I'm not high maintenance, I swear.

I've had a dry cough in my lungs since Tuesday. My chest feels constricted, my breathing isn't normal, and the cough is waking me up at night. I figured it was a freak allergic reaction to something so I took a Benedryl. That didn't help. Finally, last night, Dylan suggested I take Robitussin to help with the coughing. So, like a good paranoid pregnant lady, I called the advice nurse first to ask if I could take it when I'm pregnant. She didn't know so she called Labor & Delivery so I could talk to the doctor there. They weren't sure, and since I was coughing up a lung and gasping for breath while I was on the phone with them, they insisted that I come it. Right now (9pm), to Labor and Delivery.

So, a babysitter was called and Dylan and I went to the hospital. After filling out tons of paperwork I was admitted to triage and hooked up to the fetal monitor, oxygen monitor, and blood pressure cuff. For a cough. (Once again, can I just have some cough syrup?)

Then I mentioned that I had recently been to Mexico. Bad idea. Never mind that there are more cases of Swine Flu in the US than in Mexico. Never mind that I had no flu like symptoms. Just a cough.

2 hours later, enter Dr. First Day on the Job. She listened to my lungs. Asked me all of the same questions; "Have you had a fever?" No. "Have you had any pain?" No. Have you had any muscle aches?" No. "Are you feeling the baby move?" Yes. "Have you noticed any loss of fluids?" Just pee. From coughing. A lot.

So, she called the specialist to ask if I should be tested for Swine Flu. This is the side of the conversation that we hear:
"Should we test her for H1N1?.... A nasal swab?.... How deep? Do I do that or does a nurse?.... No, I've never done that before? I could figure it out though.... Well, I only have a low suspicion that she has it.... Oh, so I don't need to test. Oh good.... Thanks."

I guess I should be thankful that it was her first day on the job and that she didn't feel it necessary to learn how to do a deep nasal swab for a patient with a cough. [This is when Dylan starts having a philosophical discussion with her about some book he read about ethics and medicine].

At 11:30pm, it is determined that my baby is not in distress. Duh. And I don't have Swine Flu. Duh. And that yes, I can take Robitussin for my cough. So Dr. First Day on the Job logs into the pharmacy to order my prescription (which is actually just an over the counter medicine) and has to call the pharmacy to ask how to fill out the order. Because she's never done it before. "It keeps asking me for a decimal number and I just want 1 bottle. What am I supposed to put. Oh, 250 MLs..... what does it mean numerical number. I'm putting a numerical number (aren't all numbers numerical?) Oh just 250. Don't put MLs. Okay. Thanks."

Sooooo, after a 12am trip to the pharmacy to pick up my bottle of non-prescription Robitussin, we made it home..... to discover that the type she ordered for me is formulated for diabetics. Which I'm not. So it's made with fake sugar. Which I despise. Oh well. I gagged it down anyway and slept like a baby.

I Heart Mascota

Well, in case you read our last post about going to Mexico and you've been worried sick about our safety, worry no more. Dylan and I are home safe and we had a wonderful time. Thank you for your prayers!

Here are some of our impressions, thoughts and commentaries about our trip:

1. First of all, we got to fly first class on the way down there because those were the only seats available when we redeemed our miles. It was awesome. Unfortunately, at the end of our trip when we were hot and exhausted, we were stuffed back in coach. Oh well.

2. When we arrived in Puerto Vallarta, Luz picked us up and we immediately left town and began the journey up the mountain to Mascota. Mascota is about 2 hours east of PV, up in the midst of beautiful mountains. I know, you're probably thinking, "Beautiful mountains in Mexico, yeah right. Mexico is just one big ugly desert with some cool beaches around the edges." Well, we were pleasantly surprised to find that our destination was indeed beautiful; the mountains we drove through were up to 7500 ft elevation and Mascota was nestled into a valley at 4000 ft. 2. When we arrived in Mascota, we realized once again that our stereotypical Mexico experiences just weren't going to repeat themselves on this trip. We'd been to Tijuana and orphanages and seen crime and poverty. Mascota has virtually no homelessness, no shacks, all of the kids go to public schools, there is VERY little crime, the dogs have breeds, there's public water, electricity and sewer systems..... and you're not allowed to barter at the local stores. Yes, I know that we sound like stuck up Americans. Well, we aren't anymore!
4. Siestas are great. So is sleeping in everyday and a great exchange rate. Where else can you get a latte with homemade caramel sauce for like $1.50?

5. Despite the wonder of experiencing rural Mexico, we also experienced why it's not a 1st world country: lack of efficiency. People are NOT in a hurry. Schedules and apointment times are suggestions. And if you go to the butcher to buy meat, you might be told that they don't have any that day. (Then why are you open if you don't have anything to sell?).

6. One day, Dylan worked on fixing Luz's washing machine. Yes, this took one whole day. Luz told him that the belt was broken but the man who came to repair it said that it would cost $300 to repair and that she needed a whole new kit (?) and of course he took the belt with him. Soooo, first, we went to a cyber cafe and looked up the model of washing machine to find what size belt we needed. Then we drove to 3 different stores looking for a belt. Several hours later, after the motor was disassembled, the belt put on and everything put back together, Luz mentioned that there was a leak also. Sooo, the inside of the machine was then disassembled in search of the leak. After another trip to the cyber cafe to search for clues, we learned that the model of Maytag was faulty to begin with and a replacement part must be ordered that may or may not fix the problem..... oh, AND they don't sell Maytags or Maytag parts in Mexico.
7. Mascota is a rural farming community and there's not a whole lot to do for entertainment. SO, every Sunday night, the whole town dresses up and flocks to the town square for a 6th grade dance. Well, that's what it feels like anyway! There is a DJ set up in the middle of the square playing music, and men/boys walk in one direction around the square and women/girls walk in the other direction. Everyone checks eachother out. If a guy likes you, he'll ask you to walk with him. Joy and I thought this whole process was hilarious and joined right in. Dylan hated it, thought it was totally awkward, and wanted to stop. So we ordered churros from a local vendor to take his mind off of the awkwardness and continued our walk!

8. Our trip was relaxing and enlightening and we were so blessed to be helpful to Luz. There's nothing quite like leaving your daily schedule to remind you that your lives and problems aren't the only things important in the world! Coming back to reality was rough!

Well, if you made it this far through our report, here's a slide show to enjoy!

And speaking of Leave Country

First of all, Leave Country succombed to the tank of death and died. We are officially done with fish...... for awhile at least.

Secondly, my sister is leaving the country again. She's going to spend a month in Mascota, Jalisico, Mexico with a missionary friend of ours, Luz. She thought it would be a great idea if Dylan and I joined her for a few days. Dylan thought that it was a great idea and jumped right on board, trying to convince me that we should go. I didn't think it was such a great idea in light of the recent swine flu pandemic and the crazy drug and violence situations happening in Mexico. Then I opened the newspaper to see that a kid in Concord just died from swine flu and page after page of headlines about drugs and violence right here in the Bay Area. The only fear of mine that hasn't turned up illogical yet is the fact that planes seem to be dropping like flies out of the sky lately. Hopefully next week I'll post that this too was nothing to worry about!

Sooooo, we cashed in some of our credit card miles and tomorrow morning, Dylan, Joy and I are leaving for Mexico. We're not totally sure what we'll be doing on this trip other than helping Luz wherever she needs help. Dylan is SUPER excited to be going and I'm excited except for when I think about leaving my kids for so long. Emma and Grady will be staying with my parents and probably won't miss us a bit, but man, this is my first time leaving them for more than 2 nights (we'll be gone for 5) and it's hitting me hard!

We'd appreciate prayer for our saftey and also that we could be a blessing to Luz and her ministry in Mascota.