Well, it’s August first and I still don’t have anywhere to live come end of September. We’re planning a trip out to Phoenix soon to take a look at possible places. But it’s all very nerve-wracking. Especially for a person like me who likes to be all settled. But the docs are saying it’s the best thing I could do for my allergies and asthma problems, so it’s a health-motivated thing. The allergies out here are pretty brutal. I’d like to feel healthy again! Soon! Anyone with a nice house to rent in say, the North Scottsdale area should contact me right away 🙂
Speaking of nerves and doctors…I’ve been feeling sickly for the last month or so…fatigue, sore throat, etc. I also had a numb hand (which I mistakenly attributed to carpal tunnel.) Well, went to the doc, and after some blood tests it turns out I have a serious vitamin B-12 deficiency that was causing a lot of my fatigue/sore throat/numb hand stuff, as well as a generally crappy immune system. Huh. Apparently, when you don’t have enough b-12 it can cause numbness and tingling. Yikes! And some common drugs leach b-12 from the system. So, if you’re feeling tired and numb, go out and get yourself some b-12 stat! I’m taking 1000mcgs lozenges under the tongue each day (apparently we don’t absorb b-vitamins in the stomach very well, hence the shots and lozenges and other delivery systems.) This has been Jeannine’s monthly public health announcement.
Also, a little good news: my interview with Matthea Harvey for the Poetry Foundation (Post-apocalypse, Poetry, and Robots) a little while ago will be sent by the PF into syndication this fall. So it may pop up in a newspaper near you!
And I promise to get back to doing mini-reviews and poetry-talk soon…This week I’m entertaining my parents in this small town by the sea. We’re taking a four-hour whale-watching tour (I’ve never done anything like it, but I have seen whales twice while living here – once on a ferry, and once while vacationing on San Juan Island.) Should be fun! And windy.
Collin
I hope you find a place you like soon. Not knowing where you’re going to wind up can be stressful. Hope you have a good weekend with your folks.
Lana Hechtman Ayers
Jeannine,
Just an fyi. I remember someone mentioning a pollution problem in Phoenix. http://phoenix.about.com/od/weather/a/browncloud.htm
Will this be bad for your asthma?
Take good care and enjoy your visit.
Hugs,
Lana
Emily A. Benton
Jeannine,
you may have just helped me a LOT. I’ve been having numbing/tinglyness all year, and my doctor said it’s probably stress related since my blood levels and pressure and everything are fine (so no risk of blood clot or stroke or anything.) she tested my thyroid, too, and I’m fine. but I still get the numbness! I’m going to have to run by the drugstore on the way home sometime this week and test the b-12!
Charles
My boyfriend owns a condo in Central Phoenix at 20th & Osborn…if you’re interested, I can see if he’s really serious in moving out/moving out to DC with me!
Backchannel me at cjensenatwriterdotorg.