Silver linings

Yesterday ... yesterday was not such a great day for me. But since I'm a glass-half-full kind of girl, I realize yesterday wasn't THAT bad of a day -- just stunk considering how well things have been going for me lately.

Part I -- I woke up at about 4 a.m. with a BURNING in my throat that was like heartburn times ten. It started in my throat every minute or so, then radiated out into my chest. I thought it was the 'burn, so I took a few Rolaids and tried to go back to bed. No luck. So around 6 a.m. I took some advil, wondering if it was just a really sore throat, but again ... no luck. Around 10 a.m. I started to get itchy and was wondering if I wasn't having an allergic reaction. I've never had one before to anything, but I did start a new medication two weeks ago, and the doctor told me it takes a few weeks to work into your system. 

I decided to call Jeff to see if he could come home from work and take me to urgent care, and he could. (Side note: Telling your bosses 'My fiance is having chest pains, can I go home?' is usually a given, 'yes.') So Jeff and I went off to the doctor and when I got into the office and took off my jacket, I realized I had big itchy welts on my arms and legs. Not good.

They confirmed it WAS probably an allergic reaction and I should stop taking the medication, which stinks because that particular medication was working well for what I needed it for (vague much?) They gave me a prescription for a benedryll type drug and a steroid to stop the swelling in my throat. I felt better almost immediately, but the burning in my throat hasn't completely disappeared.

I was actually pretty disappointed I now have an answer to the question, "do you have any allergies?" I thought God either cursed you with a weak stomach or allergies, and I got the weak stomach -- no fair to have both!!

Silver lining?: Well, it wasn't that bad and could have been a lot worse, as allergic reactions can be. Despite the fact that I had crop circle-like red spots all over my body (TMI?) it wasn't overly itchy. The worst part was the balls of my feet swelled, but even that wasn't bad. Also, Jeff was home with me all day, which is always nice. Good that this happened on my day off too. I'm hoping the reaction was to the medication and not something else. I don't *think* I had anything I hadn't had before and there were no detergents or lotions I had that were new, so it must have been? Also STEROIDS -- this will be so good for my workouts! Kidding :)

Part II -- I had been planning for a while to go down to RI and meet my cousin Sarah to see if we could have the bridesmaids dresses altered. Since I was going to be paying for the alterations, I wanted to see how much it would cost -- see if it was more of a pain to have it altered, because I really liked the dress, or if it was just going to be easier to return them and start over. My ceiling was about $50 and I wasn't overly optimistic we could have it done for that price -- or if the alteration could be done at all. I was also worried that the store wouldn't let us return the dresses as the receipts said 'All sales are final' despite the fact we were told we could exchange them if they didn't fit.

Well the first place we went to -- they pulled and poked and determined it could be altered, but that it wouldn't be a breeze -- and it would cost $100 for each of the two dresses I needed altered. Ugh. So Sarah suggested a different seamstress, that she had been going to for years. She told us that she could alter the dress as is for $80+ but that if we could exchange it for a bigger size, it would be easier to take it in than let it out, and she would charge $50. In the end, I determined this would be too much of a hassle, and was hoping we could just return the dress and start over.

Silver lining?: Well, Sarah called this morning and they are going to let us return the dress ... so phew. Also, it was nice to spend the evening with my cousin, have dinner and a really nice chat! The benadryll didn't affect me too hard and I was able to hold a conversation, haha. I'm going to hold off on an immediate re-search for new dresses, although this one at JCrew has caught my eye -- LOVE the color. It's $250, which is too much, but it has to go on sale right?

Hey moddel -- move ur armz! Ur coverin' the prettay.

PART III -- I got home just in time to watch the Pats game. It was a great game ... but we lost!!! Two crushing, close losses in a row that really came down to a stupid penalty -- again. We're the least penalized team in the league but when we have one of our defensive leaders holding on a third down in the red zone, we're not going to win. So disappointing. These are the games when NFL fans cry -- can we have college overtime rules please? Hate when it comes down to the coin toss!

Silver lining?: Hard to find ... but it was nice to see Cassel lead a come-from-behind charge. Also, our schedule still favors us and we've split the series with the Jets. If we can win out the division we should still have a good chance to make the playoffs.

***

This weekend will be work, work, work. I work 6-2 a.m. both Saturday and Sunday for the WWL, and I will also be covering games for the Globe both days. Jeff and I will have covered 11 stories for the Globe combined in November when this is all said and done. I'm thinking of putting up a "The Werschaible wedding partially sponsored by ... The Boston Globe" at our wedding. ;)