June was Full of Junk

This month was one of those hard months. I didn’t really seem to catch a break, and still am not catching a break. Once I got back from my vacation, I went through a rough patch.

First, I was sick right after vacation. I am still slightly working my old position and also working my new position at work. Then, I tried these essential oils one of my coworkers gave me on my hands to help me with my sore/scratchy throat. I rubbed it all over my hands and took deep breaths of it. A couple hours later I had this gross bumpy-rash all over my hands. I just brushed it off as nothing and then my throat started feeling weird later that evening and it felt like it was swelling and closing up. So, a trip to the ER from my wonderful boyfriend and a 2,500 dollar 4hr ER visit happened. Thank goodness for still being able to be on my parent’s insurance until November, because it significantly decreased my cost to around 400 dollars. Still, that’s a lot of money.

Fast forward a little time, they had me on prednisone, which is a steroid. The pharmacist and ER doctor did not inform me to taper off of it (even the prescription bottle said nothing about tapering off). So, I ended up having withdrawal symptoms. I was throwing up, sick to my stomach, and having sweats for about 48hrs. Finally, I was fine.

Then, somewhere in this time-frame I woke up and went to my car and noticed my windshield cracked halfway across the glass. Then, recently, my phone (which I only bought two months ago) wouldn’t start up. I bought it from Amazon and they only had a 30 day return policy. So, I went a bought a new phone. Cha ching.

To top everything off, as many of you that know me personally already know that I am severely allergic to artificial food dyes. Well, it’s not technically an allergy, but it’s easiest to describe it that way. So, pretty much if I ingest enough food coloring I could technically die. My parents used to say to people dye=die. However, obviously I am not dead and obviously I accidentally ingested some otherwise this whole paragraph would be pointless. So, long story short, somehow I ingested some food coloring and I am currently dealing with the pain that is associated with it. Luckily I am on the healing end now. I have an autoimmune response towards artificial dyes and the outcome is getting blisters down my GI tract and from those, I bleed internally. Talk about painful!

Also, as a few of you who look at my facebook know already, the company I work for was sold. We just learned the news a week ago and the sale is final this Friday. The fear of the unknown is so real. I wish I could say that I am totally not affected by it, but I completely am. It will be like starting from scratch. My entire job is changing due to our community no longer being a Jewish affiliated company AND we will no longer be kosher. I have learned and grown so much by working in such a strict religious community; I wouldn’t change my experience for the world. I have learned so much about the religion and I am super fast at finding the kosher symbols on food and drinks at stores. I have always been a person who likes being in control and someone who fears change unless I am the one who chooses to make the change. If that makes sense. So, this sale shocked my whole world. Yes, I still have a job…and for that I am very thankful, but it is like starting an entire new job. This Friday will be like a first day of work rather than just another day after almost one and a half years. It’s a huge change, but I am excited for the new possibilities and the new challenges that face me. I love to stay busy and I know I will be very busy and kept on my toes for a while with this new transition.

Due to all of this, I have Dyshidrotic Eczema. Pretty much I have these little blisters outlining my hands as if someone was tracing my hands, but instead of using a pencil they traced them with little blisters. Usually it is stressed induced and I am sure that is the answer to why I have them. They are only noticeable if you really look, but I am constantly aware of them. This is the first time I have ever had it, but I guess some of my family have had it before too and it is caused by stress.

On average I have been getting little amounts of sleep (around 5hrs a night according to my fibit), but I am working on it. One of the reasons I started my 30 days straight of watching the sunset is because sunsets are my happy place. I just get energized on life again. Seeing nature light up right before darkness is a really awesome event that I can take advantage of every night. I am doing it for my mental health, but also because it is on my 25 at 25 list. Also, living a mere 5 miles from the beach makes it easy to make an evening out of it. My boyfriend and I walk along the beach until the sunset and then walk back and we both live so close that I can still get home and hang out with Halo before I go to bed. You seriously can’t beat it. Or, I can drive less than five miles to a cute marina and look at all the boats come in and go out while watching the sunset. I have definitely found my happy place. I just need to convince my family that this is the way to live! Then I could be completely content.

I think the moral of all my ranting is that although this month has been a hard one, it did go to show what is important. Sure, I have had some health issues lately, but I am thankful for health insurance. Yes, I am going through some financial stress with all of the unknown expenses, but that is why I have my savings account. Yes, I am scared of the new transition at work, but I am excited to take the challenge on. Also, I have realized what a strong support team I have. My family, even when they are over two thousand miles away are always so supportive and always ready to listen to me and give me great advice. My boyfriend has been so sweet and caring that it makes me cringe that he has had to deal with me not being 100% for so long, but he hasn’t even shown a smidgen of frustration with me. My friends have been so supportive as well. I can’t tell you how many of my friends from Portland have checked in on me with texts, calls, and video chats. Also, my coworkers are all supporting each other through this transition at work. I honestly can’t complain in the grand scheme of things.

People have bad days, months, or even years; however, you really just need to focus on the good that comes out of it. I hate change that I don’t choose, but who am I kidding? I can’t control everything in my life. Even if I had the ability to do so, I wouldn’t be where I am today. So many great things in my life have come from changes I didn’t make. I just have to remind myself that.

Here is an update on my 25 at 25! Can’t believe I only have five more months to complete the rest!

1. Receive another Promotion or Pay Raise (Raise, Nursing Support, Raise, Director of Community Life)

2. Walk the Length of the Gulf to Bay Bridge

3. Vacation to a Place I Haven’t Been to Before  (St. Augustine, CUBA)

4. Learn a Song on my Guitar (I have had it for 10 years and have yet to learn a song on it, this year is the year)

5. Skydive

6. See the Sunset 30 Days in a Row

7. Buy myself a nice camera

8. Read at Least 12 Books for Leisure

9. Float a Florida River with Friends

10. Go to Screamaggedon or Halloween Horror Nights or Howl-O-Scream

11. Go to Plant City for the Christmas Lights

12. Start/Continue to Volunteer at the Humane Society of Pinellas County

13. Have a Friend Visit from Out of State (Marco)

14. Go to the Venetian Pool in Coral Gables, FL

15. Join a Gym and then Run a 5K

16. Attend Gasparella

17. Go to the Mineral Hot Springs in North Port, FL

18. Go Paintballing

19. Go Camping in Florida

20. Go on a Helicopter Ride

21. Complete a Random Act of Kindness Monthly (Donated over 50 articles of clothing)

22. Go to a Seminar/Talk regarding Dementia

23. Cook a New Meal Twice a Month (breakfast casserole, loaded twice baked potatoes)

24. Go to the Dali Museum

25. Start a YouTube Channel (even if I keep it just to myself)

See you all on July 11th for another project!