Brad Has Herpes

Leslie's viewpoint:
Herpes Zoster that is, which is the latent form of Varicella- aka chicken pox. So, in cultural terms, Brad has shingles. Adults die more easily of chicken pox than children- scary. Here is a genius moment for Leslie and a perfect time for her to share all of her Public Health knowledge-- Brad had this weird bumpy rash on the side of his abdomen. He showed me, and because I'm taking infectious disease this semester I told Brad, " I think you have Herpes." But he said it wasn't painful, so I wasn't exactly sure. Well, it doesn't get any better, he decides to go to the health center, and sure enough- it's herpes zoster. My first diagnoses, and I got it right!!! Look out Kramer (episode where he acts professionally for medical students so they can diagnose him based on his symptoms he describes--in that episode, he had gonorrhea).

Don't worry Brad has great big horse pills that he has to take 4 times a day, and he is dealing with the mild pain that he's experiencing right now just like a man- whining and complaining the whole time- just kidding. Brad's a real trooper. The sad part about this is you're not supposed to get shingles until your in your 50's and 60's. So, poor Brad is balding and has shingles...sad day!

Brad's viewpoint:
So a couple of days ago, maybe Monday, I noticed a small rash on the side of my abnormally large belly. At first, it wasn't a big deal, I know that I am hot-cold sensitive which tends to give me rashes, also on my abnormally large belly. I didn't pay much mind to it until it continued and developed into a nasty looking rash. It didn't hurt, it just looked gross. Wednesday, Leslie tells me "I think you have Herpes." I thought...isn't that an STD? How could I get that on my stomach? So I go to the wonderful Student Health Center, pay 15 dollars to see a Nurse Practitioner. I tell her my symptoms and she gets up to take a look at it. The second I pulled my shirt up, she stopped, midway from me and her chair, and said "I know what that is. Its easily diagnosable." She didn't even need to look at it close up! Anyway, its Herpes Zoster, aka chicken pox for grown-ups. Although I don't remember chicken pox hurting this much.

She said that my prescription will stop it from growing further and that it will take maybe 2 weeks to fully heal. Dang! Since I got to the doctor quickly, she said that my recovery will probably be quick. Woohoo! The past couple days I've noticed one end of the rash healing and "crusting over" while the other end is still in full swing. It now hurts, but only when pressure is applied to it. This morning I accidentally scratched it pretty bad while trying to move the covers, and I thought my intestines would fly out of my abnormally large belly. Wow. I never want to scratch it again. Ever. So that's life with Herpes. I can't imagine getting this on my junk.




DON'T KEEP READING IF YOU DON'T WANT TO SEE A PICTURE!!!

eww....

We are blessed!

God is mysterious, and I truly believe that. But sometimes his ways are clear and paths are easy. Brad and I have been bouncing different ideas back and forth about what we should do about when to have kids, if we should move, how to space out our schooling, grad school, and me applying to be a hall advisor.

All of these things are constantly on my mind on a daily basis. So, once our land lady told us she was moving out I thought, "Oh no! Now what are we going to do? Will we still be able to rent from her, are we going to move out during finals...." She is moving out the 18th of April.

A few weeks ago the professor that I TA for, Sister Morgan, mentioned that Marrianne Kjar (an older widow in our ward) will be renting out her basement after the first of May. Yet, another option to consider.

So, I finally called her up. Her sweet voiced answered. I told her who I was and then she said, "Oh I heard all about you from Lisa, and what good renters you are! Yes, the apartment is still available to rent, and I would love to have you rent it." SCORE! I said, "Do you mind if I ask how much the rent is per month?" "It's $490 including all utilities and internet. And I pay you to mow my lawn." Double score considering we pay $650 a month now.

We're going to go look at it this week. I'm sure it will be great because her house is really beautiful on the outside. Brad and I are always being looked after by a loving Heavenly Father who sometimes works directly or indirectly to help his children through this life.

Taco Soup =Remedy for EVERYTHING!!!

I heart Taco Soup...really...there is just nothing like it. Scoop it in a bowl and top it with lots of cheese and use tortilla chips instead of a spoon. Yummy!

Well, I'm going to switch topics and talk a little about life for Brad and me the past two weeks since we have been lazy about posting anything.

My Dad calls me up and asks me if "hell week" is over. It's been pretty much hell month if you ask me. Mid-term, paper, project multiplied by 37. I have never been so sloppy about house work, laundry, everything. My life was truly crashing down around me as I sit at my computer for multiple hours a day meeting deadlines, looking over notes for my midterm, etc. School is great, and I love learning, but I really hate busy work that teachers give us to think we'll actually get something out of it. Does anybody know what I mean?

Brad and I attended our first Humor U show. It's BYU's stand up comedy club. They were awesome. There are actually 2 guys from the Wilmington DE stake in it! How cool is that?

We had a younger couple come and look at our house Saturday because our Land Lady is thinking about selling her house and banking the money so she can go a serve a mission. We haven't heard if they choose our house or not. We just know its between our house and another one. Luckily we'll still be able to stay in the house because they want renters!

Four more weeks of school left. YEA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Brad officially hates Physics on days that end in Y. He also has a band concert on April 14th. Cool!

That's it...kinda random, but now you're updated!

Who wants to be a millionarie!

Here is the final question, for 1 million dollars:

Your breath smells like lama dung and hay. This is a:

a. Good thing
b. Bad thing
c. Not a bad thing
d. Sign to brush teeth

Have you figured out the answer? Computer, lock in their answer!




The answer is.....





























c. Not a bad thing. This is according to Leslie, so your answer may vary depending on how you think about it. Thanks for playing, Who wants to be a millionaire!!





So this is an actual occurrence that happened in my life this past week. It was bedtime, and we were cuddling in our little double bed getting ready to fall asleep. Leslie turns to me and says "You breath smells like lama dung and hay. (I immediately turned away, disgusted and was ready to fall asleep immediately, in response to this, she says immediately) But that's not a bad thing! Come back!" I was laughing for about 5 years. Has your significant other ever told you something bad about your breath, smile, face, fart, smell, etc?

Lists

Okay, I hate to admit this about myself, but I am OCD when it comes to making lists. I seriously make lists about everything. A list for cleaning the house, a list for when I go to the grocery store, a list of home work I have divide up into each class, lists for church, etc. It's crazy. Why do I obsess like this? Well, I can think of a couple reasons why. One, my mom was like this. She too made list after list- like mother like daughter. Two, it helps me to organize and prioritize my life. But it's so sad when I have to write when to get up and when to fall asleep to insure 8 hours of sleep. My life isn't dictated by my lists, but they do play a big part in organizing my life for me.

Are there any LMA's (list makers anonymous out there)? We should form a group. Compare and contrast the details of our lists, and help each other know when to say enough if enough, just LIVE you life!!!

And I say to myself, What a WONDERFUL World!!

Today is the happiest I've felt in a while. The snowy, dreary winters here are really hard from me. Here are some things that make me really happy:

• Babies...even if I don't have my own, I love looking at my friends children, playing with them, holding them, etc. I love it when they give you a toothless corner smile, it just melts my heart away.
• The SUN! It has been so beautiful here in Utah in February of all months!? I'm actually outside typing this blog with the sun warming every inch of me. How therapeutic! How wonderful!
  
• My Neighborhood has to be the most idyllic in Provo. I hear the BYU bell tower chime, waking me at 7am almost every morning, kids are constantly riding their scooters and playing in our not so busy streets, my visiting teaching companion lives next door, and the creamery is only a 2 minute walk from my house, and during the dinner time rush I can smell the delicious greasy hamburger smell as soon as I walk out my door.
• Spring! Spring is a time of rebirth, rejuvination, life. I love going through every last inch of my house to clean it and get rid of items to go to DI. I love seeing the little girls in church with cute pastel dress and white gloves. I especially love being outside planting pansies or any other plant for that matter. I love that my birthday is in the spring. Not too hot, not too cold; perfect!
• Really good inspirational non-fiction books about people who have devoted part, or most of their life to helping others in foreign countries. 3 Cups of Tea, and Monique and the Mango Rains are the two I would recommend.
• The excitement of the unknown. The past few weeks I've been really stressed about the unknown. When and where to complete my internship, when to have children, will I EVER graduate?, where to move, etc. But today I realized that the unknown is exciting. I can plan and prepare for life as much as possible, but sometimes I have to give up my worries to the Lord and move forward in faith. I know God has great plans for Brad and I, so I need not worry.

Okay, I'm done with my positive fest. Hope reading this made you think of some of the tender mercies you just LOVE!

-Leslie

Grey, Grey, go Away!!!

Brad is almost 23 and 1/2 years old. And today at 10:51 I found his first grey hair. Dunt, dunt, daaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!!!! Ah, the joys of being old...or not!?! So, to my old in laws, well those who are older, because that sounds better, when did you get your first grey hair?