I'll start with blood work. Mine came back from the lab today. I have good news and bad news, so let's go with the good first.
My cholesterol is perfect and I don't have Diabetes (yet, at least). My thyroid, both kidneys and liver are normal. Yay for good news.
Now for the bad - I have mono, strep and a UTI. All at the same time. The mono actually tested positive for a past outbreak and it's not active, which likely means I'm recovering from having had mono at some point in the past couple of months. The strain of strep I (still) have is not either of the the most common two types, but they think the antibiotic I'm on not should help with it regardless. And where the UTI came from I have no idea, as I have experienced none of those symptoms. Apparently the antibiotic is amazing because it should help with that, too.
I'm quite honestly glad to know I wasn't going crazy thinking something might be up. I couldn't figure out - for the life of me - why I just couldn't get better. This makes me wonder if I've actually had mono a handful of times over the past couple of years, as this isn't the first time I've had a hard time feeling healthy.
Aside from that, the weather has been amazing and Mike spent his afternoon off doing some yard work. We have sago palms for sale (they sprout new ones all on their own!) if anyone has an interest in adding one to their landscaping ;) At some point in the course of the evening, Fozzie and Kirby both got out of the backyard. We have absolutely no idea how or when, but Mike found Kirby playing in the neighbor's front yard and took off on a goose chase to find Fozzie -- by listening to other dogs barking in the neighborhood. This is our second opportunity to chase Fozzie around the neighborhood in the past month or so -- needless to say we'd rather get our exercise another way. I keep asking Mike why he wants to leave us, and Mike thinks he's just looking for adventure. In any case, we need to stop doing whatever we're doing that lets him get out. I think it has something to do with the garage doors and house door opening at the same time, because the backyard fence is secure all around. Hopefully we'll figure it out before he escapes and doesn't come back.
My other sad story for the day is more about perception. Today I was sitting at the intersection of one of the city's busier streets and a major highway feeder road, windows down and music playing (loudly I'm sure). I saw in my side view mirror that there was a person walking along the side of the road asking people for money, so instinctively -- being a girl, alone with a purse on the seat next to her -- I reached for the button to roll up my window. My hope was that it would be up before the man reached my car, but that was not the case and the man looked in at me with the saddest eyes I've ever seen as it rolled up to the rubber seal. It really wasn't that I didn't want to help him, but my first thought was for my own security. I don't know if I'm that cynical, if it's Mike rubbing off on me (he's always on me for being aware and alert and protecting myself), or my paranoia with the fact that there have been an unusually high number of kidnappings and murders of women in the area, mostly from parking lots and cars. None of this really went through my head at the time, I just - for better or worse - thought the best action was to roll up the windows. And now I can't get those sad eyes out of my head. Maybe it bothers me so badly because I know if he was eating at a soup kitchen, I'd have never thought twice about myself over him. I'm naturally a giving person and having done something to make someone think I don't care about their situation or that I'm just your typical 20-something rocking out to Lady GaGa with designer sunglasses and a cell phone (yes, I do do and have these things, but I promise you - I'm really not very typical) makes me more than just a little sad.
Today seems to be just another lesson in life -- you have those good days full of reasons to smile and you have those days you're really just glad to see come to an end.
New book and new illusion
2 weeks ago
HOLY COW girlfriend! You need to get better. Congrats on completing your 5k, but get your butt into bed and take care of yourself. I hope you are feeling better soon. :)
ReplyDeleteYou are the biggest sweetheart, which is why the man on the street is tugging at your heart strings. You are one of the most giving people I know. However, Mike is right. You need to protect yourself first, especially if the crime rate is up. You would help this person in a heart beat, but through the right channels. You can't take a chance to help the legit person in the middle of the road because there is the off chance the person could not be legit. Your safety is first and foremost. You give your life and money is so many other ways. Please be safe and get well soon. Love, Dre
You need to talk to Rhett. Remember? He had mono twice, and the first time he wasn't diagnosed until the end of the condition. The next but involved swollen glands and the whole bit.
ReplyDeleteDon't fret about that man. I have been there many times, and guilt engulfs me. Women out alone do need to be careful, though.
I, too, have felt as you did at that corner. It is not a good feeling. That desire for helping does not go away with the need for safety. I find myself so much more cynical after living in Virginia for the past 8 years. I can appreciate your feelings. It can be hard to work that stuff out. But you are safe and that is most important. Take care of yourself. That really matters!
ReplyDeleteYou still being bothered by his sad eyes puts you worlds ahead most people in the compassion department Jes... but i'll have to agree with everyone else... safety first... suppose this man has a daughter... what would he tell her to do if she were by herself? its best just to make the next selfless, kind and giving thing you do (because you do all the time!) in his honor and say a little prayer for him.
ReplyDeleteJes,
ReplyDeleteIt's May 6 ... when are you going to post again?! I'll be in TX all next week, but I won't be passing through Houston either way. I hope you're well!