Monday, June 13, 2011

Cautiously Optimistic


Today has got to be one of the most gorgeous days on record. "Chamber of Commerce" weather. 74 degrees, light breeze, not a drop of humidity. A perfect day for washing windows and drying sheets on the clothesline. And a good day to update y'all on my health condition. Quietly. With no fanfare. I have not had a hive in over a week. Shhhh..... don't wake them up!

The weekend before last I was in the Emergency Room with my face swollen up like a basketball. My bottom lip was touching my chin. As far as I know I hadn't done anything different except take some ibuprofen, which I hadn't taken in several months. (I used to live on ibuprofen when I was on the couch with a bad back.) The Useless Allergist I saw back in March said to avoid it because some people were allergic to it and at that point I was avoiding anything that had the potential to cause an allergic reaction. That day I think I just grabbed the wrong bottle and didn't think much of it until I had to drive myself to the hospital before my eyes swelled shut and my throat closed up.

The ER Doctor gave me Prednisone, Benadryl and two shots of Epinephrine and I was still swollen. The sweet nurse put me in a room with a door so I could sleep off the Benadryl and kept bringing me warm blankets. After five hours, there was talk of another shot of Benadryl and of admitting me, but I protested. We agreed on a third shot of Epinephrine and a promise to take more Benadryl when I got home. They sent me home with a 6-day pack of Prednisone and an EpiPen. It took almost two more days for the swelling to go away completely.

So for the next few days I'm on Prednisone and feeling like Superwoman, but crying all the time - that's just how it affects me - and the hives were suppressed. I got a lot done. I finished the Prednisone four days ago and I haven't seen a hive. Now, I'm weaning myself off the other antihistamines. Keep your fingers crossed! And toes! And anything else you want to cross for luck. I'm trying to stop running to the mirror every time I have a little itch to see if it's a hive. I'm not going to celebrate for a while yet - at least until I get off the antihistamines for awhile. Shhhh.......

4 comments:

KristiBowmanDesign said...

Geeeez Zoe, I think we both just need to get better. I had an ultra sound and they want a better look at my kidneys so it's off for a CT scan in a couple of days. I hope whatever they find is easily fixed and I can quit hurting all the time. One day and one step at a time my friend!

Zoe Nelson said...

I'm so sorry you're still feeling bad, Kristi! Let's hope we both are on the mend.

Fred & Lynn Racey said...

It sounds like you've had your share of poor health for a while and it's time for you to heal and feel good. It's the yin/yang thing. It's your time, Zoe. You've earned it. You deserve it.

Alice Walkowski said...

Very quietly praying that you are done for good with the you know what. (Don't even want to say it and jinx you.)