So the good news: I am no longer dealing with intolerable sinus pain. Why I decided to get sinus surgery during the rainiest year we have had in Texas, I will never know. Although, by the looks of it, I would have had to put my surgery off until next year to have gotten around that.

Here is some of the progress I have already made post-surgery. More to come as I continue to heal!

Balance Issues – Resolved

I used to have an awful time just staying upright on a treadmill. I went to the gym and hugged the side rails for dear life. Even turning my head slightly was playing a dangerous game. I bought a walkpad a few years ago and was too afraid I would fall off of it to really use it.

Recently, I went to get some extremely light exercise and I found myself easily able to walk without holding onto the rails, and I could turn my head to talk to my friend without death gripping something to keep me stable. The balance issues had never struck me as part of my great sinus/airway equation, but it appears it was definitely related.

Motion Sickness – Resolved

By the by, if you ever Google to find a test to try to induce motion sickness, you will not find what you’re looking for. But shaky videos don’t impact me at all now. We were watching Farscape a few nights ago and saw the episode with Harvey and John on a rollercoaster. Dan commented how I should be utterly nauseous right now. But I was fine.

Alcohol Intolerance – Resolved

Prior to surgery a single sip of alcohol would make me feel like my soul had left my body and was waiting to cross over. My 30s started my progressive inability to enjoy a glass of wine or a cocktail. The last few months went downhill fast. But for Dan’s birthday party, I decided to have a mixed drink and surprise, surprise I felt fine after.

Sugar Intolerance – Resolved

I used to ask Dan to make me a mocktail when he was making cocktails so I didn’t have to sit out completely. But the last one I had made me feel like I should just curl up into a ball and expire. I thought maybe it was dumping syndrome or maybe when I gave up sodas I was suddenly unable to tolerate a lot of sugar. But I had no idea why a sugary drink would make me feel so utterly awful.

But my post-surgery mocktail tasted great and I didn’t want the lordt to take me afterward.

“Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)” – Resolved

I’m using quotes, because I most likely never had IBS to begin with. It seems like I was living with Vagus Nerve Dysfunction, which mimicked the symptoms of IBS and responded to IBS medication. But I haven’t used my IBS medication since the day before surgery and lo and behold: my symptoms never returned. I will be checking with my doctor about this.

I No Longer Need my ADHD Stimulant

Hear me out: taking the stimulant ensured I stayed awake during the day. I would start dozing off around 10am if I didn’t take it. If I am awake, I can focus on what I’m doing. Without the stimulant, I’m not focused (or awake). I always had a sneaking suspicion about the medication. But when I was prescribed it, I so desperately needed function, I didn’t ask any questions.

The question then presents itself, do I really have ADHD if I don’t actually have a problem with paying attention? I don’t think I’m qualified to make that determination. But it would appear that is not the case.

My Fingernails are Stronger

For the last 4-5 years my nails went from being relatively strong to suddenly bending, chipping, and splitting down the middle. I chalked it up to perimenopause. But last week I suddenly noticed that my nails had grown out far longer than they had in a while as I kept having to clip the back to keep them from chipping and splitting. Then I noticed my nails were way thicker, as well.

Apparently when you can’t breathe, your body can decide that things like your hair and nails are something they can ignore because… you know… it has to keep you alive without much to go on.

I am Vacation Calm

I felt really calm the other day. So calm it made me remember the last time we were on a cruise ship and the bliss I felt in knowing I was truly disconnected to life and able to relax. This all circles back to the fact I am no longer in fight or flight mode and my baseline isn’t panic.

I had my First Dream in about 5 Years

Sadly, it was a stressful dream. I dreamt I lost Triton in a shopping center parking lot. But the important thing was that I actually got into REM sleep and had a dream. I hope there are many more to come! Maybe a little more fun than that one.