h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Bronchitis again... basically bordering on pneumonia if what I coughed up the other day is any evidence (eewwww ). On antibiotics (same as last year), just took the last pill today, but the meds will be in my system for another 5 - don't you just love technology? Feeling slightly better, but still of poo, so I'm going to the one last time this afternoon just in case it's gotten worse and not better down in those lung things of mine (I don't ever remember waking up at 4am and coughing till I cried last year when I had bronchitis - not the pain, cause there isn't much, but the *force* of the coughs).

Mother pointed out again last night that if I just calmed down a bit my body would probably heal itself and I'd quit getting sick. The irony is that I feel perfectly calm... I just am totally unhappy and frustrated and generally ticked off at the world. The bad part is that I don't care, and I've had enough psychological training to know that that's a sign of clinical depression. So maybe I need to start visiting the counselor again, I don't know. Something's very wrong here, and I don't know what it is or where it came from or why it's doing what it's doing.

Been sleeping a lot (in between violent coughing spasms), coughing a lot, blowing my nose a lot, sobbing a lot, and generally not attending class. I sound like a mess.

So: now that I've got you all worried about me, I've a few request of those of you who talk to me often for counseling. Namely: don't. I can't give any sort of advice right now - my body dislikes me right now and so does my brain, so whatever I say will be of no help. This means in no way that I do not love you. I just need time off. It also may mean I need to get away from this glowing box for a while - for a few days, even, so if I'm not around, rest assured nothing's wrong, otherwise mom would have told you. I'm hoping to maybe go to my grandmother's maybe this weekend if I feel up to it or in two weeks (as Dan's coming over the 15th), so if I disappear, don't freak. Please. We have enough of that going on inside my head as it is.

*pause*

Anyone know how to relax correctly?

that has just made me realise how lucky i am

here

*not quite sure how to take that*

good point

excuse me im just being an idiot as usual!

Tis okay... I'm just hypersensitive right now and in need of a lie-down.

ok honey

i shouldnt really put my foot in it! but hey thats me all over! if you ever find that method of how o relax properley let me know will ya!

The relaxation advice I usually give isn't something your lungs'll let you do right now

You can call me and vent to me, if you need to though... If you've got enough minutes on your phone... Or I can call you so's you can vent. And I can bore you with pregnancy stuff

just off to me mums now but would like to talk. maybe some other time?

anyways honey

i hope you feel better and soon and if you wanna chat just leave me some kinda contact details

take care

Thanks, guys. I might take you up on that, Amy.

OK. Who would be calling whom? And remember the time difference--I'll be home around 8 pm your time

I can call you if you want... 8:30 my time sound okay (gives you a bit of time)? Hopefully I won't have redeveloped laryngitis from coughing by then.

8:30 sounds fine Shouldn't be eating yet by that time, especially if I manage to get home first and start dinner myself (now that cooking smells don't bother me anymore, I'm trying to cook more again)

aww Amy

Relaxation? I don't know if you are anywhere near an aquarium or have anyone in your dorm who keeps (are you even allowed to keep goldfish there?) but a really good way to relax and breath more calmly is to sit in front of a fishtank and just watch the fish. I doesn't even matter if your mind is in a million different places as you watch them apparently (and in my experience it is true ) just watching the slow and graceful way that fish move and breath is a sure fire way to force your body to relax

Focusing on your breathing (difficult if you have a cough I know) is generally a good way to relax Try to breath deeper than normal and even silly things like counting your breaths or alternating breathing through your nose and mouth are surprisingly effective!

Poor Amy... sending you my best wishes and a

Amy when I got bronchitis last year it was cos I was working 70/80 hours a week and worn out. I was told to stop and slow down..so do the same. I didn't get better until I took some time off and rested. I can remember trying to sleep sitting up because of the coughing. Has the doctor given you an inhaler?..it does help.Your college work can wait, they can give you extensions, rest ...or you won't be fit to come visit!I'm looking forward to meeting you.

I've emailed all my professors to let them know I'm ill - so I'm planning on taking the rest of the week off. Whether or not they'll give me any extensions, I don't know, but they'll just have to because I'm not really fit to go to class.

I'm going to ask the doc today about possibilities of bronchitis-induced asthma (because it gets worse when I'm running around campus), so maybe i'll get an inhaler thingie or something.

But mostly I'm just staying chained to my bed, where I can sleep.

It's probably making you feel depressed as well. I can remember being in tears and I'm not a tearful person. Take care of yourself.

It is. I'm not very weepy, but I spent last night whimpering to mom online. It's sort of a carryover from last semester - I'm just sick of being sick, sick of a lot of stuff, and still frustrated, anxious, and feeling stuck. I think I may call up my aunt and uncle and see if I can't stay at their place in Roanoke for a weekend or something.

Good Idea! You whimper as much as you like..you are ill.