About a year ago I noticed red dots on my right hand which would come and go over the course of a few months. Then they showed up my other hand, bigger and redder, so I decided to see a dermatologist.
“You have atopic dermatitis.” She said.
“Okay. What’s that,” I asked.
“It’s chronic eczema. I see it all the time.”
She explained that for the next two weeks, I’d apply a steroid cream to my hands and cover them with plastic gloves each night. My hands cleared. The rash came back and I did the same treatment. This went on for months as the rash kept getting worst. I felt like something I touched caused it, especially on my right hand, my dominant hand.
Researching my diagnosis, I eventually came across a website called, eczema exposed. My perpetual rash could be an allergy, I convinced myself. Contact dermatitis sounded more realistic, and I had to take matters into my own hands. The rash continued to get worse and more painful. I needed a cure.
“You’re allergic to your phone.” My husband teased me.
“I think it’s nickel. We’re going to have to replace all doorknobs, appliances, and fixtures.” I told him, believing it to be true.
A panel of thirty-seven common irritants were uncomfortably taped to my back for 48 hours.
“Wow.” The doctor’s assistant said over and over while removing my panels. “This one blistered, one of the worse I’ve seen. And number ten is just as bad.”
She gathered up the number’s, printed out the results and additional information as I waited. The doctor came in and asked to see my back. “Well, what’s the results?” I asked.
“I don’t know, or care. My assistant will bring you the info.” She left in her sparkling red high heels and white coat. I was shocked. She was the rudest doctor I’ve ever met.
The blistered result was bacitracin which I already knew about. I was surprised they tested me for it since it appeared on my past medical history. I guess the doctor just wanted me to suffer. I concentrated on the second one, a product used in the processing of rubber. The assistant handed me all the paperwork and suggested this is where the detective work begins. She sent me out the door with no other guidance.
Okay, that was pleasant. I didn’t know much about rubber, but I didn’t think it played a big part in my life. Over the next few weeks, I’d learn how much it does.
I called a friend to share my results. My husband was right, my phone cover had a rubber rim. I removed it and went to the nearest best buy for a plastic one. All electric and iPhone cords are possible culprits, so I started taping parts of those with body tape to shield me. I bought a clear nail polish for protection from my headphones and ear buds I use daily. I tossed the rubber wristband I wore. The gloves I used to treat my allergy, yes latex. I replaced those with vinyl. Bike handles, pens, golf clubs, tires and buttons on the remote, golf cart steering wheel all contain partial rubber products.
I climbed inside our small single engine plane and stared at the cockpit. I was flying in a rubber nightmare. I decided to deal with it for the ride and when I arrived at our destination I became proactive. I’d order gloves. Silk gloves, lacy gloves, leather gloves, in all colors. I’d have fun with it. The gloved life, until I figure it out. I’m not sure if I look like Micky Mouse or My Fair Lady wearing my white gloves. I’d like to think the latter.
The chemical I’m allergic to relates to rubber, latex, neoprene, elastic, spandex, lycra and things I’m still learning. Latex allergies are becoming more common and life changing. My allergy may get worse if not dealt with in a timely manner. In fact the Association of Latex Allergy suggest I get an EpiPen and a medical I.D. warning of my allergy. I’ll be rubber free before I allow that to happen.
It’s a tedious process of finding out what products have these ingredients and I wish manufacturers were more forthcoming. Until then it’s a matter of acting as a detective, with research and trial and error. I’d like to see a chemical free environment going forward because this growing problem is not going away.
Being proactive I’ve changed all under garments to 100% cotton, except my running bras. As a “C” cup it’s impossible to have a supportive high intensity workout bra made of cotton. So my solution was to run to Wal-Mart and find a few cheap cotton ones to wear under my spandex’s bras. Problem solved and they are so much more comfortable.
If you are diagnosed with eczema, get an allergy test just in case it’s something you can eventually control. I respect most doctors, but I don’t always trust their judgement. Ultimately, you are responsible for your own health. Do research, ask questions, and talk to others who have been through similar experiences. Please share your comments, experiences or questions below.
Our first day driving the seven-mile island took us to secluded untouched beaches. We got a glimpse of the cruise ships offshore. We hung out at a local beach club for drinks and conversation. I felt like wild boar or elephants should be roaming. It was a bit of an expedition without the wildlife, although I did see dead snakes in the road when I ran the following morning.
We passed back by the lifeguard on the rock, watching over tourists. Perhaps one of the most boring jobs in the world. But as my husband pointed out, “He’s probably making sure no sharks swim from the deep water just beyond the rock into the shallow waters to feast on tourists.”
Hurricane Harvey flooded Houston, leaving 82 dead and many homeless. Total rainfall from a single storm set a record at 51.88 inches and total damage costing $180 billion. A few weeks later Irma threatened the entire state of Florida, pushing Harvey out of the spotlight. As a category 5, it was the largest Atlantic storm in history, reaching winds of 185 mph for 37 continuous hours. The cone of death affected the most populated cities of the east and then shifted to the west coast of Florida. Mandatory and voluntary evacuations caused the largest evacuation 
of any state. Massive traffic jams ensued. I left the east coast, as did many of my friends. Hotels were sold out and people just started heading north, out of the state. In the end we got very lucky as far as deaths, we had widespread damage, but not devastating as predicted. Irma initially hit landfall in the Keys and then the west coast near Marco Island. Hurricane Marie formed as Irma left. After causing catastrophic damage across the northeast Caribbean, it hit Puerto Rico knocking out its power grid, three months later over half are still without power. The death toll is reported as 64, although many believe this number is higher.
The 2017 California wildfire season is the most destructive one on record. I visited southern California a month or so prior to the fires, and the dryness was evident everywhere. In October a series of fires broke out in the north’s scenic wine country. It killed 44 people and destroyed about 9000 structures. Southern California had its outbreak in December. High priced land in Santa Barbara, Ventura and Los Angeles county got hit the worst with the Santa Ana winds exasperating the situation. The Thomas fire, the largest blaze in California’s history destroyed over a 1000 structures and over 50,000 had to evacuate, causing gridlock in an already congested area.
Good news came from all these disasters and people came together helping each other, and especially close to my heart our furry friends. Dogs and Cats were flown from Puerto Rico rescue centers to Florida. One of my friends adopted one of these dogs who went from extremely skinny to a loving pet. Wildlife officials rescued a mountain lion with burnt paws during the Thomas fire. A video of a man rescuing a rabbit on the side of the road while evacuating, went viral.
Photo courtesy of Unsplash by 
My recent visit to southern California left me frustrated by the rampant homeless problem seizing the golden state. I lived in the heart of L.A for over a decade, and homelessness existed, but it didn’t seem permanent or ubiquitous. Mostly confined to Venice Beach, downtown at Skid Row, and the freeway ramps with beggars holding honest or creative signs. This time I noticed them everywhere, even in the out-of-the-way, senior living town of Sun City. This desert town was once only occupied by the 55 and over crowd, retirees looking for cheap living in a safe community. The youths were watched closely, and vagabonds non-existent. This visit I watched backpackers and cart pushers wandering though town with all their belongings. A few were passed out in bushes, 
others displayed burnt hard faces of the street life, and some lived in their car. I felt disheartened, and disappointed that this seemed to be the new norm.
I’ve been crazy busy since hurricane Irma hit Florida. I participated in the largest evacuation in history as the east coast, west coast and most of our state was threatened with the strongest recorded wind, peaking at 180 mph. Facing a monster storm on the east coast, we fled with two cats and a dog in our single engine piper and flew to Helen, Georgia. Although air traffic was busy, the highways were gridlocked and many friends took all night to arrive at our safe house in the mountains. The east coast was spared as the cone shifted to the west coast with the initial landfall after the keys, Marco Island.
After making the best out of our spur of the moment evacuation trip, I flew out of Atlanta for a pre-planned trip to California. I visited familiar places and found some new favorites. I bonded with my father, got to know my grandparents through photos, clipped newspaper articles and we visited their graves. We had road trips and explored Palm Springs, San Juan Capistrano, Temecula, and then after dropping off my dad I spent a few nights in Santa Monica. While hiking in Topanga Canyon, I noticed the mountains were extremely dry and the memorable waterfall and flowing river nonexistent. A week later devastating fires broke out in many parts of California. Overall a fun, rewarding trip, but the homeless population is out of control. That’s a subject for a separate blog post.
I have two exciting promotions going on this summer. For a limited time I’m offering my novel, Breakfast In Bimini, for sale at half price. The perfect fun, bring on the sun and water beach read with a bit of a twist. You can find the digital version and discount at: 
I recently watched the award-winning musical movie La La Land. In my 20’s I lived and played in the heart of L.A., and embraced every moment including the jazz and Hollywood scene. I was young, rebellious and passionate about the city, as I still am today at a distance. The movie includes Universal Studios, Jazz and Griffith Park, as do these memories I share.
My love of Jazz began in Los Angeles, with my first date night at JAX in Glendale. I think it’s one of the filming places in La La Land, or very close to it in ambience and location. It was during the L.A. riots, 1992 and a curfew was enforced.
I considered Griffith Park my other love. It integrated nature and hiking, biking, the observatory, stargazing, drinking, and the famous Hollywood sign. I’d hike or bike the trails and solve many of my problems. Minor issues that seemed larger than life back then. A breakup, head to the park. A bad day at school, an intense bike ride through Griffith. An hour at the planetarium watching projected stars on the ceiling while listening to Pink Floyd was a complete escape or sometimes a bonding experience with a friend as we sipped concealed cocktails. I even watched a full solar eclipse with hundreds of others picnicking for popular the event. A friend and I climbed the Hollywood sign and even met and flirted with the two Matt’s, young actors from the TV series Friends. 
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