Almost more a thanksgiving message than a Christmas message

The dyshidrosis is worsening, and I have been quite miserable the last two days. I was back to the doctor for visit #3 today. We have now ratcheted it up to oral steroids, horse-tranquilizer-strength antihistamines to help me sleep at night, and some kind of cream that will probably make me grow hair on my hands.

It also looks like I might be reacting to the antibiotics I got last weekend, which isn't a welcome discovery because I'm already allergic to another kind.

But I feel hopeful again, and I am truly grateful for health insurance and drug coverage. I always thought the uninsured person's nightmare would be a serious illness, but these past six weeks, I'm reminded how a chronic irritating condition could be pretty awful, too--I can't imagine trying to deal with this with just calamine, a lick, and a prayer.

Hope your Christmas (if you celebrate) was nice!

ETA: I forgot to mention--my husband got me a Kindle! Wooohoo!