a couple of things and a "shoot from the shoulder" (not hip...that wouldn't have been worth a post)

Issei had been needing to go to the doctor for quite awhile, but, since he was in school and I have classes and new patients are encouraged to go to the ENT on Monday and Wednesday mornings only...we had a hard time finding the time to be able to go.

He has been having a hard time breathing....it's almost as if he has allergies....every. single. day. all. day. long.  We knew it was getting serious when he commented one day that he had a hard time tasting certain flavors.  Yep...it was time.

So...on Monday...luckily, I didn't have my usual morning class and since Issei is on 'spring holiday', he and I ventured to the University Hospital (where a doctor friend of mine wrote a recommendation/introduction letter for us....THAT saved us about $35 in "new patient" fees).

It seems that we were not the only ones needing to go to the hospital that day......

...yeah...that line of cars? Uh-huh...waiting to get into the parking garage.  And just for the record...it kept going behind us about the same distance.

THAT should have been my first clue that it was going to be a long morning.

When you walk into the hospital, everyone must take a number.....

and here was my second clue.....this was Issei's number:

At 9:27 in the morning...there were that many patients in front of us.

Granted, not everyone was going to the ENT department....it's a HUGE hospital..but still...

we had to wait...and....Issei is NOT a good waiter!!

When we were up waiting at x-ray (on a whole 'nuther floor, mind you) and the guy sitting next to us was #1027, we both decided we were way better off than that guy!!

As we were about to go to sleep waiting....a young mother sat down next to me.

Her baby was sleeping (lucky kid!) and as I already had my camera out (checking the time...watching the seconds go by...slooooowly)....

I told Issei to "sneeze really loud when I wink at you, okay?"

Because he knows me and because this concept is not a new one to him, he sneezed...

really loud....

and I took this:

He and I both got a giggle and then.....the moment

was over and we went back to trying to not go crazy!!

By the way....after almost 4 hours, x-rays and a consultation with a specialist ("May I call you Dr. Doogie Houser?"  Oh my, but he was a young'in!!), we came out of there knowing that Issei's bones and what-not in his head (we both chuckled at that!) were fine....he has no problems with his adenoids..or sinuses....and... if his problem is not actually allergies, the trouble might possibly be with his "air tubes"---they might be too small, not allowing very much air in when he breathes.  If it is that, there is surgery to fix it, but....not until he is over his growth spurt.

When the doctor was explaining the surgery, I truly wish I had had the camera out...Issei...was white as a sheet.  I honestly believe that if he had been standing, he probably would have passed out. 

Yeah...we're hoping it's just allergies and the new meds will help.

Really...we are...we really, really, are! 

******************

If you take two really cute trolls in bunny slippers with baskets and eggs....

plus three Czechoslavikian handpainted wooden eggs (that a student brought back for me because she remembered that my great-grandmother was from there)...

...toss in those crazy M & M guys in funny hats...and a bunny in a basket just for fun...

...then make sure you have 3 ceramic bunnies (made by your friend and her special education students) that you have had for about 22 years...

...hang some blown-eggs that were done a couple of years ago from a couple of branches of azaleas (with really pretty little pink flowers).....

...oh...and hang some wooden bunnies on the branches, if you can....

...and you will have the Easter menagerie that we try to

put up every year in the entranceway.

We haven't really done Easter for a long time....the boys understand the whole Christian aspect since they went to a Christian daycare when they were younger, but...the chocolates, candies and egg hunts, for example, they don't really understand.  When they were younger, it was easier to do, but...now that they are older, it's harder. (I asked Issei about a basket and, I swear to you, he rolled his eyes...just a little.) And to be honest, finding the time to find the stores that actually sell chocolate Easter eggs and goodies without having to take out a small loan? Well...I'm too lazy that's just tiring.

But...

we do have the Easter tree/branch/twig....

and that works for us.