True Stories

Hello, if you're visiting from Shimelle's True Stories class!  And hello, even if you're not!!!

Today we started a new class, and I can't wait!!!  We're going to write.  Write about us, about our lives, our stories, what we want to put down to pen and paper, for future generations or for just us!  I've already dived into the Forums - LOVE those message boards!

I've been so busy lately that my blog has primarily been some quotes about books vs. e-books (if you scanned any of them you'll know I'm a die-hard book person!); I've been cutting and pasting some quotes that I've run across in my daily RSS feeds that strike a chord in the debate, just so my blog doesn't sit here, unloved, unused,... 

Perhaps with all the writing I'll be doing for Shimelle's class I'll get back into blogging...  I don't know that I'll transfer all my notes to the blog, but some of the stories will most likely make it here!

Here's a bit of an update...  I went home sick from work on Friday, chills, fever, and a wicked sinus headache.  So bad, in fact, that I didn't go out to a local bar to meet some girls from my high school class!  I know I disappointed them by not coming, but I swear, ladies, I'll be there next time!!!  I dosed myself up with some Advil Cold & Sinus, and went to sleep.  I woke up on Saturday with a left elbow the size of a plum!!!

You might remember, you 2 or 3 regular readers, you! that last year my doctor thought I might be suffering from gout, or pseudo gout.  After some blood work, it turned out that, no, I was not an older alcoholic man sitting in front of a fire with gout in my foot and a cane!  (That vision of a person with gout comes straight out of my Harlequin Historical Romance reading years!)  My blood work was normal; they thought perhaps it was just a flare up of arthritis or bursitis or some other -itis...

Well, I work up this past Saturday, as I mentioned, with an elbow that was the size of a plum, bright red, and HOT, HOT, HOT to the touch!  And my arm hurt so much I couldn't straighen it out.  So on Sunday I went to the Immedicenter and the small, young doctor told me that I had (drumroll, please!) cellulitis.  (Yes, another -itis!)

From Wikipedia: 
"Cellulitis is caused by a type of bacteria entering the skin, usually by way of a cut, abrasion, or break in the skin. This break does not need to be visible. Group A Streptococcus and Staphylococcus are the most common of these bacteria, which are part of the normal flora of the skin but cause no actual infection while on the skin's outer surface.

"Predisposing conditions for cellulitis include insect bites, blistering, animal bite, tattoos, pruritic (itchy) skin rash, recent surgery, athlete's foot, dry skin, eczema, injecting drugs (especially subcutaneous or intramuscular injection or where an attempted IV injection "misses" or blows the vein), pregnancy, diabetes and obesity, which can affect circulation, as well as burns and boils, though there is debate as to whether minor foot lesions contribute. Spider bites are also known to cause cellulitis."

The doctor told me right up front, before even examining me, that it was cellulitis.  I had all the classic symptoms:  inflammation, redness, and heat at the site.  He did examine me to make sure that I didn't have a spider bite or something, but no, just my usual dry cracked elbows!  Apparently it doesn't have to be an open cut to allow the bacteria in under your skin.  Lucky me!

He gave me a prescription for Bactrim and said if I don't see an improvement in 48 hours, I should take myself to the Emergency Room.  I did a literal double take!  For what?  Apparently there's a risk of a systemic infection if we can't nip it in the proverbial bud within 48 hours.  Thankfully I already have some relief after an injection yesterday of rocephin, an injection in my gluteus maximus, might I add!  I picked up my prescription and started my antibiotic this morning.  I'm also taking some Advil to help with the inflammation and the pain...  Ahhh, sweet relief!!!  Although I still can't lean on my left elbow and if I bump it, oh, do I see stars!!!

Anyway, I need to rush off and get back to work...  More blogging to come!!!