Yay on the tattoo, Cass! I just got the red and yellow sections on mine touched up a couple of weeks ago. Yep, it hurts. Although the endorphin rush afterward is verra nice. I got good results from lubriderm, but I didn't know Tattoo Goo existed. I'll have to check that out when I get my (unscheduled, but it'll probably happen sooner or later) next tat.

{P-C}

Did your tattooist tell you the hot washcloth trick? Soak a washcloth in water as hot as you can stand, then wring out the washcloth and put it over your tattoo. It helps with the itching.

This is because itching is controled by the nerve endings that handle pain--when you load them up with something that might be painful it cancels out and you get sweet, sweet relief.

We got at least two (maybe three) inches of snow yesterday and it's all pretty, fluffy and white! Still cold (my apologies to those of us in the Frozen North) but this is still freakin' cold for central Ohio.

Congrats on the tat, Cass.

Did your tattooist tell you the hot washcloth trick? Soak a washcloth in water as hot as you can stand, then wring out the washcloth and put it over your tattoo. It helps with the itching.

You can do that with a blow dryer too when you have itchy places you don't want to get wet.

Oh, P-C, I'm sorry you're feeling so badly. Maybe you didn't lose. Maybe you compromised?

Ben is still sick. His fever was 101.5 when he got up. It was up to 102.something (4, maybe) within 45 minutes. I hadn't given him any fever medication though, because he was also extremely nauseated. I've been swabbing him down with a cool, wet cloth, and eventually convinced him to take a sip of ginger ale, figuring it would resolve the nausea the calm way or the violent way. So far, it seems to be working in the calm way.

I'm sick to the point of tears of my poor little boy being so sick. We're due to contact the dr., today. The thing is, this may well be the stupid fever virus Chris recovered from, the day before Ben contracted the strep. If this is a virus, and the doctor can't do anything for him but tell me to keep doing what I'm doing, I'd rather not cart him out in the frigid morning. But I don't want to not go, if we should go.

I want immediate recovery, please. We've been praying for it, but at this point, my prayers are more tears directed to God, than anything else. This poor little boy has had enough and I'm so frustrated I'm no longer even doing a good job hiding it from him.

Scott has to work at his office today (he gets to work from home, a lot) because they have a contractor coming in all week. I can't let my mother come over and help because my aunt has her colon cancer surgery, tomorrow, and I can't risk my mom catching anything. Yesterday was the anniversary of my father's death and I'm just left without any reserves. Ugh. I'm sorry I'm so whiny. I shouldn't post this, but I'm feeling so sorry for Ben and for myself that I am going to.

As I was reminded yesterday Cindy, this is where you come to ask for help in shouldering whatever you're carrying. I'm so very sorry for both Ben and you, and the rest of your family, because illness taxes everyone. I'm sending him the very best thoughts for quick recovery, and you too. I hope the doctor is able to help him quickly, that the visit is entirely worthwhile.

My prayers and healing thoughts are headed your way Cindy.

{{{Cindy}}} I want this over for all of you--poor Ben and you.

Oh, Cindy! I'm so sorry. I hope Ben starts feeling better soon. Poor guy!

{{{{{Cindy and Ben}}}}}

Can I request some ~ma for a friend? She had a double masectomy a while back, and I just found out that she had to have a spot on her liver removed a couple of days ago. I am very worried about her. She is one of my travel buddies from when I went to England, so she lives in CA, and I feel so helpless all the way over here.

~ma for your friend, sj.

Cindy, more health~ma to Ben and sanity~ma to you. If I had a kid who was that ill I would probably dose him with Olive Leaf Extract (1-2 caps 3 or 4 times a day). It has antiviral properties, and is generally safe. Would likely check with the doctor or pharmacist about it first in case of possible interactions with meds.

P-C, I hate that you are so unhappy. I got nothing helpful other than an offer to adopt you into my crazy family. But hey, at least it's a different kind of crazy.