Skip to main content

Year Three, Day 204: Citron Tea v. Antibiotics

The cough continues. I am wondering if it will last for the rest of my mortal life.

At breakfast this morning my mother firmly suggested that I make another doctor's appointment. She sounded serious. So I obeyed. I know better than to argue when she has that look. She definitely had that look!

I was surprised when the clinic answered the phone on a Saturday. I made an appointment for Tuesday morning. The receptionist informed me that my regular doctor was unavailable at that time. He asked me if I would be ok seeing the nurse practitioner?

OK?! I wanted to dance and sing. But my mother was looking at me. She still had the look. So I just smiled and said, "That would be fine."

I have been frustrated with the minimalist care (i.e. continually prescribing Prednisone, nothing else) of my primary care physician.

My mother looked at me knowingly when I finished scheduling.

"Exaggerate your symptoms", she said, sipping her black coffe.

"Why?" I asked, stirring honey and lemon into my tea.

"So they will give you antibiotics", she said.

I sighed. My mother is a firm believer in the power of penicillin. Me, not so much. First of all, I am allergic to penicillin. Second, I have done enough r research to know that antibiotics kill good and bad microorganisms. I kind of would like to keep my good microorganisms, thank you very much.

But I am weary of the cough.

I did, however discover yet another Chinese home remedy at the Chinese market next door to the church where I teach on Saturdays. It is called "Citron Tea". The ingredients are honey, Orange peel, agar and sugar. It tastes like orange marmalade. I mixed it in with my tea today.





 It seemed to soothe my throat and loosen things up a bit. Plus, it is quite yummy. Of course, with all that sugar, it can't be healthy. But, I'll drink citron tea instead of taking antibiotics anyday!

And now, off to bed. Rest is God's most powerful healer.

Talk to you tomorrow!

Love,

Zita


P.S. Here is today's hooping video. Day 167!



Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Year Four, Day 328: Success at Last!! This is What I Do

Hello My Long Lost Friends! Or, perhaps it was I who was lost? And now I think I am beginning to find myself!  Under layers of fat, and self loathing!  How's that for an opening line!  Or perhaps the title of a novel:  Layers of Fat and Self-Loathing! Today I stepped on the scale.  I am weighing myself every morning these days. I was shocked! I told my partner the scale must be broken!  Yesterday I weight 186. Today 185! I have been on a strict intermittent fast for the past 10 weeks. I have officially lost 12 pounds!  And the best news is I think I not only can stick to this way of eating, I am actually beginning to really enjoy it!  And look how far I've come! I've been writing since May 12, 2015.  Over 8 years now!  I know this blog post says Year Four, Day 328, but there have been many pauses in blogging. For instance, when I am not pleased with progress or simply have no words! I was 53 when I first began blogging. I am now 61. I honestly feel better than I did 8 years

Year Four, Day 335: "Crisis Fatigue"

Hello Friends! I have missed you! I have been so utterly exhausted and downright depressed, that I couldn't summon enough energy to even lift my fingers to this computer keyboard to write.  Apparently there is a mental disorder for people going through crises.  Crises such as pandemics, systemic racism, political division, unemployment, police brutality, civil unrest.... It's called "crisis fatigue". When humans are presented with a threat, adrenaline is released to give us quick energy. This is called the "fight or flight syndrome". But when threats are overwhelming, and perceivably continuous, like this year, it overwhelms the system. People can feel numb, depressed, anxious and irritable. Yup. That's me.  I guess I'm quite normal after all! I found an interesting article that describes crisis fatigue, especially in relation to current events.  But it doesn't really address how to take care of ourselves during these unsettling times!

Year Four, Day 247: What Happened in Vegas...

  Expectations can be brutal. Especially when reality dashes them against the rocky shores of our souls. How's that for an opening line? I was so excited about my recent trip to Las Vegas.  I haven't travelled anywhere in so long. I do believe I have been bit by the travel bug.  I want the freedom to go places I have never been, see things I have never seen and experience life as a stellar adventure! My kids are young adults with families of their own.  I have my role as Zma, as Teacher Zita. But I am on a quest to find Zita. She's hidden someone deep inside. Covered in layers. Like an onion. I like the onion analogy. Notice the outermost layer of an onion - dry  and papery. As you peel off layers, the inside is juicy and sweet. I have paid my dues of sacrifice, shame and self deprivation.  What I want now is to embrace the life I have remaining. Have you seen the life pie chart? I don't know where I read this, but it stuck with me.  Draw a circle.  And then divide it i