. . . is very cautious about prescribing medicated skin creams. I believe he's afraid I'll somehow manage to dry them out, create powdered versions, and snort 'em.

Next thing you know, I'd be a Diprolene 'ho, and it would be all his fault.

But, no: he's saving me from that sort of existence.

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And it will get worse before it gets better; summer is upon us.

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You're just sort of going along, just about as depressed as usual—no more, no less—when you suddenly hit a genuine bump in the road and realize that depression isn't so bad at all. As a matter of fact, it's downright tolerable.

Oh, well. I was on the Westside, and my mother made me a nice chicken salad. That's something.

Don't make me count the rest of my blessings; I'm not ready to quite yet.

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15. What's your favorite brand of clothing?

Old Navy, along with any other manufacturer that uses natural fibers. Cotton and silk for me, Baby.

16. Where would you like to retire?

Right here where I am in good old SoCal. Perhaps a bit closer to the beach.

17. Favorite time of the day?

Ask Eric Clapton.

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18. What was your most memorable birthday?

A tie between 17th (a beautiful clear glass tea set) and 18th (for ten minutes, my very own male harem). There was also a lovely Polish meal, circa 22nd or so. I've had some good times, 'cause I've always had good friends.

19. Where were you born?
Woodruff Community Hospital. My father worked there as a pharmacist at the time.

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. . . physicians are the dragons placed in front of the cave to guard them.

I went to the doctor today for a hydrocortisone shot and some prednisone, but was instead given more skin care advice—none of it too different from what I've been doing over the past three decades. The only real news is that diphenhydramine is not a form of diprolene, so I've been buying the wrong OTC shit. I'm mad at myself, because I'm a proofreader and fact-checker. No excuse.

If the holistic approach doesn't work, however, I will install myself in a tower with a long-range rifle and start shooting—just before I scratch the skin right off my body.

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1 EEEEEK! whatthe's been going on?!?

Posted by: k at June 10, 2006 04:45 AM (Ffvoi)

2 Another "dr. do-little" I see! Lots of that in the news recently. So OTC cough medicines ONLY provide 60% relief? Isn't that better than NOTHING? And music might be ALMOST AS EFFECTIVE as certain pain killers so doctors should suggest that as the first course of treatment. Oh yeah? How about I introduce you, Doc, to my little buddy-- Louisville Slugger-- and see what YOU do first! And don't get me started about antibiotics! Drug-resistant bacteria are a good sign that you didn't KILL THEM ALL in the first place! No second or third generations to carry on if they're all dead! Go ahead and assume the normal course of treatment(4-7 days) without testing upon completion to make sure. And pass out antibiotics like candy in the Third World where they are sure to only see you once. Oh, YOUR problem? (You never give us enough details to play doctor satisfactorily, by the way...) I've had good success with Neutrogena's "Soothing Relief Anti-Itch Moisturizer" combined with OTC hydrocortisone cream. Both are available at Walgreens. Try those. There was a first version of this, LOST FOREVER, when your little system ATE IT!!! May it rest in pieces!

Posted by: Darrell at June 10, 2006 08:45 AM (dTJkH)

3 Atopic dermatitis.

Posted by: Attila Girl at June 10, 2006 09:23 AM (4IuF2)

4 Yuck.... hope you can get if figured out...or at least find an effective treatment. Do they know what causes it, or is one of those things our beloved medical proffesion hasn't a clue about?

Posted by: Zendo Deb at June 10, 2006 06:32 PM (+gqOq)

5 Have you tried tacrolimus ointment (Protopic*) or pimecrolimus cream (Elidel)? They are part of the new generation of immuno-modulators. I'd also go with oral prednisone(lo-dose during outbreaks) and plaquenil, just to let your immune system know who's boss! And just in case, I recommend that someone with REAL money out there send LMA $2 million right away! If this is stress related, we have to get a handle on this right away...

Posted by: Darrell at June 10, 2006 07:58 PM (ZkS/8)

6 atopic means genetically allergic. you're born with the antibodies to harmless things, you don't have to wait for an exposure to make your system create antibodies in its confusion. but, *atopic* is used interchangeably with *allergic* sometimes. dermatitis means a skin allergic or allergic-type reaction. her doc is saying, Ya got a skin allergy. Things can be stubborn as all get out. can include stuff like eczema too. pls xcuse useless spelling, hand in cast. i give up.

Posted by: k at June 10, 2006 07:58 PM (wZLWV)

7 D-- I'm using Protopic on my neck and legs, and Clobex on my hands. It's getting better--slowly. K-- I've also heard that there are "atopic" individuals who are prone to this. Supposedly they tend to be bright and a bit hyper. If I meet anyone like that, I'll let you know . . .

Posted by: Attila Girl at June 10, 2006 08:13 PM (4IuF2)

8 hmmm...!!!

Posted by: k at June 11, 2006 03:15 PM (Ffvoi)

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Last week I made the annual First Hamburgers of Summer to start grilling season and celebrate our anniversary. Tonight the husband took me out to an amazing restaurant.

We're running late this year: May is our month. Years ago we started dating at the beginning of the month, and we got married some years later over Memorial Day weekend. We celebrate the marriage, and our respective survival thereof.

I have work to do this weekend, but I believe I will get up early tomorrow and take care of it before church—because right now I'm enjoying the afterglow of venison and foie gras.

Lucky. That's me. Very lucky.

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It's one of those times again: like the six-month period in which:

• we bought a house;
• three of our pine trees blew down in a windstorm;
• we went through a legal wrangle with our former landlady;
• I changed jobs at the Largish Publishing Company, jumping to an entirely new department featuring a different corporate culture;
• Attila the Hub won his first two Emmys;
• we got married.

I'm fastening my seat belt.

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