So my cold, which had been improving, got markedly worse over the past three days. Even though my s-i-l and nephew still haven't made it home (airport delays Wednesday, and they couldn't get re-booked until SATURDAY!), I just had to leave them home go to a million (okay, 3) doctor appointments yesterday.
First we had to scrape about 1-2" of ice off of the front steps (8 of them) and the car. God bless my s-i-l who helped a lot, what with me being pregnant and sick! I literally couldn't force 4 of my 5 doors open (iced shut), and I am too ungainly to crawl through from the rear hatch of my wagon like I would when not with child. She also helped me get DS down the stairs safely--too icy to carry him, too icy to let him walk by himself. Luckily, we are only a few houses off of a state highway, and major roads were 100% clear by the time we left the house at 8:30 am.
I took DS to the new family practitioner my friend had recommended. I loved it there! He's an MD and also a homeopath, and, though we haven't met him yet, his Physician's Assistant is fabulous. Instead of doing the talking part of your exam on the exam table, she has an office off of her exam room with a couch and some toys so you can sit comfortably while you discuss what's going on. It was really great.
Then I was supposed to drop DS off at my m-i-l's house for a visit while I went to see my new doctor. I'd asked DH, and he thought it would be fine, but I am a little angry that my m-i-l didn't look out the window to tell me that their (HILLY!) neighborhood still had completely icy streets. I got stuck when I couldn't make it up a hill, but didn't see a pile of ice/snow behind me, so I couldn't get traction for up, and I couldn't get through the 3 foot heap of ice to go down. I was hysterical and screaming at DH on my cell phone for suggesting his old street would be passable. Luckily, a passing mechanic stopped and helped rock my car into a more angled position, then he used his SUV to shove my little wagon out of the snowpile so I could head back down to the safe (major and FLAT) roads below.
So I took DS with me to the doctor. Oh well. He was pretty well behaved. MY new doctor is not nearly as wonderful as DS's new doctor, but has the benefit of being in a large group that operates a walk-in urgent care center about 4 blocks from my house. I've realized lately that, when I'm sick, I am just too worn out to get myself to the doctor. I can travel 20 minutes to take DS, but I'll never do it for myself. I also feel like it is easier to refuse unwanted treatments for myself, so I'm not quite as worried as I would be about a "mainstream" or "traditional" doctor for my children. And, I'm happy to say that the doctor at this mainstream practice yesterday told me she thinks I could have a sinus infection, but it might just be a second cold developed on the tails of the first, and, while she prescribed an antibiotic, she recommended that I wait several days before filling it to see if it was really a bacterial situation. When I told her I was going to try acupuncture later that day, she thought that was a great idea. While this practice felt very medical and not wonderful/peaceful/nurturing like the new doctor for DS, I can't even imagine greater convenience and I found the care adequate.
I drove DS home just in time to catch a call from my acupuncturist who could see me an hour later. I ate lunch and ran to the acupuncturists office. I'VE NEVER FELT PAIN IN SO MANY POINTS AS I DID YESTERDAY! Whew! Normally, the needles make a slight prick going in and then I don't even feel them. I guess it is a good sign that they hurt--she said it meant we'd got the right spots. Still, OUCH. However uncomfortable that was (and still better than the discomfort of this unending cold), this morning (gross TMI ahead!) the most amazingly disgusting stuff has finally started to exit my head. There was something the size of a RAISIN in my right side sinuses that came out today. It was like something from a sci fi movie. So the acupuncture is WORKING. Green stuff is leaving my sinuses. I slept longer and better and was able to breathe through my nose most of the night. I could even smell a little bit this morning. God bless her.
Oh, and baby Glooby gave a kick after each needle was inserted. I thought the first couple were coincidence, but s/he totally responded to each needle, then got peaceful during the sit-there-and-relax stage of the process.
Today I will fight whatever urges I have to do useful stuff and rest some more. I am DONE BEING SICK. Damn it! Then tomorrow I'm going for a follow up visit to the acupuncturist to have my ears candled. I've always wanted to try it, and it is supposed to suck extra crud out of your head. My ears have been very tender the last 4-5 days, and I certainly don't want to experience an adult ear infection. DH thinks I'm crazy, but he wants to come with me to see the ear candling for himself. (They stick a tube with a small lighted candle in it into your ear. That cuts off the oxygen, snuffs the candle, and a vacuum is formed that gently pulls out the crud.)
Sorry, long story today. Everyone else--stay healthy! I think I want to get some kind of pendant to wear hand sanitizer around my neck.
--willo
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. Also, I feel a lot more "rolling and bumping" down in the pelvic region rather than powerful jabs, but when the jabs do come they always land on my cervix
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