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Tiring Day

May 1st, 2013 at 12:41 am

Well, I thought this could be a mostly relaxing day of yardwork in this fine spring weather we've been having, but...not exactly.

In the morning, I did some miscellaneous yard work. I started laying down the newspaper and then the mulch in one perennial bed.

I decided I should do my mother's housework today. I had plans to vaccum her entire condo, dust and mop the floors, but truth be told, I pooped out after doing the dusting and vacuuming. The vacuuming was quite tiring as I had to keep lifting and moving things out of the way, and I also had to keep bending down to vacuum where the carpeting meets the baseboards. Very dirty. The carpeting is shot, actually but my mother has SO much stuff in there I can't imagine being able to replace that carpeting.

My mom has a show coming up in Litchfield, so 60 pieces are gone and out of her place. I couldn't tell the difference myself. The show lasts 2 months; hopefully she'll sell some art.

After doing the housework, I ran off to a doctor's appointment. A pulmonologist. It's been a bit of an odyssey to try to figure out why I have had this unexplained cough for 3 or 4 years, at least. PCP ruled out lung cancer with some chest x-rays. She also ruled out asthma. Then she referred me to an ENT guy, who after having me do the overnight pH test, ruled out silent acid reflex. The pulmonologist is leaning toward a post-nasal drip issue even though I can't feel any drip at all in my throat. He wants me to try two things, a nasal spray and the equivalent of a netty pot, if anyone knows what that is. Supposedly the 2 together will really clear out your nose and sinuses. Then I have to get a spirometry test done in 3 weeks, unless I see such great improvement with the cough before then, due to the meds; if that happens, then I can cancel the test. I hope I have the discipline to do both meds; the one involves breathing in liquid and doesn't sound so pleasant.

I came home after that and got my lamb stew going in the oven. Then I finished mowing the lawn. Then, because they're warning of frost tonight, I put about a dozen heavy pots of lettuce and annuals back in the garage and covered my tulips with a tarp and covered all my little pea plants and lettuce in the garden with an assortment of pots to protect them from frost.

Hopefully this will be the last time this happens.

Tomorrow it's back to work. On the way there I'll deposit some checks, pick up those meds and collect more free mulch from the landfill.

4 Responses to “Tiring Day”

  1. LuckyRobin Says:
    1367373666

    I know this is probably something you have done, but do you have any medications you are on long term? There are a couple that have a side effect of a cough. My dad was on one med for years and had a cough that would not go away, before they figured out it was the side effect of the drug. He switched meds and the cough went away.

    Also, I am always looking for lamb recipes. Would you mind posting your stew?

  2. Petunia 100 Says:
    1367374336

    A neti pot looks like a teapot, and you use it to pour water + solution into one nostril, which then comes out the other. Yes, really. Smile
    You know, I have had a persistent, dry, hacking cough for 3 or 4 years now too. Mine starts in September and lasts until November, then starts again in February and wraps up in April. My GP has not been able to diagnose it. I was referred to a pulmonologist first, and am seeing an ENT now. I just had a barium swallow test today, as a matter of fact.

    The ENT is saying acid reflux. It makes no sense to me as my coughing is seasonal. But, we will see what the barium swallow shows.

    Good luck with your cough.

  3. creditcardfree Says:
    1367379903

    PS & Petunia...could you have allergies of any kind? I would look to rule that out as well. Allergies can easily cause excess mucus and thus a cough. Might try a simple allergy pill for a week or so, to see if that relieves any symptoms. And LR's advice on the meds is a good one as well.

  4. Petunia 100 Says:
    1367413777

    I think mine is allergies. I have a mold allergy (break out in hives and clusters of small blisters when exposed). However, steroids have not helped my cough. Pulmonologist told me definately not allergies.

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