Wednesday 5 June 2013

Prescriptions, overdue bills and camp

There's been a flurry of cricket just lately, not surprisingly given the time of year. School matches, club matches, county matches and the first game of the season for Little Miss (she did fine despite nerves). I spend a lot of time not knowing exactly where I'm supposed to be at any given time and rely a lot on the constant email and text reminders from various people who are clearly more organised than me. There often comes a text from a fellow parent saying "shall we share lifts" or "what time will you be at the pitch"; my reply, more times than I care to admit to, is "where are we going, just remind me...." or "erm which pitch is that?" 

But my week began with a doctors appointment. I have had a spotty rash on my face for around 18 months now (teenage spots, did I hear you say? Thank you) They come and go; sometimes it's bad and sometimes it disappears but over time it has certainly got worse. Angry red spots on my cheek and nose (lovely!) Every time I thought about seeing the Doc they disappeared for a few days, as these things always do.

However I recently spent some time with a friend who I chatted to about my rash which at the time was quite visible, I was saying how it was getting me down as "I always look like I'm.... " before I could finish she jumped in with " a hardened drinker!", no I was actually going to say "sunburnt!"

I had thought I may look like a flushed, rosy cheeked farmer which I could go along with
  but a drunkard? Erm No!
 
So off to the Docs I went and after much questioning I was diagnosed with Acne Rosacea and given antibiotic cream, so hopefully soon I will be back to my young and sober self!
 
The week didn't improve when I arrived home to find a demand for an unpaid bill. Apparently some weeks ago I had some beauty treatments which I had forgotten to pay for. I rarely have treatments although if I won the lottery I would actually move into a beauty salon, or maybe a spa., I love it. In a previous life many years ago I was a beauty therapist but right now I prefer to be a customer - if only finances would allow.
 
However I vaguely recall the treatments, I thought I'd paid, if not in cash but in kind. However the threatening note says that if I don't pay within 10 days the amount will increase.....better get my cash out!
 
If I don't pay up I may never be allowed back into "The Little Miss Bedroom Salon again!
She does do an excellent foot rub!
 
And finally to round things off Number 2 son came home from school with a letter regarding a compulsory cadet camp in July. Compulsory that we pay for it too! However it costs £55 and includes all transport, accommodation, food and activities for 5 days; he can be quite a handful so we may (this I couldn't possibly confirm or deny) have been a little keen for him to go on the camp. Where do we sign we thought!
He said he'd prefer to go on the other camp - there was another camp??
He explained that although he is in the RAF section he hadn't been included on the special RAF cadet camp as the spaces were limited and he really, really wanted to go on that one. So I hurriedly sent off several late night emails pleading for number 2 son to be considered for the RAF camp - apparently they get to fly on this one (I assume with a pilot?) It seems I pleaded his case well as he came home yesterday saying he was allowed to go, despite telling me the chap in charge had mainly chosen the "good boys" - Oh dear, I'm reading a lot into that comment!
We then received a copy of the letter with details of the camp from another parent, it appears I emailed before thinking it through, and have rather shot myself in the foot - this camp is £125!! Why did I not ask the price, was it my eagerness at the thought of him going on a 5 day trip that made me forget the essential questions like which dates, where to and how much?
I do love him really but a nearly 14 year old, very bright boy who knows everything and has never, ever, been wrong in his life can make for a stressful life!
I guess the beauty salon will have to wait a little longer for my money!

24 comments:

  1. I suffer from Rosacea too Jay, mainly my nose - in the winter everyone asks if I've got a cold and in the summer they say Ooh you've caught the sun. I just nod now as I can't be bothered to explain.
    The creams and ointments didn't work for me, if they don't for you either they'll move you onto pills and then stronger ones (which I'm on.) Apparently there is no cure, we're stuck with it for life now - but there are periods where it'll subside for a while. We have to hope those spells get longer and the flare-ups shorter.

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    1. Oh I'm sorry you're suffering too- do the pills work for you? I was a bit surprised that the Doc said the cream would clear it all up in around 3 weeks as the internet seems to indicate that it's unlikely to disappear. We'll see, no change yet though.

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    2. The pills I'm on now do seem to help - not eradicate it, but calm it down. However the Dr doesn't want me on them fulltime, she says they tend to take you off them for several months then back on again when it gets worse again.
      Apparently women tend to get it more than men, altho they do too, and it tends to appear in your late 30s/early 40s.

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  2. Jay, I would echo the remarks above. I had this for ages before being diagnosed with A.R., went down the non-effective antibiotic route - why on EARTH do they persist in doing this?? Then ended up on this horrendous medication - all properly supervised by the hospital dermatology department, liver function tests and all - and though unpleasant (it lowers your immune system while you are taking it) it was very effective. It must be at least 10 years since then, and I have just had a flare up. Good luck. There is an on-line group - which I'm sure you have already found.

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    1. Thanks Lynne, everything I've read seems to say the cream won't work, early days yet though. Is the medication for life or just until it disappears?

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  3. Hello, all the letters and forms and money requests from school nearly finish me off! I can't keep up! I read a blog ( actually I mainly just look at what she makes) by an American girl called Princess Lasertron. ( try not to let that put you off!) Anyway, the point is that I remember her talking about Rosacea that developed after the birth of her daughter. I think she recommended some Clinique make up. Anyway, worth a look. :) x

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  4. Goodness, children are expensive, aren't they? The demands from school seem unending.

    I hope you get your rosacea under control and that is clears up. x

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    1. I know, bills for another trip and school dinners came home Friday!

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  5. Yes I remember those letters that say compulsory trips and those that mention a " voluntary contribution " !

    Sorry that the comments seem to be Rosacia themed but here is the place to get help ! I suffer too !

    I get angry red blobs around my eyes & have a very rosy complexion ( all year round ! )
    Drs prescribed Zyomet Gel to dab on very red but & I wash my face with Emilsifying Ointment.

    I used Clinique anti redness cosmetics for years but now use Lancome tinted moisturiser to tone down the redness. Recently discovered Liz Earle products which are v good. She includes a section on Rosacia. Roc products were given the nod by the dermatologist.

    Hope you get some relief. I always feel it's unfair as I suffered badly from teenage acne. Still, in the depths of winter I look pink & healthy !

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    1. Sadly there's no mention of "voluntary" on the payment slip!
      Thanks for the rosacea advice, I'm keeping the redness covered with a Clarins tinted moisturiser and some concealer but the spots are still there - I look like woodchip wallpaper when I turn sideways!

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  6. Sorry to hear about the Rosacia and hope that the treatment helps. We have had a similar letter and KP is off the weekend after next to some camp or other - on Father's Day weekend too - the school should have thought of that! It was only yesterday that the following requests came - I will need new trainers, possibly two pairs and I would like a skirt!!!
    June

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  7. Hope the treatment works for you Jay.
    I'm relieved that my daughter (now 31) is WAY past all those trips as I too remember (not too fondly) receiving letters about important trips/camps etc., and voluntary contributions :o(
    Rose H
    x

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  8. Well lets hope son No 2 has a wonderful time and that you enjoy it too! Teenager boys can be a bit trying!
    Hope the cream is effective for you, looks like you have lots of good advice to help too.
    Lisa x

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  9. Hi Jay,
    Sorry to hear that you have been diagnosed with Rosacia. I had never heard about it until I started blogging two of my readers have it too - North of 49 and Ramblings of a Roachling. I hope the cream helps.

    I hope you have paid the unpaid bill, I had better not let my daughter see this or she will start charging for her beauty treatments too!
    Sarah x

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    1. Thanks Sarah I'll look them up - not the bill isn't yet paid but I see she's marked the deadline on the calendar, in red!

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  10. Thank you so much for dropping by. I have enjoyed looking At your blog. That note is definitely one to keep. I love your kitchen. Have a fun weekend

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  11. I think it's fabulous that he's going for a camp organized by the RAF though! Does he like flying? LOL about your friend's spots comment! Yes, that would definitely never do for people to think you've had a glass too many!! :D

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  12. I used to spend an outrageous amount of money on summer camps, mainly because I have a boy who sounds much like yours at that age and needed a) constant entertainment and b) masses of physical exercise but also because I regarded them as essential for my summer holiday sanity!

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  13. OH, camp is expensive! I have one who likes to go for 2 weeks, but it's worth it for him, I guess.
    I have rosacea, too and have to use a cream for it or I'm SO red all the time. Hopefully yours clears up really fast!

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  14. We have the same Friday night texting and ring-around trying to co-ordinate drop-offs and pick-ups for the weekends activities. Why oh why can't I be more organised!

    What a pain about the A.R. My skin has definitely changed since having children - sometimes I feel like I have the appearance of a hormonal 16 year old. sigh.

    Your boy sounds perfectly normal if the 14 year old boys belonging to my friends are anything to go by. Scary for my though as I'll be dealing with 4 of them down the track!

    Mel x

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  15. Children are so expensive I agree! £150 for a three day adventure residential with school for my 12 year old last week - ouch!

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  16. 55 pounds for five days of quality time away from a child??? Wow, day camps here costs upwards of $250 and $550. And sleepover camps even more. Use all that money you've saved on beauty treatments I've say!

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  17. I think if people knew about the real expense of bringing up children nobody would have babies, would they! :)

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