you gotta know when to hold 'em

I am so stubborn about some things - and the worst part is, I can't even trace back to why. The example for today's lesson is: medications.

I have been a nut about it as long as I can remember. I had knee surgery in 9th grade, and I recall trying to get off of my pain meds as soon as possible. I blame that one on the fact that Keith Millard (a former Minnesota Viking) had a similar surgery around the same time, and became addicted to pain medication. A few years ago I had a bacterial infection that required me to take antibiotics 4 times per day. I am still mocked for the fact that I would set my alarm to get up in the middle of the night to take them, so I made sure to take them six hours apart. It probably wouldn't have been so bad if I hadn't had to do this for TEN days. I know. I am a little insane.

So about three weeks ago it was my turn to get the cough that's been going around. I was sort of a baby for the first week, but worked out a couple of times. The last two weeks have been nothing but lazy town. This "cold" got to the point where I couldn't go to sleep at night because I was too busy hacking. I took a hiatus from my cold medicine (all over-the-counter) because I don't feel comfortable using it too many days in a row (shout out to my medication neurosis). Last week, when it got to the point where I felt like someone was standing on my chest every time I climbed a flight of stairs, I re-stocked my medicine supply, certain I could kill it myself - using only OTC drugs and my determination. I was wrong.

Saturday, when my cough appeared to be getting worse, rather than better - and after getting told in no uncertain terms by Sara to get my ass to the doctor - I tried to make an appointment. I am an anti-hypochondriac, and feel going to the doc for a cold is ridiculous - but I was ready to surrender. I was out until Wednesday for my physician. Another one of my adorable (a total stretch, but I'm going for it) quirks is that when I decide the time is right for something, I want it done NOW. Needless to say, waiting for Wednesday wasn't going to work. I checked the urgent care hours for a couple of clinics, and headed in on Sunday.

I look like hell!

After sitting in the waiting room for over an hour, with every sick kid in the southern metro, I got in to see the doc. It didn't take long for them to figure out I wasn't getting enough oxygen, and I was wheezing. After listening to me breathe, I was put on a machine (a nebulizer, I think?) for 10 minutes to pump medicine to my lungs ASAP. After listening to me breathe again it was decided. I have bronchitis. Awesome.

So 2 types of meds and an inhaler later, I am on the road to recovery. I guess the good news is that at least I was legitimately sick, and wasn't imagining how crappy I felt. I am hoping by Tuesday I can get back to the gym, because I'm getting a little squirrely. I will never take breathing for granted, again.

What have I learned? That sometimes you just need to go to the doctor, as much as you don't think you do, because you can't always think yourself healthy. Oh - and wheezing is bad.

Here is hoping all of you are in fine health, and un-labored breathing!