Emergency Room Visit

Thankfully, it's nothing serious (that we know of, yet).

The girls spent Wednesday - Friday with my mom, since both Steve and I had to work and camp didn't start until this week.

Steve picked them up after work, around 8pm and they got home right before 9pm. I asked Ava to come give me a hug and immediately Steve said "she wants prednisone" - HUH? That's quite the request. What's going on?

I took one look at her face and realized it was red, puffy and looked rough.

I said ok - let's start with Benadryl and let's hop in the shower and change clothes, etc.

She goes upstairs to the bathroom and I am helping her undress - and I see that her entire lower abdomen area is completely raw. Like 2nd or maybe even 3rd degree burn - looking. NOT burns, but peeling like that. Like she had rubbed it RAW. 

She even gasped and said "I didn't know it was that bad!" and hopped in the shower.

I made the call to go to the ER. Something wasn't right.

She got cleaned up and we headed to the ER.

I said "my kid's having an allergic reaction" and they took us back right away.

Once back there, I got a better look.

That does not look like an allergic reaction

So I failed to get any other pictures while we were there. We were seen by a few people and while I was chatting with the nurses, I was also texting my friend. Her son had weird spots on him the last day we were in Alex Bay. We thought maybe it was from rubbing on the tube. Or something.

Well, his came back as some general viral skin infection. They prescribed him an antibiotic and he started to clear up within a few days. She had two of her four boys affected.

I think everyone was most concerned about her raw belly. I felt SO badly for her.

The doctors took pictures and sent them to Strong for an opinion. It came back as "non specified skin infection"

I'm not panicking. This girl swam in a pond and the St. Lawrence in the last couple of weeks. 

But, I'm really glad I brought her in. I was explaining to her that it's late Friday night and I wouldn't be able to get her to a doctor until Monday. 3 days away.

This way, we got a dose of antibiotics in her right away and they filled a prescription for us that I picked up Saturday morning. So she didn't go the entire weekend with no relief.

They also recommended Neosporin to put all over the raw wounds. So we've been doing that every time she takes a dose of medicine. We wash hands, apply the ointment, air it out for a bit before putting shorts/pants back on. 

But, she IS healing. 

Poor kiddo is going to miss the first couple days of camp. 

You can see some spots on her face. I felt bad for her so when Mila and I went out, I got her this new noodle bowl. 

Perfect for her 3 minute ramen! 

See that rawness? That's how her lower belly is. Only worse. And it covers basically her ENTIRE lower belly area. Thankfully she says it does not hurt and is not that itchy. 

Oh and the other fun part? Another boy that was on the trip with us (another family) got diagnosed with ringworm. 

LOL. I mean, it's not funny. But this will always now be known as the year of the "non-specified, maybe ringworm rash"

Like, WTF, right? All 3 of our families got this weird ass rash? And for each family, it was 50% of the kids in the family who were affected. We all swam in the same river. 

I haven't had time to think whether or not I would contract whatever rash this is. 

Please God no. 

I will NOT do well. I would pick and scar all over. 

And, ew. 

After a round of antibiotics her rash seemed to clear up and we moved on with life.

About 2 weeks go by and one day after camp we saw that she looked rough, again. We didn't immediately think it was related to the first rash, as it did present just slightly differently. I treated it for a few days using neosporin again just to see if that would make a difference in a day or two.

It didn't.

I ended up taking her to Urgent Care to get looked at again.

Urgent Care suggested I take her back to the ER, because they were concered about Steven Johnson Syndrome, which is a scary condition that could happen after antibiotics. Something about how the body reacts to the medicine. But she didn't present with flu like symtpoms so I was hesitant.

But then we had to go back to the ER and we had to wait and wait and wait. Steve did come to relieve me, as I had done the previous ER visit. 

They were home within a few hours, but sadly with no diagnosis. Just another prescription for antibiotics and a strong steroid cream. 

It's finally starting to clear up, after a week of dealing with it. 

July 7th - Alexandria Bay - Day 4

We woke up to another beautiful day.

I have to say this is probably the one time we had amazing weather for the entirety of our trip. We usually experience one or more rainy days. One year (the year of The Island) it basically rained the entire time. 

But, it was time to clean up, pack up and head out. 

Once we were out of the townhouse, we had to head to Keeywadin State Park to pick up boats and Jetskis and get them trailered and ready for the ride home.

One tradition everyone loves is stopping by the Go Carts and Arcade on the way home.

No pics of Go Carting as we were all driving! I forgot how fun those little cars are. Me and Mila were racing hard lol.

Here's to next year! I think they are already starting to look at dates and availability since July 4th weekend is ALWAYS so busy. 

Core memories made. 💖

Till next time, Alex Bay. 

July 6th - Alexandria Bay - Day 3

Saturday.

The day we were planning to leave.

It was supposed to be a bit rainy and I had planned to try to meet up with my friend at her cottage on Wellesley Island. 

I woke up bright and early again and saw that it HAD rained a lot overnight.

But the skies were clearing and it was HOT.

We decided to stay another night. It was just TOO nice out to go home.

But, since we had done the things we wanted to do, Saturday was a nice, relaxing, no rush kind of day.

We did end up going on the boat and made it to a nice shallow spot for the kids to play.

I forgot to mention that we ordered in food last night and there was som drama. I'll need to go back and update the post! But, if you know Ava, you know the girl LOVES steak. So this was her leftovers from dinner she ate as her breakfast. With a side of bacon. Good Lord. I made sure she had some fruit, too. 

Lazy Saturday = TV and grilled cheese sandwiches

Picton! 

It was around this time that we realized the boys fucked up.

Big time.

Before we left, we made sure to grab cold drinks from the cooler to bring onto the boat cooler. Drinks for everyone.

We handed a red bag to one boy. 

He passed it to another boy.

Who left it by another boy.

Who didn't know the bag was left near him as he loaded up ice.

So our bag of drinks sat on the dock for HOURS, pretty much boiling while we were at Picton. I think each of us ladies had ONE drink. 

So yeah. We were pretty pissed. 

We make sure the kids have fun first and foremost. This trip is largely for them.

BUT YOU FORGOT OUR DRINKS???? 

I can't say we didn't call them little assholes under our breath.

This boy. Been one of my BFFs for 20 years. I absolutely love him and his wife and their boys. They are truly family to me. I am beyond grateful that he brought his wife into my life. I'm forever appreciative of people like them in my life. They've been so supportive the last two years during the worst time of my life. 

6 of the 8. The big boys were on the Jetskis

The best memories were made here!

💗

After a few hours on the water, we headed back to the townhouse. More fried cheese curds and us ladies prepped for dinner.

There's something to be said about cooking with your girlfriends, enjoying a cocktail while all the kids play (relatively nicely) and the husbands are no where to be found. 

We enjoyed a delicious meal Emily had prepped of chicken and steak. We spent the rest of the lovely evening watching National Lampoon's Vegas Vacation before heading to bed. 

Tomorrow we pack up, clean up and head home.

It's been a glorious 3 days. 

I'm so, so grateful for times like this. I got to fully enjoy my time and I tried really hard not to let intrusive thoughts take over. I enjoyed my time. I enjoyed my kids and my friends' kids. I laughed with my friends until I CRIED. 

I needed this for my soul. 

July 5th - Alexandria Bay - Day 2

Day two we got up early enough to head to Clayton, another little town nearby. They have cheese curds and my friend Rich really wanted me to fry some up.

I was up at 5:22am for some reason and decided that since my friend Andy was up (he owns a landscaping company and literally wakes up at 4am) I could head up and have a cup of coffee with him.

The morning was beautiful.

Just some cute decor in the bathroom. The whole place was nicely decorated (and newly renovated).

Our sleeping situation. Me and the girls camped out. Them on a queen air mattress and me on a twin. 

Relaxing a bit before heading out to Clayton.

Beautiful morning for a boat ride.

My BFF's wife, who has become one of my closest friends

#sisterwives

Cheese curds.

Mila found cheese as old as her!

Anytime we can find dairy free ice cream, we get it! 

New Birks for everyone!

After Clayton, we headed back to make the fried Cheese Curds and have some lunch before hitting the water again. 

Kenny is old enough to captain the vessel now! He did GREAT on the way to tubing. It was a good 15 minute ride and he did fantastic. It's a big boat with a lot of people on it on a busy river. 

The boys had to sit in the back so Kenny could see

Me and my two besties

Frank, Mark, Charlie and Richard

The littlest and the biggest 😊

Boys are just nuts! 

Big boys' turn to get thrown around

Frank, Ava, Richard

Charlie, Mark, Frank, Ava, Richard

I got to be with my people, who make me feel safe💖

This. Fucking. View.

A little fishing at dusk. These boys caught SO many fish. Including a 2ft pike and SEVERAL large mouth bass. 

We had to recreate a photo

💕Same order, 4 years apart. 2020 vs. 2024 💕

I couldn't have asked for a more perfect day. The weather, the company, the kids all having fun and hearing their laughter, making lifelong memories. I love that these kids have all known each other since BIRTH. There won't be a time that they won't remember each other and that makes my heart swell. Their parents are my closest friends ever and I wouldn't be where I am without their love and support. There's something to be said about 20+ and 30+ year friendships. 

The last two years have been absolute hell (for me). I've tried SO hard to make sure my girls are not affected by this insanity even though it will come to a head soon.

But, we got to enjoy this time with our friends who have become family. 

I am so grateful.