Today I am being a hermit watching the world through venetian blinds. It is a beautiful world out there, and it is a beautiful world in here because I am giving my body quiet time to heal. Two days ago I had real trouble breathing to the point that I remembered the last time I felt that way I ended up in the hospital. My asthma “puffer” didn’t seem to help much. Finally at the end of the day in order to sleep I took one of my inhalation treatments hoping that would help. Thankfully, it did.
I woke up fighting to breathe and had to take another “treatment.” The breathing got easier but the congestion in my head and the evolution of a unilateral slightly sore throat into a bilateral major sore throat kept reminding me I wasn’t well. I started coughing up green mucous, and I knew then I needed to stop and take care of myself. Yesterday afternoon I was lucky enough to have a friend come over who with great kindness repaired everything that had gone wrong with my house during the past year. That was a wonderful blessing. I also discovered that helping move a refrigerator away from the wall can strain my lower back—-something that, thankfully, is a new experience for me. Evidently you can hurt your back without bending over. I’ve been taught healthy body mechanics for lifting someone, but no one ever taught me the right way to pull something heavy away from the wall.
Today both the breathing and the sore throat are less bothersome. I think I am getting well. The back pain will go away too. I am being helped by the support of my friends and prayers from my priest and my prayer partner. Although I sound like a hypochondriac, I am gleefully pursuing recovery from this bout of minor illness……and gaining on it. And the mantra of “drink lots of fluids and take it easy” along with prayers and faith will help get me there. Thanks for letting me rant!
Living One Day at a Time 
Glad to see you back posting. We have really missed hearing from you. Be better and if you have trouble don’t forget the doctor (sorry) nurse practitioner! Here’s a ride if you need it, or a cup of tea.
Thank you!
Don’t forget to drink hot fresh ginger tea with honey. Really helps! I enjoy your insightful posts, and I felt you as a kindred spirit when you spoke of the “nakedness” of trees after their leaves fell. That thought occurred to me as a young teenager…”sad, naked old men.”
Feel better, kiddo!
Thank you….am drinking peppermint teas as I type. Type 2 diabetes keeps me away from the honey, but the peppermint feels good on my throat.