Hey Mimi, so glad to hear you were a one stick pony with your phlebs, that is a great feeling!!! The itch problem started for me for the first time on Monday night and it has not stopped, I am practically clawing myself and Onc today really didn't have much to say except see a Dermatologist, so it's the first time he has sort've given me a short answer w/ no solution but it had to happen sooner or later and at least it was about itching instead of blood.

My grandparents used to tell me stories about Cuba, they used to take the overnight ferry from New Orleans to Havana so I grew up fascinated, but nothing prepared me for that first day and how shocked I was that it looked so much like home, it's elegantly decaying about as fast as the formosa termites are eating the French Quarter but it feels like a second home there, everywhere you walk there is music coming from somewhere and the people have a similar laissez fare attitude. Our next door neighbor in the Quarter is Dr. Diaz and I have met his extended family there many times and it makes it really nice for me to deliver his care packages from New Orleans to their doorstep in Habana Vieja but also their hospitality is amazing and seeing them each trip is like coming home to family and his mother (still alive at 89 years old) can cook some amazing food, cannot wait and yes, we used to be in that crowd at the Cuban restaurant on Magazine Street, my Aunt truly loved that place.

Much love,

Sydney

Hey Patti, that's a really good point about Dr. Phil and I drive by the studio where he shoots the show every night on my way home and have a friend who works his show, will make sure I get the info to her right now.

Yeah, Sydney,

Having seen glimpses of cuban streets it reminded me of the Quarter and I can just imagine their laid back lifestyle. Love their music as well. It is very reminiscent of the Quarter.

I like you and Patti brain-storming ways to bring these bloody conditions to the forefront and heighten public awareness. Also it could behoove some of our docs in gaining an insight to what frustrations we patients go through in an effort to gain some knowledge into our individual cases.

Sydney, there is an over the counter lotion--an anti-itch lotion called SARNA that is very effective for the itch. I use it all the time. I also use something made for poison ivy called "Ivy-Dry" also over the counter. It is a clear spray--works real good. It has something called ZYTREL as a patented active ingredient. Whether or not you will be able to find it in Ca remains to be seen as it is mainly for poison ivy........my Onc prescribes Atarax, 25 mg for itch relief and it is also very effective. I can take up to 100 mgs as needed. The itch can be maddening and can bring on (sp) Turet's Syndrome in me where I cuss like a sailor, using words I never knew I knew!. I can have pity on you if you are suffering from the maddening itch. If you are having a strong itch attack and have nothing to use for it--you can try to freeze it out of you by putting ice bags all over you. That does work and I have used that method when on the road and have forgotten to bring the itch med. Or get in a tub of the coldest water you can stand. The cool on your skin tames the histamine relief. Be careful to lightly pat yourself dry. If you rub your skin too vigorously, that will start the itch up all over again. There is always the chance that Benadryl might help though it couldn't cope with mine. The first anti-itch Rx that I was prescribed was Periactin. It worked fine but it really increases your appetite and is also prescribed for chemo patients who have no appetite. So I was switched to Atarax after gaining 15 lbs. I don't need to gain. See if you can find SARNA--I have seen it advertised on TV. I know the suffering that accompanies the itch and it is mean.

Take care, much love, mimi

Thanks for the info on the itch medicine....I never realized till recently that it wasnt just severly dry skin and that everyone didn't itch and scratch like this.  I'm heading to wally world in the morning and will see what I can find that you mentioned.

As for the shows I would LOVE to meet Ellen, but the contact I have is at the Dr Phil show.  My daughter was in the national spotlight last year and one of the programers for the Dr Phil show was calling her and I to get me to let her go on the show..that is a long story but I declined at that time to do that.  It was one of those times when it just wasn't our battle to fight.  But I will contact the Dr Phil show the first of the week and see where I can get....I would bet that our best in is still going to be Sydney.

Mimi, I'm so glad that everyone is having a good visit.  It always seems hard for families around the holidays.  I hope the rest of the visit goes as well.

I went and saw the new Twilight movie with friends tonight...it was ok, but I think I'm just more of a book person.

I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!!!

Linda

Hey Pauline, nice to see your post right now... at first i thought, ...does Pauline work nights? but then i didn't even know how to figure out our time differences.... i believe it's day time over there??   Anyways.........  nice to see you onboard! lol...

Congrats on being in your New Home!!  horray to you!  But please take it slow.........   it will be alot of work to get it all set, take your time and don't over-do it!  Too bad you can't have all the LLS clan pop in to help you! huh? we'd become Wonder Women! lol... and of course Sydney too!

Have a Great Day!

Hello Pauline: So glad you got into your home finally!!! It will be so nice to get your furniture in and off those air mattresses.Take it easy as it will get done,one room at a time!!!

Linda F: the Dr.Phil thing is great! If they would pick it up, he might give us a longer segment to get our story out? great that you might have that contact.

Dee,Mimi,Emily,Sarah,And everyone else,I hope you all have a good restful weekend!!! We are still getting hammered here on the Oregon Coast,UGH.What I'd give for some of that sun & joshoa trees right now,LOL.Know I'm thinking about all of you.

Patti

Hey all:

I Googled the Dr. Oz Show and it's the same set up as oprah's site where you have an area to relate your story. I am in the process of making my pitch to him. What say y'all?