July 12th (Fri) – Time for some
alternative medicine! Gigi thought the bite needed a plantain
(common) poultice. She collected the leaves from plants on her land
and applied the poultice. In the afternoon I went to see Angelynn who
is studying the healing art of Jin Shin Jyutsu. She worked on me for
an hour. There were some strange energy flows going on. She gave me
a bottle of Plantain salve to put on the wound.
Today is the first day I feel like I am going to
make it through this and everything will be okay. I’ve started making
plans for next week. Appetite is coming back. Have cut down on the
Vicadin pain medication and am only taking 1 pill at night. (Down from
every 4 hours earlier in the week.) It’s amazing how the pain has
gone away today. I can walk without limping and don’t need the cane.
July 13th (Sat) –A
world of improvement. Mark’s comment upon looking at the wound was
“it’s not scary anymore.” The swelling has gone down. The redness
and hardness is greatly reduced. Some of the redness has turned to a
bruised look. No pain. It’s no longer an angry wound.
Did another plantain poultice from leaves I
collected. The plant grows along the driveway. There is a strange
light sensation after the poultice is removed. Otherwise I kept the
plantain salve on the wound all day. I laid out in the sun for about
15 minutes to let the wound soak up the rays.
July 14th (Sun) –Was
able to get a pretty good night’s rest in bed. The first layer of
skin in the center has sloughed off revealing ugly red and yellow leg
‘guts’. But it isn’t that deep. Time to cover the wound with a
bandage. Was able to go for a walk and do a bit of work outside.
July 15th (Mon) – Slept good
last night. Had another Jin Shin Jyutsu session. Applying Vitamin E
to the open wound.
July 17th (Wed) – Wound is
healing but I’m pushing it. The heat (weather) gets to me and I can’t
be outside very long. I've also been lightheaded and almost blacked
out in the grocery store.
