Wearing a surgical mask so not to spread germs is all fine and good if there are germs to spread but for the one wearing it with breathing issues, it's no fun. I had the pleasure of this experience Friday when at 8:37 a.m. I secured the only appointment at the County health clinic for the day (9 a.m.) and upon arriving, since I was coughing, was instructed to don the unfashionable mask. There was also a sign indicating if patients have flu-like symptoms (fever, cough, sore throat) to put them on.
So I sat in the corner of the waiting room trying to breathe through the mask. Already hot from fever, breathing into the mask intensified my uncomfortableness but being a good patient, I suffered until the nurse pulled me in to take my vitals. We both agreed it was most likely a sinus infection that had taken over my head and making my life miserable. She allowed me to toss the mask - yay!
"I don't think you have the flu," the doctor told me.
I knew I didn't but since I was having problems breathing during the week and getting winded while walking up my stairs, thought it'd bring peace of mind.
I left with a Z-Pack and returned to the office although I wanted to head home and bed. I wanted to do that all week but had commitments to keep including a presentation last Thursday. Am I that important? Maybe.
Happy to report I can breathe, am not winded, and have regained my strength but the coughing has intensified and very annoying. As to other things in my life...
Be sure to check out my travel blog SoloTravelGirl.com to see what else I've been up.
Recent writings: Article rounding up the top five holiday gifts for outdoors women.
And with all the talk about Afghanistan these days, I keep thinking about some of Afghanistan's youth I met during my March 2006 trip and wonder where they are and whether they are alive. Morbid, I know, but it's the truth. Meet some of Afghanistan's future in my favorite slide show.
So I sat in the corner of the waiting room trying to breathe through the mask. Already hot from fever, breathing into the mask intensified my uncomfortableness but being a good patient, I suffered until the nurse pulled me in to take my vitals. We both agreed it was most likely a sinus infection that had taken over my head and making my life miserable. She allowed me to toss the mask - yay!
"I don't think you have the flu," the doctor told me.
I knew I didn't but since I was having problems breathing during the week and getting winded while walking up my stairs, thought it'd bring peace of mind.
I left with a Z-Pack and returned to the office although I wanted to head home and bed. I wanted to do that all week but had commitments to keep including a presentation last Thursday. Am I that important? Maybe.
Happy to report I can breathe, am not winded, and have regained my strength but the coughing has intensified and very annoying. As to other things in my life...
Be sure to check out my travel blog SoloTravelGirl.com to see what else I've been up.
Recent writings: Article rounding up the top five holiday gifts for outdoors women.
And with all the talk about Afghanistan these days, I keep thinking about some of Afghanistan's youth I met during my March 2006 trip and wonder where they are and whether they are alive. Morbid, I know, but it's the truth. Meet some of Afghanistan's future in my favorite slide show.
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