Friday, November 9, 2012

10 Days of Thanksgiving: Day 2

Today I am thankful for my health.

I think our health is something that we can at times take for granted.  I know I certainly have at different points of my life.  Luckily I have not had any serious illnesses, but I was quite sick last year for about 5 months and it definitely impacted my quality of life. 

I often get frustrated because I feel like I do all the right things (exercise, get plenty of sleep, eat a healthy diet), but sometimes our health is just out of our control, as was the case last fall when I had a sinus infection that refused to go away, and ended up having sinus surgery.  Surgery was my only option as no antibiotic could get rid of my infection, so it's not like I had a choice in the matter, but I was skeptical about whether it would truly fix things.

Well, I am thrilled to say it did!  I have not had a sinus infection since my surgery and will say this is probably the healthiest year I have had in years! 

Besides being thankful for the fact that sinus infections seem to be a thing of the past for me, I am also thankful for the healthy marathon training season I had.  Becoming a runner has definitely hugely contributed to an improvement in my body image.  As I've said before, I no longer obsess over my problem areas and instead am just thankful that my body can do things like run 26.2 consecutive miles!  I mean, it's pretty amazing when you stop and think about it!

So here's to what will hopefully be another healthy year!

19 comments:

Stephany said...

Yay for sinus surgery being so successful! I'm glad you are having a healthy year after what was a terrible end of 2011. I couldn't imagine being sick for 5 months straight!

I'm thankful for my health, too, and the fact that I am a pretty healthy individual and have no health scares to worry about. I try not to take that for granted, especially now that I have a friend my age who is dealing with cancer and that REALLY puts things in perspective for me!

missris said...

I love this thankful thing. I think it's so easy to take your health for granted...until you're sick or hurt. I can't imaging what it must be like for people who are always sick or hurt, or have a disability that affects their health.

Marlys said...

The pain was worth the results! I remember how you felt following surgery but also amazed at how quickly you recovered! I'm so glad you had that surgery!

abbi said...

That's great that the sinus surgery has been successful. I know I often take my good health for granted too often, very good reminder!

Amber said...

Yes I am very very thankful for my health. So many people in the world are not so lucky.

Leigh said...

Woo hoo for no more sinus infections for you! I am currently battling a cold....it's not bad, just more one of those annoying tickle in the back of your throat coughs. I haven't had a cold in a long time, so I am hoping it goes away soon! (that sounded whiney and I am sorry)

Have a great weekend!

Melissa said...

I'm so happy that sinus surgery seems to have fixed all your problems. You really were sick for so long, and it's crazy because you're so good about your health! But it's like you said, it really is out of our control sometimes. Health is so important, and more important that it's never taken for granted. Great post!

Nora said...

So glad the sinus surgery helped; I just said to my dad the other day that I haven't had a sinus infection since I got so sick earlier this year and it's been glorious. I think I finally found the right combination of allergy meds, sprays, and environment to help me stay healthy. It's so lovely!

Alli said...

Ditto! I feel so blessed that me and all of my loved ones are in good health. (Though I'm really superstitious so I just did this fake spitting thing that Jews do after they say good things so as not to jinx them. Yup I'm THAT crazy.)

Nilsa @ SoMi Speaks said...

Today, I am thankful I have understanding friends. Today, in particular, it relates to me being ridiculously tired and feeling like I had to cancel plans with a girlfriend tonight. She was super understanding and I thank her for it.

But, your post reminds me how thankful I was for our AMAZING health insurance. From the time I got pregnant through Gavin's stay in the NICU, including all my monthly, bi-weekly OBGYN appointments, my early check-in and stay at the hospital, my c-section and continuing stay at the hospital and Gavin's five weeks in the NICU, we paid a grand total of $20. One co-pay at the beginning and it covered everything. Gavin's bill alone was $150K, I think my hospital bill was $50K and who knows how much all those doctor's visits cost. If we were to go through the same thing now (our insurance has changed), I'm quite certain we would be responsible for at least $20K (ouch!).

Jolene - EverydayFoodie said...

Good for you for having such a healthy year :-)

San said...

I totally agree. Health is so important. And you brought up a good point: sometimes, even if you do EVERYTHING right, your health is out of your control. That's why having health insurance is so important (I think).

The Many Thoughts of a Reader said...

iam thankful for you, my dear! ;)

Raquelita said...

It's so easy to take good health for granted. I'm really glad that the surgery helped you so much! I remember how miserable you were last year from all the sinus problems.

Becky said...

Health is a huge thing - as much as I've felt like I've struggled with it this year it could be so much worse and I know people deal with things way more complicated. I'm thankful for health too!

Lisa-Marie said...

I am also thankful for your health.

You are right - people really do tae health for granted - as you know both Dave and I have health issues (his much more serious than mine, mine more constantly. low level sucky) and I do work hard at being healthy.

Oh, and I meant to tell you - this week I did my first run in two years. I am doing couch to 5k, and will work my way past that. You are pretty frickin inspiring.

Kyria @ Travel Spot said...

Yeah you have had some bad illnesses! I think that you become more grateful once you have gone through that. I have not had too many problems and I still totally take my health for granted!

Elizabeth said...

Yea that the surgery fixed the issue, and I agree it's incredible what our bodies can do! Health is a GREAT thing to be thankful for!

Lauren @ Sassy Molassy said...

Yes, whenever I'm feeling blah about my body or whatever I remind myself that I AM A HEALTHY HUMAN BEING. Not everyone is so lucky. I don't have a disease, I can do the activities I want and eat the food I enjoy. ALways good reminders. And I'm glad your surgery has helped. I get minor sinus infections several times a year (I think). No bueno.