I got a little cocky yesterday. I ventured out of the house and back to work. I even went as far as to eat something other than crackers and chicken soup. Yes. I was an idiot.
I paid the price today. UGH. This really bites. I’ve heard from three friends today who all have the same thing, seems like this bug is really getting around. But better this week than next when my nephews will be here.
So today, I lay in bed, sleeping, shivering, watching tv and wretching as my flu master requires.
It came on in a flash.
I’m not talking about the vapors, a crush or anything at all pleasant. I’m talking about the stomach flu. I was fine this morning, then at around 11:30 p.m. I got a wave of nausea. I thought it was just cause I hadn’t eaten all day so I went to the lunch room and got some popcorn. As my mother would say, that came in on the dumb idea train.
The nausea got worse and invited some stomach cramps, so I went home and spent the afternoon talking to earl on the big white phone. Yep it all came back up and brought on the chills and muscle aches.
I slept a lot of the afternoon and only woke up to talk to Earl some more. UGH.
The ironic and unfortunate thing is that Tina is downstairs with the same thing. Unbeknownst to each other we’re both suffering from the stomach flu together. I hate being sick. But the stomach flu is the worst. Bring on allergies, bronchitis, head cold, pneumonia I’d rather do that than throw up. That is the worst. It just makes me miss my mom.
She was the best when we were sick. She was attentive, loving, comforting and there was nothing she wouldn’t do. She’d read to me, rub my back, stay up with me all night, play games and always had the right words and remedy to make me feel better.
As I curl up in bed with another attack of the chills I want my mommy.
One of the most meaningful experiences for me at Saddleback’s Global Summit on AIDS and the CHURCH was the World Vision AIDS Experience. It allows you to step into the life of a child in Africa whose life is affected in someway by HIV/AIDS. All stories are based on a true story.
When you walk into the tent you are given an iPod Shuffle where you can hear the faint beat of a drum and your guide orientates you to the experience. He invites you to leave your world behind and fully embrace with open mind and heart the story you’re about to hear. The slow drumbeat becomes a heartbeat and I moved into the story. I was given the identity of Mothombo. A 6 year old girl from Lesotho, a tiny, South African nation.
Her father left when she was very young. She has no idea who or where he is. Her mother works very hard to provide for her and her two brothers. They survive on very little and live in a tiny little shack. She sleeps on the floor next to her mother.
One day she is sent out for sweets and while she’s out her mother leaves to the city to look for work. Her brother tells her she’ll be right back, but Mothombo knows she’s gone. They are now left on their own to protect and provide for themselves. Soon her brother begins to get violent and beat her. She has no one to protect her from him or the other dangers of being a girl in this part of the country. There are men lurking who want to take advantage of her. She’s very scared and feels very alone.
Soon she meets someone who is a World Vision caregiver that invites her to stay at her home. She makes sure that Mothombo is safe, eating, and is going to school. She also introduces her to Jesus.
As a participant we live Mothombo’s life with her. Her home, school, and church is recreated through photographs, props and voices on the headset. I felt like I was there with her. I could feel her despair as I looked into her bedroom. I could feel her faith as I said on the church bench with the bible. I felt her joy when her mother returned, even though she was sick with the unspeakable disease. I could feel her exhaustion from taking care of her mother and going to school at the same time. I felt her fear when I walked into the clinic to get her AIDS test.
The entire experience felt like meditational prayer. My heart was broken and I was moved. At the end of Mothombo’s story you are moved into a chapel filled with faces of children and adults affected by HIV/AIDS. I couldn’t help by cry out to God for his grace and mercy.
The World Vision AIDS Experience accomplishes its goal of changing everything you know about AIDS. When the tent comes to your community, go. You will not be the same.
Now that we are out of imminent fire danger the biggest threat is smoke inhalation.
The sky is still filled with plumes of white and black smoke and the ground is beginning to be covered with ash. I can’t imagine what’s in our lungs.
Today at work they were handing out masks to help reduce the congestion and sneezing but the watery eyes and burning throat are hard to fight. Tina has some great pictures of the efforts.
Since we lived so close our house was filled with the now familiar fire smell. We’ve been running the air conditioning so there is at least one filter to what is passing into our lungs.
All I can say is praise God for allergy drugs. I’m doing all right.
My quasimodo face has finally been explained.
After three hours of poking, prodding, scratching, reacting, getting shots, and x-rays I finally know why my eyes, lips, cheeks, throat and tongue have been swelling beyond oblivion. I am allergic to dust, cats, trees and mold and it is triggering my asthma.
It was odd to see that just the scratch test of dust caused my back to swell just like my face. The cat test was a little less but still very reactive.
I realized that each of my previous incidences have happened at work (remember I work in a former gravel pit) and/or with people who have cats. See I knew there was a reason I hated cats. At least now I can officially say that I am allergic to work. Sweet.
I’m just glad to know what it is. I get to add a pill to my arsenal of medication but as the doc pointed out - you like to breathe right?
I have quasimodo face right now.
Lately I have had a lot of problems with allergies. Every other week or so my eyes especially and general face will swell up. This is usually accompanied by itchy ears and throat with the occassion trouble to breathe thrown in for good measure. It happens in random places with nothing out of the ordinary going on and isn’t consistently in reaction to anything.
Normally I take some benedryl, knock myself out and feel better in the morning. But not this time.
I was sitting in a meeting last night when I could feel the itchies come on. Soon both eyes were near swollen shut, I started the cough/gag and I had to get out. I tried to go to urgent care but it was closed. I went home, took the benedryl, and while it helped me breath and sleep the swelling and itchiness got worse.
So I went this morning and the doctor confirmed it an allergic reaction, gave me a shot, some prednisone and a referral to an allergy doctor.
The bummer is that our department was having a fun day at The Getty. I love the Getty. I really wanted to go. But if we can get this under control that’s even better I suppose.
Just a general pain. At least it will be under control before I go to see the Dead Sea Scroll this weekend.
We are six days into the longest amount of time I’ve spent with my parents since I lived with them right after college (so in 10 years). Normally they fly in for a few days or bring other people and are off doing other things.
We’ve had a great time. I have had to work a couple of half days but we’ve been to a couple of beaches, temecula and los angeles.
Since I only see them once a year or so I am always amazed that they’re older. That might sound a little weird, but it takes me by surprise. In my mind my parents are still young. And in comparison to the parents of many of my friends they are. Now in their 50s the effects of age, hard work, stress and not taking a vacation for 20 years are taking their toll.
My dad seemed indestructable. Now we have long conversations about creams and ointments to help his arthritis and effects of the diabetes. My mom has three kinds of glasses that each do something different. If I were around them more often I’m sure these things would be no big deal. I would notice it gradually instead of all at once.
It makes me worry a little. As former missionaries and pastors their retirement sucks. I guess they’ve depended on God this long and he always comes through. I shouldn’t worry about it, but I do. I worry about the quality of their health insurance. The long-term effect of my dad’s diabetes. Both of his parents, sister and a brother have all died from complications of it.
It’s just odd to think that my parents won’t always be around. I can’t even think about that.
Back to the fun. We’re going to take it easy for a couple of days and then go to San Diego on Tuesday.
NOTE: I’ve added a new annoyance discovered last week. See #5
In my ongoing, never-ending quest to try and be more healthy I have actually been consistent in dragging myself to the gym. Getting there really is half the battle. Once I’m there I do manage to muddle through and feel somewhat accomplished when I leave.
But I have noticed several things whilst there that drive me crazy.
July 20
1. People who talk on their cell phone. This also applies to those who talk on the cell phone in the bathroom. I don’t see the point. There should be sacred, no phone time. The gym qualifies. I can’t imagine you’re getting that great of a workout while talking because you’re distracted so take the freaking phone back to your locker. It is really annoying.
2. Brazenly naked women. Now I understand the need to shower before you leave, but the gym is the place for a QUICK shower. It is not the place to conduct the same pre and post shower routine you use at home. I don’t need to see you inspect your body for moles. I don’t want to catch you lotioning everywhere. And for heaven sakes do not clip your toenails. Leave those things for later.
3. Those who do not wipe down the machine when done. I do not feel the need to sit in your butt sweat. I just don’t and I really don’t want your funky sweat on my towel. It just makes me cringe.
4. Grunters and screamers - now I realize the last couple of reps can be tough but don’t make weird noises. It just makes people laugh at you.
August 11
5. If you work for the gym don’t try to sell me anything in the middle of my work out. I was on the treadmill, head phones on, about 30 minutes into my workout when one of the trainers actually taps me on the shoulder to hand me a coupon for a free training session. If I’ve got headphones on and I’m staring off into space while sweating don’t talk to me if you don’t know me. I am not in the mood to chat about how my workout is going. I will not be the most receptive to your offer so leave me alone.
Now here are a couple of things I just don’t get:
1. Why do women workout in full makeup? I would imagine you just sweat it off. It’s going to run or cake on your clothes. It cannot be pleasant.
2. Isn’t that thong work out gear uncomfortable. I realize those women in full make up and the thong or short-short work out clothes may not be there to actually workout.
Let’s all work together to make the gym a happier place.
I just learned from a friend yesterday that Nike and Apple have teamed up to produce a glorified pedometer that delivers more than just your step count.
This device fits into a specially designed Nike shoe (of course) that will track your steps, speed and transmit them to your Nano and you can then download it to their website which will chart your progress. You can also program music in tune with your steps and download inspirational messages from leading athletes. Nothing like a ra-ra cheer from the likes of Lance Armstrong to step up your workout.
At only $29 you can’t beat it. Although I’m betting the real sale is the the special shoe. Although I’m sure all the knockoff and special holders will be on the market soon. Gotta love the off-brand mimics.
Apparently the product has been out for a year and I’m clearly not their target demographic, which is why I’m out of the loop. The corresponding website for this gadget it is quite fun. It might make you want to exercise. You never know.
I have courageously managed to walk past all the cute little Girl Scouts outside of the grocery store selling cookies.
I desperately want a box of Thin Mints, but I resist. Knowing full well that they will be gone sooner than I’d like to admit.
Then I find these little sugar free cookies that call themselves, fudge dipped mint cookies - that seems like a Thin Mint to me.
While they are not as minty as the real thing they are very tasty and will take the edge off a serious craving.
LA LA Land
