Many people who know me know something about my struggles with sinus issues. It would be hard, at this point, to not know this about me, if in fact, you've known me at all over the past three and a half years. I have quit three jobs over it, so all of those former coworkers of mine are well aware, as well as the members of groups I've stepped out of leading or attending, and of course, all of my friends hear about it, all of the time. There hasn't been much else going on with me, other than, "How are you feeling?" And the answer has been depressingly the same: "Not great." But of course, always "hanging in there." What else can you say when you've had an illness that most people experience for a week or two out of their life, once or twice a year? Or, if you were like me, had only experienced it once before, in your entire lifetime, prior to the age of 30?
My first and only sinus infection prior to the development of this current saga took place on July 4th, 1997. It was an eventful day. I was brand new to Boston, waiting on the Esplanade with my boyfriend and future husband for the famous Pops Goes the Fourth Concert. I also happened to be waiting to meet several girls from Boston College who were seeking a roommate. Figuring it best to get away from the crowds, we agreed to meet at the Copley Mall, and laughed when we finally converged in the Limited, realizing we'd walked a painful, hot couple of miles through crowds only to learn we'd all been sitting in the same spot at the concert. With millions in attendance, it was actually quite a coincidence that we were all in sight of a middle-aged woman who apparently thought it was OK to sunbathe in an old bra and jean shorts, right in the middle of the largest crowd Boston sees each year. Anyway, it was a big day, to say the least. Sometime after the return walk from the mall, munching warm PB&J's on our blanket, I realized I wasn't feeling well. Fever is hard to detect when it's 90 degrees outside, but my ears and head hurt, and I had that achy feeling that's a sure sign something is going wrong in the body. The next day I was at the Urgent Care Clinic for antibiotics, and was told it was a particularly bad sinus infection. I took the medicine, went on my way, and never thought about it again. Except for that fact that it was all a part of one strange day where I met my future roommates and great friends and saw a lady wearing her underwear in public.
But now I am sidetracked. My point is: most people experience a sinus infection like I did in college. It comes on strong, you feel horrible, you go to the doctor or clinic, get antibiotics, get better. End of story. In my case, I went on with my life and remained in every way a healthy young woman. Fit through regular running, careful of my diet, and reluctant to take even an Advil unless I truly needed it, I couldn't have told you the difference between Sudafed and Benadryl. I was never sick. I had two perfectly healthy pregnancies in my mid-twenties. In 2003, seventeen hours of natural labor led to the birth of my daughter Emma Isabel, and nearly two years later in 2005, her brother Luke. While they were babies, I nursed them and took care of myself, slept as much as any new mother could, and kept myself active in my running and a little part-time career. My health was not something I ever considered to be at risk. That is why it is so very strange to be starting a blog about someone who has now undergone three surgeries and taken thousands of pills to restore health to a part of my body I had barely realized existed.
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