Allergic, to Ragweed? And I dare to pursue Allopathic Metrics

Ragweed, growing just outside our fence. I wonder if this is the culprit.

Ever since I returned from trip to North Carolina for the Crone gathering, I’ve noticed that I must be allergic to something. This is rare for me; in fact, I hardly remember being allergic to anything ever. But runny nose, sinus involvement, and weird coughing to clear my throat tell me it’s true.

Which means, I have a feeling, that for some reason my immune system is not working as well as it should.

Which is not surprising, given that the week with daughter-in-law Sue feels like a whirlwind that finally blew over. While we had a great time, I’m not used to such intensity for days on end.

At nearly 84 years old, I’d much rather be “at peace,” thank you!

Which means, I have a feeling, that my days as a long-distance traveler are over, or nearly over. I remember an aunt of mine, how she used to travel with groups long distance. I wonder how old she was when she stopped. Was she my age now? Older?

Today, after the third bad night’s sleep in a row (too much sneezing, coughing), I walked as usual this morning with Scampi. Before the sun came up. In fact, we got home after 3.5 miles just as the sun was peeking above the horizon. I noticed while walking, that my usual fast morning stride has slowed. Indeed, I have to remind myself to speed it up when I notice how slowly I’m walking. This unnerves me.

Growing older, yes, is not for sissies.

I hope to get a nap later this morning, so that I can go over to the nearby mall at 11:30, and the Endright Center for Aging, to sign up for a “health screen.” (Offered free, every six months.) On the other hand, should I do it now? Or should I wait until I feel more myself, more alive. Hmmm . . .

If I DO get a health screen, it will be the first time in many months of trying to figure out how I would go about it, the first time that I was able to actually check my health through the usual allopathic metrics. And, it would be the first time in at least ten years that I was inside, even briefly, the American medical system.

 

LATER:

I did go over to the Endright Center, and I did get a nap beforehand. That nap, in fact, seemed to have “cured” my  lingering malaise.

Meanwhile, my health indicators are A+! (I asked the nurse to add the A+).

I wonder if the nap itself shifted the metrics.