I had originally planned to stay with Patti two nights but shortly after I arrived, Patti looked at my back and got a mirror, so I could see it.  It wasn’t pretty and was so inflamed with blisters that I finally understood why I was in so much pain.  Patti had very kindly spread a medicated ointment on my back several times but, unfortunately relief was temporary, so I decided that I needed to get back home and see a doctor.  I wasn’t sleeping well, I was nauseous, and I knew my temperature was a little higher than normal as I, who usually feel cold if the air conditioning is set below 80 degrees and never have the air vents blow on me in the car, felt hot until I reduced the temperature and needed the cold air blowing directly on me just to stay comfortable.

The quickest way to get home from Cumming is by interstates 85, 75, and 275 and takes approximately eight hours driving.  Anyone who has read my blogs knows that I do not like to drive more than four hours and I hate driving on interstates.  It wasn’t easy as I was tired, in pain, and get bored very quickly on uninteresting roads.  I stopped frequently for a quick walk around and to drink a coffee flavored energy drink so I could power through.  I did find that I felt an adrenaline rush when I crossed the Florida line, then again when my favorite Tampa station WQYK (country) came in a couple of hours north of Tampa, and it really spiked when crossing the Howard Frankland Bridge and saw the St. Petersburg sign.

As much as I love to travel, I always feel exhilarated when going home.  There is something so comforting to sleep in your own bed surrounded by familiarity.  Chloe’s reaction was so funny.  I picked her sleeping little body up out of the car seat (I think she was more bored than I was by the drive), and, after I opened the door, set her down.  She looked up at me, then looked around, and then started running back and forth around the house as if she wasn’t sure this was our home and had to check each room to verify her stuff was all here.  So, she, too, seemed happy to be home.

Once I fed and walked Chloe, we immediately went next door to see Rick and Mary Pat, so we could catch up.  We had spoken a few times while I was on this trip, but I missed her tremendously as we generally see each other most days.  Since there was a nice gentle breeze blowing in off the intracoastal, sitting on her porch chatting while enjoying a nice glass of wine was very relaxing.

Before I went to bed, Mary Pat spread an aloe gel on my back and agreed that I should see a doctor.  So, this morning I went to the Walk-in clinic down the street.  He said that I have one of the worst cases of sun poisoning he’s ever seen.  My blood pressure and temperature were somewhat (not seriously) elevated but both of those results were abnormal for me.  He gave me a steroid shot in my hip and prescribed prednisone in a dose pack as well as an opioid for pain.  Further, he told me to spread prescription strength Vaseline Intensive Care lotion as often as I wished.

I am pleased to say that by this evening much of the pain has dissipated and I anticipate a decent night’s sleep.