Christmas with a terrible cold

Well, Christmas 2013 was one of the more quiet ones from past ones.  Whether it was a past one from childhood opening presents or one working the holiday in healthcare, or spent with older relatives, this one was unique.  Let’s just say COLD.  It was cold outside and inside with a terrible cold and sinus infection which from what I understand is something this year that many are suffering from.  A quick trip to a local clinic, and the dropping of a hundred dollars, got me a good listening too by an MD and a round of antibiotics. 

So, after shivering for a few hours inside and then venturing outside to take out the garbage, I realized that now it is really winter – 23 degrees I believe.  Finally arriving once again, I say to myself, thanks winter and thanks COLD.  Well, not entirely as I am cold inside and out – my life is complete?  Didn’t make it to midnight mass this year – but then again, some churches aren’t having midnight mass at midnight anymore.  Some have it earlier like 10 pm. So I guess I could have ventured out between shivers. 

Hopefully, I will be forgiven for my sins and that I can still be the shining light during the coming year.  I will try my best by smiling and doing my best this year.  Oh, that’s right; it’s time for New Year’s resolutions.  Wow, my list is again long.  Where do I start?  I guess I must get well first, and then decide which of the long list to narrow down. 

There are some like watching what I eat (before eating it all) and others like going to the gym, walking every day, continuing to smile under pressure, and so many others that I just don’t know where to start.

I just read an article online that said that the death rate is higher at Christmas.  But, it was not suicides like you often hear, but rather heart disease, gastrointestinal bugs and influenza were some of the culprits.  So, I know that health is on the top of the list. 

However, I did sign up for the national/state healthcare but will have to pay a hefty amount starting in January.  Wow, I think that half of my salary will go for this.  How is one supposed to make ends meet?  Well, those on the upper scale shouldn’t have to worry, but I guess they will also pay for everyone else too.  I do know that either way, with or without a national healthcare system in place, we WILL pay.  The question will be in what form and to who?

This was an eye opener, but we knew it was coming right?  Boy, did this make me shiver!  Before, without a primary physician, you could go to the ER and still be billed by them according to a copay and now same thing but everything seems to be higher.  And for those that are unemployed, wow, you are really going to pay just like if you had been laid off and had to do cobra.  So, there is no escape from the wicked system.  But, the U.S. does have the best system.  We just still can’t seem to cure the common cold! 

Below, some of the remedies I have tried with some success.