Bye Bye 2nd Grade and more...

It's done. Second grade has officially ended. Today was her last day. She will start third grade on August 11. Until then, we have a busy summer ~ golf lessons, ice skating lessons, dance, a trip...busy, busy, busy. She will have fun I think.

Today, Ben went to the doctor...again. His tonsils are so big that they are touching and now they have white spots on them ~ the doctor described the tonsils as "impressive". Obviously, they hurt him and he is having trouble eating. He is snoring (loud) when sleeping and having trouble breathing ~ he holds his mouth open and has a wheezing, nasally sort of sound coming out. The strep culture was negative (again), but the doctor found that Ben's spleen and liver are enlarged. That prompted an immediate blood test ~ the doc suspected mono. Having to draw blood from a two year old is one of the most traumatic events I have had to endure. Ben had to sit in my lap, I held him around his middle with one arm and held his other arm straight with my other hand. Grandpa (and Grandma) were with me (thankfully) because Grandpa Rich had to hold Ben's legs so he wouldn't try to kick loose. The poor phlebotomist was shaking so bad and then she couldn't get the vein in the right arm. She dug around for awhile and Ben kept crying/yelling, "You hurting me, that's hurts!" I had to look away and just keep holding him so, so tight. When she couldn't get the vein she let him rest for a bit and then tried again in the other arm. Luckily, she got that vein right away and we were done after she filled three vials. The doctor ordered a complete blood screen. Everything came back normal and the mono test was negative. We are still waiting on another mono test, the Epstein Barr virus test (apparently that is a more accurate test for young kids). So, Ben is back on antibiotics and we don't know what is causing the infection(s). I just want to get him healthy...(heavy sigh).