Hey Friends… it’s been a crazy week! Earlier last week the girls and I made homemade popsicles with really cool molds I found in Rome. I think they were meant for gelatto but we loved them for smoothie popsicles! Can you tell these pics are from an iPhone? I’m now the proud owner of one! A friend gave me an extra she had and I’ve been using it for weeks and love it. I don’t have it activated so it’s simply an iTouch but I love having it nearby to capture moments like this!
Anyway, last we talked I told you my body wasn’t feeling too hot, I thought it was jet lag and missing a few nights of sleep but unfortunately my body continued to go downhill. Mom and Mimi left early Thursday morning and as I adjusted to life back in the “real world” my throat hurt really bad, but Erika had been sick while we were in Italy with a sore throat and I just figured I had what she had. I tried honey, lemon, rum, vitamin C, warm salt water gargles, Advil, Cepacol and finally by Friday I had resorted to leftover Percocet from my wisdom teeth extractions and it was the only thing that would bring me relief. I kept telling myself “Surely, I’m going to feel better tomorrow!” I am the biggest weenie when it comes to going to the doctor… anyway, long story very short… my throat got so bad over the weekend that I felt like I was sort of struggling for air. On Sunday morning I woke Justin up {after coughing, wheezing, barking like a seal, and feeling like I was gasping for air} and told him I needed to see a doctor. He knows when I ask to see a doctor I probably need to see a doctor. And I knew I couldn’t wait until Monday, so he called our close friends to come over and watch the kids and he took me to a local walk-in clinic {that thankfully has Sunday hours}. At this point all I needed and wanted was relief and I was so thankful to be taken serious when seen by the doctor. He immediately gave me a shot of epinephrine followed by an epinephrine breathing treatment that worked really well together to open my swollen my airway and I could finally take a breath and it actually felt like the air made it to my lungs. After I was breathing better I received a shot of pain killer, a couple throat swabs, neck/throat xrays, nasal swabs, and blood work. The doctor was convinced I have Pertussis {aka Whooping Cough} but the cultures have all been sent off to the CDC for the complete diagnosis. And I was sent home 3 hours later with loads of medicine to get me on the road to recovery! My kids have thankfully all been vaccinated for Pertussis and we are taking other precautions to protect them and Justin from it. I wouldn’t wish it on any other soul. I basically felt like and sounded like I had a bad case of croup with a sore throat from hell… although adults don’t get croup… they apparently can get Pertussis, even if you’ve been vaccinated!
I’m so thankful for modern medicine. I don’t know if any of you have ever had the frightful feeling of not being able to breathe but the minute that epinephrine started working I thanked the Lord for medicine. I’m also thankful the Lord’s plans are greater than our own… Justin was supposed to leave last week for 7 straight days at the Gulf Coast doing archaeological monitoring in the oil recovery efforts and we were both disappointed that it was postponed but when all of this came about we were so thankful that he was here with me this weekend. I am trying to rest as best I can with little ones who are very curious as to why I’m in bed. Rover brought all his animals and books to join me and I couldn’t resist letting him in for a few minutes.
Isn’t he a big boy? Mom helped me with the treacherous job of cutting his hair before she left. He turns 2 in a couple days and I honestly can’t believe it. I feel like my little man was just born a few months ago.
Ok, I’m hoping to catch a few quick zzzz’s before Rover wakes up from his nap! Thank you for your prayers for a quick recovery and for protection for Justin and the kids!!
ps- I’m behind on my emails… thanks for your patience!
And… last but not least, I feel the need to share this hilarity with you! I hope it cracks you up because it sure makes me feel better. I shared it with my cousins and now my inbox is full of ugly faces from them… gotta love family!
{video embedded}
grace
June 28, 2010 at 3:46 pmgoodness my dear! talk about a whirlwind of events. i had a pertussis scare too recently, but thankfully it was not that. i hope you are able to catch up on your zzz’s and be back on your two feet soon!!! xo grace
Jen
June 28, 2010 at 3:54 pmDid you know there’s an outbreak of whooping cough in California right now. Maybe you sat by someone on the plane?
Rhonda
June 28, 2010 at 3:56 pmOh My STARS!!! Bless your soul!! (there is supposedly an “outbreak” of pertussis in california…but that is on the opposite side of the world from where you were!
Hoping that it is not pertussis, and that you feel better SOON!! (and next time, love, go to the doctor sooner- those sweet babies depend on you, ya know! tsk, tsk…) Rest and feel better soon!
Cat Moore
June 28, 2010 at 4:02 pmI’m so sorry to hear that! Yes, thank the LORD for medicine and for the smart people that discover and make it! (they are up there with the “thank you for inventing the epidural” doctors). 🙂 Loved this post and thank you for posting while sick. You need to be resting!!!! And, I’ve heard that pertussis is horrible and you really cant’ get air. So terrible. Will be praying for you!!!
Kathy
June 28, 2010 at 4:05 pmOh, my goodness! I sure hope you can rest and get to feeling like yourself. I put off taking myself to the doctor, too. So glad your husband was home to be with you. I made your Striped Delight dessert recently and my family was crazy for it!
Cat Moore
June 28, 2010 at 4:06 pmok, just watched the ugly face thing and let’s just say i laughed so hard i woke my 9 month old up! HA! (and spit diet coke on my keyboard…thanks darbs!) 🙂
Dianne
June 28, 2010 at 4:07 pmPraying for your good health sweet Darby!
chris
June 28, 2010 at 4:23 pmSorry to hear you have whooping cough , it is making a real comeback with people over 30 around these parts too , and the vaccine isn’t fool proof, my brother got whooping cough from his vaccine as a child , not supposed to happen right! my sil had the whooping cough last year at 40 and had to take months off of work {she’s a teacher} it is a scary thing to get , I wish you well and a speedy recovery, just another hundred days or so .
Cath
June 28, 2010 at 4:31 pmYIKES Darby if nothing else, take it easy.
Whooping cough has been reported in a few places, however there is a nasty virus (unrelated to pertussis) going around that absolutely takes your breath away which is what most people have had in our area.
I was a die-hard Palm Treo user. A friend made a deal, if I bought the iphone and didn’t like it by the end of the week, he’d buy it back. NOT ON YOUR LIFE, the iphone won me over by the end of day 1.
Feel better soon.
Susan
June 28, 2010 at 4:45 pmBless your heart! Please take care of yourself. Pertussis does not need to be taken lightly. Even if it isn’t pertussis (I certainly hope it isn’t), your body needs rest in order to heal. I realize this is very difficult with little ones. You are definitely in my prayers. Feel better soon.
Dianne
June 28, 2010 at 4:53 pmI had pertussis once in college, thankfully. and by thankfully, i mean before i had kids. there is NO WAY i would have been able to be a mommy, wife and be that sick all at the same time! hope that you get well soon 🙂
Chrissy
June 28, 2010 at 5:10 pmWow! I hope you feel better quickly!!!!!! It sounds awful.
(And the iPhone?? AMAZING! LOVE, LOVE, LOVE my phone. It has become a huge help for our whole family. My hubby is constantly turning to me to find something on it while we are out and about! It’s like walking around with a computer in your hand.)
Kasey
June 28, 2010 at 5:10 pmThat video is great!
I’m glad you are feeling better! Sounds like you’ve had a rough couple of days.
Chrissy
June 28, 2010 at 5:12 pmThe Ugly Face video is hilarious! I’m still laughing. Thanks for sharing.
cousin
June 28, 2010 at 5:44 pmI had a blast making those faces today. Derick had some good ones:) I’m so sorry you’re so sick! That’s horrible! Hopefully you’ll feel better soon! Love you!! XO
Courtney at Scattering Lupines
June 28, 2010 at 5:48 pmOMIGOSH THAT’S ME ON THE GROCERY AISLE!!
(Ha! Just kidding 🙂
Shannon
June 28, 2010 at 6:13 pmI do hope you feel better. Fortunately an adult vaccine for pertussis is available. Your husband should get it and you should get it too in the future (it won’t help when you are sick). It is called “Tdap” The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that all new moms and dads get it because infants do not have sufficient immunity to pertussis until they are 12 months old. Best wishes for a speedy recovery.
Kristen
June 28, 2010 at 6:13 pmDarby I am so sorry you have been so sick! Goodness! Glad you are feeling better and will say prayers for all of you. That video is hilarious…just sitting her in the den laughing out loud like a complete idiot!
Jen
June 28, 2010 at 6:15 pmDarby,
I am so sorry you have that. I saw where there was an outbreak in CA of the whooping cough. I got vaccinated about 2 months ago because I have a baby. It was in with the tetanus shot.
I hope you feel better. So thankful your husband didn’t have to leave. The Lord’s timing. So perfect!
alison g. (brazil)
June 28, 2010 at 6:52 pmUgh! That sounds truly awful. Sending thoughts and prayers that you’re 100% very soon, and that all the rovers stay cootie-free!
Jennifer
June 28, 2010 at 7:15 pmYuck! Nothing like jet lag AND whooping cough. Hang in there and I’ll say a little prayer for the rovers:)
Molly
June 28, 2010 at 7:38 pmOh, Darby! I had no idea what the signs/symptoms of Pertussis were, but I knew that people our age were no longer immune. My Ob/Gyn strongly encouraged me to get vaccinated after I had my baby. She has seen too many babies in the ICU after contracting it from their parents or grandparents. It sounds like it is just plain awful even as a adult, but can be deadly for newborns. The vaccine – called DTAP – is for Diphtheria, Tetanus, and Pertussis. All adults should get it!! Feel better soon!
beki
June 28, 2010 at 8:56 pmOh my goodness, Darby! I hope you feel better soon!
Amanda @ Serenity Now
June 28, 2010 at 9:01 pmHope you are on the mend soon, Darby! I am envious of your iPhone!!
erika (mommasis)
June 28, 2010 at 9:30 pmi am real sorry about your whooping cough. i love you and am praying for you!!!!
Christina@Lessons of a Newlywed
June 28, 2010 at 9:38 pmPraying for a speedy recovery.
p.S. I’m super jealous of your iPhone!
Lisa
June 28, 2010 at 10:06 pmOh my goodness, this illness that you’ve had sounds exactly like the one that several of my friends and I have had all the way up here in Maryland. My throat hurt so much I felt like I had swallowed glass! I had to resort to codeine for the pain and then the coughing came. My entire body hurt from coughing so hard. My husband, who could sleep through an earthquake couldn’t sleep through my coughing. I tell you all of this so that I can say “I know how you feel and I am very, very sorry because no one should feel this badly!” Get better soon! I am mid-week through week two – my doctor said expect it to last two weeks.
Stephanie
June 28, 2010 at 10:16 pmI heard this weird story on the radio from researchers about how common it is for Americans to get sick on vacation or right after… some weird statistic about how we work too much and don’t know how to relax??? I totally believe it in your case! You are amazing and do-it-all… I’m sure your immune system just doesn’t know what to do with a vacation!!! Hope you’re feeling better =)
Lindsey
June 28, 2010 at 10:21 pmOh D, so sorry about this! I am shocked that it’s Pertussis, but there has been a resurgence in it recently. So glad the kids are vaccinated. Wish we there to help!!! Love you and praying for you. May be headed your way at the end of next week. Would love to see all of you if you’re feeling up to it!
Talysa
June 28, 2010 at 11:13 pmMy neighbor just dropped off ice cream for my daughter today (braces) and mentioned that she is about to fly to CA to see her first grandbaby but that she had to get a whooping cough shot because there is a big outbreak there. Amazing.
I am so thankful that you feel better. Rest and let your body heal.
You will be in my prayers.
Lauren
June 28, 2010 at 11:39 pmScary! Hope you get to feeling better! That is not fun! I have never had anything like that, but my 11 months old had RSV back in January when he was only 5 months old and that was scary enough for me! Be careful and take care of your littles! Oh, and the video – too funny!
Katherine @ Grass Stains
June 28, 2010 at 11:47 pmI just laughed so hard I wet my pants on the couch. Niiiice. So thanks for that. Also, welcome back and I’m so sorry you’re still sick! I know others have warned you about the dangers of pertussis, so I won’t. I will just pray that you are better and that the Lord protects your precious family! And lastly, do you have a place you go where when you pull in the driveway you just exhale and relax, because it’s safe there and it’s quiet and it’s just everything you love all rolled up into one place? The lake or the farm or wherever? I have two physical places like that … my grandmother’s house and our best friends’ lake house. But I just wanted to tell you that in a virtual sense, I feel that way about your blog. It’s a haven on the Internet to me; whenever you post something new, it just makes me stop for a minute, exhale and enjoy it. I usually read it and look at the pictures twice (even from a cameraphone)! So thank you so much for being who you are and for sharing a portion of your family’s life with all of us.
Joy
June 29, 2010 at 12:12 amhope you are feeling better soon.
allison
June 29, 2010 at 4:40 amThat’s scary…so many people are not vaxing their kids these days…not smart (JMO, of course, I know vaxing is a touchy subject!)
Hope you feel better soon:)
Allison
Shireen
June 29, 2010 at 4:55 amWhat a story! Well, you’ve answered my question on my last FB email. So, don’t respond. I know you’re super busy and catching up on energy, wellness and life. Just a quick note to tell you that I am with you…praising the Lord for meds, ESP when we need them! Way to hang in there! I’m on an antibiotic since yesterday and hoping for continued relief from this sinus infection as it clears up. Rhys is looking like he’s on the road to recovery, too. Took him to a ped yesterday and NO ear infections! PTL!!! Happy b’day to John Martin!!! And I’m SO thankful for you all that Justin’s in town! That means the WORLD to me when I’m feeling sickly to have Russell’s help and companionship!
Jennifer
June 29, 2010 at 6:38 amHope you’re feeling better Darby.
That video is something else! 🙂 Hilarious!!!!
Laura
June 29, 2010 at 7:00 amBless your heart! Hope you feel better soon! Guess I’ve been living under a rock or something because I didn’t know there had been outbreaks of whopping cough in areas of the country or that adults could get it. Hope your little ones and Justin stay well!
Michelle
June 29, 2010 at 8:14 amFeel better Darby!! I’m keeping you in my thoughts
Heather
June 29, 2010 at 9:09 amI had whooping cough a few years ago…despite being vaccinated as a child. It’s miserable, but it sounds like your family is taking great care of you. Hope you’re feeling better soon! Given the increasing number of young adults with pertussis, the CDC is now recommending a pertussis booster shot for teens and young adults.
Jennifer
June 29, 2010 at 11:04 amgoodness gracious!! i had no idea you could get that as an adult; especially a vaccinated one! i’m usually one for homeopathic *everything*, but I tell you, I thank the good Lord for meds when I really need them and nothing else will do! hope you are feeling better very, very soon!
Stephanie
June 29, 2010 at 11:29 amLiterally 5 minutes after I read your post, I saw this article on our local news web site: https://www.wral.com/lifestyles/healthteam/story/7867159/. Thank goodness all your babies have their vaccines.
Feel better soon!
Nelle
June 29, 2010 at 11:32 amEeek…prayers for a full and fast recovery. So glad you are back.
allison
June 29, 2010 at 11:37 amJust an FYI, vaccinations don’t last a lifetime, that is why there are updates and boosters…as a teacher I had to have updates on some of my vaccines…glad I did especially with new babies all around our family.
Allison
Leah
June 29, 2010 at 12:02 pmOh man…I had one of those whooping cough nose swabs done a couple years ago. THEY ARE HORRIBLE! It was done at the ER and I didn’t realize he Dr was gonna shove that thing up my brain! I cried. I don’t wish that on anyone. Hopefully yours wasn’t that bad.
Margaret
June 29, 2010 at 1:15 pmI’m so sorry that you have whooping cough! That sounds horrible! Hope you feel better soon! Thanks for sharing the ugly face video—I was dying laughing!!!! HILARIOUS!!!!! 🙂
kelly
June 29, 2010 at 2:11 pmHang in there and I hope you feel better soon. I really want to make some popsicles with my son this summer — thanks for the inspiration!
http://www.kellyloves.wordpress.com
Sarah
June 29, 2010 at 4:54 pmI hope you feel better soon. What a rough cold to get. I didn’t realize adults could get whooping cough, good to know. Take Care of you lady.
iphone’s are addicting so enjoy!
shannon
June 29, 2010 at 7:04 pmoh darby! i’m praying for you! my best friend has whooping cough and just can’t seem to shake it. i’ll have to tell her what the dr. gave you. i’m in california and it seems everyone has it! scary! praying for God’s healing touch upon you!
:o) mg
June 29, 2010 at 8:36 pmFollow the “links” … you have to see that guy’s other videos… oh man, I nearly wet my pants laughing. The “Swollen” video – I nearly needed an inhaler after that one. It had me wheezing!!
oh yeah, speaking of wheezing… that mess is going around here, too. Be well. xoxo
Patchi (Trendy Peas)
June 29, 2010 at 10:06 pmOh Darby,
I hope you feel better.
I am here at my home melting because our AC just broke.
Since I can’t sleep, I decided to browse my favorite blogs, and that video just made me laugh so much and totally changed my mood.
Thank you so much for that!
I wish you well…
Karen
June 30, 2010 at 11:09 amDarby, I hope you feel better soon and are not out of comission for too long!
mary katharine
June 30, 2010 at 2:22 pmHope you are feeling better! I really actually like the images from the iphone … I sort of feel like I’m looking through a t.v. screen or something. They look so “live” yet they are not. Happy you got one … for free:) and if you come across any other friends giving theirs away, let me know! I think I am now officially the last woman standing without one!!
Melanie Gore
June 30, 2010 at 10:20 pmTake care of yourself. Rest. Let everything go and concentrate on yourself.
Hope you feel better soon.
kathleen
July 1, 2010 at 7:56 amMay you have a speedy recovery. How odd as a world traveler one must be up to date with immunizations even updated ones especially tetanus something that one should be re vaccinated for every ten years I think. yes the tetanus shot is a combo includes pertussis antibodies too. The fact you told your doctor you returned from overseas etc surely helped him zero in on the proper treatments necessary. Is it not true we are more susceptible to “bugs” when we are not well rested and are bodies resistance is lower than usual… Oh getting back to my original thought — if you were vaccinated perhaps this strain is different — remember that situation with an air line passenger they tracked down thinking he exposed people to some disease. Well should we wear masks when on international flights? Also did our doctors ees light up because perhaps our tissue sample will enter the body of medical science to develop a more effective vaccine. I hope the doctors in the trenches are able to contribute to the body of science we know as modern medicine it could not be modern unless is dealing with the issues of Today. Also Darby thank you for giving the blog-o-sphere a heads up on international travel, vaccinations and tips on when to go to the doctor — don’t be crawling to the doctor Stay healthy.
chris
July 1, 2010 at 10:37 amA few years ago the boy two doors down had whooping cough. My husband had it also about five years ago. Sheer hell for three months. There is no medicine to take for it, but Zithromax will prevent its spread, if you take it early enough in the disease. Whenever you get your tetanus booster, it comes with whooping cough but you have to make sure you ask for it. Kids at my children’s school come down with this and other nasty diseases but unfortunately, the “granola parents” who don’t believe in immunizations, are to blame.
Pru
July 2, 2010 at 2:35 amOh my dear Darby,
I hope you are continuing to get better and that the girls and Rover are taking good care of you.
jackie
July 2, 2010 at 7:26 amSo glad they pin pointed your problem and have you on the road to recovery. Jackie
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