Seriously, Body, WTF?
It's been over a month since I was first afflicted with my strange illness. It was pretty rough for the first few days, causing a generally-non-medicating person to down the maximum dosage of my prescription painkillers every day. After the first few days it's been fairly mild, and I have to say that it's been quite a while since discomfort has kept me up at night. Still . . . after two courses of antibiotics, X-rays, ultrasounds, blood tests and urine samples, I am no closer to an answer as to what this actually is/was. And worst of all, it's not completely gone. Just last night and even this morning I've had a few pangs of pain. So what gives?
I'm about to head out of town for the holidays, so I haven't visited the doctor again since finishing my latest two-week course of antibiotics a few days ago. I'll do that when I get back, at which point he may suggest that the next step is IV antibiotics as an outpatient in a hospital. For how little this illness is currently affecting me, the investigation and treatment sure seems to be taking up a lot of my time! Good thing I don't have to pay out of pocket for all this - thank you universal healthcare!! xoxo (That's right, I'm making out with universal health care, deal with it.)
The last time I saw the doctor he told me to avoid bike-commuting for the time being. Despite for the most part cautiously heeding his warning, I did go for a 8-km round trip ride to the bank about a week ago just to try out my new studded tires. It was AWESOME! I fishtailed a couple times, but for the most part I felt more steady on my bike than I have in my car on these snowy roads. I was dismayed at how out of shape I was, though. MAN, riding in the snow sure takes it out of you! Especially when you haven't exercised in a while.
When I get back from the holidays I'm getting back on the damn bike. Clearly, not biking hasn't made my illness go away, so I might as well take a stab at whether biking will help me out. Research has demonstrated that exercising through illnesses such as colds can boost our immune system and that being sick doesn't impact our exercise performance. So, who knows? Maybe getting back in the saddle is just what the doctor ordered . . . except he didn't . . . but I'm gonna do it anyway!
Today is my last day at work before the holidays, and then I'm off until the 5th. So long, suckers!! That is to say, have a fabulous holiday season and a wonderful new year, and I look forward to joining the ranks of my fellow winter bike-commuters again in January!
Keep it real, my friends. And have a safe, warm, and happy holiday.
