ughhhh

Sorry you're not feeling so good - it's a horrible illness and it robs you of your life.

I had a similar experience today. It's getting rather warm and summery here in the UK (makes a change ) and as I've put on loads of weight I didn't have any nice cool clothes for work so I asked my partner to take me into town (I'm not up for going alone, I would have thought nothing of it last year). We only went to about 3 shops and I did find some nice clothes but when I got home I was so exhausted I had to have a lie down for a couple of hours. After a simple one hour shopping trip. I'm annoyed with myself for being so weak.

Just wanted you to know you're not alone. It sucks big time, but we just have to look after ourselves.

I understand. I love to work in the garden. I love landscaping, beautiful flowers, etc. I do what I can, but an hour out there doing that work feels like 6 hours. My heart is always beating really fast when I come back in, headache, flushed, really tired. I'm only 29, so Dbab, I relate to what you said about the life starting in your 30s. Not for me either. I used to work in landscaping for years at my college and I sunbathed, tanning beds, drank a lot, partied late, and now I can barely make it through dishes. It's humbling, especially with no diagnosis of anything yet. Plus, no diagnosis means no disease to my husband. He thinks I'm lazy. He tries to be nice, but I know he wishes I were more outgoing and energetic and maintained the home better. I can barely keep up with my two boys.

I'm sorry you are feeling discouraged.

(((((Stacie)))))

Yes, it sucks sometimes. And from one avid gardener to another, I have to tell you that I understand your frustrations. It's hard for me to bend over to pull weeds or deadhead my flowers. I still get out in the garden, but on a more limited basis. I planted an herb garden in an old antique wheelbarrow that was in the back of the house when we bought it. Next to it I planted two tomato plants in a large pot. I have enough basil, parley, cilantro, and rosemary that I've been giving it away a few times a week. And I love cooking with it. It's no trouble at all. Weeds don't grow in it, I don't have to bend over, and a little water is all it needs. I staked the tomato plants this morning and saw two little tomatoes growing. Sometimes just ten or fifteen minutes our in the yard doing something gives me pleasure. I might get a little stool and sit an pull weeds for 15 minutes. Six years ago I spent 8 hours a day for three months landscaping an acre of shade. It was a paradise as the years went on and rather than mourn the fact that I can no longer do that, I get to enjoy the memories.

I realize that the elderly go through what we're dealing with every day.

I think that once you deal with your grief over this, you can learn to enjoy all the things you used to do, but in smaller doses.

Take care of yourself Stacie. You can do this.

(((((Hugs))))

Pat

(((Stacie))) for me it was bug bites. But maybe I was really mostly sick from the sun. This spring/summr has been bad for colds here down south, though the heat index has been as high as 110 F. Baby aspirin helps my headaches from sun sometimes, and drinking lotsof water. Maybe it thinsthe poison out, I don't know. I love gardening too. I'm ready to get one of those safari broadbrimmed hats with the full-length mosquito net all around, but my luck I'd trip on it and break my neck! I don't knowif a beach umbrella would be helpful (if there is no wind). I use it on the rare days I can to try toblock some of the sun. I got this full length black beach coverup dress but my son says I look like a nun or something and it shrunk in the wash.

I hope you feel better and don't forget to always bring your own tools to your manicure/pedicure, not just for fungus, but for HEP C. Considered a bad risk factor. I don't get them anymore, but just because I did, I'm at risk. I even wash my pierced earrings in alcohol when I buy them if there is anyway someone could have put them on.

There's my paranoia for the day. ;) Better safe than sorry.

Good morning everyone,

It is another damp rainy day in NY, we are right between Lake Erie and Ontario and get all the worst weather from both. Please don't be tempted by the sun, even little bits make me sick. I have brown patches on my arms from just being in the car driving into the sun and the itch that is almost instantaneous drives me OUT of my skin. I compromise by always sitting in the shade with dark sunglasses, long sleeves and long cotton pants, and stick my lounge chair half in a sun spot with my legs and feet covered by a towel. Sunscreen makes me itch worse and I literally can not stand to wear it. I have tried every kind. I go swimming with a long sleeve shirt on, and watch a clock. I love sitting in the surf, and pull a lounge chair into the waves. On Amelia Island I "swam" with dolphins and had to force myself back to the shade. I LOVE the beach. And chocolate cake   The Miracle Whip recipe is as follows: (a mixer is great, a bowl with whisk just fine, too). Mix wet ingredients together then mix dry together, then combine. Pour into sprayed cake pan, rectangle or two round. Don't overbake. 350* 15-20 minutes. Test with toothpick.

2 C. flour                                                          1 C. Miracle Whip salad dressing

1 C. sugar                                                        1 C. water

4 tablespoons cocoa powder                           1 tsp. vanilla

2 tsp. baking soda

pinch of salt (optional)

Frosting of your choice, I make buttercream with butter, vanilla, conf. sugar and milk to spreading consistancy. Or just dust with sugar, make a glaze, or spoon pie filling, and cool whip, over just before serving. It also cuts up nicely to put in a glass bowl, with layers of cake alternating with frosting, to take to a picnic at the last minute. The cake, red and blue berries, layered with Cool Whip  makes a great 4th of July cake. Enjoy.

I get infected hangnails alot, too. I have had a few scary bouts of localized infection and my nails split off in layers and have fault lines in them, that crack easily to the quick. I know salons are health dept. regulated and are trained in good infection control measures, but compliance is another thing. Notice if when something is dropped on the floor, it is put aside to be cleaned and another comb or scissors gotten out. The 5 second rule DOES NOT APPLY! Find a salon you trust, and that has a clean bathroom and storage area, (ask to peek in), share your worry about your infections and ask them to resanitize everything before they start. A bit of an extra tip is worth it to avoid an antibiotic course. I am doing gramma daycare today and just tucked my 8 month old grandaughter in for a nap, oh boy. I am heading for the coffee pot,

hugs to all 

suetoo 

My hep won't let me get manicures and pedicures, not like he can stop me. Yes I get the infections, and ingrown nail corners and can tell youwhat I try to do. I clear it up best I can, antifungal/antibiotic, then shape the nails so that the corners can grow out of the skin. My skin is tough due to endo and so I have to clip out the corners of the toes and get the nail out. I was told straight across is best , then oval. I think it depends on your nails. Just try to focus on growing the nails out I use an herbal nail strengthener constantly under polish and it has helped.

Please do consider bringing your own tools because the health dept is easily and often prone to overlooking things if it is to their advantage, if you know what I mean. Hep c is extremely contagious blood borne infection, muchmore so than AIDs. It takes but a small amount of blood to transmit, then once you get it you have to worry about giving it to your kids, been there--done that. They suspect I got exposed when a boyfriend unbeknownst to me borrowed a razor or toothbrush--he told me after that he borrowed both. NNNIIICCCEE....

The sanitizers don't kill everything, they have to be left in for a length of time, and you need to make sure the solution is changed. My mom also got a horrible nail fungus from a salon.

I had a old friend years ago I ran into that had contracted AIDs and was running a body piercing business with her boyfriend, who had AIDS and multiple hepatitises. They seemed like nice clean people and the salon was spotless. I broke off my friendship. When I questioned her, she said "why should I go alone?" and "my customers probably have it already". She got ill shortly after and had to close the shop. She is dead now and I think her hubbie is too. I wonder how many customers she would have had if they had known. So, I don't trust anyone.

Hi! Marji,

It has to be the white creamy salad dressing, not mayonaise, Miracle Whip, Not Hellman's

sue too

ps. if you add cocoa powder to the frosting, and more milk, it drizzles like a work of art

pps. bet a nickle, your son will think it's the best chocolate cake he ever ate. The clue is not overbaking,

ppps. Happy 4th of July to All, rest alot, delegate work whenever you can