Infectus Grossus

About last weekend's camping adventure...

I got poison oak. I thought I was immune. No biggie, right? I mean, it's just itchy and gross for a week or so, then it goes away, right??

The oak infection is located on my left calf, completely covering it. It then spread a tad north to the bottom of my thigh. For about a week, it was gross and pussy and all that fun stuff associated with P.O., but then something no so fun happened. The itching went away, but the level of pain did not. In fact, the pain started to become excruciating and in the center of my poison oak, purple marks began to develop. For those of you who haven't taken Rash 101, purple on your skin is a very, VERY bad thing. On mother's day, mom took a look at it, which at that time ALL of the rash had become purple or at least fucsia, and my left ankle had swollen by 1/3 its original size. She ordered me to the doctor right away. Not that I really needed her to tell me this at that point, for the pain in my leg had reached ludicrous levels.

Yesterday, I went to the UO's Student Health Services building. I was really impressed with the number of doctors they have on staff (15) and a pharmacy and an army of nurses all ready to go. As I didn't have an appointment, I had to wait for the on-call doctor to see me. I made an appointment for today anyway, in case I didn't want to wait for the on-call doctor (they tend to be rather busy, you see). Before you can see the on-call doctor, you have to see a nurse who checks you out. When I told her that I thought I might be infected, the nurse implored me to wait. I was waiting for about fifteen minutes when they called me back. The other nurse took my vitals, everything checked out and I patiently waited for Dr. William MacMaster. The nurse told me that not only does Dr. Bill have a sense of humor, but he was one of the most brilliant doctors on staff. Thankfully, she was absolutely right.

Now, it doesn't really matter how brilliant a doctor is, it matters whether or not s/he can treat me. Dr. M asked to see my infection, and as I turned my leg towards him, he said (and I quote), "What the HELL is that?!" Ahhhhh, so very, very comforting. I calmly replied, "It's poison oak", to which he said, "maybe it WAS poison oak, but it's not anymore." He went on to describe that the swelling in my ankle was actually the infection EATING AT MY MUSCLES and if I had waited two or three more days, I would have inevitably been taken to the emergency room and they probably would have had to amputate my leg. Yes- cut off, end the life of, my left leg.

I got a 1 gram shot of powerful antibiotics (by the way, 1 gram is a LOT 'o shot). I'm on a regiment of 600mg of Ibuprofen, three times a day, 1-2 Vicodin every 4-6 hours (until the stabbing pain subsides), and Amoxicillan two times a day, morning and night, with food.

After the first day of treatment, the infection has stabilized and remains a painful irritation, but thankfully it is no longer conquering my lower body with such speed. I had another appointment today at 1:00 and I have another tomorrow at 10:30. Basically, I have to see the doctor every day until he feels the infection is under control.

Wish me good health, everyone. I really need it right now :(

Camping/Fire Dancing Update

This weekend, Scott, Robin and I went camping southwest of Roseburg on a hill overlooking Looking Glass Valley. My fire dancing instructor, Polly, was celebrating her birthday and did so in grand Oregon style. The camping was incredible, the views were breathtaking, the food was scrumptious, the company was delightful, the hike to the top of the butte was GRUELING (but fun!). There was a volleyball court, frisbee, fire pit, drinking, swing band and great times. If I have the opportunity to go there again, you better believe I'm grabbing anyone who wants to go and we're headin' out (PS There are 200 acres of campable area, so the whole damn crew can go if we want to!). This place is infused with lots of loving history and huge gatherings like this. Polly's family are great people with lots of love to go around. Judging by the people who came, this family associates with great people. I felt privaleged to be invited but it got even better because...

I did my second burn!!! WOO HOO! On Saturday night, Polly had about eight friends (fire dancers) who all got together and performed. Kim (another beginner) and I were going to be in the last "exposition" segment, where all the fire dancers get out there together and we go crazy. Earlier that day, Kim and I were practicing and she taught me how to do the "monarch". Basically, it's an over the head, behind the head, whirl and twirl BIG move which kicks ass. So, I got that one down and had another move to add to my repetoire. I mostly practiced transition moves, because during my first burn, I tangled the chains a lot and bumped myself a couple of times because I didn't know how to go from one move to the next. NOT THIS TIME!! Back to the story... There Kim and I stood, waiting to do our thing, when Polly told us to go out BEFORE the end of the show! She handed me two big poi (my favorite! They're so loud and vicious!!) and off I went. Unlike my first burn, during which I was timid of workin' it out, I WORKED IT OUT!! I was so comfortable - it was me and the fire, the 100 people weren't even there. The music was thumpin, Robin and Scott were cheering, people were clapping, but most of all, I was DANCING WITH FIRE :) Then the finale came a couple of burners later, and there I went again! Twice in one performance! Nothing could have capped a better evening than fire dancing and good friends. Just wait until I'm fire dancing at EVERY camping event!! YEE HAW!!