Just the facts

It is officially winter in the Bay area.  We had our first rain of the season a week ago and the chilly air is setting in this week.  This is the time of year I traditionally start to feel ill and my body and mind suffer the greatest. 

I am feeling quite crappy physically and mentally.  Over the last month my lungs have become more congested and it’s more difficult to clear my airways.  My sinuses started to cause me headaches while the mucus was clear but now it’s changing to infectious green and giving me post-nasal drip further irritating my throat.  No amount of ricolas and hot garlic/ginger/cayenne tea are helping.  I’m feeling very tired and sluggish even sleeping 10 hours a night. 

My first visit to the Dr. in 2012 revealed some normalcy and some new developments that I need to make some quick decisions about.  My FEV is 111%, an increase of 3% from 6 months ago.  This means my lung function is still very good even though I don’t feel well.  My sputum culture was mostly normal reveling heavy growth Pseudomonas Aeruginosa.  On the other hand, it had a new culture of HAEMOPHILUS INFLUENZAE which is a bacteria that is often found in the respiratory tract and plausibly why I am feeling crappy.  NOT to be confused with the flu or H1N1 flu.  My Dr. said it is usually treated in NON Cf patients with antibiotics and only in CF patients if we are feeling symptoms.(refer to paragraph two).  Now I have to decide if I ask for antibiotics.  Pills, pills, pills damn it.  My vitamin D lab revealed an ULTIMATELY LOW level.  My dr. said it might be the lowest she has ever seen.  She has rx me ADEKs daily and superdoses of vitamin D with a digestive enzyme weekly for 3 months…again.  At least I’m still not bloated:)  Lastly, I am at my heaviest weight in 7 years, 124lbs, so all that eating is sticking somewhere!

All my life I’ve been a busy minded person who's focus is easily derailed and the cold weather and lack of sun is no help.  The same remains true today.  I am working full time and attending school part time while working on multiple mini projects.  My lack of focus is causing me to be less productive in all areas resulting in stress on my already weak immune system and a constant state of exhaustion. SIIIIGGGGH.  Doing too much is my middle name. 

Cold weather highly affects me mentally and has done since I first moved to San Francisco in 2002.  Winter rain and cold makes me want to stay inside which results in less motivation, less exercise, less focus.  A.k.A  S.A.D.  For real.  Seasonal Depression.  I don’t think it needs a medical name but I definitely experience it.  They relate “the blues” to the chemical changes in the brain caused by changes in the amount of sunlight.  I already am lacking in vitamin D which is created in the body when exposed to the sun.  Cold weather and lack of sun = lack of concentration, indecisiveness and fatigue.  What can I do about this yearly issue?  Move to the sun.....

Me and Erin at Whole Foods

On a happier note, my man and I are planning another vacation to Hawaii.  Maui is one of my favorite places to visit and it may just be my next home.  My mother retired after 40 years as a nurse and plans on volunteering for the Opera, traveling more and enjoying life alongside my dad who has been retired for about 7 years.  Thank goodness because we thought she’d never retire!!  I’ve been making more time for my dear friends and even got to do a mini photo shoot with my girl.                   

Life IS good.