Back from the dead

..well, not literally, but I'm at least able to work and take care of Rachel when Drew is in Seattle. I've spent $200 out of pocket for medical care over the past week and they STILL don't know what's wrong with me. The most recent surmise is a sinus infection, for which a very nice allergy doctor gave me antibiotics. I'll finish taking them on Sunday, but they'll be in my system for another week. So far there isn't a noticeable difference except that instead of being exhausted, I'm merely very, very tired. Still have the bronchial cough and drip, drip, drip of mucus throughout my body. I'm also taking a B-complex vitamin every day, probiotics (to deal with the antibiotics) and Vitamin D (because despite what our hyperventilating tourist officials say, we get very little sun here for long stretches of time during the year, and about 30 percent of us are deficient in Vitamin D, which helps build a healthy immune system (plus drinking lots of green tea, which I am doing as I write this).

Some of the fun things I learned through my journey through the American health care system:

--I grumble about paying $200 out of pocket, but I am really lucky to have health care.
--I'm allergic to some grasses, mold and dust and that's about it. Turns out I'm not allergic to cats, so when I'm around them and I sneeze, I can only guess that I caught that allergy from Drew. And so help me, if he gives me asthma I am OUT OF HERE.
--My body has produced enough mucus to cover several football fields. And it's still not quitting!
--I am really lucky to have health care.
--Rachel has my cough but not the post-nasal drip, hives and mucus flow. Someone must be watching out for us. It may well be true that God never gives us more than we can handle. Although between my illness, the various things that need fixing in the house, and all the other items in my life that need attention RIGHT THIS VERY MINUTE, I would be happy if things calmed down a little.
--The allergy doc told me that my life sounds fantastically busy but that I should really try to slow down. I may consider his advice for several days before rejecting it.
--I am really lucky to have health care.