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The Craziness Continues....
So, it's been a while since I was able to get on and post an update. I've checked in a time or two from my phone but just can't write a long post from there. So here's where we are:
DH came home from the hospital after his surgery with all the expected post-surgical stuff. His nerve pain was better but he had surgical pain and just general fatigue of course. That was on Saturday (a few weeks ago). On Sunday we were doing OK and his Mom flew home and FIL flew in for two weeks to help out. Ellie was feeling better and able to go to daycare, YAY! Then on Tuesday of that week DH woke up with a very fast pulse and feeling generally not well. He went to the doctor and after checking his heart rate and BP sitting, lying and standing, they decided to admit him into the hospital for observation. His resting pulse was around 100 and any time he would sit up or or stand to go to the bathroom he would get faint and the heartrate alarms would go off. He was diagnosed as having orthostatic hypotension (basically his BP would drop and HR go up when he would sit or stand. After several days of tests and IV fluids they sent him home, although he still had the orthostatic hypotension. Of course Ellie's diarrhea came back during that time, but Grandpa was able to keep her at home for a couple of days so I could go to work.
At this point, DH still has the fast heartrate and has been back to the doctor and caridologist. They're running bloodwork to check thyroid hormone levels, although they don't expect that is the problem. They did another EKG yesterday, which looked OK, and he has an echocardiogram today. They still are saying they think the cause is post-op stress and viral illness (he got a cold) so they're not doing anything to treat the fast heartrate, just waiting it out. FIL flew home on Sunday (it was nice to have him here, but I'm very happy to have our house back and get back to "our" regular schedule without a guest).
In the meantime, we had Ellie's 6month checkup last Thursday. Other than a lingering runny nose and cough, she got a clean bill of health and her vaccines. She started fever (typical after some vaccines) but was OK by Saturday (still had the runny nose and cough, which were a bit worse). Then Sunday she woke up with fever again and gunky eyes. Suspecting conjunctivitis, we made an appt with the pediatrician yesterday. Since Thursday when we were there with her wellness appt, she got conjunctivitis in both eyes, double ear infection and pneumonia in the left lung.
We just can't win 
I'm still not complaining, I know things could be so much worse. Overall we are healthy and I thank God everyday for my little family. But I'm starting to question myself. Should I work? I'm taking the remainder of my sick and floating holidays this week to stay home with Ellie. While DH is doing well and can hold her for short periods, he can't bend over and pick her up, so I have to stay home if she's not in daycare. My manager has been very understanding, so that is good. However, I know when it comes to lay-offs, that decision is out of her hands and I am starting to worry that I will be considered unreliable and put in the layoff pool. After this week, I'm down to using vacation days anytime I need off and once those are gone, I can technically still take time but it's a much bigger deal. I can borrow ahead on some vacation (up to the end of the year) and can take unpaid days, but both of those options require some heavy-lifting paperwork with HR.
I keep telling myself that this is temporary, illnesses come and go. Lately they just come our way though. I know one day I'll be home anyway. With the cost of daycare we're paying up here, I can't have two in daycare at the same time, I would lose money. While that's not an immediate concern, this is all making me wonder about the next chapter of my life. I've thought many times about working from home, but what are the real options? I've thought of getting certified to teach so when Ellie goes to school I could have the same schedule as her, but I honestly don't know how to even go about that. I've thought about hammering the Etsy store and making my yarn passion into a business, but lately I don't have time for any knitting, sewing or crochet. Please keep the prayers coming our way ladies, I could use the support! And if anyone has ideas, please send them my way, I have a very open mind about this! Wow, that's long, thanks if you made it to the end. You guys are the best 
Re: The Craziness Continues....
Oh my goodness, Kellie. That is a lot of stuff to handle. I really hope that you don't get put in the layoff pool. I'm not sure how it works in MA but did you use up all your PFL? In CA you can use it up to a year after the baby is born and I didn't use all of mine so I could have taken another 6 weeks off at 55% pay for things such as illness.
Have you looked into Elance? I really love it. You can make a living on it if you put the effort and time in though I will be honest that working from home is 10x harder because you have to juggle being a SAHM and a working mom! I wouldn't change it for the world though.
I hope Ellie feels better soon and YH keeps up his recovery. You deserve a girl's night out when this is over!
Hey Caroline! I have not checked out elance yet but certainly plan to. I know you've done well with it so it is definitely on my list of options. I just feel like right now I need to have a back-up plan that I can enact pretty quickly if need be and I know you certainly understand that! If I have any questions I'll let you know!!
In terms of more craziness, everyone please say a prayer for my Mom! She was admitted into the hospital yesterday afternoon for observation after having some chest pains. It's been about a year and half since her triple bypass surgery so I guess the concern might be scar tissue causing a new blockage? Her EKG and bloodwork looked good last night. Today they are doing a stress test and echocardiogram. I'm praying it's all clear!!
My goodness Kellie. Know that you are in my thoughts and prayers. That is a lot to handle. Hopefully DH and E are on the mend and your mom will get some good news.
FMLA is usually a calendar year so you probably can't use it again until July. Could you check into STD, if that is even an option?
Sounds like it might be good to try to do some part-time work on the side that might turn into full-time staying at home work.