Brain puddle.

It's gorgeous out today - I have all the windows open and the breeze is brisk and I'm freezing.  But, maybe it will kill my headache.  I have been very headache-y lately, but I've also been sneezing all day/everyday, so it could just be that I am allergic to life right now.   Or at least whatever is floating around in the air.  WAH-CHOO!

I sent Mr. away on his own, he's off today.  My head can 'splode in peace.  I might catch up with them later.

I think I'll make an appointment with the neurologist anyway, because I think we need to check the phenytoin levels in my blood. I don't know what is normal, or what might indicate problems.  My ears ring incessantly, I am frequently dizzy, hands are tingly at times, I have wacky muscle twitches, and I've been Super Clumsy.  I don't seem to judge my movement well.  I have burned my arm in the oven, three times, I trip, bump, stumble, it's a lot of fun. I figure checking the meds first makes sense. 

Phenytoin:
CNS:
The most common manifestations encountered with phenytoin therapy are referable to this system and are usually dose-related. These include nystagmus, ataxia, slurred speech, decreased coordination and mental confusion. Dizziness, insomnia, transient nervousness, motor twitchings, and headaches have also been observed. There have also been rare reports of phenytoin induced dyskinesias, including chorea, dystonia, tremor and asterixis, similar to those induced by phenothiazine and other neuroleptic drugs.

A predominantly sensory peripheral polyneuropathy has been observed in patients receiving long-term phenytoin therapy.

How exciting!

The drug is working, no grand mal seizures since... seven months ago.... but I would appreciate feeling normal at some point.  I asked the doc to add something on to give me brains back, but he said not without going to see him and/or a Neuro-pharmacologist.  Medicating side effects sounds crazy, too.  But, if the first drug works for the more serious problem?  UGH.

And, since I'm seizure-free (squee!) I've got a little more freedom.  I'm driving locally, and able to shuffle kids to/fro. 

I even got a new evil-eye keychain!

I was planning for this, and hoping to get a job or go to school this fall.  I signed up the tornado for three days a week at "my baby school wis the pwayground!" thinking that I'd use that time for work/school/both/any/or. 

I haven't sent her yet, because I wanted to try to find work/school options for myself first. Of course I would prefer school, but... the one I wanted to go to, wants payment up front and in three additional payments.  Eek.  $5500 four times a year -- I'd HAVE to go to work to raise enough to cover it -- but then I couldn't go to school!

Mr. suggested today, "get a job that pays for tuition reimbursement,"  Uh, sure, WHAT?  Sure, his does, and he's plugging along in a Biz Management degree for free, but how do I go to work full-time and be home for the kids on vacations/buses and sick days?  No, it's not that easy.  He doesn't get it, he just assumes things will fall into place.

He says that I could find a job that will pay $22,000 towards a photography certificate?  Yeah, okay. 

Some companies might reimburse based on the fact that you're getting a degree in the field you're working in, he's a bank manager, he's getting a degree in business management, later towards a focus in business management/finance/banking.  It's not like I could go back to work as a banker and ask them to pay for photography school!  (I don't think I could do that anymore anyway - my brains are less than helpful since then.)

Or, pick a different concentration, obviously.  But, everything I am drawn to, is expensive and four plus years, who can afford this?!  I'd be paying out $100K minimum in school costs - which would take me, what, 10 years on self pay budget?

Will blog for tuition.

Phooey.

How do all of you (adults) currently in college do it?  I mean, nursing is no cheap degree, and I know of several nursing students in the readership.  What do you do?  Strip?