Day 91

Woke up today itchy and flaky, but not as bad as usual. This is definitely a break. Snapped a few pics in my car before heading inside for work.

Day 90

I woke up yesterday morning an my hands and chest were COVERED in lil white head, pop-able, hives. Man oh man were they itchy! I tried not to scratch but its hard when it's on yer hands and in between the webbing of your fingers. I still have some hives left but most of then are healed now.  The places they were are still sore, inflamed, and red. Those that didn't heal were most likely scratched open and are now open cuts.

Day 86

WOW! November went by fast! Time to bust out the lights! Hubby has a soft spot for X-Mas Lights. :) Who doesn't though?!

Anyway.... Today while randomly scratching/inspecting my arms I discovered something fascinating! I no longer have hair on my arms. I'm surprised I didn't notice this right away. I still have a few thin light blonde hairs, but I used to have a bit of dark brown hair on my arms. I know I'm not just imagining this because I used  to be self conscious that my arms were too hairy for a girl.

That was until 6th grade and I saw my art teacher had MAN HAIR ARMS. Dark and lots of it! Her hair would poke out under her sleeve out over her hand and I couldn't help stare at her arms when she wore short sleeves. I know that sounds horrible but it helped me get over that.

Anyway snapped a few pics at work while we were slow during the Bronco game.
 

 

This is a great lil collection of my arms/wrist/close up.

Day 83- Happy Thanksgiving!

All that cooking, cleaning and washing sure is hard on your hands. I started early last night and tried to get a lot of the prepping done so I'd have less to do in the morning. Ian finished cutting the potatoes when he got home after work (Thank you sweetheart!!) My wrists were already irritated and I knew I needed to let them rest before I got the turkey ready.

It's just me and the Hubby for Thanksgiving and I couldn't be any happier, grateful, or thankful. But unfortunately he had to work, so I decided to get up early and make everything before hand so he could eat before work. 2:30pm-10:30. I fell asleep at 3 and I woke up at 5 and got all the turkey and stuffing ready.  I was exhausted! Around 8 I tried to get a quick nap on the couch, don't worry I set 2 alarms. Unfortunately I didn't get any sleep on the couch either. I tossed and turned (freezing) and finally gave up back to bed where the warm hubby slept. I cuddled up to him and passed the out. He woke up and turned my alarms off to let me sleep. He started the mashed potatoes and manned the kitchen in my slumber.

Before I hopped in the bath I snapped a few photos.

 I wish you all love this Thanksgiving. Hang in there Red Skin Warriors!

Day 82- I Look Great!

This is probably the best my skin has looked in a long time.  I'm not very red, but I'm still very dry.

Day 81

My skin looks pretty bad here again. It's because the Hubby pressured me into a bleach bath.  I've had good results with bleach baths in the past but I was hesitant to do it with Topical Steriod Withdrawal. He wouldn't stop pushing so I took one, I know he's just trying to help.
 My skin didn't like it, not during the bath, not after. Not even the day after as you see here.
The itching was so intense that I  didn't sleep more than a couple hours.

At least I don't have any weepers. I'll just be happy that this isn't as bad as it could be. :)

Day 79

This is the most my wrists have been healed in a long time. In fact, a lot of the cuts and what not have healed up a bit. Coarse that makes me worry cause I'm about to enter my fourth month, and I've read that the 4th/5th are the worst for most people. But I should be happy for what I have.
One day at a time.

Day 78-Start of a Break?

Either that white palm oil is a miracle or I'm coming out of a flare. Probably the second one. But either way, I'll take it! Things are starting to cool down as far as the redness, but it feels like the nerve pains are getting even worse. At night I've been getting a HUGE amount of Vaseline and slopping it on my wrists and then wrapping them in gauze before putting on gloves. I still rip the gloves off in my sleep and the gauze even start to unravel. But even as I'm half asleep I feel my self try to re-wrap the gauze instead of ripping it off. So I'm glad my wrists are starting to get the opportunity to heal. Here I am at lunch in muh car.

Day 77

My wrists have absolutely awful lately. They heal and I rip em to pieces again. I'm trying to be aware of the damage I do, but it doesn't really help.

I finally got some white palm oil. I had so much trouble finding it. Reason is because it doesn't actually say white palm oil anywhere on the tub. Yeah that's right, tub. It a tub with "organic all vegetable shortening" made by Spectrum.

So far no complaints. It doesn't have a smell and isn't as thick as Vaseline. It doesn't irritate my skin, but I do feel like I have to apply it every ten minutes or so.

Here I am one day after trying the white palm oil.

Day 74

I had a patient today who enviously asked
"Girl you are so tan! How'd you get so tan?"
"Oh, I'm not tan. I'm red." I said as I pulled up my sleeves. Shocked, she asked more questions and sympathized for me and left.

Damage is still the same.  I do have a new chunk out of my ear and shoulder though.