didn't bother, even knowing that we had been to the walk in clinic, because she had to talk to someone about a cat, because priorities ya know. I let her mom know and finally yesterday morning, Gracie asked how Jack was and then went off on a tangent about my son calling her and how that was all my fault because he's my son. I told her it was her problem. Gracie also went off on her mom and she's no longer welcome at her mom's house either. She seems to be unraveling again.
What did surprise me is that Gracie's mom thinks we should do something more permanent to ensure that Jack can stay with us. I agreed with her but not sure how to proceed, maybe go back to court to petition for day to day parenting again. Gracie's family has a much better understanding now of how unstable Gracie is. Last year they were dealing with the suicide death of Jack's grandpa and so lost in grief (rightfully so) that they couldn't see clearly. Gracie refuses to deal with her mental health issues; the problem is everyone else.
I've been working on my Christmas baking. I always send some out to my daughter and her fiance in Vancouver. It was also her birthday on Monday and I talked to her for awhile yesterday. It's always so nice to hear her voice. She goes for an infusion of monoclonal antibodies just before Christmas and almost a year after her diagnosis. She changed jobs and then the new job changed benefit providers and then the new insurance company was dicking around because she's allergic to the first, second and third line drugs recommended for her condition. Finally, her fiance's insurance company agreed to pay for it. The cost is $14,000/year, so not cheap.
I'm tired today so I think I'll just take a day to putter around the house.
Oh wow, $14,000 for drugs!!! I'm so glad your daughter's fiancé is able to cover her AND that Jack is feeling a little better now.
ReplyDeleteYes, horrible expensive drugs. My son in law to be in a very gentle, kind man. He's a good fit for my daughter and asked her to marry him after her diagnosis.
DeleteIt seems the two grandma's are on the same page where Jack is concerned. This is good. Also good they feel better. I do love sugar cookies! People shouldn't have to go through all of the stress to get the care they need. It's a blessing your daughter got the issue resolved.
ReplyDeleteThe last year has been hell for that family and even worse is the knowledge that Gracie was the catalyst for his suicide.
DeleteOh, no. This is very sad.
DeleteI am so glad your daughter' prescription was covered.I am glad to see that Gracie's family is coming on board, I wish they had done this before everything happened last year. I am glad you and the Big Guy are there for Jack, because as much as her family loves Jack, they don't seem to want to do any of the full time caring the way you are doing. You have been through so much, and from me to you, you're amazing.
ReplyDeleteThanks. Jack's grandma just wants to be a grandma she says and Jack's aunt doesn't want to raise him, not now anyway. Somebody has to do it.
DeleteI read the prices for monoclonals and antivirals and I always wonder if they really cost that much to produce or it it's profit driven. Thank the deities that an insurance decided to cover her. It just shouldn't have to be this difficult.
ReplyDeleteI imagine there is a lot of profit in monoclonals and antivirals, plus they are still under patent I'm guessing. No, it shouldn't have to be so difficult and I can't imagine what happens to people with less education and supports.
DeleteIt is reassuring that the other grandma now fully understands the issues. Nice looking Christmas cookies!
ReplyDeleteShe's see Gracie clearly now and is sad and embarrassed by it.
DeleteThank goodness that Gracie's family is now aware of how severe her problem is. I would suppose that now would be the time if you want to try to get full custody of Jack. I know you don't want to have to go through that but the thought of that sweet little guy being under her care for even a day or two is scary.
ReplyDeleteIt does scare me because I start to see the unraveling again.
DeleteDoes puttering around the house involve lots of small farts - like a little tugboat crossing a harbour? I like The Big Guy's idea of child minding - watching football on a computer screen while still in your dressing gown. Very cool.
ReplyDeleteNot small farts at all Mr. Pudding, in this house we only have huge farts. They were both happy in his office, boys and their toys.
DeleteSO much illness around right now. Sorry that the guys were sick and glad they're better. I'm assuming Big Guy is too? Gracie is a loose cannon and heading for an explosion of some sort. I'm so sorry that you have to deal with the worry of that but happy that Jack is with you. Love the cookies! They are adorable and look tasty.
ReplyDeleteThe big guy is better now too. I can attest to the fact that the cookies are tasty. I take my baking very seriously and always do extensive quality control checks pre and post baking:)
DeleteThose are exactly the kind of cookie I must have at Christmas. Others are very nice but these are non-negotiable.
ReplyDeleteSounds like an exhausting couple of days, but I love the waiting room picture. Such a great shot. I'm glad Gracie's family has a better sense of her problems now. It would be amazing if you could get more permanent custody of Jack, but of course that's a big life change for you!
ReplyDeleteI share Jack's opinion about suppositories. I hope he feels better soon, and your husband too!
ReplyDelete37paddington: Jack looks like he feels so safe and protected with you and the big guy. That photo in the clinic tugged at my heart.
ReplyDeleteWell, Suppositories aren't Fun... glad both of your Guys are on the Mend. Sorry Gracie is backsliding and disconnected and her priorities aren't improving either. Clever to put the meds in a Yogurt Drink to mask the flavor and administering it, I'm Stealing that Idea since I still get pushback from a 17 Year Old Grandchild about taking Oral Meds. *LOL* Gracie's Family do know the scope of her Track Record better than most would, so if they're making suggestions in your favor, at least you know they have your Back in this to protect that Grandbaby of yours/theirs, which is helpful. Dealing with their Daughter is probably all they can manage.
ReplyDelete