I, for one, have truly enjoyed a “normal” week again.  We all went through our own “re-entry” phase when we got back from our trip.  With all the illness gone, Alan returning to work, the kids back to school, and I have the daycare up and running again….we all feel renewed.  Larkin has had a little trouble reacclimating to school but that’s because he was gone for two weeks.  He’s feeling the pressure of missing so much school work.  Erin’s preschool is doing a fundraiser where we can purchase greeting cards with the student’s artwork.  Erin made a snowman for her card.  It’s so cute!  She sort of got the snowman assembled correctly.  Family and friends can expect a holiday card from us that displays her artwork.  Such a good idea!!!

Sadly Erin is STILL struggling with this flare-up.  It started at the end of our trip back east and it hasn’t let up.  I have said this before and I’ll say it again, thank God for Naproxen.  Thirty minutes after we give her the medication, she’s back to her old self.  The meds are keeping the swelling under control somewhat, but she still feels absolutely miserable when they wear off.

Washington state just passed a proposition for legal use of marijuana but only if the patient has less than six months to live.  I am not an advocate of using illegal drugs by all means.  Although the legalization of marijuana had sparked a heated conversation with the FOPonline folks.  I can only imagine the pain FOPers deal with.  Everyone has their breaking point.  I do think it’s essential that patients that live with chronic pain should be allowed accessibility to have options for pain management.  Erin has been able to communicate fairly well to Alan and I when she is in pain.  Only the other day she was extremely whiny and she eventually told us her elbow hurt.  We jumped on it so quick.  I dread the day her elbows lock up.  There was no swelling in the elbow so I continued with the Naproxen.   I know she’s been in pain these last few weeks.  She’s been super cranky!  I was gone for several hours this morning before she woke up.  When she realized I was gone, she cried for 30 minutes screaming for me.  Alan had to take her in the shower to calm her down.  One day, I know, she’ll be better in communicating her pain to us.  Until then all we can go on is her actions.