Hello everyone! Just to give a quick update, Terry has a job offer to paint apartments for a little money, and a 2nd interview on Monday to be a Lab Tech at Lenscrafters. The lab position is something we've been praying for, as it's more his area than "apartment painter" and it pays more money. Plus, the experience goes better with the rest of his lab experience on his resume. Thanks for all the continued prayers for Terry and me. Hopefully God will bless us with a Lab Tech position and a little $$$ pretty soon! We really do appreciate the prayers!

Now, the reason I'm posting this thread. I got REALLY sunburned on Sunday (please spare me the sunscreen lecture, I know, I know.) I have 2nd degree burns all over my neck, shoulders, chest, face, arms, and legs. (Heaaaaaad, shoulders, knees and toes, knees and toes....) My problem is not that I feel/look like a lizard. It's that I'm retaining water in my legs very badly. It's very noticible when I take my shoes and socks off, and I NEVER retain water in my legs/ankles.

Anyone have a solution besides chug water? I've been drinking water since I got home and noticed the retention, but I feel like I could literally just yarf it up if I take one more drink. Any suggestions? This is really going to bother me, scale-wise. (Not like, amphibian scales, but like, stepping on the scale.)

Ouch! I did something similiar years ago. A water park opend up near me and I (pale, white as a sheet, blond, blue eyes) went to sped the day. I was good and put sun screan on in the morning, but did you know that you are supposed to re-apply frequently especially after you've been in the water.
I spend the majority of the day on a raft in the wave pool.
I came home a lobster over parts of my body that had not seen the sun ever. It took a couple weeks before I even came close to feeling normal. So I understand completely.

I would say, unfortunately, you are stuck letting nature take it's course. Give yourself time to heal (and swell). Hide the scales, don't even look in that direction. It will only depress you. And hey, by the time you finish peeling several layers of skin off, maybe you'll be down a few onces-(ducking, hey stop throwing things, I was just kidding)

I would be careful to wear really loose pants and socks until the swelling goes down. It makes even worse when you can see the indentation lines were your shoes and socks were. When my Mom starts to swell, her doctor told her to keep her legs elevated above her heat. Like lay on the couch and put your legs and feet on a couple pillows, watch tv or something. At work, keep another chair near by and prop you feet up while you are sitting, stuff like that.
Don't know if it's any help, but you sound like you are in pain. Thought I'd throw something.

edited to add: great news about bf, being unemployed is really hard on the self esteem too. Maybe he could paint apartments on the weekends if he gets the eye job, just for a little while to catch up on the expenses and such.
Good luck to him and you!

Poor Weezle! You must be really uncomfortable. I see you still have your sense of humour. Scales indeed!
Good advice from Sarah.
I am keeping my boobs crossed for the Lenscrafter job for DF.

Oh, you poor girl. The pain!
I agree with Sarah. Wait it out, hon.

Continuing prayers for you and Len. Keep us posted!!

Ouch! Well don't hurt yourself!!!!

I appreciate all the prayers and advice. I am a peely little thing now. I make Terry peel me.....gotta love that rrrrriiiiiiiiiiippppp sound it makes when a good hunk of skin comes off! At least then it stops itching! Sorry, I know some people get grossed out by that.

Thanks again!

I too would just recommend water and letting nature take it's course. Feel better!

See if you can find some aloe vera gel and smear it all over the burns. It will be cooling to apply and gets rid of the burn quickly. Be warned that it is sticky so put loose fitting clothes on afterwards otherwise you will leave it on the furniture. This is so much better than any after sun creams or sprays you can buy.

I would highly recommend Aloe Vera (I miss my little aloe vera plant) or if you can't get that, use Noxema.

Noxema on a sunburn? Are you sure???? I tend to get sun on my face a lot and CAN NOT use noxema as it BURNS!

((((Weezle)))) I can feel your pain...I'm another one who never tans, only looks like a well-cooked dungeness crab (the lobster analogy wouldn't work for me, they're too sleek and slim)

Anyway, even though you feel like yarking up all that water, continue to drink as much as you can to keep yourself hydrated.

Vinegar on burns helps at first, but it sounds as if you're already well into the recovery. In addition to elevating your legs, you could try some parsley tea or parsley capsules from the healthfood store to help with edema. If you want something stronger, good old Diurex works like a charm...just gotta keep drinking that water with it, though.

For your skin, please, please, please, keep yourself well-moisturized.

Feel Better, dear~~

Mamacita

Maybe nelie meant NIVEA instead of Noxema. Plain old Vitamin E squeezed from a capsule will help the healing. Moisturizing is key!

Grind up a cup or two of oatmeal in your blender and swirl it in your bath. Guaranteed to soothe your skin.

But only on Phase II and only steel cut!

God, give us the strength to accept Ruth for the way she is.

We've all heard of Fat Acceptance - this is Idiot Acceptance!