Garden of Grandeur

For years, when attending barbecues, outdoor sporting events, and working in my own garden I have been faced with allergies. Without fail around the same times each year I start to feel like I might be getting a cold, but I know all too well that it is my allergies acting up again. My whole family can tell from the ridiculously deep hoarse voice I awaken with, and the never ending supply of tissues I keep nearby.

This is not a little reaction I have, in fact it usually renders me couch bound for up to seven days. The worst part is that this strikes just when everything outside is in its most beautiful forms in my opinion. So, I often miss out on being in my own garden that I pour my heart and soul into for the best parts, like our regular start of spring barbecue.

At this point you may be thinking that I am a fool to continue to suffer through my symptoms when I could very easily, and pretty painlessly just go and get a scratch test, otherwise referred to as the skin prick test, to identify precisely what it is that my ears, nose and throat are so opposed to. Well rest assured I have had all sixty of the most common allergens pricked onto my back.

However, while many individuals have successfully identified their allergen foes I am not one of those lucky ducks. No specific allergy match was made for me in the fifteen minute window following the scratches. The redness, itching and/or swelling that I was told might take place did not. So, I was no closer to profiling the enemy that brings me watery eyes, a runny nose, sneezing, and eventually fever.

The doctor explained that there are so many things that I could be allergic to that the skin test is only thirty percent effective in discovering such a nemesis. He then named a bunch of other ways we could proceed, but stated that we may never really know what it is that ails me. Thus, I decided to stoically carry on year after year that followed.

But, I now believe that my allergies have gotten worse, and I am ready to try to eliminate the problems I encounter whether it be through a prescription, or shots. I deserve to experience all of the seasons that my garden exhibits on my own terms, should that be from the wicker rocking chair inside, or the wooden garden furniture under the English Elm tree.