Sinus Infections: An Environmental Impact Analysis

First, let me preface this post by acknowledging the disgusting nature of the above photo. Second, I would just like to say that this photo was not taken by me or in my home. Thirdly, this photo could have been taken in my home at any point in the past two days. My evil cold from several weeks ago returned this past Sunday, but this time it quickly became a sinus infection. For those of you who are not lucky enough to experience a sinus infection , aka sinusitis, let me tell you the pleasures associated with this condition. It is like having a really bad cold with severe congestion with the added bonus of feeling like you have a piece of granite sitting on top of your forehead. So, I have finally turned to our friend (and foe), western medicine, and started a dose of antibiotics. Still feeling like shit, but hoping I will be able to sleep tonight. At the same time that I have been in this condition, Robb is in the final throws of his first semester in the master's in environmental law program at Vermont Law School. He has been busy working on writing all kind papers in legalease about topics such as land use and zoning regulations. We always share our writing with one another so I have really been trying to be a good listener and editor despite my compromised condition. The picture above of the sick little wolf with the academic-looking racoon reminded me of what Robb and I have looked like over the past few days, only with a little less fur. Robb is a really supportive and loving person so I know it is tough for him to try to balance his studies with my sickness. Still, he has brought me lots of juice, soup, and love. While I sit there looking rather pathetic with my red and runny nose, he "happily" reads his legal briefs and tells me how cute I look (In this case, beauty is really in the eye of the beholder).
As I try to rest, I have been thinking about the environmental impact of this sinus condition. First of all, I have used an obscene amount of tissues and other paper products. I was feeling mildly guilty about this until I learned that you can compost tissues. So, my winter infection could turn into a summer tomato. How cool is that! I have also been taking lots of hot baths and showers and using more than my fair share of the water supply. It is the only way that I ever achieve the feeling that I can breath through my nose for more than a nanosecond so I will just have to ask for forgiveness. On the positive side, I have been spending a lot more time in bed and consequently using a lot less electricity. So, I think it all balances out. So, if you are environmentally minded and suffer from sinus infections, take comfort in the fact, that during this sick period, you just might be carbon neutral.