Is that even a word? If it’s not, it should be. OF COURSE, I can’t just wonder, I HAD to look it up, and yeah, if you’re wondering, it IS a word. It means upset, confused, and that’s what I am. Can’t seem to get my feet totally under me since getting back from Florida. Actually, it began there, now that I think about it.
When I woke up the first morning at my aunt’s house, when I sat up, the room started spinning. I thought, “Whooooooaaaa”, and wanted to put a foot on the floor to stop the spinning. Reminded me of some of those mornings back in “the day”…but on this particular morning, there was no reason to be spinnin’….in college, well, plenty of reason.
I didn’t think too much about it until later that day on the beach. Aunt P lives about 45 minutes from the coast, and I couldn’t wait to get there! It was a BEAUTIFUL October day, and when my body’s that close to sand and surf, well, I’ll kn
ock down old women and children to bury my toes in the sand. This is not something I’m proud of, but it’s the truth. Forget my aunt, forget my kids, forget Tad, in less time than it’ll take for me to finish typing this sentence, I had my suit on, a drink in hand, and cross-my-arms-blink-blink I was out the door. They know this about me, so thank goodness, they’re a rather forgiving lot.
It was high tide, so there wasn’t much beach to set up a chair, which was fine, because really, how much room do you need? In spite of the salt-rusted hinges, down went the head of my chair in full recline, out-in-a-pop unfurled my hot pink beach towel covering fine woven plastic, and down I plopped, fat, dumb and happy (actually, only one of those three, and if you choose wrongly, I shall hunt you down and hurt you. Choose wisely, I’m discombobulated. And postal.) About this time, the kids had found their way to the beach, too, that’s important in this part of “the telling”.
As soon as I tilted back my head to lie down, the room started spinning. Except this time, there was no room…instead, it was blue sky and white clouds and a loud ocean and glittering sand and high-rise condos…. aggggggghhhhhh! It was wicked and nauseating and totally disorienting; my first thought was “Oh, no! I’ve got a brain tumor!” (Yeah, you may laugh out loud, it was funny to me then and it’s funny to me now.) Thomas or Stephen asked me something right about then not knowing I was about to hurl the cinnamon toast I had had for breakfast. All I could respond was “Shut up! Don’t talk to me!!” which will win me no “Mother of the Year” awards but will earn you a mouthful of vinegar at home (if I follow through with remember the punishment). That is how bad I felt in that instant and my next thought was “I’ve gotta ride rides tomorrow???!”.
When Tad came out, I told him, and he immediately diagnosed my condition: vertigo. Verti-freaking-go… He added matter-of-factly that 90% of people will experience it as some point in their lives, this info from a guy he works with who has debilitating bouts of it.
So, there ya go, I totally believe that’s what’s wrong with me. This diagnosis was confirmed many times based on internet research of my symptoms (I’m sure real doctors HATE that!), I have yet to see a REAL doctor or be treated for it, and yeah, I’m still dizzy (but mainly when lying down or getting up). If I
r e s p e c t the vertigo (aka move very slowly), I can minimize the spin.
But to prove how much I love the beach and how quickly I’ve had to “get there” all my life, lookie here: me as a four-year-old bathing beauty, the only time in life chunky legs and a bulging tummy are CUTE. Couldn’t be bothered with the time it took to put on a swim cap…Nooooo, I don’t need no stinkin’ swimming cap…swimmer’s ear be darned**!
(** I gotta tell ya…Stephen just came and sat down by me while I was checking this post…and he said pitifully, incredulously in a high-pitched little boy voice, “You CUSSED on your blog??” **sigh** don’t think I’ll ever garner any Mother of the Year votes…I changed it for him.)
I couldn’t see the picture -dang.
GO TO THE DOCTOR!
You could have some inner-ear infection and not even know it – and that could be BAD like lose your hearing bad!!!!
If it is simply some weird onset of Vertigo then you are fine – if your kids were suddenly getting dizzy, you’d take them to the doctor – treat yourself accordingly!!!
Vertigo is a regular uninvited guest in my home/head. I can rarely lay on my back or look up. And I don’t recommend getting high (I mean “climbing” ladders, etc. – what did you think?). But, yes, you might want to see a doctor to make sure (though I never have). 🙂
Nice legs.
ooh, that does not sound good. Being dizzy from the rides, yes..but vertigo..No. Hope you get back on your feet soon!
I agree, go to the doctor!
Nice picturs o/
It is probably BPPV – benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, which is what I have. Here’s a website:
http://www.tchain.com/otoneurology/disorders/bppv/bppv.html
Little bits of debris get into the ear canal and disturb the tiny hairs in the ear that help us maintain balance. I get worse vertigo whenever I am having my seasonal allergies because I’m blowing my nose so much, forcing debris into the ear canal. There are exercises you can to do try to get the debris to shift away from the canal but I haven’t found those to be very helpful. There is no medication that I know of that can help this.
my 1st comment (oct. 7) was that you make me dizzy 🙂
sorry about that crack
Oh, I am so sorry to hear this…just when you could be having the most fun…at the beach. It does sound like verigo however I have never had it, I know other that have. Despite that I love your humor in all of this. Your blog is always uplifting. I hope the vertigo gets better so you can enjoy the beach!
Very funny post. But I have to say that I agree with Karmyn (she beat me again dammit), I think it’s a middle ear infection, you should get it checked.
Holy Molley I don’t know what’s going on but all of a sudden I’ve got spell check in comments!!! This will save me some time.
You shouldn’t tease me like that! I rushed home, almost wrecking my van, sacrificing life and limb to “see” this post. Oh well, sorry to hear about the dizzy spells. If it’s to the point of nausea, you probably should seek a Dr’s opinion. See ya in the morning.
Karmyn (tail between my legs), “Yes, mom.” So far, hearing is fine…….
Dan, here’s a stereotypical thought…Why are men so quick to suggest others go to the doc when they refuse to themselves?? (I don’t have to go any further than my own husband on this one…). You really should have that checked out if it’s that frequent of an (uninvited) guest. Oh, and ty ;).
Claudia, on my feet, yes, 100%, no.
LCO, thanks & yes ma’am to you, too (maybe it’s your fault for making the dizzy remark to begin with!) ha!
Sally, thanks for the link, your explanation sounded like several I’ve read.
Nancy, WELCOME! Have you posted before? If you have and I’ve forgotten, it’s b/c I’m discombobulated…I can’t help it ;). Thanks for your thoughts & encouragement.
WT, that’s what you get for heading to the coast without advance notice. I don’t get why YOU (a Blogger traitor) have spellcheck in your comments when I (a Blogger holdout) do not. Maybe it’s that Beta thing and they’re trying to lure you back. Speaking of back, welcome!
CR……HEEHEEGIGGLES AND MORE! Gotcha, you dirty old man! Ok, you aren’t dirty or old, but you are a M-A-N, clearly by the “almost wrecking my van, sacrificing life and limb to “see” this post” comment. SR is gonna whip your tail! Or mine :O). Or both. Tonight was great, huh? I was proud of the way you “took care” of Ry-Ry with only minimal complaint ;). One day you’ll miss these days.
Who am I kidding?? THAT’S one thing I DO.NOT.MISS!
Get better!!!
heh heh. So you admit you’re a little “dizzy” now, do ya??? Just Kidding!! 🙂
Seriously, please do go to the doctor. Take care of yourself.
I love how you were able to bring humor into this story.
BTW, what a cute kid!
I get fluid in my ear (I have terrible allergies, and post nasal drip… sorry TMI, lol), I agree you should have it checked. If it’s just fluid, you can take some antihistimines to dry it up- it doesn’t always cure it but it helps. Or like Karmyn said, it could be an infection. Though self diagnosing seems like it might save you a doctor visit, it could be harmful… better safe than sorry.
OK, I am done nagging. I hope you feel better soon. :O)
Malissa, ty sweets.
AV, I’m coming to Deleware to whip your tail (but I’ll probably get lost reading the map…). 😉
And, thanks, you were the only one who noticed my inner beauty :).
Mert, it doesn’t seem like allergies…I’m not off balance, but durn, I’ve had several “spells” today :(. I guess I’ll really have to go dagnabit.