jsfantome's Journal, 27 January 2012

Totally unrelated? Well, not really, as I believe most things in our life eventually find their connection to our daily walk in this journey. I am in a hard place this morning. Emotionally spent, and without a plan at the moment.

For the last few weeks, my Mom has been suffering with an 'intensely itchy red bumps w/ fluid that forms in the bump after a few days' rash. She has had several outbreaks of this rash. First on her hands, then randomly w/ a bump or two - here or there - then an outbreak on her face.. now it's on the back of her neck and her shoulder.

Each time in the past she was seen, and given different reasons for the rash. Eczema. And underlying virus lying dormant. Dry conditions in her room. Etc.

And each time she was put on Prednisone - which totally arrested the continuation of this raging whatever it is... which is great. Except I began to notice that her 4 subsequent strokes (since the first inital one following surgery) were all w/in 7-10 days of ending her Prednisone treatments, and all because her Coumadin levels dropped off unexpectedly.

So - since Christmas I have been using a Steroidal Cream (prescription strength) - and was making good headway - until one night about two weeks ago, for some unknown reason... my mom scratched the heck out of herself, and tore open the skin in 3 areas.

I now have open wounds... that no matter what I do, or use, or try, or bandage every which way... will not heal. Largely this is because by day two or so of the healing process, she gets an itch, scratches the heck out of them again, and removes any new or beginning scab.

So this past week, we have been to the dr.'s, to a dermatologist, and to the ER. And 3 times this week she has ripped them back open. To the point of bleeding. Soreness. Pain. It's awful. She's miserable. And I have no idea how to help her.

She simply doesn't remember to leave them alone. And I can be out of her sight long enough to use the toilet and come back to utter destruction.

My mom has issues. Cognitive brain damage issues from the first stroke. And secondary short term memory loss from one of the subsequent strokes.

I have been completely reluctant to put her back on Prednisone to get this under control, as I am fearful she will suffer another stroke on the other side of that treatment. But this rash is now starting to show up in new spots on her back, and several on her face again.

I am just at a total loss of what to do. And trust me, if I thought seeking another medical professionals opinion would help, I would already be there.

Please join me in praying for a total healing of this crazy rash, as anything less will have me filling that foolish prescription before the day is out.

Much Love.