A woman with a ‘man cold’

I’m not a good sick person. I blame a lifetime of mostly male friends, but I have somehow become a woman who gets “the man cold.” I don’t go full man cold, but the early signs and symptoms of the common cold somehow push me to dramatics more commonly seen during Shakespearian soliloquies. My most recent bout of sickness came with a collection of symptoms that triggered my mild hypochondriac ways. Perhaps it was the fact that I had a birthday looming and my mommy and daddy were out of town, but it just felt like this one was the one. This fatigue, fogginess and free running nose were going to be my new normal.

Having access to pharmaceuticals, I helped myself to a sample-stuffed cabinet.

Advil every four hours with a Tylenol chaser. The fog of nasal spray soon filled the air pierced only by it’s honking warning call.

Like minding the slow steady cook time of a fine cut of meat, I religiously checked my temperature. 36.9 degrees Celsius… 36.6… 34.2?!

Oh. Close your mouth, stupid. Crisis averted.

As you may have guessed, I lived. Touch and go for a while there, but I somehow made it through.

But how? When I had spent all those days circling the drain?

Simple. I got off the pharmaceuticals and focused on my fuel.

On the wise words of my sister-in-law, who is a nurse and accustomed to dealing with babies, I stopped popping the pills and amped up Mother Nature’s medicine.

On the list: Oil of oregano, fresh juice from my local juice bar, The Juice Press, litres of water and vitamin C tablets.

Growing up in the world of western medicine, this method of healing was often referred to as “Crock-Of-Sh*t-Tology.”

Suffice to say any attempt to defend this course of treatment routinely fell on deaf, terribly sarcastic ears.

Regardless of my most recent health triumph, I usually side with the majority of society that puts their faith in FDA approval. However, research suggests that there is something to this increasing interest in the natural approach to healing.

Be advised, I have my limits. A fan of sciences and all that is has done for us, I am not one to believe that green tea and breathing techniques are going to rid the body of cancer — certain courses of treatments are necessary and vital for fighting disease.

Trivia time: When the late great CEO of Apple, Steve Jobs, was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer back in 2003, he decided to delay his chemotherapy treatment and sought the aid of alternative medicine and “spiritualists” to fight the cancer. Though his family pleaded with him to initiate chemotherapy, he was adamant to maintain his fresh juice diet and spiritual journey.

Fast forward to Oct. 2011, when the world mourned the lost of the 56-year-old modern titan. Soon after, it is revealed through an interview with Job’s biography writer Walter Isaacson, that Jobs regretted his delay in seeking a more traditional form of treatment.

As with most medical treatments or procedures, I’m pro choice. Your body, your battle, but I urge you to take a look into some RELIABLE sources and maybe next time when a cold strikes, pop some produce in a juice rather than popping the pills.