Learning Patience - The Never Ending Rash

March 9, 2012

I will try and write in this blog this morning and let you know that I am doing better.  The rash I have been covered in is finally starting to subside and lighten up which started miserably on January 28.  I have been following the dermatologist and doctors plans faithfully.  I also implemented a couple of my own plans;  the first being to cover it up and try and forget it and get on with my life which wasn’t easy when it itched, I wasn’t exercising because movement caused more itching and made matters worse but I finally on President’s Day decided to start walking anyway,  a couple of weeks ago I got a baby foam natural body wash to use in the shower and baby laundry detergent and started washing the sheets and clothes, and finally I am starting to see the rash leave. 

On February 24, I met with my cancer doctor and he stopped the taper of the steroids and upped the dose to 40 mg and said to stay on the steroids at the 40 mgs and see him in ten days if it wasn’t gone.  On Wednesday, March 7, it was ten days and it still was not gone.

I had two doctor appointments on Wednesday the first with the dermatologist and the second with my cancer doctor.  I met with the dermatologist and he took me off the two medicines I was taking for the itching because the itching has finally stopped and gave me a more mild cream to put on my skin and said he didn’t need to see me unless it flared up again.  Then I met with a hematologist who met with me before my cancer doctor.  When my cancer doctor still saw the rash he left my steroids at 40 mg and said in ten days if the rash is gone then I can go down to 30 mg for two weeks and then come and see him if the rash is not gone then stay at 40 mg. 

This rash has kept me off all other maintenance drugs and I will be starting the year maintenance when I am cleared up.  Right now they are just trying to get rid of this rash. 

I have been walking almost every day since President’s Day.  I am so weak that the first day I went to the end of Beacon Heights plus two houses, but right now I am walking probably close to a mile.  I get up early and walk before Morrie goes to work and take a cell phone.  The steroids are really hard on me, but I am trying to be patient because I know that they are the best treatment for the rash.  I am not driving because they affect my strength and my thinking.

Morrie is patiently waiting for me to get better too.  He has applied for long term disability and will be ending working sometime soon. 

Angela came yesterday and we zoomed here and there.  It was fun to go out and move at a different pace.  She came from dropping Jason off at work and she was only here during the day.  We had a good time.  Rebecca came and we even had time to play Barbies.  Brett stopped by for a short while and he play Uno with Rebecca they were talking about rhyming Uno. He came up with a dog he knew Bruno. 

I have tried to get out and about a bit more.  I have a little cough and a runny nose that I have picked up, but nothing serious.  I have tried to keep my hands washed and always wear a face mask when I am outside. 

I am trying to figure out what I am suppose to be doing, but also enjoying this time and trying to get stronger both mentally and physically.   The days seem to be going by so quickly and I am so looking forward to Spring.  I have been mostly sewing, knitting, crocheting, cooking, cleaning, a little weaving, reading, Words with Friends, Scramble, talking on the phone and T.V. at night.  When you are not running here and there it is amazing what you can accomplish, but it is also amazing how quickly the days can go by. 

I have learned a lot about patience these last few weeks.  But for the most part I still feel very blessed by the Lord and loved by so many.  I am grateful to Morrie who has been constantly by my side for every appointment and need.  I am also grateful to Mark Silver who so understands our situation.  I am grateful to all of you who care so much I want you to know that I love you.