Regular readers may notice that I haven’t posted in awhile…

I’ve sick been (again). Body aches, cold shivers, lying in bed for 3 straight days. I think it’s a confluence of not having gotten over my previous sinus infection and another flu virus. I was supposed to fly out of the country, but had to delay my flight for a week.

While I’ve always had sinus infections and the flu at least once a year, I’ve never had such bad illnesses back-to-back. Trying to think it through, I think it’s because I’ve had 10 years of awesome Silicon Valley / California weather, and the winters here in Vegas are so much harsher. Let’s hope my immunity builds up in time for next winter!

Anyway, I’ve decided that the doctor that I picked earlier just isn’t going work for me…

• The Levaquin that he initially prescribed for me, I’m not sure really worked. Maybe it did, maybe it didn’t. All I can say is that at the end of the 10 day course, my sinus was better but still congested. Is he a bad doctor for prescribing me medication that doesn’t work? Is it fair to hold your doctor responsible for prolonging the illness by not prescribing medication that works?
• Trying to avoid being a hypochondriac, I usually try to tuff-out any sickness until Friday. On Friday, I usually decide that I can’t go through the weekend with the symptoms, so I need to see a doctor so that the anti-biotics get a chance to work over the weekend. This new doctor doesn’t work Fridays…
• Because I’ve been struggling through the weekend, I want to see the doctor first thing. This new doctor doesn’t come in until 1pm on Mondays…
• I’ve had more sinus infections that I’ve had birthdays. I know what the symptoms are and what the cures are. This new doctor needs to “see me” before prescribing anti-biotics. WTF?! What magic machine does he have to physically use on me to validate that it’s a sinus infection?
• Given that the Levaquin he originally prescribed be didn’t work, you’d think he’d at least try to get me something before this weekend. But no, apparently he has to see me first (on Monday) and told me to go to Urgent Care if I need to over the weekend. Lovely bedside manners!

Oh, how I miss my old doctor from California…

No matter how much reflection you put on a logo, a website just isn’t Web 2.0 until it has a cool “loading” icon. Thankfully, ajaxload.info allows anyone to generate their very own custom-colored icon!

Even me

Some of you know I moved to Las Vegas just this Summer.
Summer was hot. Incredibly hot at 130+ degrees Farenheit! At 10pm at night, the summer nights might drop to the low 90 degrees.

But who knew, that it also snows in Vegas!
Here are some videos I captured while driving today…
Click on the (small) green Play button on the bottom left to view the videos.
Co-incidence or not, at the time of the filming, I was listening to Hotel California by the Eagles, from the Hell Freezes Over album!

Due to my sinus problems, I’ve managed to compile a list of “good stuff” (just in case there are others out there with similar problems)…

1. Saline spray: I think “Ocean” is the brand name, but generics work just as good. It’s basically over-the-counter salty-water that you can shoot up your nose to help “irrigate” your sinuses. This is good if you need to moisturize your sinuses (e.g. in dry climates), but apparently the salt helps fight off bacteria (kind of like gargling salt water if you have a sore throat I guess).
2. Afrin (oxymetazoline): I buy the over-the-counter 12-hour non-drip severe-congestion kind. This is some crazy stuff, it near-instantly opens up the sinus to allow easier breathing, and really slows down the mucus drip. Not supposed to use for more than 3 days straight.
3. Entex (guaifenesin and phenylephrine): This is one heavy-duty prescription medication. Dries up congestion near-instantly and lasts a good 12 hours. I find that over 5+ days, the effectiveness seems to diminish.
4. Mucinex DM (guaifenesin and dextromethorphan): This over-the-counter medication is amazing! The 12-hour extended release pill kicks in within 15 minutes and has full effect for at least 10-11 hours. I’ve only used it for a couple of days (was recomended to try it only recently) but I’d say it is as good as Entex, without the inconvenience of getting a prescription.

Needless to say, I’m not a doctor and don’t play one on TV. This is just to share my thoughts on my medication. As they say, your mileage may vary.

Today would have been my dad’s 72nd birthday…

I dedicate Jerry B Jenkins’ Sweet Sorrows in his memory.