On the mend

It has been an unfortunately long few weeks in our house. When the leaves start to fall the noses in our house start to run. Little lungs start to cough and wheeze and the allergy medicine comes out. All of us are allergic to something and mold is at the top of the list. Just about the time that the allergies kicked up we all caught colds. The kids had a small cold that lasted just a couple days. I, on the other hand, coughed… for three long weeks. I slurped my halls and drank lots of water and gutted it out. It was not fun but it finally passed.

Then, after just a few days of feeling better, the cough came back, worse than ever. It started last Thursday as a little hack and by Friday I felt off. I let my Mom talk me into going to the Minute Clinic where I was diagnosed with a sinus infection and bronchitis. I was unaware I was running a 100 degree fever but the diagnosis seemed fine to me. I got a mild antibiotic, an inhaler and some cough suppressant tabs. The Nurse Practitioners final words on my way out was that were were "doing everything possible, so if I did't feel better I would have to wait it out at home." I went home, did my usual routine but the cough got worse.

Saturday left me feeling feverish and feeling pretty awful. I couldn't stop the cough. I wasn't eating, sleeping or getting any rest. Then came Sunday and I could barely get out of bed. The fever was up to almost 102. So despite the NP's advice we went to urgent care. The Nurse Practitioner there rolled her eyes at the medicines I was prescribed saying they were totally inappropriate. They gave me a breathing treatment while they assessed me. She confirmed the sinusitis and bronchitis but she felt like something else was not right. They did a chest x-ray and found pneumonia. Good thing we didn't listen to the 1st opinion.

So now I am on a much stronger antibiotic, an expectorate, inhaler, prednisone and OTC cough syrup. I am still on the mend but feeling wiped out and short of breath. It's amazing how much pneumonia can take it out of you. You hear people having it all the time and don't think much of it.

I write in part to remind all of us "doctor avoiders" that sometimes we need to follow our gut. When something feels off, it probably is. Glad I let family "strong arm" me into asking for help.