(no subject)
I'm realizing I've really gotten out of the habit of updating this thing. I've just been so busy. Between the Ph.D., 2 side jobs, and one full-time volunteer position I'm really swamped!
There is so much I could update on, but because it's overwhelming, I'm not sure I'd know where to begin. Let's just say things are pretty status quo right now, for the most part. I'm having a lot of health issues and don't feel very good about myself right now since I've been out of the exercise circuit for a bit, but I am beginning to feel better, so I'm hoping to change that.
I think the worst problem is that I'm developing a nasal polyp. This is basically a pocket of chronic inflammation in your nose. There isn't any way to fix it; the only thing you can do is try to prevent it from growing. If it gets too large, then they will surgically remove it, but it will grow back in most cases.
This blow came to me a few weeks ago and made me face the fact that I need to get my allergies under control. Unfortunately, my worst allergies are to animal dander. Yes, I'm the vet that's severely allergic to her patients, to the point where it is destroying her quality of life. Unfortunately, I think probably the single biggest contributing factor was the acquisition of our dog.
Since Summer is a permanent part of our family, I have to find ways to get around the allergy. We already owned an ionizing filter that we kept in the bedroom, but truth be told we were very bad about keeping it clean. We were also very bad about keeping the house clean and dust-free. I was really bad about allowing the animals in the bedroom. Let's just say that, in general, there are a lot of lifestyle choices we could have done a better job with so that I wouldn't end up being so miserable. I didn't realize I'd end up with a permanent condition that would alter my quality of life for good. I can't really breathe very well out of the right side of my nose any more. =/
We ordered Summer a dog house, and while she'll still come in the house in the evenings, etc., I want to try to keep her outside more often. I ordered a better filter (i.e. one that doesn't produce ozone and poison us in our sleep). We're going to get a maid service to come in since it's unlikely I'll ever have enough time and opportunity to clean like I need to. The animals are permanently banned from the bedroom. I got dust covers for the bed. And, I got a furminator so I could brush Summer every day and get rid of the stuff she's shedding all over the house. I'm also undergoing allergy immunotherapy for the first time since I was a kid, and I have been slated to become a nasal spray addict for the rest of my life.
And truthfully, even with the changes we've made thus far, I am already starting to feel better. Hopefully I'll be back to my old self soon.
There is so much I could update on, but because it's overwhelming, I'm not sure I'd know where to begin. Let's just say things are pretty status quo right now, for the most part. I'm having a lot of health issues and don't feel very good about myself right now since I've been out of the exercise circuit for a bit, but I am beginning to feel better, so I'm hoping to change that.
I think the worst problem is that I'm developing a nasal polyp. This is basically a pocket of chronic inflammation in your nose. There isn't any way to fix it; the only thing you can do is try to prevent it from growing. If it gets too large, then they will surgically remove it, but it will grow back in most cases.
This blow came to me a few weeks ago and made me face the fact that I need to get my allergies under control. Unfortunately, my worst allergies are to animal dander. Yes, I'm the vet that's severely allergic to her patients, to the point where it is destroying her quality of life. Unfortunately, I think probably the single biggest contributing factor was the acquisition of our dog.
Since Summer is a permanent part of our family, I have to find ways to get around the allergy. We already owned an ionizing filter that we kept in the bedroom, but truth be told we were very bad about keeping it clean. We were also very bad about keeping the house clean and dust-free. I was really bad about allowing the animals in the bedroom. Let's just say that, in general, there are a lot of lifestyle choices we could have done a better job with so that I wouldn't end up being so miserable. I didn't realize I'd end up with a permanent condition that would alter my quality of life for good. I can't really breathe very well out of the right side of my nose any more. =/
We ordered Summer a dog house, and while she'll still come in the house in the evenings, etc., I want to try to keep her outside more often. I ordered a better filter (i.e. one that doesn't produce ozone and poison us in our sleep). We're going to get a maid service to come in since it's unlikely I'll ever have enough time and opportunity to clean like I need to. The animals are permanently banned from the bedroom. I got dust covers for the bed. And, I got a furminator so I could brush Summer every day and get rid of the stuff she's shedding all over the house. I'm also undergoing allergy immunotherapy for the first time since I was a kid, and I have been slated to become a nasal spray addict for the rest of my life.
And truthfully, even with the changes we've made thus far, I am already starting to feel better. Hopefully I'll be back to my old self soon.