Baby Steps...

So yes - I DID get my haircut/colored - HOORRAY!!! Came out WAAYYY too light the first time around - so I had to return two days later for a bit more toner but know - I am quite a happy girl! She figures it was because I had SO much regrowth affected why my roots came out so light - who cares - so long as it's better now:)

Still on 3 pills a day and the cream - but the "bumps" are all but gone and the slight redness left where the bumps were should be a memory in a day or so. What this means - after the redness is gone then I get to stop taking the pills right before bed and stop using the cream - aka also get to go back to only showering when I want to - YIPPEE!!

Assuming the rash does not reappear for 7 days - then I get to stop taking the pill at lunchtime:) SO fingers crossed that in two weeks.......

One day at a time - one day a time. At this week's follow up appointment I was "cleared" to have an occasional glass of alcohol - LOL! My Dr. is reintroducing things gradually - and since I really don't mind eating this way - I enjoy my fruits/veggies and chicken so I'm not missing pies/cookies/chocolate - he figures an occasional glass of wine and a haircut would be the best way to make me feel "normal" this Holiday season. He is exactly right:)

I am also cleared for a facial!!! EXCELLENT news - as my skin has been under quite a bit of stress since April - this will also be a HUGE pick me up. That's Tuesday evening - I can't wait!

And the new MP3 should be delivered today. Perfect timing - with the weekend here I should have sometime to get my tunes in there - return this other one...one more thing off of the to do list!

Now if I only could only get my Summer weather back........

24 HOURS......

To get through before my haircut! I'm a bit worried. There have been a few new spots appearing through out the week - even with the 3 pills and the cream. But I have learned from past weeks - haircut appointment is at 10am tomorrow - allergist at 1. So unless there is a full on rash/hive episode - or if the spots appear on my face/neck before tomorrow - I'm going through with it. I could really use a boost of self esteem these days.

There are SO many activities/meetings that I signed up for information on awhile back that are starting to get together now that it's "that" season. I can definitely go and avoid the food and alcohol - pretty used to that by now - but mixing with new folks when I feel so less than sexy - well..........let's just hope that I get to the haircut tomorrow. Then I'll see if I can bring myself to RSVP.

Training is still GREAT! More PB's last night and I'm about to sign off and go train back and bi's - YIPPEE!! Lizard day - heheehe!

Thanksgiving was as predicted. Dad continued to try and rope me into some activity right through Wednesday night. And then Thursday I got the guilt filled - I was hoping you might stop over anyway - but I stuck to my guns. I needed some quality Michelle time - a day with no appointments/no work. And he has 3 cats - so I am not sitting in THAT or any pet filled house - right now for a moment longer than I have to. I simply can not risk a trigger/episode.

The mp3 - Grrrrrrr - it has so much nonsense pre-programed on it that the memory is half of what they advertise - so it's going back as soon as my new arrives - which should be Wednesday. This is the same brand - but larger memory - that I just put through the washer - so it should be no problem to figure out. I was going to go this route last time - but they don't sell them locally so I have to have it shipped in and I admit - when it comes to my MP3 - this is one gadget I can NOT train without. And since training is the only thing I get to do that doesn't involve cooking/showering - although I guess it does lead to both doesn't it - I was NOT willing to wait a week before. I neede a replacement - IMMEDIATELY! LOL!

So off to grow me some lats - have a great weekend!

Another Monday.....

Another allergist update. So the new treatment is going well - all be it time consuming. Back to no less than 2 showers per day. Currently on 3 types of pills and one cream. But - the rash is subdued and this is the best my skin has looked in months - although it is definitely guarded optimism on my part here. One day at a time. I won't consider myself "normal" until I am no longer forced to alter my decision based on when I have to take my next shower and next set of pills.

But the good news is I am cleared for a haircut on Monday November 26 - thank GAWD!!!! Because I am so overdue I should be ready for my second haircut by now. Ick!

And I've been cleared for mild soaps and detergents again - phew. I don't go back to teh allergist for two weeks - so just tech haircut next Monday. He hopes by then that the rash will be gone completely and we can once again start talking about rebuilding my tolerance.

But I've heard this before.

Thanksgiving has been canceled this year - at least in this family. Gma completely understands and told me to get some sleep and enjoy a day without 16 appointments. dad keeps trying to figure out how to get me to spend the day with him. I know he means well - but I need/want some quality sofa time. And since they both have pets I can't go to their houses for any extended length of time - and since it's a Holiday there is no way to guarantee my meal won't be soaked in something I'm allergic to. And the idea of cooking and entertaining people right now is just to draining to consider. So decision made.

I've almost figured out this MP3 thing. Figured it out enough last week to get in 4 playlists for last week's training sessions - the only pleasure they haven't taken away yet:) Working on creating some new playlists right now and about to transfer them over. Wish me luck!!

In tears......

That's how I left the allergist appointment today - in tears.

My usual Dr. was/is on vacation - so another Dr. in the office was kind enough to see me. However - he feels that my condition is NOT what the first Dr. said it was - and while he did not place me back on steroids he did send me off with 3 prescription. 2 pills and 1 cream.

He also took away my "privilege" to use soap and shampoo/moisturizer. Showers should be kept to a min. ABSOLUTELY no drinking. Try to limit eating out - due to the unknown additives.

Essentially - back 6 weeks:(

What made this even worse was that I was 30 min away from a haircut and 3 hours away from dinner with friends - finally.

Both had to be canceled. And pushed back AT LEAST 2 weeks.

And then I got home to discover that I had accidentally put my MP3 player in the washer and dryer. So I would be without tunes to train on Tuesday. Seriously - the ONLY fun thing left for me to do - and then......

This was one thing I COULD fix right away. And sure - I had to charge it - but I don't even care. Take away my training and I can't even imagine how miserable I'll be.

So my Dr. comes back from vacation on the 15th. His first available appointment isn't until 11/21. I hope I make it that long. I'm itching so badly right now as I type I don't see how I'll sleep tonight...........

Nooooooooo.........

So I've been off of the 'roids for 72 hours........

and I just got out of the shower.......

and guess what I saw.....

SPOTS! - ARRRrrrggghhhhh! SO very frustrating! I am literally on my way out the door to work - so no chance of seeing my Dr. today - and the only opening he has on Monday.....

Is the same time as my hair appointment:( So obviously I know where my priorities are......

I'll call my hair lady from work and plead my case - maybe she can squeeze me in somewhere.

Her next opening - is in 2 weeks! I can't even imagine what I will look like by then! But without seeing the allergist - 2 weeks could be.......

I will not even think about it!

Other than that things are still going quite well. My new computer gets hooked up today - hopefully that will go smoothly. I was smart and hired a tech to transfer my files so this should be a no brainer - for him - LOL!

Training is still GREAT - eats are super - as they ave to be:) My Indian Summer was quickly replaced by winter - but it should warm up a bit next week to more seasonable weather - which is ALWAYS good! The less snow and cold the better in my book!

I heard from a bunch of old online pals last week - which was REALLY a nice surprise! I definitely needed it - as the local pals seem to have no use for me now that I can not drink. Luckily I'm enjoying my solo adventures! Even when I suggest/ask if one of them would like to join me - they're more interested in the game/race/party.

They always say that times of "trouble" show you who your true friends are........