October 5, 2007

• Medical Update (sigh)

  I went to the doctor yesterday for a recheck, Rissy too.  We have had a "cold" since last week with minor symptoms.  Mine turned not so minor on Thursday evening.  Lots of coughing, etc.

  Well, the doctor said my husband was right, my daughter Stephanie was right, Tangi was right, Emily was right, Reba was right . . . I guess everyone has been right except for me!

  My little "cold" was quickly turning into bronchitis.  I say "quickly" because she said with my "weakened condition" (oh brother - rolling eyes!!!) things can turned "bad or serious" overnight.  And, they did.

  Tangi, Emily, & Reba have all been telling me they were worried I've been doing too much.  I have felt absolutely fine until this annoying drippy nose started, then made a tickle in my throat that made me cough until I was hoarse, and then "the cough" began Thursday and settled into my chest by Thursday night.

  She said Jesse was right in that I am exposing myself to too many places that contain everyone's germs.  That's normally okay for a healthy person, but not when your respiratory system is "compromised" (rolling eyes again).  Jesse even mentioned concern about my going into Luci's daycare to pick her up - a place I hadn't considered covered in germs.

  She said Stephanie was right when she told me to schedule "down time" and I should "make friends with down time" because it's good for me.  The doctor said, what Lori K said (so I guess Lori K was right, too), that it takes up energy to heal and I need to not spend that energy being up if my body is needing to be down.  The fact I have taken a couple of naps this past week (something I am rarely ever able to do) should have been loud and clear call to me.  It wasn't, I guess.

  So, I'm forced to think of MORE ways to simplify my life.  Thanks buana for the timely advice!!! 

  I was VERY blessed by being given free samples of some killer antibiotics and antihistamines.  I take them at night (since the antihistamine causes drowsiness) and after one dose, last night, I'm feeling tons better than yesterday.  I'm sure this is one of those new $13/pill antibiotics and, for that price, I SHOULD feel better.  It's used for pneumonia and severe bronchitis.  I guess she wants to prevent those things.

  I was feeling not so much discouraged yesterday, but rather disappointed, by her explanation of what's happened to me.  She reminded me I had a very serious and severe lung infection for a long time (thus confirming my fear of almost needing to be hospitalized) and she told me that even after feeling 100% again, it takes at least (sometimes longer) 30 days to be fully well and our immune system to be built back up. 

  I felt sheepish for not taking my recovery more seriously - much like someone on a diet who weighs in in front of a group and has gained 20 pounds and tries to tell everyone, "I really didn't eat that much!"  I don't feel like I've done that much work, but (like counting calories) I guess every chore has "points" and too many chores adds up to the reverse of what I'm trying to accomplish.

  I cleaned the bird's cage today.  That's what I picked as a chore absolutely having to be done today.  It can't be healthy for her OR us.  It's done and she's singing. 

  Since it bothers me so much, I think tomorrow I'll bring in an empty Rubbermaid bin and clear my desk area (and all that has stacked up on the floor around it) into a box with a lid.  If I can't see it, maybe it won't bother me so much and it will all be together in one box should we need something that isn't filed.

  Since I'm feeling much better today than yesterday, I am yet once more encouraged.  Encouraged, but hopefully a tad smarter about how much I do and how long I spend in places with people.  If I'm not careful, I'm going to turn into Michael Jackson - a germophobic!

  Off to the shower.  I have to take Luci to her 4pm appointment, today.  Until then, it's "Down Time" for me!

  • 2:18 pm
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