In and Out

Hey.
Just a quick hey, from me today. Feeling a little under the weather. Because my face hurts, I think I may have a sinus infection or something. I don't really feel like talking or anyone, but I have gotten a lot of work done this week.
Anyways, I had my blood drawn yesterday and have an appointment with the NP next week as a typical follow-up and if there are any concerns about the blood work done, they will be discussed too.

I hope all are well. Holla, it's Friday!

Eat This, but Not That

I did a tiny bit of research, and by tiny, I mean looking at one website, looking up foods to eat or not to eat to avoid TB.

DOs
High calcium diet
Fresh fruits- oranges, pineapple, bananas
Fresh vegetables

DON'Ts
Booze it up
Smoke them cigarettes
Be lazy
Stay outside in the cold too long
Work too much
Meats
Drink the nectar of the gods, caffeine

Some would say I have a pretty active lifestyle, so check. I am not into smoking, so double check. It IS getting colder out, with winter right around the corner, but let's get real, I live in California, the leaves don't even fall here; another check for me. Excessive work? Really? Me? This is one DON'T I plan on taking very seriously. I may have to reassess. I may have to decrease my already stress-free work environment, relatively lax position, for the sake of my health, though, of course.

So far, I am doing a pretty good job of taking care of myself, and would say I am taking all the right precautions in avoiding a more severe form of TB. Looks like someone should just not eat or do things compromising to the immune system. A snap.

Other preventative diet suggestions I read about are having a high calcium diet and having a diet consisting of fruits, such as oranges, pineapples, and bananas. These fruits help to dilute some of the mucus build up, and help in aiding coughing that stuff up and getting rid of some of the grime in your chest. Fruits also help in preventing future infections. I did read something about how some fruits can help you look younger. It wasn't really an article I would LIVE by, much like the one where I got this information, but information to keep in the back of my mind.

Having little to no meat in your diet is suggested. Uh, like a lot of things, meats can be difficult to digest, so is not recommended. Well so is dairy, but they suggest THAT. Again, not an article to live or die by.
Canned and tinned foods, white bread, refined sugars and cereals, pies, condiments and pickles, and the true love that never leaves me, caffeinated beverages (coffee) are NOT recommended for TB. I can totally deal with no cereals, or pies, or pickles, but NO coffee? You've got to be out of your god damned mind. I can already feel myself getting flustered and stressed over the thought. I should have my morning cup now, before I really start to become a crankster.

Happy Friday all! Keep your calcium and fruits close, but your INH closer.

Cruising Again

And we're back to our regularly scheduled program. Fear not loyal, honorable readers, I am still kickin'. Latent TB has not taken over nor converted to active TB. Work was a bit busy last week, so unfortunately, and unfair to you all, I had to side line the blog for a few days.

To update you, I have still not missed a TB med dose. I am one day from finishing my first bottle of INH. I also met with my nurse practitioner (NP) last week just as a routine, monthly check-up. Everything is going well and accordingly. I don't have any discomfort, I guess in my liver? and I don't have any weird sensations in my extremities. Because all is going well, I got my second prescription of INH. HOLLA!

Thanks for staying with me during my lull in writing. I am just a girl trying to balance my work, social life, and latent TB and the regimens that come with it.

In the words of my favorite German, Albert Einstein, "Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance you must keep moving."

Keep pedaling,

Moody but TB Infected

Profound

As this week winds down, loyal readers, I would like to leave you all with something I found to be profound and true. Sometimes, being sick can make someone feel alone and alienated from healthy people. Feel isolated no more fellow tubies!

"Tis healthy to be sick sometimes." - Henry David Thoreau

Thank you, Mr. Thoreau.

For the rest of you, put that in your pipe and smoke it!

It's Friday, Holla!

Peace!

On It

Nothing too new to report on today. I am sure you ALL (the 4 of you that read this) will be happy to know that of all the things I forgot today, work keys, work badge, my coffee, brushing my wild hair mane, deordorant, perfume, I remembered to take my INH for the 16th day...IN.A.ROW.

This BZ is on top of this!

Holla to my East Coast readers.

Day 15

Day 15 and I am still going strong. I have to say, and I never thought I would be, I am OBSESSED with writing on this thing.

See you all tomorrow.

Shout out to my loyal readership in and around the Portland area...HOLLA!

Keeping in the Know

Here we are, still together, at Day 11. I have been continuing to take my medication, staying on top of my game.

As a side note to the TB treatment plan, this blog's goals are becoming a reality almost weekly. When setting this up, one goal I had for "Moody but TB Infected" was to document my TB treatment plan and the roadblocks that could get in the way.
Another goal was to get those without TB knowledge into the loop. With this blog spreading to the masses, I have educated AT MOST 3 people on this disease. That is pretty awesome. To think, those people know a little more about TB than they probably ever wished and/or cared. To those that are now more educated on TB thanks to me...you're welcome.

It's Friday, Holla!

Cat Stevens and Lil' Ol' Me

I have been on my TB treatment plan now for almost a week. So far so good.

Because it is Friday, I thought it would be fun to share what other celebrities have had TB. Not only will this information be a little food for thought but maybe by having these big time names in my blog my visitation numbers will increase.

Ulysses S Grant and Andrew Jackson were believed to have had tuberculosis. Eleanor Roosevelt also had TB back in the day. King Tut and Cat Stevens also had TB. Hitler and Edgar Allan Poe were creepy enough, that it doesn't surprise me one bit of each of them having been exposed to TB.

I can't believe some of the high profile celebrities that have had to deal with TB. Who isn't interested in and love doing web searches on Cat Stevens? I think his name being associated with my TB will definitely bring some more numbers in.


(Imagine from: mackadoos.blogspot.com)

Cat Stevens upcoming tour dates:
Dublin- November 15, 2009
Birmingham- November 23, 2009
Liverpool- December 5, 2009
London- December 8, 2009

Treatment for days 4 and 5 in the bag!

It's Friday, Holla!