After several days of Sweetcheeks missing school and new symptoms on the rise, I finally broke down and took her and Libbyline both to the doctor last evening. We went to the local Urgent Care clinic, which is a hotbed of germage that made this mama want to bathe in Germ -X on our way out the door.

I told both girls during our 2 + hour wait that if we weren't sick when we arrived, we certainly would be before we left.

We see the doctor finally. He checks the ailments we've shared and comes up with a diagnosis: Strep throat -- for both girls + a little ear redness for Libbyline. So, we are looking at another day cooped up in the house, missing Bible study for the mama, and struggling with overall feeling crummy.

I just want to run away. Sickness is all around me and has taken up residence inside as well. I am doing a lot better with the spinning and the facial pressure. That is a blessing.

However, AFTER we returned from Urgent Care I began to feel excruciating ear pain, coupled with a sore throat. My right ear is completely stopped up, and while I can't hear out of it at all, I am treated to a giant whooshing sound every time I move my head the slightest.

I've now been up since 1:15 am and can't lay my head down without wanting to scream aloud. This is a sort of pain I've not experienced in a VERY long time. I have a renewed empathy for all those precious little babies who deal with ear infections and can't express clearly the level of pain they suffer. It is BAD!!!

I hate to ask DP to miss part of a day of work, but I don't know that I can make it without some relief from the doctor. Please pray I can get in and out today without consequence and that something will provide me the quick pain relief I must have in order to function and take care of the other two sick people in my house.

Think I'll head out to the kitchen and make myself a cup of something hot since I'm going to be up anyway. I'll be praying for you. Sure beats sitting here feeling sorry for myself.

Labels: illness, pain, pity party