Trying to forgive the universe or whatever...

Wow... thank you all.  Heh... yet another thing that's caught me off guard.  Awesome.
Truth be told I'm still awash in the stress, but it is subsiding.  It's like this - once all of this is over I'll be able to actually tell you what happened to me on Monday, but I couldn't tell you today if you asked... I can barely remember specific things I did 2 hours ago; I've had to be so focused on the moment in dealing with what I'm going through.

The worst of it is over ...  since the higher probability of the death of someone I love is no longer on the table.
Yesterday my 13 year old had milk splashed in his eye on accident when someone was taking a lid off their milk in the cafeteria.  The last time this happened he had an initial swelling and rash that we thought could be treated with Benadryl, and so we gave it to him; he said he felt ok and he went to school.  2 hours later the school called and it was a fiasco.  The bottom line behind all the drama that day was that he needed his epipen because the milk absorbed into his system and he was going into shock - his blood pressure just bottomed out.  (and there was a lot of drama pertaining to the school staff not knowing how to handle things)    So... this happens yesterday, not only do I have to deal with this type of drama again... when I think we're prepared for it - I have to deal with the drama of a 13 year old who didn't find it important enough to deliver his emergency meds to the office with their permission forms for the staff to administer the medication.  In fact, he apparently usually had them in his backpack, however told me last Friday that his backpack had been lost/stolen.  If you know anything about anaphlactic shock - you know that this alone has been the mistake that children make that results in the high statistic of allergy deaths when the kid is away from home.  It can take literally minutes.  Then add in that he's telling the nurse that's helping him (and knows how serious this is) that his Epipen is in his backpack - she doesn't know until she asks him to get his backpack that his Epipen is just not there.  We lucked out - the nurse was very smart.  His eye was rinsed out immediately... she didn't wait for my permission but started off to the store right away to purchase some Benadryl (that they did not have on hand either) and called me until she got a hold of me for a verbal ok.  I had to leave my office - postponing a meeting that is to make sure we're prepped for an upcoming FDA audit at the end of the month ... in which I'm responsible for the accuracy of our documentation for my entire department... (not going to talk about the software issues I'm having with upgrades and the like) -- so that I can run and get his Epipen to him just in case... we all did everything he could, and thankfully that happened to be enough this time.  Right now I still have some wrap up that needs to be done, but has to wait until the drama of the day gets addressed... too long to go into.  But I need to find some time and some way to at least pay back and thank the nurse who cut through all the red tape, took on the responsibility my son decided to shirk and that I physically couldn't compensate for - and even spent her own money to save my son's life.

All that aside, it really can't compare with an actual death.  Kat, I am truly sorry to hear about your friend.  Thank you for bringing up that article ... it is a very good reminder.

Surprisingly, I've dealt with everything rather well - though I've been pushed to the limit more than once.  The naming convention of the weekdays was an attempt at a little wry humor as I was standing back at it all looking at the trend and hoping I was wrong.  (There was a Nervous Breakdown to deal with on Thursday - just not my own.)  I've been getting through by trying to make jokes and laugh when I really feel the inclination to cry or to be angry...  Focusing on work when I can, noticing the good things that are happening at the same time and being thankful for them...  Just not letting myself get swept away by my feelings or fears.  It's been a little like watching a tidal wave rushing toward you and you know that you don't have time to run or do anything to prepare for it.  If I do it right, I'll be clean at the end of it all - with a new start and a little more knowledge of how I might prepare for it in the future or the knowledge that I can get through it again if there is no way to prepare.

DL...

I'm so sorry you're having a rough week so far.

Actually, I had "one of those days" yesterday... the kind that hangs over your head... you want to explain what it is but words don't even seem to cover it. (see? I can't explain it ) ... I learned a distant friend of mine passed away, upon trying to swallow that, every little thing thereafter that could have bothered me, did. I think what helped me today was just staying focused on the things that are important. Since the majority of my day is spent at work, I knew I had to concentrate more on my job to get through the day. Never thought I'd say this but it was surprisingly a little therapeutic.

But in essence, Monday's Murphy's Law could be applied to each day of the week if you think it's going to. I'd imagine there are things that are out of your control, and I know this is something that is sometimes hard to do and often shrugged off especially when dealing with life in general, but it's good to try practicing having the best day ever. It adds up to a great life.

A while back GC posted this article on a day that couldn't have been any better for me. I've often found myself remembering that article when going through a rough time. It's a good reminder.

I don't know what you're going through but I truly, truly hope things work out for the best.