Fixing a perennial "problem"

After so many years today I finally get myself organised to see a dermatologist about my skin condition in my right lower leg. He diagnoses it to be a psoriasis/eczema discoid. It's a dermatitis or inflammation of the skin. He opines that it is probably caused by my skin being dry as a result of my taking long hot showers and perhaps life stresses. When it is dry it is itchy and the skin is infected due to scratching (bateria in finger nails) . Wow, so simple yet it sounds so real. He writes on a piece of paper what the condition is, what are the probable causes and what are the ways to deal with it (this is the first I ever have a doctor do to me). He gives me a prescription of anti-biotic and Eleuphrat ointment (a topical corticosteroid) - sends me away 5 minutes later and $170 poorer.

And I go on line at home later to find out that that corticosteroids are medicine used to reduce skin inflammation. It works by acting inside the cells to decrease the release of these inflammatory substances thereby reducing swelling, redness and itchiness. 

Then I realize that my GP has put me on many types of corticosteroids before seeing this specialist - Diprosone, Advantan and Aristokrat; without lasting cure. And the difference is - my light bulb moment - I need the antibiotic Cephalexin to kill the bacteria once and for all ..... Now I know why I have been applying the different types of topical corticosteroids for so many months but I just could not shake the darn thing off.
I shall know in a few days time whether this regime I am prescribed today will work but the specialist says "By Cup Day it will be gone"; that's next Tuesday. He sounds confident.....

4 days after seeing the specialist dermatologist

Brucy

Bruce had retired from work some 4 months ago. That is how long I have taken over his sales area.  He just sold his house in Patterson Lakes and he and his Mrs would be moving to Loch Sport in Gippsland in two weeks' time. The house in Loch Sport was their holiday house but would now be their permanent abode. I think he would not miss living near to Melbourne anymore as they prefer a slower paced lifestyle now. They will have their cars and boat and the water is not far away. He is already well set up and gosh, timing is everything. With the proceeds from the sale of the house he could afford a great lifestyle, not to mention the high price he would have got for the sale. And he is well set up in his super also. Anyway we met at the Cove Hotel Wednesday night for a few beers and a meal to catch up with Brucy. There was the 9 of us that night; Roy, John (JB), Andrew (Hops), Scotty, Lukey, Grant, Mick, Bruce and me. Every chance I get eating out I would order steak and chips. This one's a porterhouse, medium done. Mick was sitting next to me so I photographed his meal too; a mixed grill. Actually he started the picture-taking. His wife likes to take pictures of food they eat......

 

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Angeline

My cousin Angeline and her family's visit to Melbourne ..... She's Muslim so I was tasked to find a good halal restaurant so we can have dinner.

Dinner at "Persian Flavours" Forest Hill.