I have chronic sinusitis. Surgery helped, but the problem will always be with me. Diet, water, rest, and non-prescription medicine helps, but the sinusitis is still with me. On non-sinusitis hours and days, it is easy to forget that I have a chronic problem. It is as if it doesn’t exist! Combine that with great food, fun with friends, and being outdoors and “I’m whistling, laughing, and jumping for joy; I’m singing your song, High God.” (Psalm 9.2)
Yesterday I met another with sinusitis. He is headed to surgery on Thursday. In an otherwise tense moment, there was a shared bond between us.
“When the sinusitis hits, the pressure is overwhelming. One simply wants to die.”
I understood. Like many things, each unique, for those that have had “the” personal experience, there is a belief that unless you suffer the same you cannot understand. My head tells me this is not true! Overwhelming pain is just that, overwhelming. When it does not go away, sinusitis or anything else, it can be debilitating. In the midst of my pain, having another in the same condition made things easier. It was as if we were sharing a common load.
At the time, I enjoyed the moment of share misery and moved on into the discussion at hand. As I woke this morning with a sinusitis block and headache, I remembered. Others suffer as I do, many in ways that are far worse than what I am going through. Even in my tears, I know others have it worse.
There are things that I can do to help prevent the occurrence. Getting plenty of rest makes a difference. Staying hydrated helps. Most importantly, letting go is a key to prevention. Life reminds me that stress in all its forms is a key contributor. One cannot always avoid stress. In my experience stress is a normal part of life. It is what I do with it that matters.
There are treatments for the blockage. Even as I begin, I remind myself that there is more I can do with prevention.
