We're All Unique In Some Way, Right?

This winter has been a sucky one in terms of getting sick. The kids have only had a couple of minor colds, but since November, I've been battling my typical sore throat/sinus infection/bronchitis trifecta off and on every few weeks. I'd be sick for a couple of weeks and then feel alright for a few more and then get hit again. I know me and I know my body. Usually, I ride it out unless it gets unbearable. (And, you know, I'm a tough chick so "unbearable" means "pretty effing ridiculous and intolerable.")

Needless to say, I've been riding it out. I don't remember if I've blogged about this before or not, but I'm a bit of a "sickness eater." There was this movie a while back (yeah, now I think I've mentioned this before but I'm going to be lazy and not go back and find the link...sorry) in which a character offers absolution to a dying person by eating his/her sins, clearing the path to Heaven. Ever since I saw that movie, I've joked that I'm a sickness eater. I catch pretty much everything that's going around at any given time. Working out has been a major boost to my immune system, but I still get hit. Rarely, though, do I go to the doctor. I just suffer and wait. Usually, I'm down for 10-14 days and then I'm good as new. Now, the really weird part is that no one, I mean NO ONE, has ever gotten sick from me. In over 13 years of marriage, J has never once gotten sick from me. Sure, we've been sick with the same thing at the same time, but invariably he contracted it first. Throughout my entire life this is how it's worked for some odd reason. No one gets sick from me and I always get sick in the same way. I get a sore throat for 2-3 days, then I develop a sinus infection (I have sinus disease which sounds way worse than it is...basically, I have impacted sinuses so when I come down with something my sinuses get hit hard because there's always something going on up there), and, lastly, I develop bronchitis. This is how it's been ever since I can remember. The severity of the sore throats lessened after I had my tonsils out when I was in 8th grade, but still, that's how my body rolls with sickness. There's not much to do about it other than wait it out.

The last time I went to the doctor for being sick like this, I was 5 months pregnant and was beyond wrecked. Pregnancy complicates illness anyway, and I was crazy sick (I had to sleep sitting up for a long time and ended up moving down to the couch because there was no position in bed that worked for me...I stayed on the couch for the rest of the pregnancy and beyond). I've been sick now for over two weeks. Liam came down with it first and kindly shared with the rest of us, including Cait and Jeeps. I, of course, was hit the hardest. The kids must have killer immune systems because they were only out of it for a couple of days. J was hit a little harder and had one bad night of the chills and sweats. I thought I was getting better and then BOOM! It rebounded on me on Thursday. It hit me like a damn Mack truck and I finally relented and went to walk-in care today. Well...drum roll, please...I think I've been battling the same thing all winter, with it getting progressively worse over the months. Now, I have an ear infection and pneumonia on top of my usual (well, OK, substitute pneumonia for my usual bronchitis). (This on top of having my wisdom teeth removed on Monday - it's been quite the week!) The doctor, for his part, doesn't want to ever hear about how the pathology of my illness is always the same, nor does he care one whit that I'm never contagious...what the hell do I know? I've only been living in this body for nearly 35 (!) years. He just writes the scripts and tells me not to wait so long next time. Yeah, well, I don't really have time to be sick, sir. It doesn't usually turn into pneumonia.

*coughcough*. So...that's me, in the corner, curled up in a ball attempting to breathe without hacking up a lung and trying not be too doped up on my cough medication.

How are you?

My Bullet-Pointed Life

• I switched the home location for my gym from Concord to Belmont. Ever since I switched gyms altogether last August, I've not been as thrilled with the new one. I loved working out at Gold's, but the owner was crazy and it was mighty expensive. Over the past couple of years, I've been lucky enough to work with some great trainers; I know my way around, feel confident in what I'm doing, and really, really love working out. So...when I wasn't as happy with the new gym, my motivation kind of went south. Now, though, I am loving my choice to switch. It's further away, but it's so worth it. I'm actually really enjoying the longer drive, because it's pretty much the only time I get to myself.
• My nephew ended up back in the hospital late last week. His vision was beginning to go and he was directed to head back to Boston for immediate care. Fortunately, they were able to save his vision, but they've had to treat the Susac's more aggressively and it was a disheartening setback for my sister and nephew. Hopefully, the new regimen works better.
• Cait and Jeeps have set their wedding date for May 16th. Originally, they were getting married on October 16th, but there's a chance that he may be deployed so the date's been moved up. It's a good thing that I've found my workout mojo again because this matron-of-honor needs to kick her butt into shape!
• I hate the end of winter. We were supposed to get hit with a big storm today and though parts of New Hampshire did, all we got was rain. Boo! I love winter, but when we get to this time of year where everything is just grey and dirty and gross I just want to jump into nice spring weather (but don't get me wrong...fall and winter are BY FAR my favorite seasons; I am not a fan of the warmth). I don't like the yuck limbo that we're dealing with right now. In theory, we're getting another storm tomorrow. I'll keep my fingers crossed for one more big blast of snow before we're in the dregs of March.
• It's shaping up to be a crazy Spring. I'm throwing Cait's shower, Easter, the kids' 4th birthday (and, of course, the party) and then the wedding. The next few months will most definitely be a whirlwind.
• Back in November, I caught a rerun of an episode of Bones one afternoon at the gym. I decided that we should get it through netflix. We are so addicted! It used to be that we would sit on our netflix DVDs forEVER, but not anymore! We're going through nearly 2 discs a week and are nearly finished with the second season. I love the relationship between Bones and Booth.
  

Random Commentary On A Grammy Performance

I think Taylor Swift is cute and all, but I don't think she's all that great live.

Help

The earthquake in Haiti is beyond tragic.

Click on any organization's name to donate to:

• the Red Cross
  
• Doctors Without Borders
• the Mercy Corps
  
• UNICEF
• Food for the Hungry
• The Salvation Army

Go. Help. Now!

Dx

My nephew was transferred from Vermont to Mass General late Wednesday night. After extensive testing that lasted all day yesterday, they've finally arrived at a diagnosis. Thankfully, they were able to make the diagnosis without having the perform the double brain biopsy which they'd been planning.

My nephew's undergoing heavy immuno-suppressant therapy to combat the symptoms, but at least his condition is not fatal. The extent of his recovery remains to be seen.

Thank you for your prayers and good wishes.

Am I Sexist?

I used my new GPS the other night (and totally loved it!). As I was heading out, though, it dawned on me very quickly that, although the female voice giving me directions was quite polite, I prefer taking directions from a man. (Really, this is ironic, because I am most definitely the alpha and, in terms of going anywhere, I'm the one in charge. J hates to drive...maybe that's why the preference for a male voice since he's usually my navigator?)

When I got home J and I went through the voice options and we found a lovely male voice with a British accent that I'll be more than happy to have direct me.

ps - The friction mount is awesome!

Five Years!

Today marks Mom's 5th anniversary of being cancer-free. I'm so proud to be her daughter. Below is a letter to the editor of a small local paper written by a member of Mom's choir and published on Christmas Eve. It captures perfectly how amazing Mom truly is and how lucky we are to have her.

*************

To the Editor:

Sometimes when we live among legends it is difficult to identify with their greatness. Legends capture our admiration, our respect, our faith, and our love. But when we see them week to week and share the common threads that are the odyssey of life, the joy of good fortune and new life, the despair of family tragedy and just plain bad luck, the presence of greatness is easily overlooked.

For decades the faith community in the Lakes Region and beyond, in particular St. Mary of the Assumption Parish in Tilton, has been blessed with a powerful force of good transcended in the form of music. It exists through the continued development of a wonderful talent for piano and pipe organ, a feel for timing and mood, and an unwavering passion for the ministry of music.

There is one among us who has been there time and again all around the region providing the comfort of music at some of the most important times in people’s lives, has prodded and encouraged and rallied the troops, and helped build confidence in all who love to sing
and make music but are hindered by self-consciousness. And has set an awesome example through a strong sense of faith and dedication to her community. Rejoice, for there is a living legend among us: our very own Nancy Walker.

Kent Finemore
Northfield