OK.
We are home.
The laundry pile proves it.
Today was a great day. This morning, we visited our 3rd floor neighbors to give them a bag of duck necks as a thanks for keeping our herb garden. They, in turn, gave us basil trees back. I’m not kidding. I did a triple take.
When asked what they fed them (thinking they found a local version of Miracle Grow), they said, “Well, we washed the rice then used the dirty water to feed them.”
After a wonderful pear snack and chat, we headed outside to find Schäfer’s little friends. Schäfer was so excited when he saw his Jie Jie (big sister – aka older-than-him-playmate-who-is-a-girl). They had such a good time running up and down the street, being pushed around in a buggy, etc. The fun continued inside until 12 noon when both of them were completely wiped out.
Meanwhile, Hubs was biking all over town going pharmacy to pharmacy (9 total) searching for a specific ointment.
THE STORY
After Beijing, we traveled to the south of China to see friends. We arrived at BFF’s house rather late one evening. She showed us a bedroom and we hit the sack. The next morning, I woke up with a red “rash” all over my arm and stomach. Since I’d only had an allergic reaction once before, I sent Hubs out to buy some hydrocortizone cream hoping I was allergic to something in the house…though I have no allergies.
The hydrocortizone cream offered no relief. Hubs recommended that we get a hotel room. I apologized to BFF and told her that one time I ate a strawberry that wasn’t cleaned very well and I broke out with a rash on my face. I don’t know why I have a rash on my arm and stomach, but perhaps we should go to a hotel.
We ended up at a hotel with internet which gave us free range to self diagnose on webmd or the mayo clinic. After scouring the internet, we agreed that I probably had scabies. My arm looked similar to the photos on the internet.
We learned that scabies enters 4-6 weeks before it actually makes its grand appearance. Just 4 weeks ago, we were in the countryside so it seemed that I was a living 5 star resort hosting scabies on their summer holiday.
The next day, the rash was worse, but we had so many things to do I couldn’t get to a doctor. (That sounds absolutely ridiculous now, but at the time it made logical sense to continue on with our previous plans.)
Finally, on day number three of scabies, I was determined to either set my skin on fire or get to the provincial hospital.
The hospital was a breeze: buy the ticket, find the dermatology department, create a queue outside instead of hovering around the desk (because I absolutely do not want to see what is on your foot when you take that sock off), and finally show the doctor my arm, stomach and leg.
The doctor looks it over. Then, he asks his female co-worker to look at my stomach.
“Does your husband or baby have this?”
“No.”
“Do you have any pets?”
“No.”
“Do you eat fish?”
“No. I think I have scabies.”
“It’s not scabies. It’s eczema. The science does not support scabies.”
“Are you sure I don’t have little animals under my skin?”
“You do not have scabies.”
And with that I was given a cream of some sort and two boxes of mysterious packets to drink twice a day.
I applied the cream and felt immediate relief. So far, I haven’t tried the unknown beverage.
Total bill: 52.6rmb ($7.85)
That was two days ago in a larger city. Now, we are home.
This morning, I ran out of miracle cream. I looked up the name on the internet. Miracle cream ironically turns out to be basil oil.
Hmmm…I pondered lathering my basil trees all over me, but Hubs went pharmacy to pharmacy hunting for a refill. There was none to be found.
One person running the cash register at a pharmacy did pull out a book with pictures of various diseased body parts.
“Is this it?” the lady asked pointing to a person with a serous case of scabies.
“Not quite THAT bad.” Hubs replied – not wanting to see any more pictures in the book.
This afternoon, we all went to the hospital and saw another dermatologist.
He agreed that I did not have scabies, but also could not confirm that I have eczema.
“It could be another type of rash that looks similar to eczema. Have you been in the grass lately?”
“No.”
After reading the previous doctor’s notes, looking over my previous prescriptions, taking a glance at my arm and spending most of the time watching Schäfer he said:
“Here’s some medicine.”
Total bill:77.8 ($11.61)
I now have one new liquid ointment and two pills. Here goes nothing.
Today’s biggest accomplishment: Hubs’ haircut.
Sandra, Oh no! This doesn’t sound like any fun. I hope you can get it cleared up soon! Glad to hear you made it home safely. Have fun with that laundry pile
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yo, my daughter has eczema, so if you think that’s it, I’ve got plenty of tricks up my sleeve I can pass on to you! Also, rachel had scabies (from that super-clean and modern hotel) so she might have some advice too. I hope you decide not to set your skin on fire…that would be….bad. Hope it gets better soon! =)
i am so sorry dear friend. i do so hope you feel better soon. until then, much love & a few e-(((hugs))). so looking forward to when we get to catch up. life just keeps happening, doesn’t it!
p.s. please give schafer some love from us!
A friend of mine was just diagnosed with having fifth’s disease. The sun causes it to be worse. It is a rash that has a “lace” look on the edge sometimes, in some cases. The Dr. told her it would have to run its course. Could take up to 5 weeks. Her children also have it. But her husband doesn’t. It is contagious only before you see the rash. Keep me posted. Take care! Love, Gloria