False Alarm

(just thought this was funny...)

I'm not allergic to Mederma. In fact, I should start using it again. The stretch marks on my legs are starting to look really strange. With the weather being lovely in Boston, I want to be able to wear a dress or something. Especially now, since I don't have Shrek legs anymore.

It turned out that I have a drug allergy. My dermatologist who performed an emergency skin biopsy thinks it's the labetelol (blood pressure meds). That was a dramatic experience...

I woke up with my lovely little rash ALL OVER MY BODY. My labetelol  made me nauseous and I threw up everywhere. Mmmm. I was NOT looking forward to chemo. I get to chemo, my blood pressure is high. Nurses freak out and call my doctor. My doctor admits me to the ER. Freak out! I'm having chest pains and my blood pressure is high. Ahhh! More nurse freak out! My blood pressure finally comes down and I'm fine. Can I leave yet? NO! Call the dermatologist! Your rash! SKIN BIOPSY! The dermatologist rips out a piece of my arm to study under a microscope. Once that is over, the nurse pulls out my IV but doesn't listen to me when I say "I'm a bleeder..." and doesn't hold down the spot where the IV was in to try and stop the bleeding. She simply puts on a gauze and piece of tape. I'm dressed, ready to go and walk out of the ER. Suddenly, I feel something cold dripping down my arm. I take my WHITE jacket off and see that my ENTIRE right arm is covered in blood. This is revealed in a lobby full of people. They all gasp and stare at me as I run to the nearest elevator in order to get to the nearest bathroom. I must have scared several people in the lobby. Haha. Looking back on it it's pretty hilarious.

But labetelol...I HATE labetelol. It makes me feel like crap and I have to take it three times a day--4 pills three times a day. Bah! My renal doctors haven't told me to stop taking them yet, though... I'm scared to stop because I have crazy hypertension. I guess I can handle the itching and rash until I see them next?

On another note, I've lost almost all my water weight! Woo! From around 141 lbs, I am down to 113 lbs. I fit in my clothes again. I still have water retention in my back and my legs. I have about 5-7 more lbs to lose. Hopefully only one more week of taking diuretics.

This condition is quite the full time job.