Spider Bite
The end of December, I was bit by a brown recluse spider. We had moved some stuff from our shed and apparently a brown recluse had made the box her home. Anyway, I had started going through the box to determine what I wanted to keep and what I wanted to toss or take to goodwill and something stung me on my arm. I had a shirt on, so at first, I thought maybe there was a pin in there because I had been also going through my sewing room and thought I could have had a stray pin or needle stick into my shirt. But, it began burning like crazy, so I took off my shirt but didn't find anything. I put ice on it to stop the burning and then rubbed it with a steroid cream. The next day, my tongue swelled like crazy and the day after my face swelled up and then my arm began to turn into this huge red swollen thing. I kept thinking of all the things it could be and surprisingly, the swelling went down (of course, because of my severe asthma, I am on a steroid inhaler twice a day and it's very strong, plus, I have so many allergies, I take an allergy pill and the doctor said those two things probably saved not just my arm from rotting off but my life as well). Since I was leaving for the Middle East, I decided that I better go see what was up with my arm and the doctor did blood test and wound scrapings and said from what it looked like and her lab results, I had bit by a brown recluse. So, I was put on medication and they opened it and began the let's drain it. After two weeks in the Middle East, I come back and think it is getting better and go to the slider doctor and he sets me up for a debridement, which hurt like hell and made the little opening in my arm the size of a moon crater. So, for the last two weeks, I have been going every other day to the doctor to get a debridement and drainage tube change and all of that crap. My arm has almost healed and now I am complaining more about the skin around the wound that is so irritated from all the tape and crap. When I went in on Friday, the doc said he was sure we are down to the last week or so of digging and he will just scrape for a few visits and then let it heal on its own. He said that we could discuss some reconstructive surgery that would involve taking tissue from my butt and moving to my arm and I said, why would I do that? He said, well, you might want to wear a sleeveless shirt and I said, seriously, you have seen my arms, right? Anyway, I've been reading everyone's post but not responding because of this awful mess my arm was in and for some reason, the board wouldn't let me post. It's better now. LOL. The bright side of the spider bite, loss of appetite. LOL
Jeanne ....
I am so sorry this happened. I am glad you are doing better now. You are one tough cookie....just like Vickie as she has been going through the debridement as well. Praying you have this all behind you soon!
I continue to pray for you every day.
At some point I would like to hear about how things went in the Middle East. I know it is hard for you to type much now.
Love you much....HUGS....connie d
Connie,
I can type now pretty easily. The Middle East was/is wonderful. I had a blast and cannot wait to get moved over there. I cannot believe how much money I can make working there. But, I will surely miss my job here and that's why I am dragging my feet getting signed up and moved over. I have to be there by August or when the fall semester starts so I am slowly getting things here stored or sold or packed away at my daughter's. I am going to Dubai in May and Turkey in June but, for sure, by August, I will be moved into my new home, working at my new job, and traveling all over the world in between semesters. LOL.
Jeanine-
Sorry about the spider bite. Mother Nature has some deadly creatures. Congrats on the job in the Middle East. I found an expat website when I was moving over to Europe in 1999. I think it was Expatforum.com or Expats.com. Was able to pick up furniture and other things through the website.
Cindi
Cindi,
The beautiful thing about the job that I am taking is they provide us with a condo, apartment, or huge villa and we get a huge housing, furniture, car allowance that we can spend filling the dwelling up with all kinds of household goods from furniture to pots and pans. Plus, I never pay rent, utilities, or air fair back here for visits. I have a friend who works there and she says she will never move back to the US and I'm sure I won't either. I love our country but the violence here is inexcusable and the money I can make there will help me help get my children financially stable. When I was their age, I bought a house and a car and paid utilities and other things and still had a little money to save; these days, a house payment is almost an entire month's wages. If my daughter didn't live in our house down in the valley, she would never be able to survive. So, working there will let me buy her and my son a little land near our farm and also put a little money back for the grandkids. I'm like Vickie...I have to provide for my kids so my grandkids are okay. Enough rattling. Thanks for the website.
Jeannie--yep! we are in the same boat for sure. If I don't support Chris (who is almost 30 and could make her own bed to lie in as far as I'm concerned), then Benny and Reese are the ones who will suffer. I just can't do that. It's a hard reality in today's world. I was on my own financially after I graduated from college, and Butch and I certainly never took a dime from my parents. Well, we do what we must, don't we? I'm glad you are able to help your kiddos.
Vickie
