I guess it’s time for me to find out what the hell is going on inside this old body of mine. I can’t cure what ails me until I know what’s causing my symptoms, so that means seeking the help of a medical professional. Here’s what I’ve been dealing with for the past several days:
- Sinus congestion–I’m pretty sure this is related to my chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), but it has been getting more severe. Most nights I wake up so clogged I need to come downstairs and use my nebulizer so my lungs can function more effectively. It used to be I only had this problem while sleeping, but lately, I’m congested during the daytime too.
- Low energy–the lethargy and lack of stamina continue. Even the slightest climb leaves me huffing and puffing. Some days it takes all my willpower to even go out and attempt a hike, other days I say fuck it and stay home. That’s not like me, and I don’t like feeling that way.
- Heart rate–one of the things I monitor on a daily basis is resting heart rate. It’s recently gone up from the low 60s to 75 beats per minute (bpm), the highest it’s been since I’ve been checking it. From what I’ve read, I don’t need to be concerned unless it goes to over 100 bpm, but the fact that it has risen so much so quickly makes me wonder why.
- Itchy hands and feet–this is a very recently occurring problem, and it is especially bad at night. It’s not bites or skin issues (no rash or other marks), it is something internal. I hate this symptom the most because it makes it difficult to sleep at night. According to the internet, this kind of itchiness is sometimes related to kidney or liver disease. Well, I can’t imagine that any of my habits would affect my kidneys or liver, but you never know until you check.
Gonna see if I can schedule a full physical examination and consultation with a physician to discuss these issues and find a resolution I can live with. Stay tuned.
Despite my medical issues, I still managed to find a little Joy in my life. We had a pleasant lunch at Mango’s yesterday. I’ve got to give her credit, she is sticking to the script almost perfectly. Sure, she will occasionally hint around about something more, but when I say “that’s not what I’m looking for” she backs off immediately. She has also been very good about not asking for cash or other gifts. Joy does have a birthday coming up and I will reward her with a shopping excursion if she continues to play by the rules of the “friends with benefits program” we’ve established.
After lunch, Joy accompanied me back home. I was content to just cuddle for a bit and maybe take a nap. Joy wasn’t having that, and before long she made it, um, too hard for me to say no. That’s another thing in her favor–enthusiasm! And if she is faking those orgasms she deserves an academy award. Anyway, I sent her home with $70, some treats for her kids, and a smile on her face. We’ll meet again in two weeks and celebrate her 32nd birthday. So far, at least, we are both getting what we want and need.
For my evening entertainment, I visited It Doesn’t Matter. As is my custom I sat outside, but the place was hopping inside and out. I’m glad they are doing well in these difficult times. I might have been on my fourth beer or so when I see a young woman walking her dog. And lo and behold, it was Marick, the gal I bought the kimbap from last week. I asked if she would like to join me for a beer and she handed me her dog and came in to join me. We had a nice chat and I asked her why she didn’t come to the Hash anymore. She said she couldn’t afford the 350 peso entry fee. I mentioned that I sponsored several gals each week and she would be welcome to join in. She finished her beer and headed back to work. This morning Marick sent me a message asking if I would indeed sponsor her for the Hash? I told her “of course!”, and she said she’d see me there. It will be fun to see where this goes.
Will I live long enough to fall in love again? And if I do, will I die of a broken heart? I reckon there’s only one way to find out.
This afternoon I hear Dive In beckoning to me. Perhaps I’ll get the chance to share a drink or two with sweet Jessa. It’s also Wednesday, so that means some Korean wings from The Pub are in my future. Speaking of which, John Kim has introduced a new sandwich:
I’ll be back tomorrow with pictures from today’s Wednesday Walkers hike and any other adventures that might befall me tonight. See you then!
Well, get yourself looked at and stay healthy. I do keep thinking back to Leonard Nimoy’s COPD; the man had quit smoking decades earlier, and it still came back to bite him. That’s worrisome, and it makes COPD something to watch out for.
I can relate to the low-energy thing. In my current state, everything takes effort, and I hate that feeling. Maybe Trump’s “low-energy” insult is dirtier than I gave him credit for.
My feet itch all the time from diabetic neuropathy, and it’s worst when I’m in bed, but as long as I have something to distract me, it’s not too bad.
Will you fall in love again? Who knows? You seem to keep hoping for a May-September romance, but there’s a Law of Diminishing Returns dynamic at work, here, as you get older. Then again, you might just find the Pinay version of Anna Nicole Smith (although look how she turned out).
Monte Cristo looks fantastic. I could use one about now instead of chicken breast and salad.
This man is always looking for love. I admire your optimistic attitude. Good for you . Just how many of these gals do you sponsor for their hash activities ?I’m glad that you don’t seem to expect something in return and you’ve come to accept that your generosity is its own reward. Though I suspect that you may have done the no-pants dance with a few of the ladies that you sponsor for the hikes , I won’t ask. I do know that the number of unattached ladies that you covet is quite high. The Venn diagram of sponsorship and covetousness would be interesting.
Keep writing and thank you as usual
Stay healthy!! Yup, best to get things looked at. I (assume) that the cost of decent medical care is pretty cheap, so well worth it to get things checked out. Even if it is nothing, the peace of mind makes it worthwhile.
Kev, yeah COPD doesn’t get better you can only hope to slow it down At least the meds alleviate those breathing attacks I used to have. Yeah, low-energy is worse than being lazy–one’s a choice the other is a burden. The itching is also my biggest concern–a symptom suggesting something is not working right internally. My mom was diabetic but I’ve never shown any signs (at least since losing all that weight) that that was going to be an issue for me. We’ll see.
I’m not sure I’m actually brave enough to love again, I just talk like a tough guy here on the blog. You never know though, I was surprised when I developed feelings for Padz. Her dream-crushing rejection was a good reminder. That whole “age is just a number” mindset seems to be universal in the Filipina psyche. I don’t worry about it anymore, although I personally prefer someone in their 30s. Had to look up Anna Nicole Smith to remind myself what happened to her. Sad story indeed.
Just like I do long-distance hikes vicariously through your blog, you can indulge your food fantasies through mine. Or wait for your cheat day!
Hey James, I’ve been sponsoring 3 gals regularly for the Hash. No expectation (or much desire) for any return “favors”, at least from this group. I can’t deny that I see many women that I covet, even a few on more than a purely physical basis, but I confine my actions to fantasizing. Usually.
If things change, you’ll read all about it here no doubt.
Brian, the cost of medical here is definitely cheaper than in the USA, I’m not sure just how “decent” it is or how much I trust it though. Still, I’ll get some tests done and talk with a doc, then go from there. Hopefully, it proves to be no big deal.