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Sarah Halstead

You are here: Home | Family | What a Day!

February 5, 2014 By Sarah Halstead

What a Day!

Filed Under: Family

I am glad today is over. It was such an emotional rollercoaster. WARNING: This is a very long and complaint filled post! If you don’t want to read it I understand but I needed to type it out. I think it will help me feel better!

First I get up get Dustyn dressed and out the door for school. I see the fog and it looks so beautiful. So of course I take a picture. I am editing it with Rhonna Designs App and come across the quote, “Inspire Someone Today.”

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I think to myself, I have really been wanting to do a Random Act of Kindness. So I write on Instagram asking if friends wanted to join and do a RAOK and tag with #InspireTodayRAOK. No one commented or participated right away. It was early so I said I will give it some time and you know people could do it later today or tomorrow or sometime next week. No big deal.

I come inside and rush to fill out some paper work because I was going to check out a new doctor for the boys. I wanted to fill out all the information so if we did decide to switch it would all be done. Well reading through it said all patients are required to be vaccinated. I haven’t wrote much about it but Carsyn hasn’t been vaccinated since around 4-6 months when I started noticing something wasn’t quite right about him. Anyways with his Holoprosencephaly, I am afraid that all the chemicals in the shots would not be good for him. Since it is a neurological disorder and kids with HPE are prone to seizures I just don’t feel like it is a good idea. I call the doctors office and say I want to cancel the consult because Carsyn is not up to date on his shots and I don’t plan on giving him any shots any time soon. Well the office staff said it was fine they would let me sign a waiver. I meet the doctor and she is very nice but not very personable. I start talking to her about Carsyn’s history and why I have decided not to do shots. I then asked about the waiver. She said they do have a waiver but she highly recommends Carsyn get all of his shots. Again I told her my reasoning and she basically said my reasoning was all wrong and that cases with bad side effects rarely happen. Well HPE is pretty darn rare lady and my son has it. Anyways we didn’t really mesh well so I decided the move wouldn’t be for the best.

While I was waiting at the doctors office I decided to make this cute little instagram to encourage others to join me and inspire someone.

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Again no one joined in. I guess I was already starting to get emotional because no one wanted to join in my Random Acts of Kindness.

I drop Carsyn off at school and he had a little green gunk in his eyes. His allergies have been flaring up again so we have been doing breathing treatments. Before I left I took a warm wipe to try and get the gunk off. I wiped for a bit and couldn’t get it off. Carsyn has really sensitive skin so after I finished wiping I saw it was red underneath. One of the teachers asked about it, I told her it is from me wiping his eye. Anyways they don’t say anything else and I leave to spend some time alone shopping at the thrift store. I was so busy shopping I didn’t notice the three missed calls. I saw them when I came out to the car and saw a text message from Carsyn’s teacher saying the nurse thinks he has pink eye and that his eye is draining. That he can’t come back to school until his pink eye gets treated or his doctor writes a note saying it is allergies. (At this point I had already scheduled Carsyn’s Doctor Appointment to check on his allergy stuff for the next afternoon) So I head back to school and pick up Carsyn. When I get there the red under his eye was faded, his eye was dry, and the whites of his eyes are as white as could be. I had already started tearing up because it has been before Christmas break that he has actually gone to school for more then a day at a time. I feel like I can’t get back into my normal schedule. I decide to call my friend Kimberly and my tearing up turned into a full fledged ugly cry. She probably couldn’t hardly understand what was going on.

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While hanging out and waiting to get Dustyn from school I go to the Pharmacy to get Carsyn’s prescriptions. We do automatic refills and they text when it is ready. So I wait in the drive thru line for 15 minutes, because I didn’t want to get Carsyn out plus my eyes were all puffy. I get up there and they say only one is ready because I have to pay for the other one before they can mix it up. I told her I have never had to do that before. She asked if he had every had a compound before? I said yea only for the past 10+ months. I decide to go and get Dustyn, then go back an hour later (she said it would take 15 minutes). Well I wait in line for another 10 minutes. Again, don’t want to get both boys out. I get up to the window, same girl. She says it still is NOT done. Tears start again…. I am sitting there waiting, waiting, waiting, holding up the line and she keeps coming to the window saying it will be right up. Another 10 minutes later she hands the medicine to me.

The company we are ordering Carsyn’s wheelchair through calls while I was waiting in line at CVS. They say that everything is going through really quickly and they are submitting to insurance tomorrow and that the estimate Out of Pocket Expense after Insurance is $2,000. My jaw dropped. I knew we would have to pay some out of pocket but didn’t realize it was going to be that much. I am excited how fast it is going through, but also shocked by the amount. Side Note: We applied for Medicaid and SSI awhile back and Kenny made too much. My friend told me the Medicaid Waiver program is pretty good and acts as a secondary to our insurance. So I am going to apply for that tomorrow.

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I was not going to let my bad day ruin my #InspireTodayRAOK. The boys and I head over to the SPCA and we get there at 3:25 (thanks to the slow Pharmacy) only to discover they close at 3:30. (Holding back tears). They do let us visit with a few while they bring them all inside and feed them. I decide that is not enough, so I talk to the manager and tell her I want to volunteer my time and take professional pictures of the dogs for them to use in their ads. We got that all set up. Can not wait for that, and share the cute photos with you all.

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Still didn’t get anyone to join my Inspire Someone Today challenge. I asked some friends to help spread the word. Nothing happened. I know I shouldn’t get my feelings hurt but seems like whenever I try to do something cool on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, etc I don’t get much participation. Really makes me sad and I feel like I didn’t really inspire anyone today like I wanted. One good thing that came out of it was my good friend Sarah sent me a Starbucks gift card. Which was really sweet of her and very much needed today. I think though I will just continue doing Random Acts of Kindness and people can join in when/if they want. It definitely won’t be only a one day thing.

Kenny also brought me home flowers, which was a huge surprise. I was not expecting that. Definitely made the rest of my night better. Plus I got to go out to Chickfila by myself and pick up dinner. Phew! Was nice getting a little alone time.

If you got through that entire post you are awesome. Again sorry, but just had to write it out. I feel much better.

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Comments

  1. Amy @ Marvelous Mommy says

    February 8, 2014 at 5:25 pm

    Aw I'm so sorry you had a crappy day. You are such an inspiration to me! I honestly see you as a superwoman! I didn't even see the #InspireTodayRAOK challenge you posted on IG. I love the animal shelter idea! I would love to do something like that!
    • Sarah says

      February 9, 2014 at 11:51 pm

      Awww. Thanks so much for your sweet words Amy.
  2. Stephanie Clark says

    February 7, 2014 at 3:53 pm

    UGh! Sarah I am so sorry you had such a crap day. I hope writing this did make you feel better. I never got to write out my RAOK thing the other day. I started to write it before you posted on instagram, but work has been crazy busy this week and I have not been feeling my best this week. Blah. So I haven't actually shared it with anyone. Anyway, I guess it was Tuesday night on my way from work to get jonah it was already dark and STORMING like crazy out, but I HAD to stop for gas. I pulled into a smaller gas station that I wouldn't normally go into, I did this time because it was the only one that had a cover from the pump to the building and I had to pay cash so I didn't want to be drenched. So, I park at a pump and run in. there were a ton of people so I go get some water and a little snack and go get in line to pay. Well I waited and waited and the line just kept getting longer and longer. When I finally tuned into what was going on it turned out the credit card machine wouldn't process this lady's payment (probably bc the storm) and everyone was just standing there looking at her. So, I volunteered to pay for her things. It was less than $3, but she thanked me several times then said "I'll have to pay it forward!" to the whole line of probably 8-10 people standing there. I really hope she does pay it forward, Just wanted to share my little story.
    • Sarah says

      February 9, 2014 at 11:52 pm

      Awww. That is so awesome and sweet of you to do! What an awesome RAOK. I know I shouldn't have taken that personally. It had just been an already rough day.
  3. RaD says

    February 6, 2014 at 4:55 pm

    Sounds like to people who love you very much participated in your random acts of kindness, they just didn't link up! Hope your day is looking much better today than it did yesterday!
    • Sarah says

      February 9, 2014 at 11:54 pm

      Thank you! I know I really shouldn't have cared. I was just having a rough day.
  4. Ida says

    February 6, 2014 at 4:41 pm

    Sometimes we just have to let our frustrations out. Don't worry about it. I am sorry that no one joined in on your RAK as that is always a "good" thing to do for others. I hope your week has gone a little better.
    • Sarah says

      February 9, 2014 at 11:54 pm

      It is alright. Thanks for your kind words.
  5. Allie says

    February 6, 2014 at 12:23 pm

    ((hugs)). Tomorrow has to be better! Definitely apply for that waiver. Also, check with Easter Seals website and see if there is an agency near you that could offer assistance. There has to be something out there! Hang in there sweetie!
    • Sarah says

      February 9, 2014 at 11:54 pm

      Oh cool. I know there is the shriners I was going to try to give them a call. Thank you!
  6. Meagan says

    February 6, 2014 at 11:46 am

    Sarah, you have the sweetest heart and you inspire me all the time even without a random act of kindness day! I'm so sorry to hear about the big out of pocket expense for the wheelchair. I'm going to pray that they find a way to get that reduced. Your sweet Carsyn needs that chair! Keep your head up, you are truly an inspiration to lots and lots of us out here! xoxo
    • Sarah says

      February 9, 2014 at 11:55 pm

      Awe. Thank you so much Meagan. You are such a sweetheart.
  7. Terin Garrett says

    February 6, 2014 at 9:30 am

    I'm sorry you had such a rough day! I hate days like that! :( I love the Rhonna Designs App too! And I completely missed your Random Acts of Kindness posts on Instagram! I'm sorry!! :(
    • Sarah says

      February 9, 2014 at 11:55 pm

      It is okay really. It was just a rough day. Thank you!
  8. Shari Fox says

    February 6, 2014 at 8:09 am

    Woah! That was a very emotional day. *cyber hugs* I read over on IG that you had a long post about your day. I had to hop on over and make sure things were ok. Hang tight - heck I didn't even see your RAOK pic on IG. I apologize for for not being around as much but Life has taken over the last few weeks. I feel like I don't have any alone time either. Let's blame it on the weather! :)
    • Sarah says

      February 9, 2014 at 11:56 pm

      Oh it is alright. I am blaming the weather and all the sickness, etc.... I am just ready for spring!
  9. Jenn says

    February 6, 2014 at 7:13 am

    Hi Sarah :) This is JennR831 from Instagram! I actually have had RAOK on my radar this year - I did a few little things in January, but I'm planning a big day of it on my 30th birthday in August. I wanted to add something to your tag yesterday (I even had my act picked out!!) but we had a snowstorm here yesterday and it would have required driving my 3 little ones in unsafe conditions, so I decided not to. I just wanted to let you know that I did see it, and I was excited to see someone attempting to inspire others - your efforts weren't completely unnoticed :) PS - if you want to swap buttons and/or guest posts ever, let me know!! xo
    • Sarah says

      February 9, 2014 at 11:57 pm

      Thanks so much Jenn! What an awesome idea. I know I didn't even think about the snow. I shouldn't have gotten upset about that. Sometimes my feelings get hurt really easy. I would love to swap buttons. Just email me. [email protected] I am in the process of moving my stuff back to sarahhalstead.com
  10. Life with Kaishon says

    February 6, 2014 at 12:05 am

    Oh, Sarah! I am so incredibly sorry that your day was horrible. Days like that are the absolute worst. I am glad you had a friend you could call when you were feeling down. I am going to pray right now about the wheel chair. $2,000 is a lot of money! It's a good thing God is a zillionaire! I want to do a random act of kindness tomorrow inspired by you. Thank you for having a kind heart : ). I am sending lots of love tonight .
    • Sarah says

      February 9, 2014 at 11:57 pm

      Awww. Thank you so much!! Your words are so sweet.
  11. Karly says

    February 5, 2014 at 11:28 pm

    Aww, I'm so sorry you had such a rough day! I haven't even been on instagram today, and not much on facebook either since I was working on shop stuff, so I totally missed your posts. What a lame friend I am! I'm sending you internet hugs though, can you feel them??
    • Sarah says

      February 9, 2014 at 11:58 pm

      Awww. It is okay. Seriously. I don't even know why I got upset about that. Yes I did feel them. Sorry it has taken me so long to reply!
  12. WeeMason's Mom says

    February 5, 2014 at 10:53 pm

    Aww, Sarah, what a crappy crappy day you had! I'm so sorry! It is SO awesome that you're going to be doing photography for your shelter! I ran our shelter's website presence/petfinder/photos for 3 years and it's AMAZING what a good picture would do - people will actually drive for HOURS based on a photo they saw and fell in love with online and with photos like yours, well, I bet adoption rates will go way up for them! How exciting!! I'm sorry I couldn't participate in your RAOK today - I saw the original post and it was just a crazy day for me. I totally know how it feels to be excited about something and then have it not go over as well as expected - don't feel silly for a second - it sucks! I hope tomorrow is a much much better day!
    • Sarah says

      February 5, 2014 at 10:57 pm

      Awww. Thank you so much for your sweet words. I understand that not everyone can participate on such short notice but I was hoping at least one person would. I figured I might just continue doing something once a day or every other day and post about it and maybe people will start joining. It definitely isn't only a one day thing. So feel free to join when you can.
    • Sarah says

      February 5, 2014 at 10:59 pm

      Just edited my post to add the thing about continuing to do RAOK.
      • Kathy says

        February 6, 2014 at 9:21 am

        Sarah, We haven't met only know you from IG. Starting following you when I saw you were starting weight lose. You have help me get started wanting to get healthy for myself and my family. Hope today will be a must better day for you and your family. God is a on time God and I am believing things will work out with the out of pocket cost your family is dealing with.

Welcome

I'm Sarah and I am the writer behind this blog. I love sharing recipes, DIY projects, photos and about my everyday life. I married my high school sweetheart Kenny. We have three boys and one baby girl - Dustyn, Carsyn, Prestyn, and Annelyn. Thanks for stopping by, can't wait to get to know you more. Read More…

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