First Health Challenge of My Adult Life

It is incredible to me how quickly a health issue can alter your life and change your perspective on well-being.  I faced my first health “challenge” this past week and experienced just a taste of what many people battle every day of their lives.

Without going into the details (as they really aren’t as important compared to what I’ve learned), I got an infection on my face that caused half of my face to swell (definitely not going to be pictures).  On Monday, I didn’t think it was all that bad.  The dermatologist said: “Ah, I’ll give you a prescription for antibiotics.  Should clear up in a few weeks.”  Thanks, jerk.  What am I supposed to do in the meantime with this ogre face?

Well it didn’t get better.  In fact, it was three times worse on Tueday morning.  Besides being a complete blow to my confidence and vanity, my most immediate concern was for my vital organs – my eyes and brain.  My mind was reeling with crazy thoughts as I drove to the second doctor on Tuesday morning.  I’m not sure what I was expecting, but being a young, healthy, 20-something, I figured they’d give me some more pills and I’d bounce back in no time.  It was when the words “infectious diseases” and “IV therapy” came into play that I felt completely vulnerable.

Back in my car after seeing the third doctor (Infectious Diseases guy), I broke down and cried for the first in a long time.  I cried because the doctors kept asking me if I had someone to go with me to the IV infusion center – parents?  Boyfriend?  Friends (that aren’t working normal hours)?  No, none of those here in the town I decided to make home.  I was all alone in the struggle to make this ailment go away.  I understand now why the support of friends and family is so vital to those battling tough diseases.  The emotional battle is so much more difficult than the physical battle. 

I felt so silly for feeling so down-troded over something so menial compared to cancer or other life-altering diseases.  But the reality is that this infection was going to make an impact on my life and my emotions – no work, no working out, no social activities (ogre face, remember), and definitely no first date with the new guy in my life.  What happened to the routine schedule and happy hours?  Instead, I got cabin fever and daily IV infusions at home.  Not winning.

I digress.  Here are the top six things I learned this past week:
1.  Beauty is definitely fleeting, and it is not near as important as your health.

2.  We were not designed to live life alone – family and friends are incredibly important.

3.  Medical care is expensive, but that doesn’t matter.  There is no expense spared when it comes to taking care of yourself.

4.  As always, God is in control.

5.  Mom was right again – don’t touch your face!

6.  Take the aggressive treatment.  The IV meds that I got worked like a miracle drug.

I am happy that things are definitely looking up for me now.  I have two more IV infusions left before going on oral antibiotics for a few weeks.  The swelling is almost all gone – now I just look like I got punched in the face.  As for the missed first date, I decided to let the man friend come visit me on Wednesday after my mom and best friend convinced me that this would be a good “test”.  He showed up beautiful flowers and acted like nothing has changed in my appearance.  Yeah… I might keep him around for awhile :).  

Like my dad always says, “This too shall pass”.  And I’m so thankful to have this infection on the way out the door.

The Blog Needs Some Help

Well, after many hours of perusing the wonderful world of blogging, I am overwhelmed. 

It all started very innocently...I decided that my new blog needed some pizazz, and in the ten minutes of downtime that I had today, I figured I would look for a new background.  So I navigated myself over to trusty Google and typed "blog background".  I found the cutest little site, properly named The Cutest Blog on the Block.

http://www.thecutestblogontheblock.com/ 

They had so many backgrounds to choose from that my ten minutes of downtime turned into over an hour and a half!!  I shut the laptop and told myself I'd work on it later.

Later is now and I was supposed to be in bed about an hour ago.  Oh my.  Did you know that you can actually PAY someone to design a blog for you??  I just meandered through some random blogs, and people are really dedicated to this.  One couple blogs about their fairy tale ending (one kid and counting!), while another young girl blogs about her life of ridiculousness.  Man, where do people find the time for this... oh wait, I did!

The Structure of Spontaneity

Blogging…  something that I never thought I would do.  I have come up with three reasons why I should probably just quit now while I’m ahead.  First, I am definitely not a woman of words.  I really envy those people who can take a small topic, and turn it into the most intriguing story one has ever heard.  I deal with numbers, not words.  I’m straight to the point, not verbose.  It’s 1-2-3, not A-B-C.  I understand that a blog is just supposed to be an outlet for your brain and thoughts – but that’s how I think!  It’s simple, not complicated.  If I’m really going to go forward with this blog, I’ve have got to work on the words.

The second reason that I should probably not even start this blog is because my life is not all that interesting!   Yes, I do have moments of excitement here and there – like exciting vacations with my best friends, or hilarious moments from the night on the town.  Don’t worry – those will probably all end up in the blog.  But beyond that, my life consists of workout, work, Denali, and sleep!  I’m just a good ol’ West Texas girl in the big city of Houston, launching her career in the oilfield and enjoying life.  Sometimes a young man comes into my life, but the shelf-life of those boys these days hasn’t been much longer than a month.  When there’s not a man in my life, I’m usually thinking about and longing for the one that got away.  So why would anyone really one want to read my blog?

And lastly, I have got to be the most undisciplined person when it comes to personal activities that take time.  I very seldom read books or watch movies, unless they are part of a social activity.  My time is so valuable to me – why should I waste it on things that result in no gain or value?  Even activities that have value – like working out or studying for the GMAT – I have a hard time staying on task.  I literally have learned only a dozen words of Polish and I have had Rosetta Stone for four months now.  Seriously.  A blog has got to be the biggest waste of time… sitting in front of a computer spilling my heart and mind through the keystrokes.  And for no one, for that matter!  Perhaps it’ll become a kind of therapy for me.  I don’t have that much stress in my life, but there are things that I want to ponder and expound upon. 

And that’s just the point.  A blog is a blog.  Who cares who reads it, and who cares how interesting it is.  And if I go four months without a blog – it won’t matter because no one will be missing it!  Perfect.  There are too many funny stories and wonderful people in my life not to take the time to write about them.  So here it goes – here I go – here we go.  My first blog… The Structure of Spontaneity.