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DAVID BENTLEY'S WEEKLY COLUMN |
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THE SYMPTOMS OF SPRING
The grass is growing faster than homeowners can mow it. Fruit blossoms cover the ground like fluffy pink and white snowflakes. Madrona flowers hover at the base of trees, dancing in the breeze like fish eggs in water. The new growth on firs brings bright, vibrant highlights to our evergreen landscape. Embryonic conifer cones are developing. Why, then, was I surprised when I began sneezing last week? It came unexpectedly. One minute I felt fine. The next minute I was sneezing uncontrollably. Then the nasal drip started. If I wasn't sneezing, I was wiping my nose. My trash can was rapidly filling with used tissues. By morning I had a stuffy head, drippy nose, irritated throat, and very little energy. I didn't have the achiness of the flu, nor the green gunk of a nasty cold, but I literally had to will myself out of bed. Of course, being a red-blooded American male, I endured another three days of worsening symptoms before seeking medical help. The diagnosis was simple and obvious: a good old sinus infection. Antibiotics, a non-prescription drug, and some nasal spray would take care of things. In short, I was going to live. Unfortunately, contrary to my instant fix mentality, recovery is taking longer than I would like. Although I feel better and stronger each day, I am still congested and blow my nose a lot. Those around me remain wary. They step back, keeping their distance while I try to convince them it is only a sinus infection and not the start of the bird flu pandemic. Soon I hope to feel much better and be far less frightening to friends and strangers. Maybe I'll even remember not to make assumptions about my own symptoms and those of others without the benefit of an actual diagnosis.
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SAN JUAN ISLANDER © 2008 |
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