A Rash Encounter #3

Time for the final, FINAL Rash Encounter entry plus a preview of our little community garden’s progress, since that’s where the “Encounter” occurred. Click on Rash Encounter 1 and Rash Encounter 2 for background.

I tried a lot of remedies for my poison ivy affliction but I have to say that the things that seemed to work best were the calamine lotion and the steroids, just as the doctor predicted. I decided not to repost the hamburger and chemical burn-like images from the previous posts, too gunky. I’d rather focus on the positive, since I’m feeling very good about health, physical as well as emotional, very balanced. All the remedies I used probably did not hurt me but some may have slowed down the healing process. I’m thinking the comfrey salve, being moist, wasn’t that beneficial. I did try some aloe early on as well, which was a mistake for the same reason, although I am now using it right off the plant to soothe and soften the areas that have dried up. I’m finding aloe has a variety of advantages and uses as well.

My takeaway at this moment is, I have more confidence in the medical profession, at least in regards to this experience. I really believe the steroids, I’m down to 5mg a day, worked. The calamine lotion ended up being most soothing and effective in drying out existing blisters and averting newbies that were rearing their ugly heads. Someone might argue that the rash would have naturally subsided sans intervention. That wasn’t my impression.

The pics of my wrists, where the most damage occurred, are meant to show the skin is returning to its more natural color and that there is no scarring.

Enough with the rash already. Now for our spring passion, our garden. We have invested a lot of resources in our little plots and in refurbishing the greenhouse. This is our therapy. D is in heaven in the dirt. See Rash Encounters 1. I thought a few pics from this morning, the day after some lovely rain showers, would be appropriate. We are preparing to move starts from the greenhouse to our raised beds next week. The pics include some closeups of our little plot as well as of the whole garden. We work along side some very innovative gardeners and one of them even does bees. He actually drew in a swarm two weeks ago which really excites us. D was do sad to leave her ladies in Florida. Finally, the blueberries, for the most part, suvived the three nights of frost we recently had. So we still have bees and blueberries, just not 8 hives or 500+ bushes.

We’re anticipating bumper crops with lots of healthy food, enough to share with our homebound neighbors. Our best defense against disease and illness is by living in harmony with nature and to share the good stuff. We’re 100% organic in our garden. All of the gardeners are. We exercise, work, write, sing, dance, sleep and play in moderation, balance. We are told that our appearance has improved. Our healthy physical habits are affecting all aspects of our lives.

Wishing you all good health and resilience in your realms.