Shelva, the "Tums" I take is to protect the stomach lining, which tends
to bleed if one is using aspirin to thin the blood.  I do not know why
that happens even if one is taking the aspirin by rubbing it into the
skin.  I know Tums are not the healthiest thing in the world, but they
are better for me than the prescription drugs which have side effects.

I know there are natural blood thinners such as ginger, garlic, Vitamin
E and green tea, and I am "gingerly" using the ginger, E, and garlic
still, but not the green tea, which is too hard on the stomach when one
is taking aspirin.  I have to follow the doctors' advice on using the
aspirin because all of them who deal with this condition think it's
important, but if I have time (before goind Home) to learn a lot more
about this, I may be able to go to all-natural thinners.  That indeed
would be a goal, to heal with the "leaves of the tree which grows by
the river which flows from the throne of God."

I can't take wintergreen or peppermint for itching, because of
sensitivities to them caused by my other condition, but the smart
doctor today told me to try Burt's Bees lemon oil on the itchies, in
very small amounts so as not to coat the skin heavily with oil.  She is
so smart, this new doctor, that she is giving me a lot of learning on
what's going on.   Some mighty fine lady doctor, I suspect!  I probably
have a myeloproliferative condition called Monoclonal Gamocytosis,
which could be a leukemic precursor, but it is in the very early
stages.  That may sound bad, but after so long in semi-darkness, even
that light is welcome.

Mariel