Tuesday 10 March 2009

New Paint And Visit To The Doctor

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This is not a very good photo of the actual colour. If you look in the mirror, the back wall is more the colour - the name being Palest Tangerine. It is difficult photographing our walls because we get no direct light into the room. Our lounge has no windows of its own and the light that does come enters through patio doors onto the sun room which has a solid roof. As I say, looking in the mirror gives the best interpretation of what it looks like now.

I finally had to give in and go to the the doctor's this morning. This is now the fourth week since I went down with the bug. The sneezing part hard gone, the chesty cough had gone but oh my head. Both ears so painful, feeling as if they are full of cotton wool, strange noises in my ears when I swallow, swollen glands, painful sinuses and a feeling of a band around the head. Walking around like I had an alien sitting on my neck.

I had tried everything, steaming myself over bowls of hot water, burning Eucalyptus oil, sniffing Olbas oil on cotton wool, eating raw garlic - not pleasant as it burned my mouth and also not pleasant for others because I reeked of garlic all the time. I tried the plugs you put into the electric socket that emit menthol. Well, you name it and I have tried it. Nothing helped in the least. If I do manage to get anything out it is a nasty green shade. So, I could not put up with it any longer.

The doctor has prescribed antibiotics. He says this has been a very nasty virus and it is obvious that my ears and back of my nose are infected. So, I have just swallowed my first tablet. I did not want to go on antibiotics as they raise blood sugars, usually upset my stomach and have a tendency to make me depressed and I feel low enough as it is.

Anyway, I can only hope they do the trick. If any of you know a cast iron way of removing catarrh, please let me know. So, I have a week of these now. God knows what my next HB1C reading is going to be now having been ill for the last few weeks. I know the new nurse will not make any allowances as my lovely Kim did, she is not the type. This year is certainly not turning out to be a good one for me, I hope to God it starts to improve, I truly do. I also learned this morning that my pharmacist who has always been brilliant with his advice and knowledge has now retired and gone. I am losing all the people I trusted the most with medical things.

So, I must admit I am getting myself into a bit of a state about the whole thing. I can only hope these darned tablets work and I start to feel better in double quick time.

My doctor was a great example, he was coughing fit to bust and told me he was trying to hold it back until I left the room. Charming. If you are not actually ill when you visit the surgery, you generally are by the time you leave!

More expense. I mentioned that we had dispensed with our heavy curtains. We have strip blinds we can pull across in the evening. Well, they needed a good clean. We did not keep the instructions that came with them as we have had them several years. It was suggested that we put them in a tepid bath with a well-known cleaner. They came out fine, or so it seemed. They were rinsed and hung out to dry, not an easy job. Mike re-hung them last night. Oh dear, they were all twisted and bent. Mike reckoned they could probably be ironed flat, individually, which would take some time. However, when we pulled them across last night, they looked awful. All stained in various places, normal colour in others. What the staining is, we are not quite sure, whether they have lost colour in some parts and keep it in others we do not know. But they looked disgusting. We checked this morning in a couple of catalogues only to find they should never actually be put in water. We learned the hard way.

Mike has gone out to buy replacement strips. Luckily they do sell them in packets without buying a whole new blind. However, they are not cheap. This afternoon he will have the job of taking all the old ones off the track bit by bit and putting up the new ones.

Like I said, very little has gone right for us this year and with lots of medical appointments coming up, is it any wonder that I am worried and very anxious?

At least it has stopped raining and the sun has come out although I do not know how long it will last. It is supposed to get warmer though which will be nice. Perhaps we will be able to open the doors and windows and get some fresh air in.

Right now I am very tired. If I woke up once in the night, I woke up twenty times, had very little sleep, I guess I had the doctors on my mind. Then I took a tranquiliser to get me there this morning. All I want to do right now is sleep.

Well, let us hope these antibiotics work and I feel better really soon. I am fed up with being unwell and I am fed up with being miserable and down.

Hoping you all have a good week, dear friends and readers.

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31 comments:

  1. I've heard others say the same. It seems to be a miserable virus for sure. I've had stuffy sinus' but not so bad as to go to the doctors. Soon we'll all feel much better as the weather and the amount of sunshine will improve. Make sure to drink plenty of liquids with those antibiotics to flush out all the bad stuff. I love the new color on your walls. Every thing looks so bright and fresh, yet without the starkness of plain white. Take care and get your rest.
    'On Ya'-ma

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  2. Antibiotics affect me in exactly the same way! I hate to take them.

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  3. Those walls are a beautiful color. Hopefully Mike will get those new blinds fixed without very much trouble. Antibiotics make me restless at night also. I hope you feel better soon. Hugs, Helen

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  4. Jeannette, I'm sorry you have been ill with the coughing and all that. I know it is misery! The tangerine color must be fun. We are supposed to start painting here in a couple of weeks. I've been busy with school. You know we moved in this house in April of last year and it took a good part just to get settled and do the gardening (and my school). So hopefully painting will get done this year. Hubby and I actually enjoy a good painting project and transforming the room. I'll take before and afters! We have some hideous wallpaper. lol

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  5. sorry to hear you so bad.antibiotics are a nasty necessity sometimes jeannete.in future if strip blinds need cleaning,buy yourself one of the cheap steam cleaners you can buy.what my friend uses,they come up lovely,blast of steam,wipe with clean tea towell,done.hope you soon feel better,love mort xxx

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  6. You might try eating yoghurt to sort out your antibiotic-caused stomach problems. Get well soon.

    At least the new paint is cheery.

    ;^) Jan the Gryphon
    http://gryph-wotd.blogspot.com/

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  7. Love the new colors. it's beautiful! i do hope you're feeling better soon. the nasty bug has been going around here for awhile, but fortunately thus far i haven't gotten it. take care of yourself. Hugz~kbear

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  8. I have had a cough and similar for weeks now Jeannette,like you, I try and wait for it to take it's course.It seems this week it has decided to up and leave methank goodness I was fed up of it too..The painting job looks all nice and fresh and clean.As for the louvre blinds my sister always washes hers and has never had any complaints.Maybe it depends on what kind of material the individual manufactures use.My daughter washed hers recently too and they are fine.Sorry you have had to replace yours Grr.I hope Mike gets them sorted and you soon feel much better.Take Care God Bless Kath xx

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  9. Oh, Jeannette, I hope you feel better very soon. I know what you mean about antibiotics. I have been on them for weeks myself. They make me feel as sick as what they are curing. You will be in my daily prayers, honey. Let's hope Spring brings us better health, honey... You take good care of yourself. What is catarrh? I will go look it up. Hugs and love, Val xox

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  10. Really like the new paint colour, hasn't Mike done well finishing in such a short time? I hope the antibiotics do the trick and don't upset you too much but as you have tried everything else without success, it was obviously time for something stronger. Hope you are soon feeling better and brighter. Eileen x

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  11. Oh dear Jeannette, you don`t sound too well at all, I wish I could advise something to shift that catarrh but I think you`ve tried all the things that I would suggest. The antibiotics will get rid of the infection that the virus has left you with though. I hope they leave you feeling a lot better. We have vertical blinds in the kitchen, bathroom and smallest room. Because of their situation they are waterproof but only wipe them over, just in case. They are very expensive though aren`t they? I would dispense with the net curtains and replace them with blinds if I could afford to. I had hoped that your new nurse would be nicer than the last time you saw her. Perhaps as she gets to know you her manner will improve. The new colour looks nice, fresh and modern and is just right for opening up a room and giving it a lighter feel. Take care. :o)

    Love and Hugs

    Sandra xxxx

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  12. So sorry you are so ill. Have you tried the "Neti Pot"???? It is just a saline solution and works wonders.....can't hurt to try it.

    Hugs, Rose

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  13. Jeannette I do hope those antibiotics shift any infection you have and you will be feeling much better soon ~ Ally x

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  14. I have that sinus bug also, started last week. I was on antibiotics for a month with my wrist and face surgery, so it must not be bothered my them. Love the new paint. I have heard good things about the neti pot also, may have to try it. Take care.

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  15. (((Jeanette)))
    I'm so sorry that you are having to take antibiotics again. I hate taking them too. Catarrh is no fun at all! You have tried just about everything that I can see. I'm going to send you the link to a good website for info that might be helpful. Or seeing an allergist might be helpful, but I'm guessing seeing another doc is not what you want...sorry.
    I love the color! Hubby and I want to paint too :) So sorry about the blinds. We also have your style of blinds and like Morton said I use an inexpensive hand-held steam cleaner for ours. I do mine about once a month because of dust. A good place to shop online for blinds or replacements is: blindshadestore.com or selectblinds.com. Some even offer great discounts and/or free shipping:) I hope you find some that aren't an arm and a leg.
    Take good care :)
    Hugs, Gayla

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  16. Sorry to hear that this cold/flu thing is hanging on. I know it's really difficult when we loose someone like a doctor or pharmacist that we've come to feel comfortable with. Hopefully you can build a relationship with the new one and feel comfortable with them. Be sure and drink plenty of fluids and get lots of rest so you can better soon. By the way, the new color looks lovely. Very refreshing & cool looking. Linda in the cold & frozen wasteland of Washington state

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  17. Be sure to drink lots of water. That is always my advice to break up the phlegm so it can be expelled easier. I went to emergency once for a bad cough and that is what they told me, so the copious amounts of water I drank started the process going better than anything. Sorry about the blinds, but I do love the new color. You are still an amabitious pair despite ailments. I am looking forward to spring for all the people who have really had winter and cold. Gerry

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  18. sending sunshine & good joo joo for the cold to be over quickly and & meds not to effect you tooooo badly....******** there did you feel my fairy dust???? thx for sharing the pics..I love it when we put fresh paint on our walls..hope you get better soon ;)***** more dust for extra luck ;)

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  19. Hope the antibiotic does the trick. I have the dreaded lurgy too and feel like my chest is on fire. The room looks great by the way. xx

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  20. Hi Jeanette, I too hate taking the antibiotics but nothing is worse than the way you have been feeling these last few weeks. I was exactly the same..but when I ave in and got the antibioyics I have to say that after about 3/4 days I began to feel much better so hope the same will be said for you..#I know how uptight you get when you have hospital deadlines ahead and so it is not much use me saying don't worry is there LOl but I will say it just the same..please try to take just one day at a time..one day can be hard enough without rushing to look into another day
    Much Love sybil xx

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  21. I sure hope the antibiotics work for you. So many people right now have bad sinus problems.

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  22. Thank you for sending me an email notifying me of your entry. You reminded me I told myself I needed to get saltwater in my nostral's to fight any bacteria in my sinus. My right ear has a permanent tiny perforation and my surgeon/doctor told me it was because of poor ventalation to my inner ear. I have had 3 eardrum replacements and nearly lost the third one done many years ago. I need to see the ear doctor every 6 month's for wax cleaning as my ear's build up a lot he said. Now I have to get a new doctor as he is retiring young. I did flush my ear myself and created a problem with my right ear. I have left over anti-biotic drops that I am using today to remedy my ear pain. The salt water in the nose is something that will drain all the sinus and the salt will act as an anti-bacterial as well as dry up any fluid. I was told to do this by another doctor, so it is something that is a known practice. You could check with your doctor to see if you should try it. I know it helps me, but I do not do it regularly. I had a bad headache last night because of my ear and I want it to get better. So I know how you feel about life giving us more than we can tolerate. It just seems that it is like that for millions of us, doesn't it. We have each other to consul us. Salty is in his pen and it is going to turn cold tonight and for several upcoming days. It will be the last days of the woodburner, as it has been in the 70'sF here for several days, but windy, sometimes sunny, sometimes cloudy with rain missing me. mark

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  23. Jeannette I am so sorry to hear you are ill. Sounds like the same nasty illness I had a few weeks back. I ended up taking antibiotics twice before it was over. My husband opted out on antibiotics and did the sinus cleanse (teapot) instead. I have to say this for him, he recovered a whole lot quicker than I did! Best wishes.

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  24. Jeanette, so sorry to hear your still not feeling well, hope the antibiotics knock it out quick! Can you get acidolphilus? This may help counteract some of the nastier side effects of the med, and may help your blood sugar. take care, Maire

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  25. I love the very name of your paint... tangerine... very lovely... and looks beautiful in the picture... hope the situation with the blinds gets worked out. I do hate when restless nights happen... hope tonight sleep is easier.
    Lisa

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  26. What an awful time for you Jeannette, I really hope the antibiotics do the trick without giving you any of the nasty side-effects. All we seem to hear about is the flu and the sickness bugs, hopefully the better weather will be here soon to make us all feel better.
    Love, Pat

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  27. YOUR MIKE IS A SAINT!! MY HUBBY WOULD BE PISSING AND MOANING ABOUT THE BLINDS..IT SOUNDS A VERY FIDDLY JOB!

    HOPE YOU FEEL BETTER IN HEALTH AND SPIRIT SOON MY FRIEND..I THINK A NICE AFTERNOON SITTING IN THE GARDEN WILL DO THE TRICK..HOPEFULLY SPRING IS ON THE WAY...

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  28. Jeanette, just hang in there dear. Hope you start to feel better, know I've been doing the virus bit, no fun. Between not feeling good and the blinds not turning out good after washing and all the other day to day stuff we have to all deal with, sounds like you're having one of those typical weeks we all go thru, so just take it one day at a time, keep the teapot ready, allow yourself to relax and enjoy and just go with the flow dear.

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  29. How about trying a neti pot? http://www.healingdaily.com/exercise/neti-pot.htm

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  30. Hi Jeannette ,sorry I missed this entry ,also sorry to hear you have been feeling so ill with this bug ,hope the meds work and you are feeling better again soon ...Take care ..enjoy the w/end my friend love and hugs ..Jeanxx

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  31. Dearest Jeannette, Well my dear it sounds like you are having a time of it. Hopeful that those antiobiotics help but I never realised they can raise the blood sugar level.
    We are starting our second week here near Tucson Arizona at the Cactus Country RV park and I am growing to appreciate the beauty of the desert landscape. I have been faithful to be up at 8 and go for a brisk walk, a few laps in the pool and then soak a bit in the hot tub.
    My sciatica that acted up while away on our cruise still is bugging me.
    Give hugs and love to Mike and your sweet little boys.

    Blessings,

    ALBERTA Lori now transplanted in Tucson for a month.;.

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