So now I'M the sick one.

Braden's platelets are up - in the 300,000 range, which is great! No more blood tests for him!

Me, however, well, let's just say I am not the picture of health.

I've been to the doctor twice this month. I have bursitis in my knee, the result of a fall in the garage (and a bruise the size of my entire knee) and slight hearing loss. The doc has given me three meds to try to unclog my ear. Seems like the last one worked.

Got a blood test as well. Various things wrong with me. I get yet another antibiotic, for some "infection" they found. My white blood count was up which indicated. They think it is in my ear, which may be causing my temporary hearing loss.

And... surprise surprise... high cholesterol. They don't want to put me on a long term maintenance med, so they tell me to take over the counter niacin (a vitamin). It is supposed to open up your blood vessels so there is not as much clogging. My stepmom tells me to take it before I go to bed, apparently it makes you itchy and hot, which shouldn't affect you if you're sleeping.

THAT WAS AN UNDERSTATEMENT. I took one pill (apparently half the dose of what I should be taking). Within 10 minutes I feel itchy. 5 more and my skin is on fire. I literally felt like my skin was too small for my flesh. My fingers felt like sausages and my lips were puckering. It was awful. I ran downstairs to try to cool off, and start feeling like I can't breathe. My pulse was racing. My heart was beating out of my chest. It was exactly how I imagined a heart attack to be. Well, in a few more minutes I was fine.

The doctor said - take an aspirin a half hour before you take the niacin. Fortunately that worked. Last night I kept waiting and waiting to feel like I was on fire again.