My standard approach to illness is the stoic approach, the “tough it out” route. While it means I rarely miss work, it also means that I almost ignored appendicitis a few years ago and that sometimes my illnesses get much worse than they need to, because I avoid treating them. It’s a problem, I know.
So I’d had a coldish thing for a few days, and was sneezing and coughing, but then I started having pain in my ears, and then I started having trouble breathing. Not like all the time, but it was hard to draw a deep breath, and if I tried to sing along with the radio or talk for too long, I’d run out of breath. It felt like someone’s hand was gently but firmly pressing on my chest.
Instead of my usual method, I decided to cowboy up (a phrase we have been using a lot in my house after hearing Sawyer say it on Lost) and go to a urgent care facility. No waiting for a doctor’s appointment, no toughing it out. And I was very glad I did, because I had an ear infection, and a chest/respiratory infection, and the doctor said he’s pretty sure we caught it before it turned into pneumonia, but that I should rest up, drink lots of fluid, stay inside and take the four prescriptions he gave me.
Maybe I’ve broken the cycle? I sure don’t want pneumonia, which I’ve never had, so it may be quiet around here for a few days.
