Best of Intentions

Hi Guys!

I hope you are having a wonderful Thursday! It has been a whirlwind of a week. I got home from California on Monday and flipped my suitcase so that I can head back out of town on Friday with Damiean.

I am so sad that I missed posting for a few days since I started out October strong and with the best of intentions on posting everyday of the week.

Unfortunately, I am learning to deal with a new normal with another chronic illness. I have suffered from asthma and allergies for a large majority of my life, over 30 years to be exact and have found a way to live my life as normal as possible. Recently, I was diagnosed with eczema. For those of you who have not experienced eczema before, let me tell you, it is enough to drive you crazy!

I had never experienced a flare up before and was completely caught off guard by this diagnosis, mostly because things seemed to go downhill quickly once it was diagnosed. What started as a really REALLY itchy and scaly rash on my left shin turned into a sever infection that required a major bout of medicine to heal. I had an allergic reaction to the medication I was put on and ever since then have had new scaly rashes develop in different areas of my body. After numerous trips to the doctor and trial and errors of medicines and creams, I think (hope!) that I have found a good balance that helps alleviate the screaming that takes plus under my skin.

My doctor did let me know that it is important not to scratch as that can lead to infections and complications. I was unprepared for just how itchy and intolerable some moments would be. If you have ever had chicken pox or poison ivy, it is a lot like that. The itch just will not stop sometimes and it has been enough to drive my crazy!

Another factor that messes with my head is that it makes me feel isolated in a way. It is tough to explain at work that the rash isn’t contagious when it looks terrible. It is hard to hear that I just need to stop scratching from family members when they have no idea that it feels like my skin is on fire and scratching is the only relief. I just don’t feel normal. It is new to me to have to warn people that I am sticky with cream before they go in for a hug or to have to reassure them repeatedly that no, I for sure am not contagious.

My go to joke right now is that October is Eczema awareness  month and what a great time to become aware that I have it!

All joking aside I am diligently trying my hardest to get through this flare up and return back to my new normal. Thank you for your patience and support!