I came into this year unsure of what the year would bring, but knowing that this year was going to be different than the rest. Rather that meant good or bad, it wasn’t my call.
January began with new friends and challenges. This was nothing a glass of wine at night couldn’t fix. I made a promise to myself that I would begin training to run half marathons with my “Sister”. Little did I know what this month had in store for me? The month progressed… I began my second semester of my sophomore year at MSU. Unsure of what it was I wanted to do with what I was studying, Fashion Merchandising, I changed my major to Early Childhood Development. Still not sure this was the thing for me… I trusted that I would have some sign that would lead me into where exactly I should be.
On Thursday the 20th, I made the hour 30-minute drive home from Starkville. For what other than…a band party. By the time it hit 3:00 PM my eye was swollen shut.
Just a little history:
Since I was 3 years old I’ve had chronic idiopathic (no known cause) hives with angioedema (swelling). Hives are classified as a rash; around 40% of the US will have acute hives within their life. The difference in theirs and mine is that there is a cause behind the acute hives. Possibly it’s the lotion you use, the detergent, certain foods or even cleaning supplies. Many people get hives confused with shingles. Shingles are an infection, the herpes virus to be exact.
On and off through my life I have had episodes of this rash, some severe and some not. In most cases, with a good steroid shot, steroid pack, allergy pill or antihistamines. I would be hive free within hours/days. I never had long episodes of it lasting weeks or months. After years and years of allergy testing, food intake test, ruling out lupus and Stevens-Johnson syndrome. They came to the conclusion that “I’m not allergic to anything” NOTHING!!!!!!
Back to where we were at 3:00 PM on a January Thursday night. I told myself if I took some antihistamines and took a little nap id be ready for the band party by 9:00. This would normally work…
To Be Continued…
"Live. Laugh. Love. Progress. Proceed"-CPB
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