Don't Forget...

I've been sick for just about four weeks now. Two weeks before Christmas Break I figured I'd be better by then. Once Christmas came, I figured I'd be better by New Years. Once New Years came, I didn't know what was going on. So, during my weeks of sickness, I've been reminded of what to be thankful for.

1) The ability to breathe. Originally every time I would take a breath beyond a shallow breath, it would result in a coughing spasm. The first time I went to the doctor, I was prescribed an inhaler to help open up my lungs. Apparently I had something called Reactive Airway and whatever bug I got originally, found a way to set up shop along my lungs, allowing my breathing to activate coughing fits. Not nice. The inhaler helped drastically, but I couldn't help but be thankful for my normal breathing. And I couldn't help but have empathy for anyone with asthma or anyone who has trouble breathing deeply and clearly.

2) The ability to taste (and smell). Having lost this ability for the past several days, I'm reminded of my grandma who didn't have her sense of taste for the last few years of her life. I have no motivation to make anything that's full of flavor because I can't taste it. Why eat sweets when I can't enjoy them? (Maybe this is a blessing in disguise.) But currently, everything I taste is flavorless and I try to imagine what it should really taste like. It's also not good because the old, slimly mushrooms I sauteed up "smelled" fine... yeah.

3) The ability to hear. My ears have been plugged for about two weeks now. Everything is muffled and quiet. "Huh?" "Come again?" "What was that?" "I'm sorry."

4) The ability to talk normally. Every time I talk, I risk a coughing fit and expose my "You have a cold" voice that makes people take a few steps back. I may sound awful, but every day I feel a little bit better- just not back to normal yet.

5) The desire to work out. This has been the LONGEST I haven't had a good workout in years. I originally thought that by skipping my workouts I'd recover more quickly- less stress on your body, right? Well, now, four weeks later, I'm just feeling sick and OUT OF SHAPE. This just makes me want to say, "Forget it." and go workout- but I'm still stuck on the "go easy" advice. Really, I think it's just an easy excuse to not push myself to sweat. Lazy me.

6) The desire to be social. Explained by reasons 4 & 5.

7) Optimism and Energy. With this thing holding on, I find myself lacking motivation, lacking my upbeat nature, and feeling slightly negative and pessimistic. Pessimists, how do you do it? =(  This also results in getting MUCH LESS accomplished during my winter break than originally planned.

8) A Two Week Break! Originally, I was not thrilled about the timing of our school's Winter Break. Who wanted to work right up to the day before Christmas Eve? Well, it was a good thing, because it has given me more time to try and figure out what is wrong with me. I have a second doctor's appointment tomorrow to see if anything else can be done to help me return to normal. Here's hoping for some good news.

So, if you're reading this and are healthy, take a deep breath, savor your flavors, cozy up to someone you  love, and do something that requires motivation. Do it for me. Please!

Happy Wednesday?!