sweet potato saga and way to much money in co-pays!

Last week was one of the craziest weeks that I can remember in a long time! So, I will start from the beginning. BEWARE, this is probably going to be a long post!

On Monday the 30th of November I woke up to horrible pain in my left breast. So horrible in fact, that at times all I could do was cry. Helam hadn't been eating really well for a couple of days and that wasn't helping. So after I took the girls to school I decided to go into the InstaCare. (1st 50.00 copay). So the Dr. came in and as soon as he checked out my boob, he told me that I had a severe case of mastitious. (seriously I can't spell) After having 7 children, I have never had anything like this. So, I was put on some medicine (that i'm still taking). But after two days, the pain wasn't going away and neither was the huge lump. So, I called my sister Crystal. She works in an OBGYN's office and she was able to get me into see one of the doctors there.
Now, I know your probably wondering why I just didn't call my OB, and the answer is this, that office has moved to the new Riverton Hospital and well I'm not traveling all the way out there to go to the doc. The doc was awesome and let me know that it was still looking bad, but better than others that I have seen. Good news!!! Now, after a week of meds I am doing much better!

Then on Wednesday night, Emer got a cut on her back. That I was sure required stitches. I took her to the InstaCare (#2 of 50.00 co-pay) (YUCK). No stitches were required, but steristrips were. She is on the mend and says that her owie really itches!

Now onto Friday. I went shopping for Christmas presents. I was having a grand time when my grandma calls me (she is watching the boys) and says, Helam is really itching his face. I think that he may be having an allergic reaction to sweet potatoes. "REALLY" I said. Now you must understand that Helam LOVES sweet potatoes. They were one of the first foods that he ate. So I was sure that it was nothing and went about my business of shopping. When I got home, I instantly knew that something was going on with him. He was itchy all over his face, and was very lethargic. He couldn't stay awake. He would sit up and be instantly asleep. I have never seen anything like this. So I call the pediatrician and scheduled him to see the doc. (#3 30.00 co-pay) (OUCH)!!! The doctor was not sure what was going on. He asked us if he ingested anything out of the ordinary and he hadn't, or had he? WHO KNEW?? This kid eats anything he can get his hands on. He is 11 months old (tomorrow) and he is a human vacuum.
So the doctor was dumbfounded, and so were we. He was very concerned that Helam couldn't stay awake. So he sent us up to Primary Children's Medical Center. (#4 50.00 co-pay) THEY WANTED 200.00. ARE YOU KIDDING ME???
So at PCMC no one could figure out what was going on with my baby. They had to do tunz of blood work and that all came back okay. Then the did a CT and a chest X-Ray. NOTHING. Totally fine.
Then, after they decided to admit us (6 hours later) one of the residents came into the room and said I think we have found what is wrong. There was a study done in 2003 on allergies from different kinds of vegetables, and sweet potatoes is one of them. The kids in the study had the same reaction as Helam. WOW!
So, needless to say we have many more appointments with allergists and the doctor. Helam can't eat tunz of things now and well my 7th child is bringing fourth many things that I was sure I would never have to deal with!
I have pictures of the baby in the CT machine. SO CUTE, but I'm having technical difficulties.. The will be on their way!