Finding the Fun in FUNgal Infections

It’s kind of funny how things that would have driven “old you” crazy and last year you would have not been able to handle, have now become common place and just another day in the life.  I’m still playing the fighting two infections at once game (thankfully that number hasn't increased) and it’s gone from a serious struggle, to basically the “norm.”  There's this whole fungal infections have been playing games of hide and seek in my GI system since September.  Who knows how long it was hiding prior to us seeking it in September? 

I should probably make a tinder for it so it can find "true love" or even a fun night elsewhere and leave me alone.  If anyone is looking for a good time, its interests include: causing a ruckus, inducing nausea and the occasional vomiting.  It’s quite the strong-willed organism and the mild anti-fungals do nothing for it.  Maybe when stupid doctors make me try them, they’re in my stomach laughing thinking silly human thinks this will stop me?!  Hahahaha Try again.  Obviously I know that the infections aren’t saying these things, but at times I know what they are saying without them actually saying anything we're just on that level.

Thankfully I have some amazing specialists that understand my current circumstances are “complicated” as we’re in the process of diagnosing an immunodeficiency disease. They are willing to put me on long-term antifungals and antibiotics.  I was dealing with that fun on vacation as my old internist is functionally useless and if I wasn’t moving soon I’d be firing another doctor.

Due to the risks of this antifungal medication on my liver, I can only take it three times I week.  I’ve also learned that the fungal infection loves sugary foods so I mostly drink water.  I gave up desserts on-board the cruise to have some extra fruit or I avoided the juice or drink I may have wanted to instead enjoy something else sugary. It’s this really fun balancing game.  On the antifungal days I’ve learned I have more freedom to have some more sugary foods before I end up getting sick or curling up into a ball because my stomach hurts so badly. 

Yesterday on the flight home I was wearing my super awesome face mask and as always nausea was still quite prevalent.  I ended up getting sick on the plane and freaking out the flight attendant.  I was fine and like okay I’m kind of used to this so lets keep doing my thing.  She insisted on giving me stacks of paper towels, stacks of barf bags, and a whole white plastic trash bag I could use at my leisure. 

Last night on that plane, it hit me that life’s about finding the fun in FUNgal infections.  I could have been so angry and like why me and why did I throw-up as soon as I got on the plane (I mean I know why I throw-up because I took a risk and had dessert with lunch), but instead I dealt with the situation, popped some gum and kept smiling and doing my thing.  At this point, I try to not let things get me down as I’m not all about life.  I mean I throw the occasional pity party, but I don’t do my daily exercise as I swim through seas of self-pity.   

It's all about your attitude and how you respond to something.  I can’t be wasting my time or precious energy on feeling sorry for myself about things I can’t control.  Instead I’ll just focus on things I can control.  I’ve learned from that experience one shall never leave home without gum, a travel toothbrush, sanitizing wipes, and some barf bags.  See I’m still learning something new every day!