About a week ago, I noticed these bumps that appeared all over both of my shins and knees. They looked like big mosquito bites that just did not itch. It was then that I noticed both of the inside of my ankles were extremely swollen that I could not even put on a shoe. I thought that it was just a rash that developed and was not a big deal, so I just ignored it and hoped that a couple days later it would go away. On Monday, I realized the bumps were increasing in number and getting bigger and bigger. My ankles were so swollen that it was beginning to hurt when I walked. I thought that it was kind of weird that the bumps stung and did not itch. I showed a couple of my friends, and no one could figure out why my legs looked like they got attacked. I hate going to the doctors, but my legs were looking worse and worse each day. I finally decided to make an appointment to see a doctor, just to see what the problem was. All I wanted was a cool story like an extremely rare Australian bug bit me, or I walked into a poisonous Australian plant on the way to class. I did not care what the diagnosis was, I just wanted a cool story to tell. Of course, I had to take pictures, but it is still hard to tell how big the welts actually are and how many there are!
This morning I went to the doctor, and she took one look at my shins and ankles, and knew exactly what it was. She told me I have Erythema Nodosum, which is an inflammation of fat cells under the skin. Erythema Nodosum is an immunologic response that can be associated with a bunch of different things. The doctor asked me if I have been sick with a sore throat or anything in the last couple of weeks, and I told her I got diagnosed with mono about 2 months ago, and still am recovering. She said that this is how I contracted Erythema Nodosum in response to the mono. Supposedly it is not common, but it definitely is not uncommon. Even though I couldn't walk out of there with a cool story, like I contracted it from a kangaroo or something, I was happy it is not serious. The doctor said she rarely sees what I have, and wished that a medical student was working that morning to see it. I asked her if she wanted to take a picture, but said that I needed to shave my legs first since I have been unable to with a million bumps all over my legs. I also wanted to make sure that it had nothing to do with bed bugs, because all my guy friends told me it was bed bugs, and of course I believed them. She laughed and said it has nothing to do with bed bugs. WHEW! The doctor gave me a prescription to take daily to reduce the swelling and size of the bumps, and said that a fever sometimes develops so to take Advil too. They are supposed to go away in 6 weeks, but I am hoping it is sooner! She also said to elevate my legs and stay off of my feet, so I decided the best way to fix both of these problems was to go to the beach this afternoon!
My friend and I took a ferry to Manly Beach, which is about a 30 minute ferry ride away. The ferry starts off from Sydney Harbor at Circular Quay, and goes straight to Manly. It was honestly the most beautiful ferry ride I have ever been on. The whole way there and back was a view of the Sydney Opera House, the Sydney Bridge, and all of downtown Sydney. There were sailboats everywhere and other boats out on the water because it was such a beautiful day.
The ferry ride was perfect because it gave me a chance to look back at the amazing place I have been living at for the past month. All the memories, all the moments, all of the experiences and learning that have taken place and will continue to take place filled my head. I did not want to think at all about leaving yet, but I kept that picture in my mind and knew that when it is time to go, I will am going to miss Australia more than anything.
Once getting off the ferry, we ate our lunches at a little side beach, and then proceeded to go to Oceanworld. Oceanworld is a mini aquarium with different animals that are native to Australia. They had sharks, and even the world's deadliest fish! It honestly looked like sea weed or something, and was the ugliest fish I have ever seen.
We got there at the perfect time, because they were feeding a few of these mini sharks. They were being fed octopus that was chopped up with the head cut off.
Oceanworld is not very big, but it is well-known because they have a special tank that you can swim with sharks. I asked them how many people have been eaten or bitten, and they said none. There is a 2 hour introduction where you learn how to scuba dive, and then you swim with the sharks for 30 minutes, without a cage! It sounds like an awesome thing to do and a once in a lifetime experience, but I will have to recruit a friend or two to come with me. I will let you know if I decide to do it, but bungee jumping and sky diving comes first!
After going to Oceanworld, we walked to Manly Beach, which was only about 5 minutes away. It was another beautiful Sydney beach with soft sand and cliffs surrounding the water.
I still cannot believe how much warmer the ocean in Australia is compared to California! It honestly felt like a warm bath tub. When I get back to America, I am going to have such bad reverse culture shock (I am not sure this is the right word to use, but you get the point) because the ocean is going to be so cold!
By far, the coolest thing I have ever seen invented are these feet fountains they had at Manly Beach. What these fountains are, are these shots of water coming up from the ground that clean your feet off from the beach. There is a drain below, so there is no mess. It looks nice, and gets the job done. I am going to import them to America!
It was an amazing day even though I will have these bumps and swelling on my legs for another 6 weeks. When life throws you lemons, make lemonade! If the doctor says stay off my feet, she should expect me to me off my feet while relaxing at the beach :)
Heaps of Love,
Heidi
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