Ignorant People!

Most of the people who know me well know that I have a skin condition-Psoriasis. I've suffered from it since college and my mother and brother also have it. When I first got it on my elbows a bit I freaked out because my mom has it the worst and I was afraid I'd develop it like hers. (Currently her skin is very clear because she is using Enbrel!) My little brother has had bad periods when his has flarred up really badly as well and he now has it here and there but its not terrible really, well I guess it depends on when you talk to him about it though. Anyways, all this being said....I've only suffered from it a bit on my elbows and knees (it was always manageable to me and it didn't ever really bug me that much)...well, about two monthes ago I got strep throat and I developed a rash all over my body that then turned into psoriasis. WOW. Let's just say this is the worst I've ever had psoriasis and the worst I hope to EVER have it! I went to the dermatologist and she prescribed a cream and to do some UV light therapy treatments (not covered by my crappy insurance). Needless to say, the cream alone did nothing so I started going to the tanning bed every other day to try to get the psoriasis under control. It took about 2 weeks to begin showing slight improvement and though I still have some of it on my body I feel it's still getting better each day. :)
I explained all of this to really say that it's really very difficult having a skin condition and many people who do not suffer from one do not know what it's like at all! While enjoying a nice lunch with my brother, his gf Brooke and her two cousins we were all joking around and having a fun time...well for some reason I was trying to show off my new tan that I've gotten from goign to the tanning bed and I lifted up the sleeve of my sweater to show off my tan arm. Needless to say there are still a few guttate psoriasis bumps on my arm-all of the sudden an employee of Panera popped her head around and said "OHHH! Chicken pox?" I said no quickly and went back to my conversation a bit annoyed but not mortified. Well, for some reason this woman went on and on about it so I told her it was NOT chicken pox, that it was a skin condition and she then called it a disease and told me I should go to the hospital to get it looked at. I was real pissed off at that point and I think my brother could tell so he made some joke behind her and scratched his arm and said it was contagious! I laughed at it and she laughed and said "silly boy." This Panera employee was obviously foreign and it's possible she didnt understand that she was being completely RUDE and insensitive. She eventually walked away but I was still flabbergasted at the incident that just happened. As we were leaving I just couldnt get over it and started talking about it again, she overheard me complaining and she came over to apologize. I'm sorry but I can't accept apologies from people who are so inconsiderate and rude like that. If you dont know what something is then dont comment on it, ESPECIALLY to a complete stranger. It's so incredibly rude and hurtful. I know there are some real idiots out there but it can really hurt someones feelings....its hard enough to have to deal with a skin condition like this on a day to day basis. I've heard other derogatory comments about my psoriasis before but each time it happens it doesn't make it easier. Come on people......lets get real.

I Wonder....

Ok, so I started this blog for myself really......I wonder who, if anyone, will actually read this. I guess its like an open "diary" of sorts for my friends and family to look over every once in a while if they feel like it. I like reading friends blogs so maybe someone out there will get a lil enjoyment out of reading my blog, we'll see. I dont really know how all this works yet so you'll have to bear with me and we'll see how often I actually make a post. I feel very Carrie Bradshaw, Sex & the City, as I sit here and write this. Lenzi Wilkins (my best friend from elementary school and on) and I went to dinner at the Cracker Barrel and to see Avatar in 3d, Imax last night. Let me just say, I did NOT want to see this movie until I heard everyone ranting and raving about how great it was. I was somewhat disgusted that they gave us reuseable 3d glasses to wear. We wiped them off with babywipes Lenzi had in her purse but I was still somewhat repulsed to actually wear the glasses, why cant they just give out the paper 3d things instead? whatever. Avatar was great, wonderful effects and I thoroughly enjoyed the 3d effects. The only negative is that it is SUPER LONG and I cant stand long movies even if they are enjoyable. I think it was actually $14 well spent. We both agreed we weren't sure if we'd watch that movie again, its sort of like Forrest Gump, you see it once and you're done with it.

I really enjoyed my dinner at Cracker Barrel with Lenzi also. We both ordered blueberry pancakes and eggs and it was delish. Still, to this day, I can remember the first time I met Lenzi Arnold....we were both 8 years old and she had just moved into the house next door. My mom said they had a little girl my age and I was excited to meet this new girl. It was summertime and we walked over to meet. I was surprised by her red hair but instantly new we'd be best friends. Later she told me she thought I was black (I was pretty tan in the summers as a kid). hahaha I miss those days of playing Barbie and fighting over "the pretty one." Lenzi will always be my best friend, no matter what. She knows me like no one else, I swear, sometimes I think that girl can read my mind, its kinda creepy.