Wellness

I went to the doctor again this morning.  I no longer have flu symptoms, but my body was kind of hyper-reactive to my normal life this week.  I lectured on Tuesday and my lungs were still fired up on Thursday from lectures 48 hours earlier.  And my throat and ears were also getting inflammed and painful along with my lungs.  Ugh.  My body seemed to be the very definition of an “itis” this week — bronchitis and pharyngitis and whatever you call inner ear inflammation (without ear infection).  The doc put me on strong drugs intended to stop my lungs from reacting, and we’re hoping that will stop the chain reaction that’s causing all the other pains.

I was thinking yesterday that I haven’t had a lot of Wellness in my life this fall.  As soon as I had the thought, I got out my yoga mat and did some long stretches.  That definitely helps but I need to think about what else I can do, even in the middle of all this “itis,” to feel like my body is more healthy than not, to feel like my life is moving toward good things.

Shoo Flu

It was two weeks ago today that I had the first bits of congestion that turned into flu about 24 hours later, with fever, dehydration, cough, and general malaise (such a good word).  I am mostly better, though there is a lingering cough and a sore ear that I hope go away for real soon.  People keep asking if I had Swine Flu.  My doctor thought so but didn’t run the test, so we don’t know.  There are verified cases of non-Swine Flu going around where I teach, so it could have been that.  I don’t really care which one it was.  It was flu, it was bad, and I’m glad it’s going away.  Being isolated from the world and having to decide every day whether I need medical attention feel like large burdens when you’re sick.

I was very grateful for the internet the last two weeks.  Two of my best friends were willing to chat with me online and keep me company, and it was nice to be in conversation with them in that way.  It was good to bounce around to sites, catch up on blog reading, and hang out at “GraceLook.”

I was also grateful for the distraction provided by DVDs.  I had received the second season of “Punky Brewster” on DVD for my birthday (re-capturing my childhood — it’s such a good, clean show!).  I watched almost the entire DVD set in one day!  I also got Disney’s “earth” documentary from the library.

And I’m most grateful that “this too shall pass,” that our bodies can overcome viruses and that health returns.

No drama tonight

I am missing my drama class tonight.  Sigh.  This is Day 8 of flu symptoms, though at this point, it’s actually veering into more post-flu symptoms as I think it’s my asthma being fired up again that is becoming the bigger problem right now.

I haven’t had influenza since 1999, and it’s easy to forget that flu is way worse than a cold.  It really flattens you for days at a time.  In 1999, I had influenza, then post-flu bronchitis (and my first broken rib) and was quite sick for the better part of two weeks.  I barely got though final exams, and in fact, had to leave one exam early.

But it’s been almost 10 years since then.  So when the doc said on Thursday that I should stay home until Monday, I was like, okay, a few days of this and I’ll be fine.  And now we’re heading into another Thursday, and I don’t know if I’ll be able to lecture tomorrow.  And I’m wondering if I’ll get to sing all the Saints songs at church on Sunday.

With any luck, given that I’ve now had a bad sinus infection and some type of flu this fall, I will have a healthier (at least less viral oriented!) winter!  That would be very nice.

Sick

Just a note to say that I’m still sick.  Some type of flu.  Fever is down, but my lungs are still full of crud.  So, I cough, cough, cough, and listen to my lungs gurgle.  It’s been a long few days.

A watched pot boils eventually

In a typical week, I use my stove once or twice to heat up pasta and/or peas for dinner.  I use two of the burners so infrequently that they smell a lot when I turn them on!  A chef, I am not.  I’d rather do math.  *grins*

This week, thanks to this never-ending cold (still going strong on day 12), I’ve used my stove at least twice a day to boil water to make myself a steam tent.  I tried this in desperation on Monday night, when after days without a good night’s sleep, I would have tried anything.  Much to my amazement, it helped tremendously!  My sinuses had been clogged to the point of causing jaw pain (a new thing for me), and the steam chased the clogs away for long enough so that I could get some deep sleep.

So, this has become my morning and night routine.  Boil the water, make a tent for myself with a towel, steam out those clogged sinuses.  If my stove had feelings, perhaps it would feel like it’s finally being put to good use after years of being virtually ignored!  If it could do math, we’d have a better relationship.  *laughs*

Randomus Mondayus

Random, randoma, randomi, randomus!

… Still sick.  The creeping crud has made it’s way into my lungs (sigh), so now the real battle begins.

… My dance class was supposed to start today, but they are four people short of getting the class to run.  So they delayed it a week, sent out an e-mail that our old teacher (who I love!) is back, and are hoping that news gets the enrollment up.  It feels like forever since I had a dance class, and I’m eager to get back into it!

… I’ve had dozens of hilarious conversations with my cousin’s four year old lately.  And some math conversations!  Like me saying, “Two and two and two is six!” and him saying with such indignation, “I thought two and two was FOUR!”  And me saying “Two and two IS four!  But two and two AND TWO is six!”

… Watched the Emmy’s last night.  It’s a little weird when I haven’t even heard of some of the shows, much less seen them.

… One of my friends had a preminition of sorts that I’ll marry a guy who has a beard and two daughters.  Okey dokey!

… I feel a bit unsettled lately.  Perhaps the aftermath of my u-turn with work/school.  No really bad unsettled, but just unsettled.

The nose runneth

I kind of figured that my sore throat was just a prelude to some kind of respiratory infection.  And it was.  My nose started running yesterday afternoon and hasn’t stopped since (Quick!  Go catch it!  Before it gets away!).  I’ve used dozens of Kleenex today and spent most of the day in my rocker recliner, watching TV, catching up on blog reading, and resting.

I took some cough medicine mid-afternoon.  I don’t yet have a cough, but this medicine thins the mucus that comes from infection, and I’m hoping that if I thin the mucus early, it will never take hold in my lungs.  When things get in my lungs, then we’ve got the likelihood of bronchitis, which will kick up my asthma and put me at risk for broken ribs (again!!) from coughing.  These are all things that I desperately want to avoid!

This feels like such a strange time of year to be sick.  I usually get colds at the beginning or end of winter.  It’s September!  September is a happy month, full of school supplies and the beginning of autumn leaves!  September is not the month to get sick, but there are at least two yucky bugs going around.  So beware!

Health round-up

Thank goodness I’m finished with health-related appointments (other than blood work, which is frequent at this point) for the summer.  I’m quite tired of seeing people in white coats with one or two appts for several weeks in a row!  Here’s a summary of how things are…

Gynecology… Ugh.  It appears that my endometriosis has gotten bad, and I’ll probably be headed to the OR in the next 6-12 months.  For now, I’m on continuous meds to try to control things.  Not happy about that, but I can go off the meds anytime if I have to.

Endocrinology… My hydration disorder seems to be somewhat back under control after an odd early 2009 with that.  We’re still playing around with thyroid med dosing.  I think my current dose may be too high, and I was doing pretty well at the previous dose so hopefully we’ll just back down and stay there (despite my numbers still not being in the best range).

Eye… are extremely stable!  Doc was amazed that I can still see things well close-up given that I spent my year reading until my eyes fell out.  He said I might get through grad school before I need bifocals.  Okay!

Lungs… are also stable, maybe improving some.  No lung CT this year. Yay!

Teeth… are great!  No cavities or worries of any kind.  The dentist did a series of full mouth x-rays this time, and she again marveled at my impossibly long roots and said the bone structure associated with my teeth all looks fabulous.  So, apparently, I got the good teeth genes at least, even if the rest of my body is totally dysfunctional!

So, my next appts will be in October unless the bloodwork in the meantime shows something punky going on.

Of bumps and couches

I hit my head so hard on my cupboard on Saturday that I got a huge lump on my head.

And Monday, I suddenly felt quite ill and had to lie down on the floor at school and then call for a ride home.

Unrelated items, I’m pretty sure, but my body is a bit rattled these days.  I opted to stay home today, giving me good opportunities to work a little, rest a little, work a little, rest a little.  While I rested, I was remembering the couch that I had in my office at work a few years ago and wondering if I’ll be able to fit a couch in my office when I’m a junior faculty somewhere.  Couches come in incredibly handy when one has weird episodes with their health!  And it’s much better than lying on the floor.

Medical update, #1056a

‘Tis been a long time since a medical update, so here it goes…

I finally started thyroid meds last week, and so far, I’d give them two thumbs up!  I feel more awake and stronger, and I’m getting the lower part of my vocal range back (my thyroid was enlarged to the point of affecting both speaking and swallowing at times).  We’ll need to adjust doses and monitor things, but I’m very pleased with everything so far.  It feels like my body is getting what it needs.

My annual lung function tests weren’t as bad as last year.  I’m hoping this gets me out of the planned repeat lung CT scan.  I won’t see a pulmonologist to find out until August though.

White blood cell count and kidney numbers are both lower than we’d like, but some of that may have to do with my thyroid being messed up.  The thyroid affects everything.

Next stop is my ob/gyn.  Then pulmonology, primary care, dentist, and eye doctor.  Ugh!  But after all that, I should be off the hook again until November.  Yay!