I worked my shift at the hospital on
Christmas day, thankfully it was slow but I feel bad for those
patients who had to stay over during the holidays. Little babies who
have the rotten luck to be born having cancer or a heart defect, and
others of all ages who have problems big enough to warrant hospital
stays that can last for weeks sometimes. We occasionally joke in the
lab that patient so-and so never seems to go home, but in reality it
is no laughing matter, they have serious health difficulties. We do
what we can and try to give them blue ribbon care and help them on
their way to healing.
Having some chronic health issues
myself, I can definitely relate. Then I thank my lucky stars that my
problems allow me to live at home, and not end up in a hospital bed
getting chemo, organ transplants, surgeries, or transfusions.
 |
| One of the best things to happen this year was that my son returned home from Japan, where he had been living for two years as a Christian missionary. He is on the left. |
I was trying to figure out how to
attempt an end of the year post about the most noteworthy happenings
of 2012, but we'll see how I do. The one wonderful happening this
year that outshines all the rest is the return of my son (in June)
from his missionary work in Japan, where he lived for two years. I
have a little get away later today and tomorrow for my wedding
anniversary of 32 years, so I do need to get an small bag packed and
finish some of the never ending laundry that multiplies by a factor
of ten every single night! I did want to share some info about things
that have definitely helped me manage my chronic skin and
inflammation problems though, in case anybody else out there can
benefit from this information...
I have a sweet friend who has a saying
when something is vexing her or getting her down- she tells whatever
is bothering her that she is "not going to let it win".
I have another wonderful lady that I work with who has serious bone
cancer. You would never know it because she lives her life in a
manner that brings joy and inspiration to those around her. We love
her all the more for it. I have amazing friends, a third one gave me
good advice as well when I was having a hard day; 'There are some
things you cannot change, but you can change how you react to them'.
Good words for living from my stellar friends.
 | ||
| Epsom Salts and Hibiclens soap help when you are getting a skin infection. Available at any pharmacy, even Wal Mart. |
 |
| Good tea for relaxing. |
When you have a problem that stays with
you like a health difficulty you can let it run (ruin) your life or
you can go on living the way you want to, in spite of the problem. Yes,
there are days when it gets you down, but having a positive outlook
is a much better way to live than surviving on your own pity parties.
The world is a beautiful place in spite of all it's problems and life
is good even if you hurt at the end of every day! Dolce vita....
 |
| Shea butter-Get this lotion at Health food stores or order from Amazon on line. |
For itching that can sometimes drive me
insane I have wonderful relief from relaxing baths. When I feel I am
getting a bit infected because I have been naughty and scratched too
much I soak in epsom salts, use Hibiclens soap, and occasionally even
use bleach or white vinegar in the tub. I have also been known to
slather peroxide on my affected areas of skin. It stings like the
devil and is not something that really should be recommended, but
man, it stops the itches that threaten to drive me insane some
nights. It's always worse at night, getting one night of
uninterrupted sleep is a miracle most evenings. I also have been
known to down a nice warm cup of Celestial Seasonings Tension Tamer
tea.
 |
| Aromatherapy; relaxing pillow spray I found at Ulta. |
(I can't drink camomile which is supposed to be relaxing because
of drug interaction with my other meds). I like pillow spray that has
a relaxing effect and have also taken benadryl to help me sleep
better. I hate sleeping pills with a passion and am actually afraid to
take them for fear I won't wake up. Silly and irrational I guess, but
they also leave me really groggy in the morning so sleeping pills are
not really an option. My trusty Kindle reader is always by my bedside
too, if I can occupy my mind away from the trouble it helps me cope
and is much better than pacing the floor in your nighty at 2 am.
Hugging my hubby and caressing my trusty little pups is also good
comforting salve.
 |
| Oatmeal Bath, add it slowly to the water or you get lots of lumps. |
 |
| Ask for this at the pharmacy counter. |
 |
| Available at many stores. They even have a version for babies. |
 |
| Love this cream. |
Other options for soothing baths, be it
itches, sensitive, rashy, or swollen skin are Aveeno oatmeal bath and
amazingly, a beer bath. In my opinion beer is good for just a few
things and not for drinking! It has a vile smell and taste. It's good
for soothing skin-one bottle in the bath and you have soft, soothed
skin. I heard it was good as hair conditioner as well but have not
tried that as all the beer I have goes into the tub or the cook pot
for making yummy bratwurst. Enough ranting for now here are a few
pics of the products that have saved my sanity lately when dealing
with my own difficulties. For creams- especialy for sensitive and
sore skin; Vanicream from a pharmacy (just ask them to order some for
you), Aveeno ezema cream, DeVita-Shea Butter Brulee Tahitian Vanilla cream available at
Sunflower Market or from Amazon, and my latest new found love for a
cream- Nivea!
 |
| Shiner Bock bottle cap, Beer Baths to soothe the skin. Also tasty for cooking bratwurst, lol! (No one paid me to endorse any products, these are all products I buy for myself.) |
May the New Year bring you
peace, joy, and prosperity!!
