I’m going on hiatus for 2 to three weeks. Wish I could tellya we’re taking a fabulous vacation, but no such luck. Instead, I’m stepping away from the keyboard for a few weeks to deal with some medical problems. It’s nothing serious, more annoying than anything else. Compared to the heroic Kossacks who are facing truly grave and life-threatening health issues with dignity and grace, it’s nothing. I feel guilty about whining about this, but I have made some friends her and I don’t want anyone to worry if I fall off the Net for a bit.
Back in September, my doctor told us we didn’t need the swine flu vaccine because we’re over 50 and were exposed to it last time around in the 70s. Indeed, I had the shot back then, and still got horribly sick. Well, we both got this version of the flu and spent October flat on her backs in bed. It wasn’t fun. Then I ended up with a science infection and bronchitis. The bronchitis lasted until April, and I thought I had it beaten, finally. That turned out to be a vain hope. Thursday I went back to the doctor because I was having sinus headaches any time the day was overcast, and I was having problem with my shoulder. I left after a steroid shot to help combat the allergies followed by a breathing treatment for that damned bronchitis. I’m on Avalox, an antibiotic which makes me nauseated and a tad cranky, and Vicodin for the shoulder, which makes me dizzy and spacy.
And to make things even more fun, just as I finish up those prescription, I get to have the latest installment in Dental Hell: The Bridge. I broke a tooth in January and have spent the last few months getting much-needed dental care I’d put off for far too long. We have dental insurance, but like a lot of people, we could afford either the insurance or the co-pays. The first thing was getting my gingivitis under control which meant being on Percocet for about 5 days after the treatments. Then we worked on capping two teeth and creating a temporary bridge. On the 12th, I have root canal and another crown. And more Percocet and praying that the sinus infection isn’t reactivated by yet another invasive dental procedure, a very real possibility (last time I had root canal, I ended up with an abcess in the roof of my mouth which was the worst pain I’ve ever had—and that’s saying a lot because I spent four months in a back brace in high school).
The one thing I’ve learned during this mess is that I really don’t like being on painkillers. I don’t enjoy being muzzy headed and dizzy and unable to concentrate. No way do I understand why normal, healthy people will do anything to get their hands on Oxycontin and consider it fun and recreational! Guess I just don’t have what I takes to be a successful addict.
So for the next few weeks, I’ll be staring at TV and watching mindless programming. I have discovered the genre of reality shows about weddings is just about right for this state of mind. Immersed in what I call Wedding Porn I refuse to watch Bridezillas because high-strung mean bitches aren’t fun to watch which is why I normally avoid reality shows like the plague), I’ll be a turnip. And maybe when I’m past this blip on my personal highway and restored to sanity, I’ll diary on that because Platinum Weddings has a lot to say about the richest five percent of our country and class differences, not to mention self-absorption and consumerism.
Bye for now. Be back soon.