Things that should never go together...

Poison Ivy & My Face
Poison Ivy & Being Pregnant
Poison Ivy & Caring for a toddler

Recently I've been pulling up weeds and cutting down random small trees that are growing in our yard in places they shouldn't be. I've done this on a few different occasions this season so I thought I was safe. However, recently I ventured to little traveled spots (i.e. under our deck and behind the deck stairs). Doctor's orders, "Don't go back to those spots again. Let somebody else pull the weeds back there."

I have poison ivy on my face. No joke. In fact, half of my chin is slightly larger than the other half due to the rash taking over my jawline. I'm trying not to be melodramatic, but sometimes I am pretty miserable fighting this battle. The past two nights I have awoken every 2 - 3 hours from the desperate need to scratch. I have to get up, make myself stop scratching, wash my face, and slap on some more calamine lotion. I am washing my sheets, comforter, towels, and clothes each and every day and adding vinegar to the wash to kill the oils. I don't let Rory touch me, or hug me, or kiss me since I am terrified that she'll get the rash herself. I desperately miss those little arms around my neck. But I don't want to have a toddler with poison ivy. I am washing my hands so religiously that I'm sure I've rubbed off one layer of skin already. I don't think I've ever been this obsessive about my personal hygiene.

The good news. I was able to get in to see my doctor on Friday afternoon so he could verify the diagnosis before writing a prescription. More good news. My midwife not only said the topical steroid cream he prescribed was okay to use, but that she'd be happy to call in a prescription for an oral medication that is safe for me to take. It should work even better.

The moral of the story...yardwork is too dangerous, better to let plants/weeds grow where they must...or pay someone else to do it.