When I was in high school, shortly before my 16th birthday I got tonsillitis. I was given some medicine, which resulted in me breaking out in hives. This was right before we were headed to UVSC for a team volleyball camp, so I got to go with a swollen face, and red splotches all over my body. It was miserable, to say the least. Plus, the guy that I liked was also down there for a wrestling tournament, and he stopped by to watch us. Talk about embarrassing! (Well, to a 16 year old anyway! ;)

Fast forward to shortly before Christmas. I went in for my regular check-up, and I told Dr. Walker about being bloated all the time. He recommended going on an antibiotic to clear out any bacteria that may be lingering in my stomach. He prescribed Amoxicillin, which I started taken. I made it about 3 days before my face started burning. I got up for church that next Sunday morning to a bright red, swollen face.


It was awesome.

Not.

My face eventually cleared up, but then the hives spread to the rest of my body. I called my doctor, and he prescribed me a different, more expensive antibiotic.

The hives, however, took their sweet time getting out of my system. Enjoy the next few pictures.


 


They were awfully itchy. I couldn't sleep at night because they itched so bad. I could not stop. It was not fun. It went all through Christmas, so that was fun too! They eventually subsided, and now Greg teases me about not telling doctors about things I'm allergic to, but how was I to know? It was like 13 years ago!

Side note: Around this time, (Christmas) I was also surprised with a package of socks in the mail. At my December appointment, Dr. Walker got made at me because my toes were purple. (I was wearing socks!) So this package was a nice surprise, with some super cute socks. Thanks to whoever sent them! You pretty much rock!

It's actually surprising to me that it has taken this long for this to happen. I have worried that it may possibly happen many, many times, but yesterday was the first. Here's the backstory...

For the last year or so, I have been extremely bloated all the time. So much so that I have people ask if I'm pregnant at least once a week. My doctor has given me a recommendation to do a colon cleanse, but I have yet to find time to do it. I work M-F, and every other Saturday, and my weekends have been full, so I haven't had time to do it.

I decided to try something more natural, that wouldn't require me to spend time at home, basically living in the bathroom. I found a recipe on Pinterest for an "all natural "secret" detox drink recipe" that should "help bloating, increase energy, speed-up metabolism, stabilize blood sugar and boost your immune system." All things that would be perfect for me.

It called for lemon juice, apple cider vinegar, cinnamon, honey, and water. Simple, right? I mixed it all together having no belief that it would taste good, but certain it could help with the other stuff. Sure enough, totally not delicious, but manageable. I got about five or so sips into it, before remembering why I stopped drinking lemon water a few years ago, when I last tried.

Holy ACID REFLUX! When my acid reflux kicks in, it affects my entire body, making me feel achy, my stomach hurt, and pain all the way up to my head. It's no fun, but tolerable. When I was done with that, Greg decided we should go shopping. I still felt a little sick, but was okay. We went to Hastings, then to Sam's Club. As we started walking through Sam's, I started feeling extremely nauseous. I made Greg slow down quite a bit so I could keep my stomach from tossing it's contents. It worked, and I felt okay.

We then went to the Budge Clinic to get my prescription refilled. I sat in the car while Greg went in to get it. I felt okay, but didn't feel like I needed to vomit or anything.


Our next stop was Lee's, where we had to get our ice cream fix. I don't know what happened between the car and walking into Lee's, but the feeling that I was going to puke came on quite strong, even more so than at Sam's. I knew this time that there wasn't stopping it, so Greg and I went back outside, frantically looking for somewhere I might be able to release my stomach contents. The garbage cans right outside of the doors were covered, and try as I might, couldn't think of any way to make it work, then Greg noticed some open topped garbage cans further down the sidewalk, in a less trafficked area.


I walked as fast as I could down the sidewalk to those cans, trying to keep it all in. Luckily I did okay for the most part, and made it just in time. The only thing I had in my stomach was that lemon water, so it was a quick process. Greg stayed as far away as possible (he's so sweet! ;) haha, and there were not many people that really walked by, for which I was grateful. I was able to vomit in peace, and while I would have preferred to do it at home, I'm grateful for the location of those garbage cans, and for my husband who, even though he wasn't right next to me, stayed close to make sure I was okay.

I always feel better after puking, which is nice, but I was still a bit shocked that it happened in public. I'll have to start carrying around a vomit bag, just in case!


It really is shocking to me that this is the first time it's happened. Especially since I was vomiting so much about 2 years ago. I never had it happen to me in public. There was another incident that happened, but it also was one-time, and that one is less pleasant to talk about!

But with all the awesome side effects of Scleroderma, I've been cautious of being in public. I don't like to shop alone in the event that I drop something, or if I were to trip and fall, or vomit. I'm grateful that this is the first time that Scleroderma has caused such an awesome public display, but I sure hope it doesn't happen again.

Luckily, I don't get embarrassed really anymore, so even when I find myself hovering over a garbage can outside of Lee's Marketplace, I can look up, wipe my face and hands with their hand wipes (thank you for that as well!) and get our ice cream. But the initial panic of what to do is not fun, so, again, Scleroderma, don't let it happen again!

Last year, the day before the Northern Utah Stepping Out for Scleroderma 5K, I was told we were going to have a "casual Friday" where we could wear jeans & USU shirts. So I show up in my jeans and an Aggie shirt. When I walked in I noticed my co-workers wearing a light blue shirt, which I thought was odd since USU is dark blue, but I didn't really think anything of it until I got to my station, and there was a card and this T-shirt sitting at my station.


All my co-workers were wearing them. Not gonna lie, I teared up a bit. It was pretty awesome that they would do that. We had quite a few people ask about it, which was awesome, because it's just another opportunity to spread awareness (plus let the members know that I don't actually have an eating disorder, and that I am not just naturally awkward in my stance!)


It has been a hard few years dealing with this disease, but the one constant outside of my home has been work. My co-workers have been amazingly supportive, and helpful. Even the newbies. I don't actually tell them exactly what is wrong with me, but they pick up on things, and if they have questions, they will ask. It's been a wonderful place for me to work, and I'm grateful for all the people I've worked with that have been so willing to help me out.

Back Row: Kristin Davis, Chandler Midgley, Donna Andersen, Me, Steve Lucherini
Front Row: Colton Butterfield
Picture: Danny Brownell - our old branch manager who happened to stop by that day. Have to shout out to him too, since he was there when I was at my worst and didn't get rid of me.