So sorry about your Mom. :grouphug: But have to say, "Wow!" 12.7 down to 6.2 - that is huge! OP, pout away. I fear I may be pouting with you next time mine is checked. Eek. If you need a buddy getting back on the wagon, I'll buddy up with you.

Hoping you hear back from the on call social worker soon...

:grouphug: Do what you can, knowing you're doing the best you can for your kiddo. Even small changes can make a big difference. If you can get a purifier for her room, that's a great place to start because she'll have clean air for at least 8 hours/day. Her room is a good place to start. If you focus on that, it might help a lot. Does the cat stay out of her room? I'd keep the door closed, too, so the purifier can really work. We wash everything weekly in hot water, and reduced the number of stuffed animals to a number I can comfortably wash (no giant loads of stuffies here). We removed curtains and went to smooth, pull down shades. We did pull up carpet, but it made sense for us as we needed to replace it anyway. If you can't, just vacuum with a HEPA filter often. For the rest of the house, if it were me... (and it has been!)... I'd opt for another purifier on the main floor before replacing furniture, just to start filtering the air first, then work on replacing cloth furniture. We have leather and/or wood furniture that we keep wiped and dusted. We do wash curtains, etc on the main floor frequently too - though not weekly, although that would be ideal. Is she allergic to cats? ...That's such a tough one. Our guy is allergic to dogs, and allergist has suggested rehoming them - but the trauma that ensued at just the suggestion... oh my. So we manage as best we can. Allergist suggested that we bathe/groom the dogs every two weeks, so we have a mobile groomer come every 2 weeks (they are here as we speak, actually) - it's a big expense, but worth it. Can you bathe your cat? Would that help? ...I've heard that it can take years to get cat dander out of a house, if that's any consolation. Not sure if any of those rambling thoughts will help... It's tough!

That is so, so sad. Must admit, I expected it to be the Meat Truck, too, though!

:grouphug: :grouphug:

My mom makes them in a sauce pot, with a bit of olive oil, white wine, and maybe some water. They are yummy.

:smilielol5: Where's the drink snorting smilie? You made me snort coffee!!!

Dontcha just love stinkbugs? Ewwwww.

Just checking back on this thread, hoping for more ideas. Have you tried all the usual suspects? Limiting stuffed animals; carpeting; washing bedding, pillows, curtains weekly in hot water; air filters? We did all the above but still struggle. [sigh] I do see improvement with the hefty air filters - they were pricey but worth it. DS takes QVar, and is always bouncing - now I wonder if that is connected? Hmmm. Food for thought. He also takes Advair and Nasonex. I would dearly love to get him weaned off some of these meds. (Singulair was an utter nightmare, so we tried that one too.)

No ideas on kinesiology, but DS has IgE allergy to wheat though he used to eat it regularly with no reaction. An elimination diet showed us how much wheat impacts his asthma - it's significant. Might be worth a try. I'll be watching for ideas, too.

Oh, how heartbreaking! I'm sorry. Your second post in this thread sounds better though... Like you have a plan for chocolate, pen and paper, and some good ideas about what comes next. Ugh. Just wish you didn't need that! I do like Catwoman's idea about approaching the other house's owners. It's an idea. Whatever happens, Oct is not far off, really. Hang in there!

Sorry about the new allergies. We have lots if allergies, too. It's a learning curve, but you'll find your groove. And don't be afraid if the epipen, should you ever need it. It's not so bad.

Thank you, everyone! DS opened his cards this morning, too, and they are fantastic! What fun!

It's hard to separate it from everything else, but I *think* it has a fairly profound effect daily. I literally will *not* wake up unless dragged from bed, since my adrenals are not doing what they should to wake me. Blech. DH finally figured out that he can shake me awake and give me the meds, then I'll wake up on my own in a bit. That was a tip from the doc. :) My biggest thing is figuring out when to stress dose. I don't want to overdo it, but then often don't take enough hydrocortisone (Cortef) when I need it. [sigh] It's a balancing act. And ... Without that afternoon dose of it, whew, I crash hard. I still often need a nap, despite it. Would love to hear how it affects others? I wonder if my meds just aren't adjusted right? Oh! And I will update. I have POTS, too. You know, the reason the yellow Wiggle stopped wiggling? For that, I take a beta blocker and increased salt/fluid. And often pass out at night - fun, fun!

Hmmmmm. Well, I'm inclined to agree with her today. I don't wanna do school today!!!!! Whaaaaaaaa!!!!!

Oops, I didn't list DS: asthma; multiple LTFA (life threatening food allergies).

So nice to see we're not alone. Here's a smattering of what's listed on my chart: Addison's Disease (adrenal insufficiency); Hashimoto's Thyroiditis; Migraines; Fibromyalgia; Chronic Fatigue; PCOS; and various chronic infections. Ditto. There is more, but I honestly can't think of it all. ETA: POTS. How could I forget POTS??

If the turtle is dead after all... Maybe you could mummify it. (I'm on my phone or I'd put in the little run away smilie!) Welcome home.

Love men who can cook and save the day!

Deep breaths. Then relax till Friday morning. :)

We have a Ninja. We like it, but I only really use it for smoothies. No problems with it. DH uses it to make salsa and sauces, too. No complaints. Oh, I do find it a bit difficult to get the top off at times - but that seems to be my own personal issue, no one else has a problem!

Will be watching for hints. DS narrates his world, every thought, everything he's doing... Every. Thing. I find that I tune him out at times, and then miss something important... not the right way to handle it. My mother is the same way, and it drives me bonkers.

Do you want something for school or something for everything? I like Scholaric.com for school stuff - it's online, and easy to implement. $1 a month, but there might be a free trial. No bible thumping.

:grouphug:

Is Veritas self-paced religious? Is that part easy to overlook? I haven't looked closely, because I thought it was going to be too religious. Now I'm interested!