Croaked for 10 Days

I was hit by the worst bout of laryngitis and sinusitis. It lasted like 10 days. I only felt better today. It hasn’t fully subsided. It would take another week to clear. Ugh. Luckily I had meds. Throat was scratchy that night, and I know my whole body. This was unusual. The next day, I hurried to the clinic before it flared like crazy. 

Since this visit was covered under company insurance, I had gone to the GP clinic to get prescription meds, stronger antihistamines and anti-inflammatory things. I had a feeling. I also wanted to ascertain if it was Covid-19. It wasn't. And if it was indeed a strain of flu, then that flu vaccine I took last month wasn't very effective huh.

The throat felt like stinging nettles partied in it for three days. The headaches were bad. But no runny nose, no fever. I was sort of functional. It felt like a cold. It felt like a full-blown allergy flare of sorts. I've had this before, but I haven't had it for years. I wisely skipped Pilates and Gyrotonic and gym classes for three days. Then I went about my schedule, albeit seeing fewer people (in case I am contagious), and taking it easy.

Then the sore throat receded and the entire oesophagus felt burnt. I completely lost my voice. Then the fluids begin running around in my head. What the. I recognized this finally. Laryngitis and an old ailment I haven't been hit with for years — sinusitis. I doubt it's fungal. For now, it's still viral rhinosinusitis. Thank goodness for prescription meds of chlorphenamine and prednisone. These in tandem can calm the immune flare, but yes, in about 10 days or so. I can go back to over-the-counter antihistamines and Neuflo after that. 

I'm still croaking. I went off coffee and alcohol for a week too. I couldn't deal with them. The sensitive throat and immune system simply rejected them.

LA-Style Galbi

Needed to tank up on protein and less of carbs. Had an odd little craving for Korean food. To a conveniently-located casual Korean restaurant for some grilled meats it was. With the floofs, we wouldn't be able to do anything fancy. Also, I'm not keen on hanwoo beef or any marbled/fatty meat; fancy restaurants tend to do hanwoo or wagyu. Zzzzzz. 

Toddled off for an easy dinner at Korea House on Killiney Road. We avoided it for a bit when the construction across the road made sitting outdoors unbearable because of the noise, dust and swarms of mosquitoes. Now it has quietened down. We like this restaurant for its casual vibes and decent quality food. I wouldn't call the banchan here amazing, but they certainly are generously and don't stinge on the variety. 10-12 little dishes appear each time we visit. 

Grilled beef and lettuce are quite my thing. But there must be garlic. Without that garlic, it's a tad sad. Tonight's LA-style galbi (grilled beef shortribs) with regular beef hit a spot for us. I really like crunching the flavors of garlic, lettuce and beef together. Mmmmm.

Rice wasn't necessary although it was very nice to have a bite or two. On a night I want rice, I would eat that bowl. But tonight, I wasn't interested in having the rice.

G and the husband wanted soup. They didn't want it spicy. They chose a seafood doenjang-jjigae. I didn't mind a few sips of the soup since this didn't hold gochujang. We were greedy and ordered mandu too. I like the restaurant's version of non-spicy pork and cabbage mandu. Three pieces in a portion. One for each of us. A big mandu. NOMS. 

I skipped the beer and stuck to a glass of lemonade diluted with tons of ice cubes. My throat isn't in the mood for alcohol or coffee just yet. Luckily for me, I have no interest in fried foods, except hash browns. Hahahah. So I have obediently stuck to easy food and proper hydration. 

Off to Dim Sum with O!

Happiness is having a meal with O and having a chat with them. I haven't seen O for months. She had leave to clear, and time for lunch with us! Hurrah. She missed Choya and wanted a venue that welcomes floofs. So we went to the dependable Black Society. It's not a dog cafe, and the menu has got some decent standards. 

It was an easy dim sum lunch. We didn't go overboard with the amount of food. We were hungry, but we didn't want to over-eat. Dependable dim sum appeared on the table. I also wanted the braised chicken feet. They do it fairly well here. Some restaurants use weird braising sauces and that kinda sucks. The husband needed more protein, and there were beef balls for him. We didn't have that much carbs. Shared a savory carrot cake, char siew bao and char siew cheong fun. 

I'm avoiding caffeine and alcohol. Yup, can't even quite stomach coffee which sort of irritates the throat. I'm still croaking, and the restaurant's cucumber-sour-plum concoction soothed the throat. 

I haven't thanked O properly for always checking in on Choya when we're away, or if the husband needs their help. So this meal was on us! Choya was pleased to see O too. She settled down by O's side all through lunch. This lucky Smol Girl got a Momma-approved new toy from O!