Summer colds are the worst. You want to take advantage of the warmer weather (whoops, it's been raining here the last two days), you want to enjoy the sunshine and shake off the last remnants of winter. Then along comes the summer cold. Stuffy noses, congested chests and a nagging cough. I have cancer, I should be exempt from the cold. I should be given a pass..."here, head to the no-cold-this-year section..." Apparently someone forgot to put in the paperwork.
Having a cold and cancer really changes your perspective. I called my oncology nurse yesterday...my first words..."I don't want to sound like a hypochondriac, but I think I have a cold." I wasn't sure what I could or couldn't take to get relief from the symptoms, because I don't want it to get worse. Remember the magic number...38C. I've started taking my temperature every time I walk into the bathroom. The cool little digital thermometer remembers the last reading and flashes it to you before you take the next one. The nurse advised me to take cough medicine and over-the-counter cold medicine but to read the ingredients. If it has ASA I can't take it, if it has acetaminophen I have to watch my temperature because one of its properties is it masks a fever; fever indicates infection and I'm almost to the point where my white blood cells won't fight infection, so I really need to know if I'm running a temperature (and need to go to the hospital).
The mail has been busy the past few days. I received a card from my Aunt Pat, one from the Colorado team and one from the upper management team (this includes the various center managers, different department heads, directors and the VP of NAD). These people look at weighty issues like improving sales, improving processes, training, customer retention, etc., and they took the time to sign a card among their other tasks at this meeting. I also opened a present from my Joy Box. This time it was a bottle of sunless tanner, because even though I'm supposed to avoid the sun, nothing says I can't have the healthy glow of a tan. Thanks again Debbie; your box of surprises has held out well. I also got an e-card from Dorothy who admonished me to think of myself as a fluffy sheep instead of a toad. Dorothy can always be counted on for her wisdom.
Tomorrow is the Relay for Life and I'm looking forward to seeing everyone and taking part. Here's hoping my cold goes away overnight along with the clouds and rain.
I hope you feel better soon. Maybe it's more drippy nose cos the weather is yucky than a serious cold...I'll keep my fingers crossed for that! I have found using "hydraSense", the nasal spray one, very helpful. It's made from "100% natural-source desalinated seawater." I find with the pollen (and living in the Valley), breathing is sometimes a challenge and this has been very helpful. Best of luck on the Relay for Life...go get 'em girl!
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