I’m about halfway through a large box of laundry detergent that I’ve been using for a long time, so that hasn’t changed. Same with the fabric softener I use. Last night I had to get up and wash my neck during the night. I rubbed some eucerin ointment into my neck and face and took some Benadryl, which helped with the itching so I was able to sleep. This morning the itching is still there, but a little less intense than it was during the night. I’m going to the pharmacy later to see what is available OTC to help until I can get an appointment with my doctor. I thought going the PCP route would be faster than trying to get in to see my dermatologist, but I’m beginning to doubt that strategy.

My rash is much better now. I took a break for a few days from putting any cosmetics on or around the affected area except for some cocoa butter, and when it itched I used a new tube of max strength hydrocortisone cream. The rash is almost completely gone now and I haven’t experienced any itching for about 24 hours. I still don’t have any idea what caused it, but I’m hoping it’s run its course and won’t come back. I haven’t changed any of my cosmetics or skin care products, so I haven’t changed any no idea what set it off. I’m just glad it’s better.

Pam - that itchy rash sounds terrible! I hope they can give you some relief.

I'm trying to get as many doctor appointments in before my surgery as I can. And so of course I just had a huge work project dropped on me. Go figure!

I'm glad you are going to get a visit from your sis!

I had visit with surgeon and signed consent forms yesterday. He’s also removing excess skin when he lifts the droopy eyelids. Surgery is in 2 weeks. And I passed the pre-op surgery evaluation.

The surgeon said it was painless but maybe a little discomfort. He said if I was in pain to call him right away. I’m expecting some discomfort in the form of itching but that’s what the gel is for. He was telling me some patients talk under anesthesia. One woman swore like a sailor. He thought it was because of the anesthesia but she swore as much at her appointment to remove stitches. She had been in the military and picked up the bad habit from soldiers. She unsuccessfully tried to stop. Another patient was told not to try to manually raise her eyelid during healing. She texted him a pic of her doing just that while making a goofy face. Luckily she didn’t mess up her healing.

I had cataract surgery about 12 years ago. I’m having the eyelid surgery because I pushed for it. I’ve told my eye doctor that I didn’t think I was seeing as well as I used to. He dismissed my concerns and said my eye tests were in the same range as the last couple years. I could see I had droopy eyelids and it felt like someone had pulled a window shade down cutting into my field of vision. When I pushed him on it, he agreed to refer to the surgeon who does the eyelid surgery. That doctor evaluated me and decided the surgery was appropriate. If I waited for my doctor to suggest it, I’d still be waiting. I felt I had to advocate for myself.
Good luck on the hip surgery. I hope you have an easy time of it.

We called our SIL today. It would have been 53 years since she and BIL married. His funeral was 2 weeks ago. She was in good spirits. I suspect it was because he was ill 5 years. It seems that’s very different from a sudden death like a heart attack. I could tell she was touched we remembered the anniversary and we’re thinking of her. Her son is having her and his sister to dinner tonight. I don’t think it’s specifically for the anniversary but I bet he has it in mind.

Helene - sometimes I think not just doctors but everyone connected to the medical community views us seniors differently. It's a PITA at times.

Pam - that's great that you had a good visit with your sister. Brown bedroom? Really?

Between getting organized to get the colony feeding covered, doing the medical pre-op "stuff" (which seems to be never ending) and trying to get CROM and work both organized in case I need to have a week or two off I'm amazingly swamped. I wasn't really expecting this I admit!

And the last couple days we had our first firm meeting since the pandemic started. Most people came in Thursday and stayed until this morning but I went only to the 4-hour meeting yesterday (which with travel time was most of the day).

Yay! Just got home after my follow up with my foot doctor. In his words, “I’m released back into the wild” with no further need to see him unless I start having issues again. He did advise that I limit my walking for the next 2 weeks and when I do need to walk for more than a few minutes to wear good supportive shoes with arch support. I’m so happy to be out of my boot that I don’t mind the restrictions at all!

I’m so glad the surgery went well. Keep up with the icing and the bruising and swelling should heal quickly. I was fortunate to have almost no swelling or bruising with mine, and what I had healed very quickly.

Helene - Here's hoping the recovery continues to go well!!

Pam - great news about the foot!

I made an appointment for September to get another "short term" injection in my vocal chords (got about a year out of the first one) so that I can push the surgery into next year. One surgery a year seems like enough.

Helene, just tell anyone who asks that the other guy looks a lot worse! I’m sorry you have so much bruising and swelling. I hope it dissipates quickly!

My stitches came out today. I was glad to see them go. They were causing the itching and some tenderness where the stitches were. My bruising is much improved. The left eye is almost back to normal and the right eye will clear over the next few weeks. The dr could tell I followed all his instructions about icing. He said he had patients with much worse swelling. I’m really pleased with the results.

Your patio sounds very inviting. What a great spot for entertaining your friends.

The lease on our truck was running out so we stopped at Toyota Thursday to look at replacements. Our sales rep and the finance guy both saw me with bruises and stitches. We picked up the new truck today and the finance guy commented on how much better I looked since the stitches are out. My left eye is almost bruise free. The right eye has a way to go but it looks better every day.

Helene, yes, we are not in that area, thankfully. There are people from our area who are among the missing or dead, however. It’s a very beautiful and popular area of the state and a lot of people enjoy camping there. The Guadalupe River is very popular for rafting and tubing in the summer as well. Truly horrific how fast the water rose.

Maryanne, are you feeling prepared for your surgery? I recall you had a lot on your to do list to get ready for it. I hope all goes smoothly for you.

We didn’t have a lot of fireworks here either, but some idiot did decide that 1 AM was the perfect time to shoot some off. That went on for about 20 minutes, then he either ran out or had the opportunity to meet some of our local law enforcement.