Deil Niamond

About a month and a half ago my father, crazy Richard, called me squealing with excitement that he had purchased 6 tickets to see Neil Diamond. Our family, every-single-one-of-us, loves Neil. I know, weird. So, I was so excited, "you got two for Aaron and me, right?" He assured me he did, and that was that.

A few days later, I asked "Where is the concert?" When he tells me it's at the Rochester Opera House I was a bit alarmed. Rochester is the armpit of New Hampshire and the ROH is a hole in the wall theater. Seriously, what is Neil going there for? Is he on his last leg and only doing small venues? When my dad said it was for charity, that sort of cleared it up for me.

A few day's after that my dad calls me again, "Um, about those tickets, it's well, not exactly Neil Diamond, it's an impersonator." I wasn't surprised by this point. I had grown to suspect it due to the reaction of got from everyone I told; "Neil is going to be in... Rochester?" So, I know Rochester (or Crotchester as I lovingly refer to it) has a reputation, I grew up there, but I didn't know everyone thought so poorly of it. Come on people it does have some redeeming qualities, I'll get back to you on those as soon as I think of them.

I figured I would go anyway. Hey, it's something to do right? Plus it would make my dad really happy. Unfortunately, I came down with the flu the night of the concert. Well, I didn't get the flu, I was already sick when I went to get my flu shot on Friday morning. Stupid, stupid, stupid.

Nurse: (prior to injection) You don't have a cold, flu or fever do you?

Jessi: (Liar) Nope.

6 hours later, on the way to "Deil Niamond" on the phone with my mom, the nurse.

Mom: Why did you lie!? They ask you that for a reason, you are going to get really sick!!!

Jessi: I don't know, I didn't want to have to reschedule and I am really sick!

Mom: Well, snuggle in tonight, drink some tea, is Aaron taking good care of you? (she can be warm and fuzzy, sometimes)

Jessi: I can't. I'm on my way to the fake Neil..

Mom: What? Fake? I thought you were going to see Neil...

Jessi: (Cutting Mom off) Dad bought impostor tick...

Mom: (Bursts of laughter) hahaha... Rochester... hahah...fake...that is so your fath...hehehe hahaha wahhhhhahhahah!

Jessi: Goodbye, Mom!

Mom: hahahahahahahahah hehehe hehehehe hahahah!!!

I have to say the concert was amazing. While I was there, I temporarily forgot I was so sick. The guy looked sorta like Neil, but sounded exactly like him. When the first few notes of his first song started playing I completely forgot he was fake... and he even sang my all time favorite Neil song, I am I said. It really was a great time...

Until the car ride home when I remembered I was sick...

My fever was 102.7 when I got back to Concord.

Aaron: (when we got home, pointing toward the bathroom) Straight into a warm shower young lady.

Booo! Sick all weekend, but so worth it. Love you Deil Niamond!

Update!

So, I have an appointment scheduled to see an allergist on 11/11 at 11:o0... That was the soonest they could get me in. I know, I should have brought the machete... damn it! I guess, until then, I will just continue to annoy the shit out of Aaron by blowing my nose all through the night. Who needs sleep anyway?

DONE!

That title scared you didn't it?
hehehe.

Well, I am done. I'm making an appointment, as soon as my doctor's office opens, to see an allergist.

Yesterday, I got to work at 5:44 am and didn't walk though the door of my apartment until 8:07 pm. That's right folks, you do the math; I worked 14 hours yesterday! That's insane. I had to be up at 4:00 am!! Why did I do this, you ask? Well, it's Red Ribbon Week and I attended a breakfast/conference yesterday morning. I have about a 25 minute drive to the office, I couldn't sleep, and had to meet my co-workers there at 6:30 am for a 7:00 am breakfast anyway so I just went in a little earlier (and made ribbons with fabric and red glitter paint for all my co-workers... they are actually beautiful!)

Why couldn't I sleep? Well for the same reason I couldn't sleep last night, after working 14 hours- of course it's because I like to be up at 2:00 am wiping the snot off my face and pillow. So enjoyable. I have to go get my flu shot tomorrow and I'm very tempted to barge into the office of the attending allergist yelling, with a machete in my hands, "Well you see, doc, I was in the area getting a flu shot so I figured I would save you the trouble of scheduling me an appointment for 2 months from now, I've done the research and a person can only live about 11 days without sleep and I'm pretty desperate creeping up on day 8, so what'dya say, can ya fit me in Doc?" All said with luggage beneath my eyes and a serial killer smile on my face driven insane by full upper-body hives.

Seriously, I worked 14 hours yesterday, 11 the day before, and 9.5 on Monday all because I am so uncomfortable when I lay down. Work is my only solution. I hate leaving our dogs but Aaron is already at work, which leaves me home with the TV and I hate TV. I suppose I could read, I did just get Stephanie Meyer's new book, The Host. Listen to me, I sound like I'm on crack!

Let's change the subject.

I apologize that I neglected to post a Oui (which should, grammatically, be "an Oui" because of the vowel, but I like "a Oui" better so there. I acknowledge the error, but it's on purpose [I really feel like I am on crack, although I've never tried it, but I do know the signs and symptoms]) Really, though, you all understand why there wasn't a "Oui", right?

That's it, where's my phone?

What's up Doc?

For as long as I can remember I have been stricken with allergies. As I have heard it, apparently, the body is supposed to regenerate itself and change every seven years. While I have become healthier in some aspects, it seems I keep adding new allergies to my existing ones.

When I was little I was affected by things like pollen, flowers, dust, and typical hay-fever. When I grew a little older it became some metals like nickel and pewter; then cats and dogs and Dove soap and Aveeno lotion, and everything else. Now there seems to be something else that I am allergic to and I can't put my finger on it.

Last week, after waking up almost every night for two months with snot running down my face because I was so clogged up, (and at Aaron's *gentle* urging "For Christ's sake, go get yourself checked out so I can sleep!") I finally went to see my doctor.

My Doctor, oh my doctor. His name is Hongbao Ma, or 'Dr. Ma.' So far, I've liked Dr. Ma; he seems to be a very good doctor with only two downfalls. He speaks BROKEN English and, although he seems fairly young, he appears to have a poor memory as evidenced by him introducing himself every time we meet and informing me that it's nice to meet me.

Well, last week, he pissed me off and I am at my wits end!! I made the appointment and went in; the scenario when like this:

Dr: Hih Jes-ka, nice mee youah, I'm H(popping sound/unintelligible first name) Ma. (Hi Jessica, it's nice to meet you, I'm Hongbao Ma.)
J: Hi Dr. Ma, it's nice to SEE you again.
Dr: Wha bringy heeah? (What brings you here?)
J: I have really bad allergies that seem to be getting worse. I don't think my medication is working. I have been on it so long, can I get used to it? Does a body do that?
Dr: Youah sneeze?
J: (sigh) Yes.
Dr: Youah weeze?
J: (impatient) Yes.
Dr: Youah noo wunny? (Is your nose runny? OR- {Do you know how to play rummy} [?])
J: YES! (to both actually)
Dr: [Pulling out a pointy thing to stick in my ears] Ooh, oohkay, lemmee tack luuk. (Okay, lets have a looksie)
Dr: Youah ear foo snah!!! (Your ears are full of snot!!! {Or do you hear that futon?} not sure which [?])
J: (Ashamed/whisper) Yes.
Dr: (Moving to shove instrument up my nasal cavity) Oohh, youah noo cwogged up tie (Wow what'd ya know, your nose is also clogged! -OR- {Have you read any novels by John Updike [?])
J: (head bowed) Yes.
Dr: (In an excited tone) Jes-ka youah haah awwergy!!! (Jessica, brace yourself, I have some bad news. You suffer from severe allergies which do extensive damage to your quality of life)

Seriously? I left the office to go to the pharmacy for Nasonex nasal spray and Claritin (over-the- counter) "wiitoutahad" (Yeah, that took me a few times too. He wanted me to buy Claritin with out the D, so, NOT Claritin-D) I did, knowing it probably wouldn't work because I was switching from 180 mg of prescribed medication to over-the-counter 10 mg pills.

Sure enough I got worse... see my hives??? All over my body!!!



I call back and I'm told "Jes-ka, youha knee see awergest" So either my knee is their guest, or I'm guessing I need to make an appointment with an allergist.

Sick & Tired of being Sick & Tired

I have been terribly sick, on and off, since Washington. I started to get a sore throat in D.C, and haven't really stopped to rest since I got home. Thus, I am behind in my blogging and was forced to leave work early today.

I tried to go in to take care of a few things, but after 5 hours my boss insisted I leave. I don't think she could stand the sound of my scratchy voice for a minute more, as I was trying to carry on "business as usual" through coughing fits, nose blowing, and a whispery scratch of a voice. So, here I am, pondering some updates (although, I did bring home some work- shhhh! hehehe) and I realize I also need to get you all caught up to speed, as I have neglected our blog in my lapse of health.

I will be writing several updates today, but I'm not sure if I will post them all at once. Perhaps I will do it a day at a time (just to keep you in suspense.)

One of my best friends, Alli, called me yesterday and she said, "Are you sick again?" I said, "Yep." and she said, "Haven't you been sick since, like, 1904?" and I replied, "pretty much."

I couldn't, for the life of me, figure out why I have been getting so sick this year. I got my flu shot, and I am pretty healthy; eat healthy, work out, try to get sleep...then it occurred to me... somewhere, in the United States, a 20-year-old girl is using my immune system to fight cancer.

Well worth having a porcupine in my throat, wouldn't ya say?

Taken in Washington DC, Tuesday night.

I have mentioned, several times before, that I am fiercely independent. I work, no matter how yucky I feel, but when I am at home sick, you might as well get me a little bell because it is the only time I allow anyone to fawn over me and I eat it up by the spoonful. I watch "sick movies" (movies I watch when sick: Overboard, Dirty Dancing, Long Kiss Goodnight, and Beetlejuice) and I eat hundreds of orange Popsicles. Not red, or blue or purple, they have to be orange, and for some odd reason I like it when people talk baby talk to me when I'm ill.

Weird and diagnostic. Hmm, perhaps there is something there? Now I am going to psychoanalyze myself. ;)

Aaron, just called to check on me (he is doing yardwork at this Grandmother's house in Manchester.)

J: Hello? (Barely a whisper.)

A: Baby? Oh my God! How are you, Baby?

J: Okay (meekly, feebly, and milking it for every penny, as I write a progress note on a client I just saw)

A: Well, I will be home soon to take care of you. Did you put in a "sick movie?"

J: Not yet, but I'm going to.

A: Okay, Princess, I love you and I will be home very, very soon. Do you need anything? Orange Popsicles, soup, anything?

J: No, I'm okay. (just a spoiled brat.)

Montreal- Day 2

So, we woke up early and decided to go get a bite to eat and see what Montreal had to offer. We walked many miles, but started off downtown on St. Catherine's street (the most popular street in Montreal.) St. Catherine's Street is lined with architecturally beautiful buildings, churches, couture stores (like Louis Vuitton), and strip clubs.

Our morning began at Van Houtte, a sweet French Cafe, where I got a raspberry chocolate bread and Aaron got a croissant. One thing I loved about Montreal was most of the buildings were brick/cobblestone inside and out. Outside the window of the cafe, as you can see, was quite the view :)

After eating, we ventured down to the "old down town" of Montreal. We visited the Notre Dame Church and The Palace De Armes, which are both rich with history. They offered us horse drawn buggy to explore, but I would have rather been able to move around freely to inspect my surroundings.

Notre Dame

Hotel DeVille

I took this picture to illustrate some of the beautiful architecture of Montreal.

By this time we were getting hungry because in Montreal you either walk or take the metro. We did both but it seems more walking than Metro because it was about $5 (CAD) to take the metro. As we headed back in the direction of our hotel, we ran into a cute little diner called McGill's. We stopped in for a bite to eat. Our waitress was HORRIBLE. She was on old hag that seemed annoyed that we didn't speak French. I ordered a burger club and Aaron, poor thing, thought that the Mexican burger sounded good. When our meals came out mine was great Aaron's, however, looked more like a piece of beef with Chef Boyardee slapped all over it. Unfortunately the service was poor so we ate and left promptly.

We continued down to our part of the city, via China Town. It was a very cute part of Montreal with little Asian shops filled floor to ceiling. It seemed like a completely different "city" within the city.

Aaron took me down to China Town.

Once we got home Aaron said he wanted to rest. We had been up since a pretty early hour and done quite a bit of walking. He laid his head on the pillow and then immediately darted to the bathroom, where he stayed for the rest of the night not able to keep a drop of liquid down.

**As an aside: We, at first, suspected he had food poisoning from McGill's. However now that I came down, days later, with what he got we know it was just a bug. He was such a trooper. When I am sick, I like to be at home in MY bed. I can't imagine being as sick as he was in a hotel room, in a new city, in another country!**

Aaron stayed in the hotel room for the rest of the night, but I took the opportunity to go out on the town to visit some of the shops. I ate in the hotel restaurant having the best french onion soup of my life. I had to dine alone, so the Maitradee sat down with me and spoke of Montreal and all it's offerings. He told me about it's history, the best time to visit (summer), the must-see's, and that Montreal is actually an island (surrounded by the St. Lawrence River). Who knew? He was such a sweet old gentleman and I much enjoyed his conversation, knowledge, and company. Once I returned, (the Maitradee packed up a meal for Aaron free of charge), I laid in bed and watched TV until I fell asleep.

So concluded Montreal Day 2.

Stay tuned for Montreal Day 3! It does get better ;)

Yuck!

So the last update provided by Aaron listed me as feeling better. This is true to some extent. I feel better ie., no more vomiting, dry-heaving, or frequenting the bathroom. But, now, I just feel like trash; yucky, nasty, achy, vile, disgusting, empty, and head achy. As you can see, my diet is still very weak (I know, I shouldn't be having the coffee, but I have to have it!)

I was able to go to work last night for a few hours. I showed up around 3 and left at about 8. I'm glad I went in because I had 19 messages to return, ending up running my group (Intensive Out-Patient w/substance addicted teens) and had to (unfortunately) do a suicide contract with one of my clients. I really should not have gone in because I think it set me back, but someone else had to run my group in my absence, and I hate that. I trust who was doing it *completely* and know that person is more than capable, therapeutic, effective, intelligent, and amazing. However, it is my group, I admit that I am a little territorial about it, and firmly believe in maintaining consistency for my kids.

I think I will venture in for a few hours today, at some point. I love the flexibility of my schedule. My supervisor is fabulous and very understanding (I have been in for 5 hours in the last 2 weeks) however, I need to get well because having a therapist who is "not in" because of illness or vacation, isn't 'best practice' for clients in need.

I made an appointment for "the works" at my salon today at 4. It's just what I need for a little pick-me-up. Sue; my ex-boss, current stylist, salon-owner, and one of my best friends, always makes me beautiful. Hopefully that will relax me and give me a boost to get over this yucky, yucky bug.

PS. I do promise to finish updating with pictures and posts from Montreal.

An Update on the Oui.

Jessi is still sick but is looking better, though she never looked bad to begin with. She is more talkative then when I got home from work. She slept most of the day and her body is still aching. But, she is still as stubborn as she ever was and is not letting me do a thing for her.
Rocko, the sexy cat, has not left her side and is becoming territorial. That cat loves her and Jessi is pointing that out as often as she can. So my love is looking better and will be filling these pages with wonderful posts shortly.
For the sake of the blog she better.

Wednesday, Oui? Kind of.

We almost didn't have a "Oui" posting. I woke up around 1am and threw up the lovely New Year's dinner we had. I haven't been able to keep anything down since, and I had to call into to work; and I never call in.

Aaron had to work, so here I am with my bucket. I needed ginger ale, but there was no way I could leave the house. So I called one of my best friends who was on her way to the spa to get a facial. She turned around, went to the store, and came to my infected house to take care of me.

Is that "Oui worthy" or what? This is one of the reason I love my "Oui day", as do my readers. Even in the darkest of moments there is a silver lining.

Thank you Coreen. I heart you!