Sick II

 So things did get better, and I went to the specialist about my throat, but then I already had my voice back so it was totally unnecessary.       

However, my appetite wasn't back and I was defecating a lot. No matter how much I was drinking or the little I ate I couldn't keep it down.        

I went back and forth to my house doctor for blood tests, and they were not good. I was lacking a lot in my body. This went on for months.        

Until the day the doctor sent me to the hospital. There they asked whether I wanted to go to intensive care or a normal ward. How was I supposed to know? So I chose normal ward. I was there for two days, and I honestly cannot remember much other than that I wanted to get home.

Then another interesting symptom appeared. I swelled up. My feet and legs expanded, so much that I could only walk around in flipflops. Fortunately it was warm outside.    

So I had to go through physiotherapy with what they call lymph drainage. When I first heard about it I saw before me a thick needle draining out excess fluid, but it turned out to be just massage.                        

A week later it got more serious.

Sick I

 In the end of year 2023 I started to feel a bit funny, had bad appetite and had less spirit than usually. But I soldiered on went around my business. Which to be perfectly honest wasn't too hard.

Around February time I lost my voice and after a few weeks of whispering, as well as advice from some people, I finally went to the doctor. I got cortisone and antibiotics, as well as a remittance to a throat specialist. Which I thought that was that, and now I'm gonna be cured in no time. Didn't realize how wrong I was.

Tooth job

This middle age thing has a lot of advantages, but there is one big negative and that is that the body goes downhill. Had to visit the dentist again today.

Last week we were happily cruising on the lake (well, at least until my friend attempted to park the boat and ended up against the poles at the opposite bridge, he shall need more lessons!) and had a bite to eat. I hade made the sandwiches myself, so I was surprised to find sand in them. Anyway, long story short I lost a filling and had to go see mr handsome again.

Turns out my tooth is no good. You know the feeling when they have taken an x-ray and the dentist and the nurse look at each other and shake their heads when they think you do not see.

This is the same tooth I had root canal done on a couple of years ago. It has developed a permanent infection underneath and the bone has become soft, and unless you take away the whole tooth and try to repair under it will never be good again.

Now, I am actually in a bit of luck since it's a tooth next to the wisdom tooth and I will probably not need to replace it if it has to come out eventually. Handsome talked about implant (4,000+ francs) and bridges (3,000+ francs), but I will choose to just have it out when the time comes.

For the moment I have a new filling, fingers crossed it'll last...

Healthy

I donated blood again today, and every time they measure my haemoglobin, blood pressure and temperature, and I am happy to report that my previously high pressure is now back to normal. Well, normal for a smoker, still slightly high but within the normal range, 138/95. And this despite that I walked fairly fast down to the city.

However, I still might have to visit my doc, the lump is still alive and kicking, but smaller. I will make another attempt to squeeze tomorrow.

Self is the best doctor

Since quite some time I have had a lump on my shoulder, and lately I had a feeling it has grown more inwards as well as protruding. It was movable, not hurting, not bleeding, so I haven't been worried.

However, I started to think it was time to go see my doc until today! When stepping into the shower I noticed a drop of pus on the tip, and while in the shower I started squeezing. And how I squeezed! I more felt than saw how much pus was coming out of there! Omg, it must've been many milliliters.

And yes it was pus, not white wine :), and doc will have to wait.

Brand new filling

Went to see my gorgeous dentist today. I wish it would have been under other circumstances. He's always so cheerful and acts like he's happy to see me again, and yadi-yadi-yada I understand he's like that with everybody, but still, it's nice.

The reason was that a filling was coming lose, and needed replacement. And I don't get that mankind put a man on the moon nearly 50 years ago, and still haven't invented drills that aren't so noisy it feels like your head is gonna explode.

Nearly an hour it took to remove the old filling, and replace it, and at one point I had kinduva mask over my face. Felt really weird. I wish that I once could look my best with gorgeous man, and not like something out of a horror film with half my face hanging down due to anaesthetics. Just sayin'.

A friendly ghost

In my home the man spends a lot more time in the bathroom than I do. I'm the type who showers quickly, dresses, a wee bit of mascara and I'm done.

Today flatmate offered to share his face-mask with me, an offer which I laughingly turned down, being the natural beauty that I am. Can you blame me?

NY resolutions

My New Years resolutions this year was to reduce my smoking, to start sporting again and to buy new clothes.

The smoking goes ok considering my previous consumption, but is still way too much.

In December I kinda gave up sporting, blaming the weather and whatsit, but fact is, I was just too lazy. And it has shown on the scale. Today I started again, despite heavy rain and a cold, by powerwalking/jogging up the mountain and back. Pat on back, but I have to keep on going. Which I in a strange way look fw to.

The clothes shopping is still on the list, and if I could choose it would stay there forever, HATE shopping, but have to. I cannot keep walking around in clothes with holes in them forever.

So far so good.

Breast pics

Today I've seen pictures of my breasts. Why you ask? It's not like I haven't seen them before, but to be honest never on a picture.

I went to do a routine mammography, and this time I brought the x-rays from last time, which was five years ago. I remember when they blamed me for not doing that, so yesterday I was locating them, making sure they were in my bag.

Not necessary, as it turned out, they already had my former pics on file. Guess progress has been made the last ten years.

And indeed it has. When leaving the clinic today I had a CD with pics of my breasts instead of these voluminous x-rays. And of course I had to look at it. Not that I got much out of it, other than that my breasts looked really fine. Nice and round and perky (even though it felt like they were flat as pancakes during the mammography). Seriously, I have no clue. Yes, I could see it was a breast, but that was about it.

But as everything was fine, I'm happy. Breasts ok, check!

Tip-top shape

Today I visited my gynecologist for a yearly check-up. Ok, hadn't been there for maybe five years but better late than never. I am pleased to say that I am in tip-top shape down under.

My doctor is a very loud but small woman, with very strong opinions. I like her a lot, she doesn't beat around the bush (so to speak).

And she was delighted to hear that I lost weight, and immediately went into a rant about how I am not to lose anymore, "'cause with age you lose without trying and" and "it's always good to have a little bit extra if times get tough".

Then I told her that I might consider cutting down on smoking starting next year, and got another infomercial about how not to quit right away but gradually, how to change my habits and on she went. Nothing was new to me, but she's refreshing. Very to the point.

She also checked my breasts, and I am due for another mammography. It was funny when she asked me to strip, and before she was done with writing down whatever in my journal, I was standing half-naked in front of her. "Gosh you're quick". But she didn't find anything alarming, so I think the mammography will just be a formality.

So another doc's appointment done. Next year I plan to stay healthy.

Bag

Was donating blood again the other day, and as it was the 25th time I got a gift. A bag. And I'm happy since my old boat-bag has seen better days, and so it comes in really handy. I know, it may not seem much but still, it's a nice gesture and the bag has the right colours.

Toothless but happy

I was at the dentists today to check up on the healing of my wound, after removing a tooth. I was sorely disappointed when another dentist showed up. He apologized saying the other one was busy, and would I mind him checking me up. Hard to refuse.

Anyway, he just stated what I already knew. The healing process have gone exactly according to plan, and I have had no problems whatsoever. Another check-up in a couple of weeks and I'm home free. With a big hole in my mouth. Actually I was surprised how big it actually is, considering it's just one tooth.

And then I got a nice surprise. My first and hunky dentist showed up just to see how the healing had gone, and to say hello. Omg, he's a 10 out of 10 of a man! Had a just been 10 (!) years younger I would have dragged him outta there, concession or not.

Broken in two bits

Yup, it's done. No more pain from this little sucker!

X-rays

So I lost the filling in the tooth that was supposed to be repaired, but no way in hell was I going back to the "butcher-in-a-previous-life"-so-called-dentist, so I got recommended a new one. Funnily enough it's just across the street from my old clinic.

Sent an email to the current clinic, asking for my x-rays back. I mean, I paid for them and here in Switzerland you're entitled to keep them at home. Got a phone call back saying I couldn't have them 'cause I hadn't paid the bill. Duuuhhh! Easy answer, I haven't received the bill yet.

Went there today, paid up in cash (having to request a receipt!) and finally got the x-ray pics. It's too bad since my absolute favourite dental hygienist still works there. I know, I could still go back to her, but I now have taken against this clinic.

What surprises me the most is that nobody asked why I wanted the pics back. It's like they don't care about customers. And I've been a patient there since I came to Switzerland (the old clinic, before it was sold). I think it's time for a letter to the owners of the new clinic.

Amalgam meal

I can't friggin believe it. My tooth that had a crack in it, and was "repaired" by the so called dentist that I believe was a butcher in a previous life, has now lost a filling.

I started to feel a bit of pain again a couple of days ago, thinking that I must find another dentist and have it checked by a professional. Wrote an email to somebody who was recommended to me and hope to hear from them on Monday.

However, today when I was talking to some friends about it, I realized all of a sudden that hey, there is a hole there. Must've just happened, 'cause this morning it wasn't there. I may now have swallowed some amalgam.

Now waiting to hear a clink in my toilet.

Football cheek

So finally on Monday evening the anaesthetic wore off, and I stopped looking like a stroke patient, but yesterday morning I woke up with a swollen cheek instead. The pain is now bearable, and I'm taking penicillin, but the cheek is still swollen and stiff.

There are other disadvantages too. I can only sleep on my left side or on my back, and I can only chew on the left side.

From all the pills my stomach acts funny, and my body retains water, which means that a few days I feel bloated, and then I spend a whole day doing nothing but peeing.

This better be worth it!

Toothless?

I believe that today will be a chapter in my history book about the worst pain I've ever experienced. Fucketyfuck!

This morning, after five days of constant pain and sleepless nights, I went back to the dentist. During this period I have been able to localize the pain, which I couldn't do when it started. It's still painful all over the right jaw, but the most sore point is a tooth. Surprise, surprise.

So the guy gave me two anaesthetic shots which numbed a part of the mouth, but not the actual spot. Another two and I could still feel the tooth, which didn't stop him from gearing up the drill. I cannot tell you how painful it was when he drilled straight into the nerve. My body twiched, I clenched my fists and couldn't stop myself from screaming (electric chair-like). And I am normally quite resistant and consider myself having a fairly high pain threshold. At one point he asked me to lower my hands, perhaps he was afraid I was gonna punch him.

And this went on and on. I think he hit the nerve maybe 5-6 times, each time equally painful. And he had the nerve (!) to say: "yes I know it's "unangenehm"", i.e. uncomfortable. That's the understatement of the century! I cannot decide if I like that he has no empathy and got on with the job or not.

And the explanation I got about not getting enough anaesthetics, was something about PH value acidic and basic working against each other. Hmmm??

Turns out I have a crack in that particular tooth with an infection. Last and only time before that happened in 1996 or 1997 (due to an unfortunate chicken bone in a pizza) it ended up with the tooth being removed and replaced with a crown.

Anyway, so now he has attempted to mend it and given me antibiotics and more (useless?) painkillers. If it doesn't work in 3-4 days that bloody tooth has to come out.

After the whole ordeal I felt dizzy, so the more empathic nurses had me lie down and put a wet cloth on my forehead, and offered me a glass of water. I ended up sitting in the waiting room before I felt stable enough to walk home.

I guess the only positive factor is that it's the tooth next to the wisdom tooth, so it cannot be seen. Still, losing a tooth means I ain't getting any younger! Which indeed would be a miracle :).

Downhill from here?

I cannot believe it! I am poorly again. It started yesterday evening with toothache. Not much mind you, but enough to be irritating. I went to sleep around midnight and woke up an hour later with severe pain. Between one and five in the morning I took four painkillers, which are supposed to be strong but helped nada. I didn't get any sleep last night, and was up at 5.30 am.

In the morning hours it got a bit better, and it was strange, 'cause I couldn't locate the pain. It was aching all over the right jaw, but not in particular in a tooth. So I waited to see if it got better. It did. At first. Then I had a pain attack like no other. Thought I was gonna faint. So at midday I went to see a dentist. I say a dentist, 'cause the old one sold the clinic to new owners, and it was a first encounter.

This guy, who btw wasn't very light on his hand, thought the pain was muscular. He checked the teeth and couldn't immediately find a cause. I was told to massage the area, and take the painkillers he gave me and come back on Monday for a check-up.

But I don't understand where it has come from. I have no stress, so no biting teeth in my sleep. I live a mucher healthier sporty life since about 1,5 years. Why do I get sick all the time?

This year it's been acute gastritis, that colonoscopy followed by a baboons ass and the operation and now this!

I can only see two positives in all of this. One, that I get to post all the bills to the insurance company in the same year, only paying the fixed amount once. And two, the cats are healthy.

The limit

I think I have reached my health limit with my current lifestyle. I don't seem to get any further. I jog (slowly), I bike (according to display burning 300 kcal in half an hour, biking 9 km's), and today I was riding again. But I tell ya. Two rounds of galloping around the hall and I'm beat. Then I have to slow down, take a break, before I can go at it again. And it bugs me, 'cause today I had my fav.

And even though I got a compliment from a neighbour this morning, "you're skinny", I am still 3 kg's away from my new goal. The reason we met in the morning was that I was in my basement getting a delivery of wine, while she and her family were off to school and work. And maybe that's my answer.

But I'm not willing to give up everything for these 3 kg's. Still, it's irritating!

Hair

I lose a lot of hair. This is nothing new, it's been like that my whole life. And I understand that if you have baby-hair like I do, i.e. thin strands, you lose more than if you have thick hair. I have always been jealous of those people. Thick, glossy hair that you can do something with.

If I try any gadgets forming my hair, it holds for about 5 minutes and then goes back to....nothing. Mousse, spray, nothing works.

However, lately I have discovered that if I don't wash my hair, and it becomes slightly dirty, it kinda holds together better. But these days I don't care. I put it up with a hair-clip and that's it. Even if it's dirty. Besides, I've never been interested in grooming.

And on a daily basis I find hairs on my floor. Mind you, most are from the cats, but when it's blonde I realized I cannot blame them. And today I found a long (almost 40 cm!) hair. I quickly had to think about my visitors today, but the only one have short black hair, so it must've been mine.

Didn't realize my hair was that long, but since I cut my own hair, I guess it's not even. But hey, nobody complained so it's all ok.