I’ve been managing to have a fairly enjoyable summer, given the circumstances. However, it’s not all fun and food. Because my immune system is compromised, I have to be super careful of every symptom I experience. For instance, two weeks ago I had a sore throat for four consecutive days, along with a temperature that was jumping up and down like it was on a pogo stick. Well, this meant a trip to my family doctor’s walk-in clinic. After two hours of waiting by myself in segregation because I can’t be exposed to the other patients, the good doctor prescribed me everything under the sun as a precautionary measure. Her fear was that my little bronchial irritation would develop into something bigger, and she didn’t want me to have to come back. After being sent to the pharmacy with a mittful of prescriptions, I walked out of Shoppers with the largest bag of medications I have ever seen!

Then just as this all clears up, I was back at the walk-in clinic ten days later for a completely different issue. The risk of infection is pretty serious, so I have to be extra vigilant of anything that can develop into something more severe. This is not the time to be a martyr. Thankfully it is much better to go to the clinic on a Thursday than a Monday…on Thursday I literally walked in, met with the doctor, and walked out 10 minutes later. But there was yet another prescription…I’m really getting my money’s worth out of the drug coverage this year!

And then there was last night. I’ve now been dealing with a stomach bug for the last 20 hours. However with the help of some sleep, ginger ale, Gatorade and crackers, I’m on the mend. I’ve been checking my temperature every hour or so, just in case I get close to having a fever, but so far so good. No need to panic or seek medical attention, but I will keep monitoring my temperature until the morning. Let me tell you, having a compromised immune system kinda sucks!