Sunday, November 9, 2008

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!!!

21 comments:

  1. You guys have the CUTEST HOUSE EVER!!! Seriously. You guys are a mess! I hope you all can finally get better and put all this illness stuff behind you!

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  2. LOVE your house! So, so cute.

    Here's hoping you get better, and sweet little Tessa gets better too. Yuck to having to take all the medicine...but it'll be good for her in the end, right?

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  3. Really cute house..... YES, Christmas has already come to our house! I just posted about it! :)

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  4. Man, you are a mess!
    I am sorry about the mono. I had it when I was younger and it was no fun. It took me a long time to recover.
    I am so glad you will do x-ray for TB (to make sure she realy had it). I will be thinking of you.
    Think of it this way you guys get to spend LOTS of time together since you are sick. On the other hand I hope you will feel better soon so we can get together.
    love, Lenka
    PS: I have been listening to christmas music already.

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  5. I so hope you guys are all feeling better soon! I was just thinking about how funny it was that the only member of your family that I've met is sweet Tessa! I can't wait to meet the rest of you face-to face! Keep me updated on her TB and ENT progress!

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  6. When it rains it pours. Hang in there. Sounds like you need some good books and some good movies. We will be thinking of you.

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  7. Oh dear! Poor you! You need chocolate! Lots! I'm so sorry you've been just hammered since you've been home... Praise the Lord that you're finally getting some answers and will be on the mend soon. It must be so exhausting, Lori! :( But, on the plus side you do have the all-time most beautiful home, so you've got that going for you. I need to visit that gorgeous house and lovely family!

    P.S. - It's too early for Christmas music! :P

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  8. I am reading reading reading...I should have a post for you by tomorrow morning....

    Yes, ditto on the house.

    Would you please send me your address...

    I have a little something to send to you....

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  9. Your house is SO cute! I love yellow houses. I hope that everyone is feeling better soon.

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  10. Oh, I am so sorry you are all having to go through all this! I hope the road to wellness for everyone is the one of least resistance! Your house, by the way, is so cute!

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  11. Mono? Who have you been kissin' GF? : )
    I'm sorry to hear about Tessa's diagnosis. Poor jelly bean. Here's hopin' everyone is feeling better really soon!

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  12. Sweet baby girl! So sorry to hear about the TB.

    Love you- please call. I welcome it. :)

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  13. I am sad to hear that Tessa has a series of months in her future of antibiotic overload! I am so sorry to hear that she has to deal with this. But, all will be well in the end, including you! I have to say that even your text sounds healthier! I think I can hear the the strength coming back with each letter typed. Perhaps it's just my wishful thinking. But, I do hope you all feel better soon! And, I can't wait to check out the montage.

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  14. Oh Lori, I am so sorry to hear about the mono but I am so glad you finally know what is making you feel so bad and that you are starting to feel the slightest bit better. Will keep you in our prayers. I saw you go to Mass, hey ho fellow Catholic! I believe that faith can get us through anything, even a year of remembering to give our sweet daughter her TB medicines. I was so sorry to read about precious Tessa... Keep us posted. And yes, your house is truly lovely. (I want to see the kitchen though!)

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  15. You poor thing! So sorry about the TB and mono! I hope you guys get well soon. :(

    Love your super cute house by the way!

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  16. Oh man! I will be praying for her. I am glad you finally know what is going on though.

    Amber

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  17. Wow, that is tough!!! What an adjustment you guys have had. You're doing so well with so many challenges. Hang in there, really, it can only get better from here on.

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  18. What a really nice home you have. You sure have had a lot going on ... hope everyone is on the mend soon, and for good.

    (YAY for Christmas!)

    Laura :)

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  19. I LOVE your home.

    We had the same TB "situation"- so I know how you feel... well, except for the detail that I didn't have two types of mono at the same time :( ...We are 7 1/2 months into the meds, 6 weeks to go.

    I miss you! (strange, but true).

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  20. Wow. You guys have been through so much rough. I am not a doctor, but I do work in infectious diseases (I am faculty member at Cal State San Marcos- Biology). We are just putting in a project to work on a TB project in Brazil so I have been reading a lot about the disease and talking to my collaborators in Brazil. Hopefully Tessa has the latent form and the drugs can take care of it. Now, on the mono story, who have you beem kissing????
    Take care and I hope you all get better soon.

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  21. This is what happens when we make out with the UPS guy-sorry-couldn't resist-you're right -everyone instantly thinks kissing disease.
    I think all your leaves blew into my yard.

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