*sniff*

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The sun appeared. The clouds parted. A beautiful rainbow painted across the sky—

Drawing a deep breath, Jenniper gasped... “I can breathe!”

And then a thousand angels gathered in chorus: “Hallelujah!”



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Appointment with the specialist went well. I’m not going to lie, it was an unpleasant visit, but I must admit things are feeling much clearer today!

We had a little chat about my 10-week ridiculousness, and then he had a look at my CAT Scan. “So…yeah. Your CAT Scan. Well, it looks just crappy.” [His words, I swear]. He explained that the reason I’m still having symptoms is because the infection is so bad, all of my sinuses are clogged. The antibiotics have probably killed the infection (or at least sterilized it), but because the mucous isn’t draining right, I still feel like caca.

To be sure, he decided he wanted to take a look up there. So first he sprayed my nose with this lidocaine stuff to numb it. And if you’ve never had a numb nose before, believe me: it’s weird.

Then he stuck a laryngoscope up in there to take a look around. Essentially, it’s a long tube with fiber optics so he can see what’s going on in my snotty head. The yellow circled part is the part that goes up there. [shudder]



Yes, it was unpleasant. It didn’t actually hurt, but that’s because my nasal passage was numb. But lemme tell ya, a few hours later I was feelin it. And 4 Advil didn’t quite do the job.

After determining that there were no polyps or some bizarre reason why I’m still sick, he decided to do a little vacuuming. This wasn’t the major flush-out surgery hoopla (that might come later), but it got some guck out—and it was GROSS. That is all I’m going to say about that.

So now I’m on a more specific antibiotic (to make sure the infection stays bye-bye), and a kick-ass decongestant/expectorant to loosen Mucous & Friends up a bit. Then the really fun part is the Nasal Rinse!


I know, it looks simple enough. But ladies and gentlemen, the bottle is as big as my hand. My whole hand, people! And you know what I have to do with it? Squeeze saline solution up one nostril until it starts coming out the other one.

GAAAAAHHH!!!

Alas, I must admit… The disgustingness is a miracle. I have been able to breathe through my nose all day. I can’t tell you how that feels! It’s like a cup of hot chocolate on a snowy day. It’s like a cocktail after a long work week. It’s like an elephant ear at the state fair. Perfectly baked Butternut Squash. It’s like that first sip of cold beer at a baseball game.
It. Is. Pure. Fabulousness.

Now, I feel it is necessary to ad something here. Now don’t get me wrong, I am THRILLED that this visit went well (hear that, God? I am grateful, OK? Don’t go bringing the mucous back to smite me). But why is Buddha’s name didn’t they freaking tell me to do the nasal rinse 7 WEEKS AGO when I went to the doctor the first time!? Oh the time, the frustration, the money it would have saved!

But it’s OK. It’s OK.

Because dammit, I can breathe.