Yarngirle

My symptoms right now are swelling, color changes, temperature changes, pain - sharp, stabbing, burning, icy coldness, leg jumps around by itself sometimes intermittently for an hour at a time, shiny skin. So, I guess, I would make a blend that helps the lymph move, increase circulation, reduce inflammation, reduce nerve pain, and reduce muscle spasms. I have been reading different websites and books regarding the preferred method of application. The blending is no problem. The fear comes in when the blend has to touch the skin. I am not looking forward to touching my leg. It is beyond awful. I know it is just the RSD/CRPS, but it doesn't make it easier. I am tempted to try a spritzer bottle with aloe vera gel or lotion. The aloe may be too cold for me.

I found knee high stockings at the drug store yesterday that have graduated compression. I will see how it goes. I do think that I need to go back to some kind of compression. I don't want the lymphodema to get worse.

This is just the beginning of my gathering info for making my own blend. I am going to reread my books and organize my notes better.

1. RSD, Night Cramp, Muscle Spasm, Burning Sensation RELIEF.
Contains Essential Oils of Roman Chamomile. Lavender, Marjoram, Clove Bud, Ginger,
Rosemary, Eucalyptus & Ravensara. 4 Ounce. The base cream is an Aloe Based Carrier Cream.

2. cypress, peppermint and geranium

3. Wintergreen (Gaultheria procumbens), helichrysum (Helichrysum italicum), clove (Syzygium aromaticum) and peppermint (Mentha piperita). She also recommended Frankincense.

Wavelengths Natural Health recommends several essential oils for lymphatic congestion:

* Bay Laurel (Laurus nobilis)
* Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globulus)
* Grapefruit (Citrus paradisi)
* Lavender (Lavandula augustifolia)
* Lemon (Citrus lemon)
* Sandalwood (Santalum album)

Aromatherapy for Pain Relief recommends these oils to "numb the nerve endings":

* Clove bud
* Chamomile
* Helichrysum
* Lavender
* Lemongrass

Self Growth.com recommends these oils for inflammation:

* Wintergreen
* Myrrh

Misty Rae Cech, ND recommends Helichrysum Italicum for inflammation.

http://www.isnare.com/?aid=116482&ca=Wellness%2C+Fitness+and+Diet contains Lavender, Juniper, Ginger and Rosemary.

Esoteric Oils has a circulation blend with

* Geranium
* Black Pepper
* Cypress
* Ginger
* Frankincense
* Juniper berry

I feel somewhat awake now. I'm trying to figure out this sock pattern that L picked out Saturday. It makes no sense to me bc I suck at reading knitting charts. I cast on Saturday night to see what the st pattern would look like knit flat, and it does not match the number of sts cast on.

The original pattern says to cast on 54 sts. If the pattern is a mult of 7 + 5, it should work, right? 7 * 7 = 49 then add 5, which is 54. I tried this twice and am still off by 4 sts. Why off by 4 and not by 5? I searched online to see if anyone else has made this sock. Only one person on Ravelry documented their attempt. After reading this, I thought maybe this is not a good sock pattern.

If this is a pattern knit in the rnd, wouldn't the + 4 not be needed? Wouldn't the st pattern just be a mult of 7? ugh. I searched for help and more patterns on Ravelry. I found Dragon Breath Socks, which seems to use the same st pattern. It turns out the st pattern is from BW 2nd Treasury w a M1 substituted for the YO.

I know that I will have to make the sock bigger for his foot bc this is written for a woman's size 8 foot. I think his shoe size is an 11. I measured the length of his foot from heel to end of toes, from heel to start of toes, and the circumference at the ball of the foot.

L's foot measurements
heel --> toe	10.5"
heel --> start of toe	8"
toe --> start of heel	7.5"
circumference	9.5"

This is my plan, and please tell me if this will not work: use the Dragon Breath sock pattern, US size 2 needles, inc the # of sts co from 62 to 70. I will still use the twisted rib cuff. Since 70 / 2 is 35 and 35 is still a mult of 7, I will use 35 sts for the instep and dec 1 st for the heel to 34. Once the toe is reached, the # of sts on the instep can be dec'ed by 1 to 34. So, 34 sts on the instep and 34 sts for the sole. Dec by 4 every other rnd for the toe until 18 sts rem. graft toe. weave in ends.

Thinking about it now, I could have gotten one more measurement if I ever decide to make toe up socks. Eh. I will probably see him again tomorrow or Wednesday.

I u/s that a pair of socks is a larger commitment than say a washcloth. Idk where this relationship is going. We are having fun, going out, spending time together, being goofy, whatever. A bit of fear is creeping in though. What if he does the same thing as the last one? Is it bc of me or just bc of him? No more chickens. No more wishy-washy-ness from guys.