My Attitude Is Showing

Mood: a little down
Listening to: Miami Valley Musicast and Coverville

I'm feeling a little down right now. It's a combination of a lot of things; some circumstantial and some biochemical. I'll explain why in the paragraphs below:

I've had this congestion for some time, and the medicine I'm taking for it has these side effects: loss of appetite, drowsiness, dehydration. It's supposed to thin the mucous out so it can be cleared from my system. I only take a half a tablet in the morning when I get up for work, and I take the whole tablet at night before bed.

My lower back and left leg are giving me some problems, too. I mentioned in the podcast that the doctor has been concerned it's a pinched nerve. In addition to the pain, my left leg feels weaker than my right, so I have a limp. I had an MRI done on Thursday, and I'm supposed to get the results today.

The doctor gave me a prescription for Vicodin, and I've been reluctant to take a whole pill of that because of its sedative effects. Especially when I have to drive. So I didn't take any this morning. I probably could have taken a half a pill when I got here, but that might have impaired my ability to do my job.

Also, I saw on the medicine description sheet that came with the filled prescription that antidepressants might interact with it in a negative way. I haven't been taking an antidepressant, but I've been taking St. John's Wort (SJW) instead. The comment nevertheless has made me reluctant to keep up with the SJW.

This morning when I woke up, I didn't have much of an appetite, but I ate some toast, a cup of milk, and some juice anyway. I finally opted to take some St. John's Wort because I could tell I was heading into depression.

I drive an hour along Interstate 75 to work and back three days out of the week. This morning, our car conked out about 2/3 of the way there. It turned out, after the one jump start that got me to the end of the exit ramp, and the other jump start that failed after that, I needed to get the battery checked out.

I want to thank everyone who helped me today get the car off the highway and helped jump start the car. I wish I could remember everyone's name, but the only one that comes to mind right now is Miles. He helped me get the battery out, and I walked over to the auto parts store, which was fortunately really close to where I'd broken down at.

The auto parts place put it on a charger for an hour, and it seemed to do the trick. The name of the place is Parts Plus, at exit 38 (Ohio route 73).

I got to work, and I found out from a coworker who serves as a liaison to the insurance company that getting approved for a pre-existing condition is a lot more complicated that we've thought. It just added to my frustration level. I'm still not over it yet.

It will get better, and I feel fortunate that these things have happened the way they have so far - so many blessings. It's just a lot to handle right now.

I prayed on the way up here and will continue to, trying to get and keep a right mindset. That will help a lot.