Now, I haven’t liked the summer heat for a long time. Never enjoyed the sweating, discomfort, and occasional smells. Still, I used to be able to function in the heat without being made to feel like the grim reaper is trying to claim me. Last summer was bad because I had Covid and spent the entire season trying to recover. So many days where I had to go outside and that resulted in me being out of commission for a while. Don’t worry though because long covid is apparently not a thing according to a bunch of people, so the lingering fatigue and other issues is in our heads. Along with mucus, sinus pressure, and possible inflammation of the brain . . . YAY!
So, it has been very hot this week. At least for this area, so I don’t want to hear any mockery from people in the South. I’ve seen what you people do when the temperature gets into the 60’s and if there’s a single snowflake reported. Tokyo is calmer during a Godzilla visit. Where was I? Guess I’ll make another paragraph.
I was doing good for most of the week, but then Thursday struck. I was already getting my usual fatigue and brain fog. Seems to be getting more common and worse since I started the blood pressure meds. I tried to take it easy, but Thursday was rough. We took a field trip to some local botanical gardens, which was fun. It was always hot and humid, so we all ran out of steam fairly quickly. Our guides tried to keep to the shade, but we still had to cross stretches of sunlight. That was brutal. Of course, I followed this up by spend an hour and fifteen minutes walking around a local park with son who was trying to catch Pokémon. Big summer event started and I promised that we’d go after I got him from camp. I stand by my word. At least, I’m trying to stand as I keep having bouts of fatigue and anxiety throughout today.
The rest of the week was mostly preparing for my son’s birthday. He turned 14 yesterday and we’re doing a small party today. Then, it’s back out to catch Pokémon. Tomorrow is just all day Pokémon hunting with a break for lunch and a movie. Promised him these outings as long as it isn’t raining, so that’s what we’re going to do. The things we do for our kids to make them happy.
Work on Darwin & the Beast Collector is moving along. I got two chapters done instead of three because I can only do 2 sections a day instead of 3 like I used to. My endurance and focus are still weak, especially with the heat being a factor. This is another reason I really want to get my physical situation figured out. It’s starting to make it harder to write, which is something I don’t want to lose. Doesn’t help that I’m still having constant doubts about how the story is going. The next chapter is aftermath of the action of the previous chapter and then its to set up the next leg of the adventure. Inching towards the utter chaos and mayhem. Why is this throwing me off? Darwin’s first adventures was like this with a lot of wandering, accidental incidents, and then all hell broke loose for the third act. Should be used to this process.
I won’t make any predictions on how this week will go. Have a few Pokemon outings since the special event ends Wednesday night. So, a lot of walking, but it looks like it will be significantly cooler starting on Sunday. I have a big doctor appointment on Thursday, which is after a day at the zoo with our students. Pretty sure things won’t go smoothly and I’ll have to debate medication. Leaning towards going off what I’m on now to see if it’s amplifying my fatigue. I really don’t want to do anything more until we see how much of a factor my sleep apnea is. Figuring out health problems really is like throwing darts at a board with your eyes closed.
Well, I’m off to start the birthday celebrations for my son. Technically, I wrote this last night, so I’m hoping I recovered enough to not be a zombie. We aren’t doing a lot until the afternoon, but I don’t want to look terrible when we have guests. Just let me get through today as a human being, universe. Then, let the rest of the week happen.
REMINDER THAT Do I Need to Use a Dragon? IS ON ITS LAST WEEK AT 99 CENTS!
Goals of the week:
- Celebrate my son’s birthday.
- Start preparing for father/son trip.
- Rest and stay cool.
- Pokemon hunting.
- Write more Darwin & the Beast Collector when possible.
- Have a fun zoo trip.
- Have a good doctor visit.
- Watch the last 3 episodes of ‘The Witcher’ for closure.
- Get more sleep.
Legends of Windemere 
At least walking with your son is helping with the exercise goal. Might not be a stationary bike, but it has to help.
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It definitely helps when I can do it. The problem I have now is that I feel like I’m dying most of the day. This happened a little in the past. Now it’s becoming a daily issue. Makes me wonder how doctors expect people to exercise when they’re given debilitating drugs or suffering from something that’s draining.
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Sounds like a pretty busy week. I hope the doctor visit will be productive. Mine usually aren’t but maybe you’ll get lucky.
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If it’s anything like the last doctor visit, it won’t be good. Bad news and probably a new medication that will make it even harder to function.
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Yup.
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You’d think at some point he would catch them all…
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There’s always more Pokémon. Unless you mean my doctor catching everything that plagues me. That’s harder to pull off.
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Happy Birthday to your son! I also do not do well in heat unless I am submerged in water.
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That could work. I think trying to get my blood pressure under control is making the summer worse. The whole health situation is steadily becoming a bigger mess.
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Blood pressure medication is problematic. Doctors seem to think that a) one size fits all, and b) they know more about your body than you do.
My husband had a long on-going conversation with our gp. He kept blood pressure records showing how his BP fluctuated and the effects of the medication. Eventually, she agreed that everyone is different.
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I kept track of my BP for 4 weeks when I started the new medication. The information was ignored since my numbers were ‘high’ in the office. I really don’t want to be on these meds anymore until I get reevaluated for sleep apnea too. Guess I’ll get to argue about it on Thursday.
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Don’t give up and you are allowed to get a second opinion from another MD. You wouldn’t trust your car to one mechanic if the bill looked padded…
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Finding another MD is always a pain, especially when it seems every one goes for meds.
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Shop around and look at reviews. Ask colleagues for recommendations! Good luck!
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I’ve asked, but most suggestions are too far away. That or they aren’t taking new patients.
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What’s your geographic area and I can put my husband on it. Do you want
an immunologist? or a cardiologist?
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I need referrals for that stuff. Insurance creates hoops. Getting some kind of heart check on Thursday, which might lead to a cardiologist. I still don’t want to do much until the sleep apnea stuff is figured out.
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I sympathise about the heat, but at least I can stay indoors. No son to entertain! (I can’t believe he’s 14 already. Have I been following you for that long? I still think of him being about 10 or 11.) I have trouble, too.
However, on the heat thing, here in the UK it’s been a cooler than usual summer. We had a few days of really hot weather in June, but since then it’s been cool and windy. More line autumn than summer.
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It feels like he was still in elementary school yesterday. Although, a lot has happened since he was that age. Way too much for 4 years.
My concern with the heat right now is that it’s affecting me more than usual. With me still not knowing the real cause of my health issues, the weather is basically owning my butt. Humidity broke last night though, so today’s outings shouldn’t be bad.
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Better than a stationary bike, Craig. That’s so boring. Little to motivate you to get on and exercise.
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I actually use a stationary bike whenever I can. Listen to videos and I like how weather isn’t a factor.
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That’s true about the weather I had one, but found I was using my real bike more.
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It took a lot of arguing,but the gp eventually agreed that everyone is different and can’t be treated the same way. However, I do sympathise with them. They haven’t the time to go into detail with everyone. And most people just want a pill to cure whatever ails them.
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It does feel like there’s a rush to identify and handle health problems. That’s why it taking about 2 months to figure out the sleep apnea situation isn’t forcing a pause on everything else.
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Well, I hope you can get some sense out of your GP and things get sorted quickly.
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Fingers crossed. I’m also hoping I don’t mess up my entire system bouncing around meds. Already feeling like every day is a physical challenge.
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