8.15.2010

atopic junk

It's been a long week here at the Hiebert ranch. I acquired some sort of "atopic dermatitis", which is fancy lingo for "itchy rash that morphed into hives and is driving me mental". According to two different doctors it's either definitely NOT poison ivy or certainly IS. Could be an allergic reaction to bug bites or something in the lake water (ie swimmers itch). Nobody has a clue and I've been miserable. The worst of it is slowly healing I think but new spots keep appearing. Ivy has a few patches now too and we hope it doesn't spread like mine. My family has been very tolerant, I hope to be less whiny again someday soon.

Despite feeling physically very low there were lots of good things about the week. We hosted an informal meteor viewing night on the lawn and had a great time. Good company and a clear, warm evening. The Perseids were kind and we saw more "shooting stars" than usual. I don't think the kids had had that experience before. Even Ezra stayed up until 11 snuggling on the futon-on-the-lawn and was delighted.

I had a few hours to myself late this afternoon while Jeremy took the kids to the beach. I relished the quiet time and puttered in the garden and cooked a mean pasta sauce (tomatoes, zucchini, basil and oregano all freshly picked). I followed it up with a glass of wine while I sat outside in the golden light and gazed out over the lake.

I've had to put exercise on hold most of the week and found it hard. Sometimes I'm happy for an excuse to take a day or two off but I sure don't feel that way now. I did a half workout today so that's progress. It's a bit limiting to have to find clothes that don't rub on the waistline and to do only exercises that don't require lying down, bending at the waist or impact of any kind. That kind of left me with mostly naked push-ups but the neighbours didn't call the cops so we're okay.

Big thank you's to Jeremy & the kids for extending me all kinds of grace this week, to my parents & siblings for checking in with me every few days and to Gerald & Dianne for the unexpected gifts and a visit to cheer me up!

5 comments:

Shawna said...

sorry to hear what you´re going through Tan ... sounds awful! really hope whatever it is vanishes pronto !!

Angella said...

Aw, I saw that rash yesterday and I can't believe you have to deal with it.

Sending happy, healing vibes your way. :)

Tannis said...

Yup, not much fun. Lucky me though, I got squeezed in at the specialist for...November. (did you catch the sarcasm?)

Anonymous said...

Has anyone mentioned shingles ... I don't think you're immune at any age. I empathize with you ... I have an infection in my finger that looks like gangrene has set in, and have had to go to the E.R. three days consecutively to have IV antibiotics. Not fun, but like you, I know it won't last. Hang in there. C. Caron

Tannis said...

Yeah, shingles came up but was ruled out for a few reasons. Different kind of pain and it crossed my mid-line were both mentioned...the rest of that conversation was lost in a haze of itching.

Carol that finger thing sounds terrible! Who would have thought? I had no idea poison ivy could be like this either though. Nasty. I hope that finger clears quickly!