Friday, May 18, 2007

Finally, a bit of relief

Tuesday morning on the way to the bus stop, I physically could go no further after one block. I walked home and coughed for probably 10 or 15 minutes. That afternoon I talked to the doctor and she prescribed Avelox for the upper respiratory infection I undoubtedly had. I have now taken 4 doses and am feeling immensely better. My lung and sinus congestion are practically gone. I can walk to the bus in the morning without having a coughing fit. I guess I have had a low-level infection for a long time that just kept getting slowly worse.

Now that that is being cleared up, I think I have a fighting chance at actually making some real progress health-wise as long as I stay on the proverbial path nutritionally. I am going to see a pulmonary specialist to get an evaluation and kind of a baseline of where my respiratory system actually is.

Friday, May 11, 2007

Slowly but surely

For the first time in quite a while, I can honestly say my health has been improving ever so slightly over the last week or so. I can attribute this to a few different things. I finished the semester last Friday, which instantly removed the most influential stressor in my life. I have also been VERY careful about what I have been eating. Following my diet 110% is going to be crucial to recovery. I've also been making sure I get 7 hours of sleep or more a night and will not hesitate to take a nap in the afternoon if I'm beat.

I weighed myself last week to get a baseline. I'm not going to share beyond that I'm significantly underweight. My goal for the time being is to gain 5 lbs per month. That means I have to eat more - and make sure it's good stuff and not just empty calories. I have been making a protein smoothie on a daily basis and have also been snacking quite a bit between meals. I think the additional calories are also contributing to my generally better well-being.

My lung and sinus congestion is just noticeably better. Monday was the only day this week that I had a coughing fit on the way to the bus stop - the rest I got a little winded but not bad.

I am going to start keeping the food journal again. Mostly just to see exactly what I am eating and how I feel the next day.