My Body And Health Keeps Changing My Travel Plans

For the second time in two weeks, my body has told me I need some time away, and it’s twice affected my travel plans. 

Hospitalized, Stuck

A couple of weeks ago I was in Florida and found a familiar pain that I haven’t felt in the better part of a decade. It seemed as though a kidney stone was making its way through my system but as similar pain can come from a number of other maladies, some of which far more serious than passing a stone, I still went to the hospital for a professional opinion and a scan.

The scan confirmed a stone was on its way and while I am not particularly prone to kidney stones, this one was trapped in a tough spot. I was sent home with some medication to help with the pain and to pass it. Despite narcotics layered with ibuprofen, the pain was unbearable 36 hours later and under the advisement of medical staff, I returned to the hospital where they admitted me. If the stone would not pass in the next 24 hours, they’d need to perform an operation. Luckily, that wasn’t necessary, I left the hospital the following day in the afternoon.

We hosted a dinner that night, though I remained tender, and then drove 17 hours home to Pittsburgh which was probably not the best decision.

Down For The Count In Omaha

A week later, I was preparing to depart for a family trip to Omaha, Nebraska where I grew up. I had a slight sinus infection but nothing out of the norm, my kids had it too but they were able to shake it. Congestion during the flights to Omaha left one ear popped nearly the whole week and while I’d normally quickly recover from a sinus infection, this one had me flat on my back sleeping 12-16 hours a day while my family visited with friends and relatives.

After a few days of it not getting better, I went to a doctor again, this time diagnosed with both sinusitis and an ear infection. A prescription was written and followed but 48 hours later and things still hadn’t improved. I couldn’t chance my ear drum rupturing so we will be, once again driving back, this time a brisk 14 hours with my wife at the wheel.

I Need To Take Time For Myself

It’s been an eventful summer to this point, busy with meetings, lots of business activity, late nights, early mornings, and I have not allowed myself to rest. For the first time in my adult life, this has been a problem. My body and health are failing me even in the simplest of sinus infections, something that I have dealt with extensively since childhood, is now insurmountable.

I need to take time for myself, time to heal, and time to renew my strength. I need to cancel some meetings, take a lighter load, and sleep. I need to delegate more and do a little less.

My challenges have reminded me that if I don’t prioritize a slower pace, my body will make sure that I rest whether it’s convenient or not. It’s a much easier life to just take care of myself than try to repair myself.