Valley Fever

When you grow up in the San Joaquin Valley, and your children are born and raised here "Valley Fever" is not something you give much thought to.  It's one of those things that happen to other people... the transplanted ones, who haven't been breathing the air around here forever, and you assume if anyone in your house gets it, they won't even know it.  You think these things because it's just how it is.  Mostly.  Until it's not.  Ryan has  Coccidiomycosis, otherwise known as "Valley Fever" and boy do we know it.  We think he probably picked up the spores while at young men's camp in July.  I would really like to post some pictures, but it would be too mean right now.  I don't want to upset him by pointing the camera at him.  His rash is not the worst the Dr has ever seen, but it's definitely up there.  In fact, the doctor asked if he could take pictures of it.  He has more rash showing than bare skin, and as it progresses it gets darker, he has patches of purple, and dark red, and bright red, and blisters.  He is pretty miserable on the outside and started taking prednisone today .  Dr. Johnson is hopeful his insides will resolve without medicinal aid.  We go back Wednesday to see how things are going.  And in the mean time... school is starting on Monday.  He is going to miss at least the first week of his sophomore year, and right now he is too sick to care.  The other kids are super excited though!
Backpacks are ready, new socks and shoes are lined up, first day outfits are picked out.  At least for the younger boys.  Josh and Caleb have the same teachers as last year, I am super excited about this.  Josh will be in a 4/5 combo and Caleb's teacher moved up with her class.  I am looking forward to a good year.