I'm Catching Up Too

I kept meaning to update before the end of the year, but time just got away. The whole family was here for the holidays and to say it was hectic would be an understatement. I decided that I'm going to send a bill to the king of Spain. When I was in Spain, I went for a massage at the resort that I was staying at. The next day, I started to break out all over my back and it started to spread slowly over every part that had been massaged. At first, I thought I was just breaking out in acne from the massage oil, but it just got worse and worse. I finally hauled my pus covered body to the doctor who said, "What the hell is that sh*t?" He was stumped, but put me on some heavy duty antibiotics that finally cleared up the yuk. No sooner was I over that crud than I got my second cold in a month. Yeesh! Still dating The Man. Still working far too many hours. Still struggling with a few pounds. Rented office space for the new business. Kidscansign.com if you care to look. Haven't made a dime yet. Ended the old year with 1,000 crunches and 1,000 leg lifts on New Years Eve while watching a movie with the family. Started the new year with a trip to the grocery store to stock up on fresh fruits and vegetables and healthy protein. (No more lard laden tamales.) I flew through 2005 without really taking time to count my many, many blessings. I'm so very grateful for my good health and my many friends and family. I'm especially grateful for this terrific community of warm people who support me and allow me to share their journeys. Here's to even more blessings for all of us in 2006. Love to you all, Connie

So what was that sh*t? Did he send some skin cells to the lab? Next time you want an exciting vacation, sweetums, head to Connecticut! We would have SOME fun together, Thelma and Louise would look more like the Tweedle-Ds next to you and me! Love you tons, Maureen

Never did find out what the creeping crud was except some kind of bacterial infection. In fact, under the diagnosis in my chart he wrote "Don't Know." The antibiotic cleared up most of it and has a long half-life so hopefully, it will be completely gone soon. I wish I had asked for a liquid antibiotic because I'm starting to think that the pill form washes out of my pouch before it's digested. The last two kidney infections have required two rounds of antibiotics instead of the usual one round. I'm going to ask for my meds to be liquid whenever possible from now on. Love ya! Louise

Wow - that skin thing almost sounds like the rash I've had on my back for 12-13 years now. I am still trying to figure out what the hell happened, but I think it started back in physical therapy. I got a tiny little red spot and eventually it spread to the whole back. I wondered if I didn't catch something off the ultrasound wand. But I've been to 2 different dermatologists and they haven't figured it out. The ONLY time it cleared up without steroid creams was when I had my RNY in Mexico and was loaded up with IV antibiotics. I wasn't sure if it was the antibiotics or the water (no chlorine) but think I figured it out after a bout of bronchitis when I took some Amoxicillin and it started to clear up then too. Now I'm REALLY wondering about this...have an appointment to make with another derm today, so maybe I'll get this mystery solved! Didn't mean to hijack your thread but you just got me to thinking.... Glad to have you back Connie! Even if I don't post all the time, sometimes I do breeze by to read and I always look forward to your posts....always... Dina

Dina, My creeping crud started out as a small, red dot, smaller than a pin head. It just spread from there. What the doc prescribed was a derivative of Erythramycin that is supposed to be very succesful on skin infections. It's commonly prescribed for acne. Wish I could remember what it was, but I tossed the pill bottle and can't log into my pharmacy account because I forgot my pin # and they have to send it by mail. If you can get it in liquid form, ask for it. Cons

Wow!!......Everyone on this board seems to be going through some form of hell or another!! I feel like a total piker compared to you guys!! I'm just sitting here struggling to keep from putting the entire kitchen in my big mouth and whining about how long it's taking to re-hab my rotator cuff!! When I read all the posts from people with real problems, I'm pretty damned ashamed of myself!! I'm glad that you've gotten over the "creeping crud" and would love to know what the hell it was??! I couldn't agree more on the importance of this board for keeping me going and count my blessings that I found you all!! Happy 2006! Mike

Mike, Mike, Mike... I hope I didn't sound like I was going through any type of hell, but I probably was whining. I have absolutely nothing to complain about. I may have creeping crud, but I have insurance and a doctor to take care of it. I'm with Reenie in counting this board as one of my life's blessings... But don't think that's going to keep me from whining once in a while, oh hell, all the damned time! Hugs, Connie

Hey Connie.... It doesn't sound to me like you were whining at all. You've had some interesting times lately and I hope that they get a bit less interesting in the new year. Sometimes......boring is good!!! Mike

Hi, Connie! I had to check out the kidscansign.com. My daughter is graduating high school this year and will be attending Ball State University and her major is Education of the Deaf and Hard of Heariing...Ball State is one of the few universities that offer this as a major. Teaching kids to sign before they can talk sounds like a great concept. I told my daughter about it, and she already knew about the program. Well, Spain is most definately off my list. Thanks for sharing your experience. I'm still dating Ray, now I am back to work...a blessing and curse all in one....and struggling with 10 pounds. Going to the gym every other day, running on the treadmill and crunching myself to death. BUT....I'm thankful for all I have...I'm a lucky girl. Take care, be well, and thanks for being here! Joanie