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My wife is so tough and heroic that I often forget that she is also human and suffers like the rest of us. Yesterday she suffered a migraine that shut her down completely. It was so bad that she called me in tears to come home while she went to see a doctor. I can not recall the last time I have heard her in this much physical pain. In moments like these, I become panicked and rush around like a chicken with my head cut off. The two of us have a tendency to put off our own ailments and tough it out. Personally, I feel like we deal with enough medicine in our house that I hate being the patient.

Of course, I hated being sick as a child. This most likely has something to do with my mother being a nurse and the horror stories she would tell of from the E.R. But, that, as they say, is a another story (for a different type of doctor).

Coincidentally, I spent the morning at the doctor's myself, having some areas on my feet inspected. Turns out I have a condition called vitiligo.

Hey Scott! What is vitiligo?

Glad you asked.

Vitiligo (vit-ill-EYE-go) is a disorder in which white patches of skin appear on different parts of the body. This happens because the cells that make pigment (color) in the skin are destroyed. These cells are called melanocytes (ma-LAN-o-sites). Vitiligo can also affect the mucous membranes (such as the tissue inside the mouth and nose) and the eye.

Of course, I pulled that information from a website and just reading it made me nauseous. And that's another reason I hate going to the doctor. When someone actually explains what's wrong with me, I want to puke in the closest trash can.

Vitiligo, by the way, is the condition that Michael Jackson had that cause him to bleach his skin.

This has been a tough week. Jake was sick on Monday (getting over a weekend cold) and then he was diagnosed with an ear infection on Wednesday. Sophie felt queasy earlier this week, too. Must be something in the air. Or our house. My imagination is going wild.

Still, we pulled it out. We Malchi are pretty tough. And the woman who heads the household is the toughest one of us all. I have said many times that I do not know where she finds the strength to juggle all of her volunteer activities as well as handle all of Jake's medical issues. On top of that, she is great in helping with the homework (as I found out yesterday. Damn, did I feel like an idiot). I hate when Jules is sick or suffering. I am relieved and happy that she's feeling better.

Aloha

Comments

Ted said…
Good lord Scott! That's a whole lotta sick going on in your household. Hang in there!
Stacie said…
Hey Scott-
Tell Julie I too get those darn headaches that shut you down.
I have a pretty good cure. Well not a cure but a way to handle them without going tooo crazy.
First take pain medicine (tylenol) then some medicine with a decongestant in it. Then as hard as this part is... EAT something with high protein( I never want to eat when I have one of those headaches that hurt you to talk or open your eyes, But trust me its important). Then lay down in bed and close your eyes. Yes your head will pound and I swear I thought my brain was going to burst out of my ears, but if you can find your way to visualize a peaceful place. I make myself think about laying on a deserted beach and try to imagine feeling the warmth of the sun and the sound of the waves(ok just use that lamaze stuff if you have to!). Then hopefully in an hour or so you will feel better! I personally think its our bodies way of saying "Hey Super mom lady, you need a break!"
Hope everyone is feeling better today!
Stacie said…
Ohh I forgot to say...Scott please dont make yourself look like Michael Jackson!!!!!! Sorry to hear about your feet though!

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