There have actually been controlled randomized trials suggesting that peppermint oil can be an effective treatment for irritable bowel syndrome. (I Googled, for that is the kind of dork I am.)

I totally got out on the passenger side! There wasn't much of a soft shoulder before it dropped off, so traffic was damn close. The trooper actually closed off that lane when the tow guy went to work.

While I waited in the car, I was buckled in (if it weren't so fucking cold, I would have preferred to be on the hill outside the car, but it was below freezing and windy and I was down a layer of clothing.)

There have actually been controlled randomized trials suggesting that peppermint oil can be an effective treatment for irritable bowel syndrome. (I Googled, for that is the kind of dork I am.)

I should have clarified my rant: due to my own irritable bowel, I did know that peppermint oil can help with IBS. But when it's not enough (or when any other treatment isn't enough), then I feel like MDs need to do something else. I do jump to pharmacotherapy rather more quickly than a lot of people, but I also use natural remedies, too. If one doesn't work, try the other. Or both. But don't just suggest one thing and be done. Because that just makes me rant, and the Internet is full enough of rants as it is.

I am sorry about the drs, Allyson. And the car, Sara.

I just saw good things, and did Ellen really bring out a sloth for pregnant Kristen Bell !?!

There is no way your cousin should or could be enamored of me. I mean, I'm not enamored of me --- why would anyone else be.

So last night when I plugged Grace in, her pulse ox had her at high 70s/low 80s which is bad. No wonder she is tired and cranky and can't figure out math. I turned her 02 on and she was fine. Same thing today.

She's had all of her meds, including an antibio. She is no more congested than usual. WTF? I really don't want to go to the ER tomorrow but I'm freaking out. I mean, it's a quiet freakout.

But don't just suggest one thing and be done.

People who suggest I relax (trying!) or take a Benedryl (which is a marvelous antihistimine but doesn't actually give me the sleepy side effect) for insomnia trigger this. I am all for natural remedies. But if they, or medicinal remedies (pharmawhatevers), don't work? Try something else. Especially if you are supposed to be a professional.

ack! Grace that is not good. Bump those numbers up. Or many of us will be quietly freaking out.

There is no way your cousin should or could be enamored of me. I mean, I'm not enamored of me --- why would anyone else be.

I'm only speaking for Megan here, since I like you for my own reasons, but she's gay, and her oldest sister had two (individual pregnancies) premature kids (one of her 3 jobs is for March of Dimes), plus the whole teacher thing (since she's feeling educationally adrift right now), and you were just a perfect storm for her.

As noted, that's Megna. I like you because I know you, and I think you're pretty damned amazing.

I really don't want to go to the ER tomorrow

Come down! Say hi! We can share a room.

:( Poor noodle. Glad you worked out what the immediate problem was, even if not the cause. Some respite is a start.

I think you're all quite interesting, and I can prove it - I don't hang around people who aren't interesting, and I'm still here, therefore you are all interesting. My logic is undeniable.

ita, as much as I love you, I wouldn't want Grace to share a room with you (and I don't think we'd be aloud as she is MRSA colonized), cause she's a germ bomb and will get you sick. Plus, we'll go straight to Santa Monica because they are more likely to have a peds bed if we needed one.

On Wednesday she didn't have pneumonia. She's been on antibios since then. Asthma, maybe?

Grace, breathing is good. Don't scare your mama.

Headache is down a bit but I feel feverish and generally ick. Nap wasn't restfully. Got stuck in a bad dream and couldn't wake myself up. I thought I had, a couple of times but no.