The Ever-Resilient Pony

The Pony got up to get ready for work on Monday morning, still vacillating on whether to go in. With the cream and the steroid medications, the pain was not as bad in his rashy arms. Then again, would a day walking around with intermittent clouds and sun, at temps in the 70s, irritate the rash even more? He had the doctor's note, and he had accumulated sick leave. Yet he hated the thought of making the office short-handed on a Monday.

The Pony said he would decide after a shower. 

The Pony decided to stay home, rather than risk further irritation. I understand.

"That's your call. NO judgement from me!"

"I don't want to scratch any of those bumps and end up with a staph infection. The doctor said if it didn't hurt, I could go back to work. Just don't do anything that could get the area infected."

"Maybe you need some "sun sleeves" to wear over your arms for a couple of days."

"I think I have two, but that was from when my dog bite was healing, and the sun hurt the new skin coming in. I can't use it now, because the cream for the rash says NOT to cover it. To leave it exposed while having the cream on it."

"Oh. I didn't think of that."

"I'm sure Dad will have judgement about me missing work."

"Well. You know Dad. He's sitting right here listening. Want me to ask? I'll show him your newest pictures. Huh. Dad says, 'I always figure I can be sick at work as well as I can be sick at home. And get paid for it.'"

"I have sick leave. So I'm getting paid anyway."

"I'm not sure I'd want to see my mailman with a rash like that, touching my mail!"

"I hate to leave all that work for other people, but I'm calling out today."

The Pony actually seemed in good spirits. Even suggested a casino trip in a couple of weeks on a day off. So many physical things have gone wrong lately. But our little Pony was chipper. Upbeat.

Of course, that could have been the steroids talking...