Kayson - Viral Rash = Folliculitis Rash

I can't make this shit up. 

Kayson has been hit again with something...  we are thinking a viral rash, which has taken over his body and his face.  Last Thursday, he was more tired than normal, then Friday he stayed home from school - complaining of just achy body and a low fever.  The fever really didn't last long at all.  He rested and seemed ok Friday night. 

Saturday he woke with what looked like a pimple breakout all over his face.  I didn't think anything of it actually...  then he changed his clothes, and the bumps were all over his stomach/chest and back. They really look like pimples all over. He was so bothered.  He wasn't feeling all that great - no more fever, but definitely not himself.  I just felt so bad... Kid can't catch a break. 

So we skipped out on basketball.  He rested most of the day Saturday, but by Sunday he seemed ok.  He said he wasn't achy anymore, just tired.  

We talked with Tricia - sent her pictures and her doctor thinks it's a form of a viral bacteria - something called viral exanthem.  We've sent pictures to our doctor too.  Unsure what will come of this - more to come, but as of now Kayson doesn't look good...  and he's less than thrilled. I feel so bad for him. 

He's always had such good skin...  now I'm worried these will leave marks.  :(

UDPATE - Ryan took K to the doctor Monday afternoon...  results are he has folliculitis.  Basically a skin irritation that's full of bacteria.  STUPID!  He will be put on an antibiotic (but the antibiotic is out of stock!)  

His skin is looking a little better, but still not great.  He has some big spots on his face and back...  gosh I pray they clear up with the medicine.  Poor kid.

Influenza A

Playing catchup... 

Monday I started feeling pretty icky...  coughing mostly.  Ryan was down and out all day...  feeling miserable. 

Tuesday - Ryan was diagnosed with Influenza A.  Home with Tami-flu to help calm it down... and back to bed. 

Wednesday I was miserable.  I got into an urgent care - Influenza A and tonsillitis for me.  Slept all day.

Thursday, Ryan started feeling much better - coughing still pretty bad, he gets that dry, annoying cough.  My cough is deep and rattily, but I can't get anything 'up'.  and it hurts so bad...  We both have sore chests, diaphragm areas...  

Friday - Finally doing better...  Ryan worked from home, and had energy.  I still am tired, and coughing like crazy, but I definitely am on the mend.  

What a freaking week.  I'm so mad this happened to us... and I know we didn't get the flu shot, so we were bound to get it.  I know it.  But we have always been so healthy, and I just feel like the last 4 months or so, things have been off for us... and it makes me so sad.  

I am praying so hard that the kids stay healthy through all of this.  I would be shocked if they do, but I can pray and do all the cleaning to try to prevent it.  

I'm sure more to come...  

Weekend

Our weekend started well... and ended not so great. 

Friday night we stayed in... was nice to be home, and we just hung out.  I got the kids to play Skip-Bo with me, and we had so much fun.  

Saturday - Kayson had a basketball tournament here in town, close by, so that was nice... was glad we didn't have to drive to Ames.  I just wasn't feeling it!  He had an okay day of ball... didn't get in much, and I'm personally wondering if it's because of the coach they had.  I could be wrong, but I was not impressed by him at all.  Anyway...  the team went 3-0 Saturday, so that was good. 

Sunday - Ryan woke up sick...  achy, cough, fever...  so guessing he has influenza or Covid.  He's hunkered down in the bedroom...  haven't barely talked to him.  So Sunday was a little chaotic - Got Cora to dance, I got groceries, walked Boomer, got Kayson to ball...  couldn't stay because I need to pick up Cora.  So I missed the first game, and of course, was told he did a good job - had 3 3-pointers, I believe.  Cora and I got to the last game... he played a lot that game, but came out with a loss... I know he was bummed.  

We headed home and just relaxed.  I started coughing... like a dry cough, and am not feeling 100% either.  Pisses me off.  We have been so healthy - but the last 3 months, someone has been sick, or fainting, or experiencing allergies, or something... and I'm over it.  It's just one of those days where I'm tired, and I'm crabby...  life can be hard!!!!

A few pictures. 

I LOVE our basement tree!!!

Celebrated Crosby's 5th birthday!  Love that kid!

Kayson - Passing out update (Vasovagal Syncope)

Unfortunately, Kayson had another passing out episode at school on Monday morning.  (Monday, November 28). He was just sitting in class...  and felt light headed, and went down, just that fast.  He did not hit his head, and was only out for a short time...  Teacher, students and nurse helped him, and he was safe.  

I got him home... he rested hard for a couple of hours.  He ate lunch, and was seemingly fine the rest of the day.  This has us startled and worried... so we got him into the doctor. 

We couldn't see our regular doctor, but we saw a newer one, Dr. Reynolds, and he was great with Kayson.  Kayson was great too - answered all the questions, and had great communication with the doctor.  That alone is huge. 

In the end, Dr. Reynolds believes Kayson has vasovagal syncope.  Basically that means it's a syndrome that occurs when you faint because your body is overreacting to a trigger.  It's causing your heart and blood pressure to drop suddenly.  (We are unsure if there's actually a 'trigger' for him, but regardless, his oxygen and blood to the brain is being messed with!) We are told this is harmless and he should grow out of it.  When we should be concerned is when or if Kayson starts to faint when he is working out or doing a sport activity. If that happens, then he could have a heart issue.  The doctor does not think that's the case at all...

In order to 'prevent' this...  unfortunately, we can't really find a preventative, besides ensuring Kayson is hydrated, and eating enough.  He will now be taking snacks to school with him, and hopefully this will eliminate the episodes.  

Tuesday morning - the face of a teenager

Monday morning

Thanksgiving 2022

Kayson was feeling better by Thursday...  still had the icky cough, but he was perky and his eyes were no longer glossy.  We headed up to Clarion Thursday around noon...  and we had a great time with  my family.  It was a great day, good weather, and everyone was happy, even Kayson.  He smiled, talked and joined in on the fun.  I was pleased.  

Saturday we spent the day in Creston with the Taylor's.  Not everyone was there, but it was a good crowd, and we had a pretty good day!  Unfortunately, Rhett wasn't feeling that great... so he wasn't up to par and his silly self.  But we got to meet some girlfriends and a fiancé (Matt's), so that was fun.  Yummy food and a good day.  And only one picture.  Bad.

It was a nice Thanksgiving... and a good break from school and work.  I hate to see those little breaks end, but it's good for the kiddos to get back into the routine.  

Very thankful and blessed this year. 

Update - Kayson - Strep

Monday, Kayson rested all day...  drank a lot, and ate just a little, seemed to perk up about evening time.  He asked to play on his PS4 for a bit, so he did that...   He ate some chicken noodle soup too, so that was a huge plus.

He has a terrible cough with this strep...  and the cough is deep and also phlemy.  I was hoping he could get some of that 'up', but he's pretty hesitant.  I think for the most part, the strep portion is healing... no more fever, and less pain in his throat.  However, he's still very weak, the cough is probably a bad virus, and just doesn't have much color to him. 

Tuesday morning, he got up and almost passed out...  scared him, scared me.  I got some apple juice in him, his strep medicine and one bite of toast.  He rested the rest of the morning...  

And Wednesday - the first day that he got dressed and had color and no glossy eyes.  I think we are on the mend, but definitely bothered by the deep cough.  We will continue the meds, drinking and resting, and hopeful he will be 100% by the weekend. 

Kayson - Strep

Unfortunately, our Kayson has come down with a sickness...  strep.  A little of last week, he was coughing, but nothing too serious, and said he was fine.  Friday night, he seemed tired, quieter than normal... then Saturday we had basketball.  He was coughing more and said it was hurting.  I was hesitant to send him to the games, but honestly, it's hard to make those decisions, and Ryan kind of pushes him through stuff like this.  Anyway, he played two games, and I could tell he was miserable.  He slept well... but Sunday (today), he woke and didn't look good.  He had a low grade fever - 101...  said his throat hurt bad and couldn't really take a deep breath.  

Ryan took him to urgent care...  got in fairly quick, and he was tested for Influenza, Covid and strep - positive for strep.  Honestly, I'm thankful that it is strep, as he can have medicine for that... and we can nip this in a few days.  

He came home and has rested most of the day...  drank a ton, taken medicine and just kept to himself.  I feel bad for him... he's rarely sick.  Just stinks!!!

Hopeful that we get three doses in him, and we start to see improvement.  

Cora - 4th Grade Fall Conference

Cora's first 4th grade conference was last night... and she's knocked it out of the park.  Personally, thinking that the teacher (Ms. DeMarco) just loves Cora!  ha.  Cora is doing well... She is helpful, extremely respectful and produces quality work.  Ms. DeMarco had no concerns... which is awesome.  

Her FAST Scores were this:

Reading - 511 (Fall benchmark is to be 502)

Math - 212 (Fall benchmark is to be 209)

Reading level - U (goal by end of 4th grade is S)

She's doing well.  Ms. DeMarco would like to see Cora be more confident with her math.  She says "Cora knows this process, knows it, but she just gets hesitant!"  

8th Grade Basketball - All Iowa Attack (Tournament #1)

Kayson made the All Iowa Attack 8th grade team again this year...  honestly, like last year, we weren't sure if he would make the team. There was some tough competition, but I'm proud of him. 

This weekend we started the LONG season of basketball...  tournament #1 - just here in DSM, which is nice.  

The boys played three games Saturday, going 2 and 1, and then won a game on Sunday morning.  Kayson did well...  he hustles and tries hard...  I feel he built his confidence up in Sunday's game - shooting more and making them!  I honestly just want him to have fun - this 8th grade ball stuff means nothing besides being with a team and friends.  I just want him to be happy.

Kayson - 8th Grade Fall Choir concert

Thursday night was Kayson's 8th grade fall concert.  Such a quick concert, but so good too!!  Kayson really enjoys choir, which makes me happy... it's a good 'subject' where you just learn a lot about music and how music can change your life.  In my opinion.  He really enjoys the teacher too - Mr. Peterson, he seems like a great guy and has had nothing but awesome things to say about Kayson.  

So much dance! Kids pictures!

Well, Cora is right back into dance... going hard core.  The competition dances are a little behind - so Miss Charlee is trying hard to get them up to speed and ready. 

Friday night Cora had practice...  Saturday morning was Production practice... and Sunday was Titans Convention (all day - 8-4!!!)  We had a tired little girl. 

In the middle of all that - we squeezed in kiddo pictures.  I had taken some back in the summer, but wasn't thrilled with them... and a dance Dad is a photographer, so I asked him.  He was great with them... and they turned out awesome.  I was super pleased.  

The rest of the weekend (without Cora) was pretty good...  we did some relaxing... I cleaned out the kids' closets.  Man, that's such a process, but feels so good when it's done.  But at the same time - Cora is growing so fast... and has a strong opinion on clothes now!!  

It was a nice weekend...  next week basketball starts!

Weekend - Sunday only

and a busy Sunday!

Cora was back at dance bright and early Sunday morning...  the Juniors are hitting things super hard...  feeling a little behind with the competition dances, so Sunday was a hard day.  She was at dance from 9 til about 2.  

Meanwhile at home, Kayson went and shot at Farm Club... then got home and Ryan and him mowed the lawn one last time for the year and just got things cleaned up.  I did a bunch of stuff around the house - cleaned, re arranged, laundry, and just seemed to be non stop.  

Sunday late afternoon was the start of Beggar's Night!  I had talked Kayson into having some friends over for Beggar's Night a couple months ago... and he went for it.  All the boys dressed as blow up dinosaurs, and I tell you what - it was the funniest thing ever.  I had such a good time watching and listening to those kids... they are good kids, and that makes me happy. 

Cora was dressed as a green M&M and met up with her dance friend, CiCi, who, too was an M&M (purple!)  They had a good time trick or treating in another neighborhood... was thankful that CiCi's mom was in charge of them!  

It was a nice day and evening...  I was thankful to see the smiles again on my kids' faces.  I feel like there's been a lot lately and a lot of worrying on my end, so it was nice.  I still worry about Kayson (and sis too), but Kayson is just had a tough age, and I just hate seeing him so hot and cold with me.  I just continue to pray that he will realize that I'm here for the good and here to be his Mom through everything.