Saturday, March 31, 2018

Saturday, March 31, 2018 - Still Feeling Good!

I haven't updated in a while, so I thought I'd pop in and say I am doing great! 99% healed and I think that is as far as I'll get. I still have allergies, after all, so I deal with contact dermatitis. I use safflower oil when needed on hands and feet and if there's an itch I still keep Allegra anti-itch cream on hand, although I hate to use any commercial products. I suspect another flare is on the way, as they always show up when the weather warms up.

As I mentioned last post, the areas that are persistent, namely my hands and the tops of my feet, may never heal because way back in the 60's when I was about 10 years old I recall having radiation treatment done on them to treat my eczema.  Not sure how many times this was done.  My primary memory is having a very heavy lead shield placed over my body and the nurse leaving the room before I was zapped.   I have never heard of any one else that has had this done.  I try not to worry about what this did to my body.  Between this and being a "downwinder" I suspect I know my final fate.  In the meantime, I will enjoy life as much as I can.

That reminds me, one thing that has helped me lately is a bit of a philosophy adoption.  My son-in-law from Australia has taken up "Stoicism" which may be the worst name ever given to a philosophy.  It implies being "meh" about everything, but is actually quite the opposite.  One of the main ideas is to accept the things that you cannot control, such as going through TSW, and not let them ruin your life.  Take on each day as if your life is brand new and do what will make you the best person you can be.  To learn more, look up https://www.facebook.com/practicalstoicwisdom/ on Facebook or http://www.risetothegoodlife.com.   One thing I like about it is that it does not rely on religion.  Those that know me personally know why that's important to me.  No worries, I won't get into it on this blog.  Haha!

Hugs from Texas!