MSmith

This may be TMI, and one day I hope I can laugh about it but what a saga! I've had to wait three years for WLS, and have been set to go on July 27. In the last two weeks I'd developed multiple swollen glands in my girl parts, possibly stress related, and started one antibiotic to try to deal with those before surgery. Saw the surgeon for my pre-op appointment, and he said he hopes the glands will be back to normal by the day of surgery. The antibiotic I am taking led to a yeast infection (common side effect), which I realized that same day. That evening, I went for a short hike with my family up our local canyon and inadvertently picked a poison ivy plant, but didn't realize it. On the way home, I ran in to the drug store and bought a 3 day yeast infection treatment. Got home. Took a shower. Gave myself a good scratch, if you know what I mean, still not realizing I had poison ivy oil all over my hands. You tracking with me??? Got out of the shower, began the treatment for the yeast infection. Went to bed, blissfully unaware of the mayhem about to ensue. The next day, I noticed a red patch on my arm and suddenly realized what had happened and that I'd touched poison ivy. By that night, my face was swollen from where I had touched my face, pre-moment of enlightenment. It has been awful. I tried all the homeopathic options first, asked friends on FB, they asked their friends, people were networking, all trying to help me. Bought Tecnu, bought calendula cream, Rhus tox, you name it. The next morning was even worse (glands were larger still, starting to get itchy). It was a Sunday, so I went to the ER in tears, hoping to get Prednisone and try to kick this whole thing. That was the treatment I received, and they were all wonderful and sympathetic. Was in charge of a company picnic for 125 in the 95 degree weather, with a boss who never thought to mercifully send me home, so I toughed it out. Got a mild sunburn from that. Today, my fingers are worse from the ivy and I'm finding other small Patches on my bod, here and there. Something is giving me diarrhea, but that is the least of my troubles right now. I just need something to get better... This is a comedy of errors like I've never experienced. I just don't want to have to postpone surgery. These are minor issues, but I know added up together might do just that. I have to surrender to the idea that there are worse things that postponement. I am very healthy overall, and this is just crazy. Thanks for being the one place I can tell this dumb story. One way or the other, it will pass. But my advice to you all in the weeks before your surgery is to NOT LEAVE THE HOUSE. Kidding.