Ear & Sinus infection
I finally broke down and went to the doctor this morning. My sinuses and ear ache just seems to be getting worse and worse. So, rather than risk rupturing my ear drum like I did back earlier this year, I figured I had better get it looked at and taken care of now.
When I got there, the nurse weighed me (222 lbs.), checked my height (72"), checked my blood pressure (which was only slightly high from the cold meds I'm taking), and took my temperature (99.1 degrees F.). They have gone to an all digital medical chart system within the last few months, so she entered my data into the screen, and then asked me to list my allergies, allergies to medicines, and daily medications taken.
I then saw Dr. Binz's Physician Assistant, Melanie. I saw her the last time that I went in for a sinus infection. She checked my ears and right away noticed that my right ear was red and irritated in the canal and showing signs of fluid buildup behind the eardrum. She could see the scarring from the last time that my ear drum had ruptured from an ear infection, and decided that it would be best to start antibiotics to avoid letting things get that far along again.
In addition to antibiotics, I need to make sure that I'm taking plenty of decongestants on a regular schedule to help reduce the inflamation in my head, nose, and throat.
I'll be going back to work tomorrow. I've got way too much crap to get done to miss another day; and besides, I've just eaten up two more of my days off. I've got one vacation day left. two floater holidays, and 4 hours of emergency sick time left in my bank. So, include Thanksgiving and Christmas in there, and I've only got 5 days off of work to spread over the next 8 1/2 weeks. As long as neither of the kids gets sick, I should be able to manage that. I think my goal next year will be to see if I can make it through at least March with all 4 weeks of my vacation in tact.
When I got there, the nurse weighed me (222 lbs.), checked my height (72"), checked my blood pressure (which was only slightly high from the cold meds I'm taking), and took my temperature (99.1 degrees F.). They have gone to an all digital medical chart system within the last few months, so she entered my data into the screen, and then asked me to list my allergies, allergies to medicines, and daily medications taken.
I then saw Dr. Binz's Physician Assistant, Melanie. I saw her the last time that I went in for a sinus infection. She checked my ears and right away noticed that my right ear was red and irritated in the canal and showing signs of fluid buildup behind the eardrum. She could see the scarring from the last time that my ear drum had ruptured from an ear infection, and decided that it would be best to start antibiotics to avoid letting things get that far along again.
In addition to antibiotics, I need to make sure that I'm taking plenty of decongestants on a regular schedule to help reduce the inflamation in my head, nose, and throat.
I'll be going back to work tomorrow. I've got way too much crap to get done to miss another day; and besides, I've just eaten up two more of my days off. I've got one vacation day left. two floater holidays, and 4 hours of emergency sick time left in my bank. So, include Thanksgiving and Christmas in there, and I've only got 5 days off of work to spread over the next 8 1/2 weeks. As long as neither of the kids gets sick, I should be able to manage that. I think my goal next year will be to see if I can make it through at least March with all 4 weeks of my vacation in tact.