Contact Dermatitis

For over a week I've been doing my best to not scratch an itch... or many itches. Sometimes I just can't help it, and have indulged in episodes of frantic scratching, leaving my skin rough, red, and a little broken up. Meanwhile, I've been racking my brain trying to figure out what I've been exposed to that has started this episode of contact dermatitis.
Was it the new shampoo or the olive oil soap I'd tried? My beloved wool shirts, socks, and jackets? Something I ate? Something in the water?

Rash on my arm next
 to the new uniform.

Then as I was hanging my husband's new uniform on my indoor clothes line, a label caught my attention, and gave me another suspect to consider. Had I washed my clothes with these insecticide laced uniforms? Generally, I don't separate his uniforms from the rest of the laundry, but I will now.

Honestly, my husband isn't trekking through mosquito infested jungles. Lacing Permethrin into his uniform worn in an office building environment seems ridiculous. This is one instance where I feel a class A uniform would be much better suited for what he's actually doing.  Fighting beltway traffic, and preparing morning briefs at 0-dark hundred does not require protection from disease carrying insects! And I don't need these chemicals seeping into my household environment neither.

The label also stated, and I hope this is true, that dry cleaning will remove the chemicals. So I've asked him to dry clean them. I have no way to testing this for sure, and don't care to subject myself to a trial for science sake. I just want whatever I'm reacting to gone... along with the itching to stop. So the olive oil soap, new shampoo are gone. And I'm giving wool shirts and coats a rest too, though the socks don't seem to be the problem, so I'm thinking perhaps my wool shirts are just adding salt to the already inflamed skin and might not actually be the cause... and they're not new... so that decreases my suspicion of a wool allergy.

Oh, for the sake of science... p90x3

A rare moment of cosmic perfection resulted in the final rest day of my first round of p90X3 falling upon Thanksgiving. Having completed the 90 day program, I'd lost about 10 pounds and an inch around my waist... maybe two. More importantly, I can bend over and touch my toes without bending my knees, and I can carry almost 40lbs of baby weight on my back and front without feeling like I'm going to snap in two... at least long enough to get through a well-child doctor's appointment..... Okay, I can fit into my jeans again too.

For the first round I followed the classic p90x3 program, so this for the second round I've decided to deviated and do the lean program, which will have more cardio workouts instead. Today was day 3 of the first block and I'm hating it already. No, I seriously could be fat and happy, if being out of shape didn't limit my ability to fulfill the required daily activities of a mother of seven. Alas, being out of shape is not an option... so the pursuit of better fitness must continue.

At my spouse's behest, I've taken some "selfies" at the beginning of this round, for comparison at the end. Being that I can't really see a big difference after the first 90 day go round, perhaps the pictures will help me "see" a difference next time.


Fitness isn't just my own personal goal anymore. Two weeks ago the idea struck that I ought to have the kids run on a regular basis for time. The idea being that they could work towards besting themselves, condition for track and cross country, and.... just burn some energy. Thus far, the three big kids have completed two timed miles, and the little folks have clocked at least 1/4 mile each. I'd like to be able to join in this activity, but I've not figured out how to time everyone and run at the same time. Perhaps, after this next round of p90x3 I'll be able to start getting in a bit of running myself too.

If... we move

My current area to research is Tampa, FL.

I've done a bit of research of this area before. Since the branch guy said, that "if" my husband gets promoted he'd "probably" slot him in an assignment to Tampa, I'm renewing my research into that area.

The thought of moving out of our house still makes me weak at the knees, but not having anything solid right now is surprisingly a relief... as I can't really fret if there's no actual orders to go anywhere. "When" we move has moved back to the "if" status... at least this week. "If" is a little less intimidating.

Meanwhile, the only things I accomplished this week towards preparing was to donate four bags of stuff and sell a few more things on eBay.

Sensory: deep pressure seeking

Our OT therapist noticed that my son seems to be seeking deep pressure sensations. She's advised him to try wall push ups, yoga poses, and activities at home. While in therapy he utilizes the foam pit, vibration standing board (thing), and large swings to fulfill this vestibular need. However, he's very tall, and our space is somewhat restricting his movement. The other day he hit his head on the doorway going down the stairs... something I hadn't even though was possible, but indeed he just barely clears it when he going down carefully... let alone if he forgets and bounds down the stairs. Whack!

Anyhow, he frequently wraps his finders on the walls as he moves about the house, which our therapist also thinks is a sensory seeking behavior.

He can breath just fine, so
no cause for alarm, please!
 He just likes to hide inside,
but usually has his head
outside the body sock.

So I asked her for more ideas for how we can accommodate is special needs in a therapeutic way at home. She showed me a body sock, and had him try the largest one they had at the clinic...which was still a bit too small. Still he seemed to like it a lot. So I decided I'd make him a bigger one.

Used a 2 yard cut of Nylon Lycra four way stretch spandex from Hancocks Fabric, I turned the fabric and folded it in both directions and asked my son which fold he liked best (long and skinny or wide and short) and he chose the width folded down for a wider horizontal and a bit shorter vertical). Mine doesn't have as many seams as the one our therapist owns, and my seams are princess seams for strength, but not necessarily beauty.

So as soon as I finished it, he climbed right in and was all about it. Kind of weird, uh? But if it helps him, it's worth a try. It cost about $25 to make (material, thread, and soft elastic webbing for the opening).

Yanking my chain

Last week it was.... oh we're going to slot you in your top pick for your move this summer. So I was mentally preparing for a move to the mid-west.

Then today it was... never mind.

Now it's... we're going to wait and see if you make the promotion board cut, then we'll find you an assignment somewhere.

So we may still move... but on short notice.

Or we might not move... but we'll be preparing to exit the army.

Or we'll get to stay and still be a military family, but with a possible move next winter.

Yup... as firm as jello!

Continuing Education

I can't believe I just spent over 6 hours, spread out these past three days reading about medical cannabis... cannabinoids to be more specific.

There's most certainly a stigma attached to this new alternative, still somewhat questionably legal therapy. I for one, didn't want much to do with the subject. In fact the only reason I elected this continuing education course was because it was part of the cheapest package.

So...

Irreguardless of the promise that cannabidiol (CBD) and the other cannabinoids, the stigma is going to continue to stand as a major roadblock for the acceptance of Hemp derived medical substances... especially since the preferred route for most users is inhalation; which of course is the most expeditious way benefit from the various beneficial affects. I sincerely doubt doctors are going to be rushing to jump on the bandwagon for this, mostly because they're going to feel repulsed by the idea of promoting a substance that has been illegal for such a long time, and still has some questionable status in most states, as well as still considered illegal by federal laws... to my understanding. I know I'd be pretty nervous about recommending it... only because of the legalities.

All that aside, there seems to be some promise in treating certain ailments which should not go ignored.

Soooo.... next I get to read about Chronic Pain management. Pain... I hate it while experiencing it... a perpetual squirm that's difficult to escape from. However, for as long as patience allows I try to remind myself, during times of pain, that it's a reminder that I'm still alive and I should cherish every moment for as long as I have it. I can't even begin to imagine what it must be like for those who suffer from pain day in and out with no relief in sight.

Quick update: P90X3, mid block 3

Today was the beginning of week three of the third block, which will be five weeks long. The first two blocks are only four weeks long.

Anyhow, it seems that rest weeks are when the changes start to occur. The scale is beginning to show a slow shed, and I am bouncing between 130 to 134lbs these days. The waist "looks" better, but my taping is only showing a small decrease that averages between 35-36", which puts me back into several pairs of my non-pregnancy pants; enough that I won't need to buy more for winter.

More importantly, my energy is so much better than it's been. Today was absolutely manic; speech and OT therapy, dance class/ kids to the park, voting, dance class/ return home for playing in the back yard, followed by another dance class/ with a quick trip to Costco. I wore the baby, who has got to be pushing about 20lbs, nearly all day, with a couple intervals of wearing both 20lb baby on the front and the 26+lb toddler on my back... and I made it!