Ratings

I've decided to "ramp-up" the entertain- ment value to help my ratings. Now, there are those that would happily read about piano music, overeating, and yet another 29th birthday (which, by the way, is rather gauche to contradict or question). I knew I'd have to come up with some "hook" to reel others in and I had an inkling that another video of Ryland tooting his toot wasn't exactly what was called for. Neither was anything that happened in this ordinary day, a teacher's inservice day off for the kids, some cleaning, vacuuming, the usual fisticuffs, spilled milk and "my little pony" torpedo's - the stuff that makes up Grandma's and Grandpa's sweet revenge. That is until I got to ride to the hospital in an ambulance!! Now, a good story teller would never ruin the suspense and drama of such a story by telling you the outcome, would string the reader on offering tidbits of tantalizing facts and then end the post just before the outcome. In deference to those weak in constitution however, I can say I'm fine, although you probably have figured this out by now. I got an ordinary allergy shot, and had an extraordinary reaction. Unfortunately is didn't happen as would be expected in the 20 minutes after my shot, so I had gone down to the school with the kids to pick up some art supplies for my art project with the 5th graders. I started not feeling well with a pain in my chest and sat down for a minute on the bench. The boys hauled the stuff to the van for me and by the time I got the little kids buckled I felt dizzy and my head started feeling full. I thought maybe I was having a panic attack or something because the pain in my chest felt like a heart attack - then I noticed I had started wheezing and I realized I must be having a reaction. In retrospect, I should have called 911 instead of driving 3 min. back to the Dr's., but I honestly didn't realize how bad I was. I parked the car, put Ry in charge and went in and immediately Dr's. were running everywhere because I could barely breath. My eyes turned red and I had broken out over my entire body with an itchy rash. The injection site in the offending arm was very swollen too. They administered epinephrine and I started feeling better soon. Here is how I could tell:

Paramedic "Sit on this gurney." I start to sit down. "No, put your butt as high up as you can, in that crack". "Oh, of coarse," I said, "in the butt crack."

I decided to make the best of my involuntary ride to the hospital. How many people get a chance to ride to the hospital and not be very ill? They did use the siren at times. This is our second ambulance trip in 4 months, although our last one was really scary.

Please stay tuned for the next family drama.

ei