Fabulous Fall Foliage and Good News!

We have had a lovely fall with very seasonable temperatures. The first frost held off a good two weeks beyond the normal date and the rainy dreary days have been few. In other words, glorious autumnal weather!

I have enjoyed so many of your Fall Color posts -sponsored by Dave at Home Garden, that I decided I had to share some of our local color.


This tree, a soft maple, is in our front yard. Unfortunately, this is the only color I have. All the rest of the photos are ones I have taken around our area.

We do have some forests in central Illinois. I know some of you think all we have are corn and bean fields!

Just think-the vivid orange of these leaves is there all the time. But during summer it is hidden by chlorophyll!

I wish I knew the names of all these trees. Something I will have to work on.

Some colors just say, "Look at me!"

The burning bushes are as pretty as I ever remember seeing them.

Some of the trees are still in the process of changing colors.

And some are completely changed.

Some are so bright they almost hurt your eyes.

The color of these trees has to be one of my favorites.

Or....maybe this color is my favorite.

I hope you are having a beautiful fall and that you are taking the time to enjoy all of the wonderful colors.

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Now for the good news!

After hearing from my dermatologist that I wouldn't be able to see the specialist in Springfield until December 30, I got a call from there on Thursday saying they had a cancellation on Friday at 10:00 am. Rose, dear friend that she is agreed to go with me and be my navigator, and hand holder.

Dr. Stone, a professor at SIU and the head of the dermatology department there, saw me. After a very brief exam he had a diagnosis. It is a type of Pityriasis-skin rash. He said he see about 4 cases a year. With out any treatment it will go away on it's own in 3 or 4 years. I know my mouth dropped open at that! With treatment I should be rash free in a couple of months with a noticeable improvement in a couple of weeks. Yes! I can do this.

The treatment started with a shot of Triamcinolone Acetonide for the itching. This is a liquid form of the steroid cream I have been using. Almost immediate relief and it lasted for several hours. I am itching some again, but it's nothing like it was. The next step in the treatment is a medicine called Methotrexate. This medicine is used to treat rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis. I take 4 pills once a week with blood work in between to keep an eye on my liver count. Along with these pills I take Soriatane once a day. This one can also affect the liver. Dr. Stone sent his treatment plan back up to my regular dermatologist so I won't have to go back to Springfield but can have everything done and checked close to home! Lastly, I am off the dreaded Prednisone, and I am back on my Miracle drug-Lyrica.

He was the kindest man and so very gentle . He explained everything in great detail and made me feel like a human again instead of some freak of nature. I thank the powers that be I was referred to him.

I also want to thank each and every one of you who have offered prayers and good wishes, who have given me cyber hugs and most of all given me your support and friendship. All of this has helped me through a very trying time.

Here is to you and the light at the end of the tunnel!!