Taking A Break

Yesterday I was exhausted from our busy weekend, but as mother of two small very active toddlers, naps are not possible and sitting down is a luxury. My days are generally filled from the time I wake to the time my head hits the pillow at night with household tasks.

But I needed a break and so decided to take the day off and enjoy my time with the boys (and my Dad) at Legoland. The result was that we all had a great time walking (okay, mostly running, after my 3 year old, Levi), talking and laughing on a sunny, breezy day and I wasn’t weighed down with responsibility.

Aside from the fact that Levi thought the entire amusement park was made solely for him and couldn’t understand lines or why other kids wanted to play in his house, we had fun. As I mentioned, he is 3.

The boys took naps on our way home in the car so I enjoyed some silent reflection time as I drove. I suppose it is as Oxford scholar, Robert Burton wrote, “A quiet mind cureth all,” because I felt energized by the solitude. All in all, it was a great day at Levi Land, errr… Legoland.

One Step Closer

After blogging about my ice allergy, I once again searched the internet for more information to try to find a connection between it and fibromyalgia. I got a little more intense than usual and also searched for information on fibromyalgia and latex allergies.

My latex allergy is extreme and affects most areas of my life, even down to the candy I eat! I only eat paper or foil wrapped chocolate bars.

Imagine my surprise when I came across a group of people who understand what I’ve been living with - because they experience it, too. As I’ve started to receive responses from people who understand my fear of balloons, my worry about eating restaurant and packaged food because of possible latex exposure, my fear of going to the hospital more than whatever illness I may have, I felt suddenly relieved. I’m not the only one!

Maybe some of you have experienced this in other areas of your life. This has been life changing for me. My latex allergy has been an issue in my life since 1990 and has gotten worse with each exposure.

If fibromyalgia is somehow linked to this allergy, I am going to do my best to discover it. One doctor told me, “At least you know what you’ll die from” in reference to my latex allergy. We were talking about the dangers of car accidents for me - Would my med-alert bracelet be noticed? Would appropriate gloves, if any, be on hand?  My local hospital couldn’t find them after 4 hours of searching last time and so sent me home.  Or would I die on the side of the road while they considered all scenarios on how to treat me?

It’s not a good thing to think about.  So, usually, I don’t.  But today I want answers and I feel like I’m one step closer to getting them. Wish me knowledge and enlighten me, if you have information to help my quest.  Thanks!

“Ice Is Nice”

Remember Val Kilmer’s line in the movie “Real Genius”?  That used to be my motto.  Not anymore.

I’m allergic to ice. Weird, I know, but true.

My doctors call the condition cold urticaria and say it may possibly be somehow related to fibromyalgia.  If you place an ice cube on my arm, I get hives.  If I drink frozen drinks, my mouth starts itching.  If I hold freezer packs or cold vegetables, my hands begin to swell, redden and itch uncontrollably. I was diagnosed after injuring my ankle and icing the injury.  Instead of decreased swelling, I had an increase in pain, and my ankle reddened and grew 3 times its size!

I’ve been told that I could die from jumping in too cold of a swimming pool.  I only use heated pools, now. I never drink slushy drinks or eat popsicles, and I really limit my ice cream exposure. 

I’m drawing attention to this because it’s hot outside. It’s really hot and I WANT ICE!

Unfortunately my teen stepdaughter finds this “allergy” fun and reminds me anytime she sees me trying to add it to a drink.  So, I’ve had to find a new way to stay cool this summer!  My neighbor just recently introduced me to Metromint, an insanely cool drink that does the trick.  My favorite flavor so far is Chocolatemint, with a chill factor of 2.  Any other ideas, other than air conditioning and movie theaters?