May 22, 2008
Apocalyse Now
Lately I feel like screaming at the world, "What did I ever do to you?" I feel like the signs of the apocalypse are occurring on my body. Gestational diabetes with Lil C which has left me with a serious carb-counting complex that prevents me from enjoying dessert pretty much ever, whiplash which marked the descent into karate injury hell, messed up wrist (an old church camp injury) and thumb (for which I am seeing my orthopedic surgeon tomorrow-oh joy), torn acl and subsequent surgery, and now poison ivy that is spreading on my body like California wildfires after a two year drought.
That’s my forearm. Fabulous.
It started on my forearm, moved to my bicep, jumped to the other arm, made friends with my elbow and then I noticed two more bumps. One is on my leg, the other on my neck. I made a bee-line for the natural foods store as soon as I noticed the new bump on my elbow today. They gave me some kind of herbal homeopathic stuff that I have to dissolve in my mouth every two hours and also some seriously smelly soap with jewel weed in it. The only problem is that I now smell like jewel weed and so does my entire bathroom. So, wouldn’t you know it. . .
Two showings tomorrow, one of them a second showing.
Not that I’m complaining, because I’m not. But I can not catch a break to save my life. Not one.
Tomorrow both of the girls have well visits with their doctor, which is always a big event for the BBM family. Big I exaggerates everything and Lil C doesn’t know whether she should be her laid back self or jump on the paranoia train with her sister. And if the doctor isn’t fast enough, I’ll have to leave to get to my appointment and PT, which will end just as our first showing is about to start.
My PT told me that my surgeon may give me a cortisone shot in my wrist, and right now, I’m thinking that sounds like a little slice of heaven. It will serve dual purposes and maybe, just maybe I can stop working on my mental itch restraint, because I’m seriously about to get out a rake and take the top layer of my skin off.
Despite all the crapism that has been going on lately with low-ball offers and nasty skin rashes, I refuse to admit defeat. Tonight, a beautiful rainbow appeared in the sky. Our house was directly under the highest point, and I took it to be a sign. The rash will go; the offers will come. The apocalypse that is my body will be tamed and calmed. It just has to be.
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I really love how optimistic and upbeat you are. I think this means that you’ll be paid back in spades when things go well for you.
I like your positive attitude. When things get really sucky in my life I think about all the good things and thank God that I’m not Richard Simmonns and I always feel better about myself. If you’re still not smiling take a look at this, I think it is funny and may get your mind off of the rash,the knee, the house and impending doctor visit.:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w_75eE3DV0s
Avitable: I have to remain positive. If I cry, it will make my poison ivy spread and then I’ll probably get dehydrated too.
Chris: You spend entirely too much time on YouTube I think. But I must say, I appreciate your humor.
I’m impressed that you can find the joy in the rainbow at a time like this. When I’m having a moment/day/week/life like yours is now, I never seem to be able to remember that it’s not a permanent state. You are, of course, right that this moment is as transient as that rainbow, even if not nearly as beautiful.
Also, poison ivy doesn’t spread. You only get it from contact with the oil in the plant–or something that touched the oil in the plant. So, if you’re like me, that means obsessively washing anything that I so much as looked at on the day I broke out to ensure that it has no more oil on it and won’t infect me again.
If you don’t believe me, believe Wikipedia (because if it’s on the innernets, it must be true…I read that on a blog somewhere…):
The oozing fluids released by itching blisters do not spread the poison. The appearance of a spreading rash indicates that some areas received more of the poison and reacted sooner than other areas….
Understanding why new lesions may develop for two weeks (studied on forearm) after one exposure was made clear by a University of Miami scientist: larger amounts have earliest onset and largest reaction, smallest produce a delayed reaction. The overall severity ‘progresses’ with the combined active lesions. Therefore, the last new lesion should occur at two weeks after last exposure, the total rash (untreated) may go on for 3-4 weeks.
from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poison_ivy#Effects_on_the_body
The bad news is that it’s pretty clear that you’re paying off an enormous amount of karmic debt. The good news is that if you keep going like you’re going, your next life will be SWEET. 🙂
Hang in there.
As Jesse Jackson always says, “Your attitude will determine your altitude.” I ignore a lot of what he says but that’s gold right there, baby.
You have just the right attitude for when the shit is raining down on you. Persevere and prevail. That martial arts training is kicking in. xo
have you tried bleach or peroxide on the poisin ivy.. it always worked for me… and took the itch away quickly… just dab (pour) it over the infected spots and within a couple mnutes it stops… OR you could just take a trip to the beach (salt water is a KNOWN cure) that is a SURE way to get rid of it- and of course any other issues at hand!
PB: Thank you-great info. I’ve been reading the horror stories instead of the medical info.
Steve: I hope you’re right.
Finn: I tend to ignore him, but I agree that is gold.
Katharine: I have not tried bleach and I’m out of peroxide. Mr. BBM says I’ll fry my skin with bleach. I have tried: prescription hydro-cortisone, caladryl, white vinegar, apple cider vinegar, salt scrub, mineral salt scrub, colloidal oatmeal, jewelweed soap, benadryl cream, etc. I’m going insane because it keeps getting worse. I’m thinking prednisone is in my very near future.
Wow, and I thought Poison Ivy was a contact rash–did you bathe in the stuff, or has the oil from the plant suddenly grown legs to walk all over your limbs???!?
Hoping you get your offer soon. You sound as nuts as I am right about now.
I have to agree with Katharine; The beach. Salt water is amazing at dealing with skin issues as is a healthy dose of vitamin D. Not sure how far you live from the coast as to whether that is viable or not, but if possible head down to the beach, have a good soak in the sea for an hour or so and then a good sun-bathe. It also works wonders for acne and any oily-skin ‘things’.
Seriously, when was the last time you saw a ‘surfer’ with bad skin ?
I think every crummy day should end with a rainbow.
(Loved this post, btw.)
That rainbow is a great sign! I’ll be thinking lots of positive thoughts for you.
I don’t have any suggestions about the poison ivy, but I think what everyone else has suggested hopefully SHOULD work!!
When I get home tonight, I’ll light a candle for you (green, of course, for prosperity/sell your house wishes).
oh my dear black belt mama, i sure do hate all of this crap that you are dealing with. i do, however, love your rainbow.
sending lots of good thoughts your way,
becky
Beautiful rainbow, you don’t see too many like that! Hope your rash was gone for the holiday weekend.