Gross. Germs, germs, and more germs ~

Everyone is still sick! Upon return from Ethiopia you may remember that I fractured my tailbone the next day. Then I got a bad sinus infection. All seemed fine for a couple of weeks and then we all got really sick again, coughing, fevers, chills, sneezing etc. I had it more than everyone else but they still couldn't get rid of their coughs. My extreme fatigue and inability to carry on with everyday activities quickly went on from one week to the next until I saw the Dr. who thought whatever it was should pass soon. Well, it didn't and after having fevers on and off and exhaustion after six weeks I went back. Malaria test = negative. Chest X-ray = negative. TB test = negative... So after some bloodwork they found that I was positive for two different forms of Mono! I was glad for something to come back positive. So more rest is in order and I feel like I'm on an upswing!! Things are slowly getting better.

This past Thursday I brought the kids in for another check up for Tessa (shots etc.) and they were worried about Nicks persistant cough. Poor Tess had what many of your kids have had or are still having which is endless tubes of blood drawn and lots of immunizations! She failed both hearing tests which was not a big concern to the Dr. but we'll go see an ENT specialist to make sure. We have to do more poop samples because she was positive for a couple of different "things" when we came home that were treated. And they did the TB test on her as well...

After mass today we had to go by the Dr.'s office for the PPD to be read. I knew the answer by looking at her forearm and by the research I did on TB when I was tested. I was right... Tessa Bezu has Tuberculocis. They sent us to the hospital for a chest X-ray and we'll talk to the Dr. tomorrow about the course of action for her.

Everything I've read looks like it's most likely the latent form but either way she'll take medication for 6-12 months to eliminate all traces of it. The thought of all thoses harsh antibiotics is not something I want her to have to take, but it is what it is.

On a happy note, in my down time I've been working very hard on a video montage of the past year +. I'm really happy with it and will post it in a couple of days or so!

And if you're brave/stupid enough to enter through the doors of our home, be safe, wear a mask! :)

Most of the leaves are all gone now in New England... and it is pitch black by 5:30 pm! You know what that means.... bring on the Christmas music and decorations!!!