A pretty hankie and an ugly truth…

And to complete my outfit today I tucked a hankie into my belt and let it fly. No it wasn’t a fashion statement, but I do think it served its purpose a little more prettily than a tattered, wet paper towel would have. Despite my efforts to dab at my eyes and nose like a lady there was no way to prettify my nose running, throat scratching, eyes watering appearance. It didn’t matter how cute the hankie was (though it is adorable), it was still soaked in snot while its beloved owner moaned in pure misery, cursing every sniff and sneeze. If banging my face into a wall would have relieved my symptoms I would have done it – gladly. 

Allergies, allergies go away...

Now there was a day, not too many years ago – a little over two to be exact, that I considered allergies to by a mythically convenient condition that was used as a tool to coax undeserving pity upon its supposed victims. In short, I thought it was BULL. My sister would snuffle around the house blowing her nose and I would shriek at the piles of used tissues and lecture about getting some sort of drug to make it go away!!! My husband would wake up with watery eyes and grumble about allergy season, I’d roll mine, at him, and tell him to take a Benadryl without an ounce of compassion. I know that I’m painting a pretty heartless picture of myself – but there is something to be said for honesty, right? And I am getting my payback…or as my mom would say- my come-up-ins!   
 

Apparently pregnancy doesn’t just thrash your body, abuse your bladder and cause you brain to shrink (or at least that’s how it feels), but it also makes you more prone to allergies. Well that proved to be true for me at least – lucky me. According to the New York Times, “Being exposed to allergens when the immune system is weakened, as occurs after a viral infection or during pregnancy, can also set off an allergy. It is not uncommon for women to develop allergies after pregnancy.” (www.NYtimes.com) Now, don’t get me wrong, I LOVED being pregnant. I loved feeling the life within me; I was amazed by what my body (and God) could do. A baby was BUILT inside me – insane! However, the point is that as fall approached and I went into my second trimester I started to get a runny nose, then my eyes began to water. I assumed that it was a cold, but this cold lasted well through Thanksgiving. I finally had to admit that I was experiencing the full wrath of those supposed “mythical allergies.” Shame on me for doubting the damage constant sniffing and sneezing can do to ones sanity.   

As spring approached and my son was born the allergies returned with vengeance. On one Sunday in particular my eyes were so watery and itchy that I couldn’t open them at all. As I sat in our pew at church I kept my eyes closed through the entire mass, and when I did open them tears would pour down my cheeks. People probably thought I had some vigorous prayers, and I should have been praying for forgiveness for my lack of sympathy for the allergy afflicted… Instead I was considering the possibility of plucking out my own eyes. 

Well, to date I have experienced three falls and two springs as a victim of the now dreaded allergies. They are nothing to baulk at! I look at my strong and healthy son (praise God) and I can’t help but think that he sucked the immunities right out of me – and I would willingly give them to him, but I wish he had asked! And so today in desperation I looked up home remedies to cure allergies and numerous sites suggested this: Apple Cider Vinegar - take either as a daily tonic or at the first sign of an allergy (i.e., sinus headache, stuffy nose, watery eyes), one can completely stop the histamine response or allergic reaction.

Mix 1/8th cup of the apple cider vinegar in 16 oz of water and sip it throughout the day. The other method is to gulp the mixture at once. (www.earthclinic.com)

Of course I gulped it, and almost barfed in the process - Even though I love Dirty Martinis’ and pickle juice! I will let you know if it works - And if it doesn’t I plan on laying on my couch, draping my pretty hankie over my face and waiting for winter.