So I feel like I am trying to get sick.  My throat is hurting and so I am trying to stay hydrated with water and tea and taking my vitamin C.  Could be allergies?  I can add muscle soreness to my issues today, after attempting yoga last night at 7pm.  My ankle did ok, after I realized I cannot do updog and careful on down dog.  But, I did get some good stretching and was good for me to practice yesterday.  I am going to go again today I think.  I think my aunt truly does not mind me being around, I just try to spend most of my day at work/work out and have just minimal time in evenings to visit, watch a show and then get to bed, so as to minimize my interruption of her daily life. 
She and I enjoy watching a show here and there on Netflix.  I try to get to bed early, but having a bit of a hard time sleeping on this sofa bed.  It will either get easier, or I will become incapacitated, lol. 
DH is riding with his sister to their cousin, who is an avid gardener.  She is thinking out a bunch of plants/flowers.  So I told DH, bring whatever back!  We will plant it!
Severe weather crazy in the Midwest.  Prayers to those affected by storms, rain, flood, tornadoes.  Family in Arizona and Colorado posting about snow.  Crazy.
My friend with kidney cancer has bilateral pneumonia.  She is having quite a heck of a time.  My heart goes out to her and people with health challenges.

Allergies

Even though we are getting a nice soaking rain after a thunderstorm last night, my allergies are really bad.  I started feeling the dry eye, sinus headaches mid week last week.  Sunday, Monday and today I can add in stomach issues.  I looked up the chart on the internet for allergens and no wonder!

On top of allergy season (spring and especially fall, for me) I was anxious to hear some bad news and struggling family members, then the trip to the lake and back home so late (I barely ate anything that sets me off)...even though I slept late Sunday, it is all catching up with me.  Monday I felt horrible.  I went home after work and went to bed.  DH ordered Chinese food and I sipped some soup.  I got a good rest, no walk last night.  I am going to eat very light today, see of I can be gentle with my system. 

I know we need the rain and maybe that will help.  Then allergies back to high tomorrow as we go into ragweed season, which is bad for me.  I know it is just temporary.  At least I will lose some weight, so there is that!  When allergens are high, my autoimmune goes into high gear.  I have tried allergy medicine, but not much helps my tummy with the allergen irritation.  About the only thing I can do is eat well, rest and moderate exercise.  It will last about 2 weeks.  I don't really have the weight to lose this summer, so I am praying it is not too bad this season. 

Do any of you have late summer/fall allergies?  Spring?  Any of you notice a coinciding gastrointestinal dysfunction?  Any remedies you can think of.  I try to do lots of whole foods, soups, broths and smoothies.  Maybe I will crockpot a chicken over the weekend at Retirement Home and get some good old fashioned bone broth, rich in collagen and sip on it all next week.  Sitting here thinking about trying some Kombucha.
Have a great Tuesday!

Under the Weather

At least we had a bit of scattered rain and a break in the 90's temps.  For 2 days.  Today, supposed to be back in high 90's.  It occurred to me I could be having allergies.  My throat hurts, my eyes itch for over a week now  I did not realize how soon ragweed blooms.  Another sign that summer is waning.  I looked it up.  Ragweed pollen is low, but it is starting...

I know that milkweed blooms and thistle is past its prime.  It is obvious due to the bright colors and fragrance.  Once the thistle starts to dry out, you will notice the birds.  I hear them before I see them.  The gold finches.  They love the thistle.  I am seeing them, but not as much as normal because we are not in our house in the city any longer and I have not been walking as much.  Plus I walk later, due to the heat.

Well there you have it.  I am grateful for the seasons.  Before we know it, we will be freezing again!
P.S.  Update since I wrote this - after last 3 days I know I am sick with a cold.  I am sure I got it from the hotel.  So many germs.  DH had it first and now I have it.  I missed work Tuesday, despite needing the money to pay off my NYC trip I charged.  So, I cancelled all my Friday afternoon plans and now I will work all day Friday to get in my 40 hours.  But today I am even worse.  I feel a little bit guilty about bringing my germs to work with me, but it is a conundrum.  I wish all employees had at least a few days of sick days that they could stay home and not worry about their shrinking pay check.  Last night I took a short walk after work, my stomach is still upset and I thought that would help that a little and make my sleepy.  Between my stomach and my head cold I can barely breathe.  Night sweats, body aches last night.  Good times.  But I went to bed pretty early and slept decent.  So, here's to getting through Thursday.

Anyone else get a cold this summer?  Then I have the full blown ragweed to look forward to!  Lucky me!

Health

11/6/17
Health

Yesterday was my colonoscopy.  i have had about 12 in tge past 10 years.  I am having them about once per year.  But, at least I now have a good specialist that does not tell me there is nothing wrong or that I need to take Prozac.  Nothing against Prozac, but I am not depressed and an SSRI will not help my stomach stop hurting.  I did have a doctor (a specialist, mind you) tell me all these things.  The one who could not find anything wrong with me, found something wrong, but denied that it was a condition.  He told me I needed a food allergy work up.  So I did that and then no one could help me, except for the person he referred me to, for $800 out of pocket.  I never did pay the $800.  I do not disagree with the concept of an elimination diet, but I believe my issues need a holistic approach.  Good luck finding a specialist that signs off on that concept.  So, when I have had specialists who tell me nothing is wrong, or I need to take Prozac...I just stop going to them, keep going back to my primary for her referrals, and I keep trying elimination diets, supplements, getting rest, reducing stress, yoga and mediation, prayer and anything else I can think of!

Well, my latest specialist does seem to make me take a lot of tests, but she at least explains her reasoning and discusses strategy with me and listens to me.  And for that I am truly grateful.  However, this latest exam seems to have really set me off into a flare, unlike any other recents ones I can remember.  I just eat less, get more rest and try to stay positive.  I think this will pass too, the flares usu do.  Sometimes in a few days, sometimes in a few months.  Fortunately, I have been doing well enough that I have gained weight, so if I lose even quite a bunch of weight, it won't be a big deal. 

So, yesterday after my test it felt decadent to be off work on a Monday.  I had lunch with my maternal aunt's and we did a tiny bit of shopping...some of it in my house (do you want this?  do you want this?  do you want this?  hahahaha).  I am so lucky to have them.  I skipped yoga and went to bed early, today I am at work but feeling like I have been punched in the stomach by a prize fighter, but I am hanging in there.  Only 1 more hour to go.  Then I can go home early and my husband can have the leftovers from the food I fixed Sat downhome at RH. 

I hope everyone has a great week!
stomach, Prozac, specialists, exam, allergies, diet, rest, stress, holistic