For the last 6 weeks I've not been feeling too well. Just before Christmas, I caught a chest infection. This was followed by bronchitis a week later. The infection did disappear soon, but I was left with incredibly painful coughing fits. After 4 lots of antibiotics, X-rays, blood tests etc, I was finally sent last Monday to a chest specialist at the hospital, who diagnosed Cough Variant Asthma. This is a temporary asthma that makes my lungs sensitive to just about anything (cold, wet or dry air, cold and dairy drinks, exercise, bad positioning of the body) and is incredibly unpleasant and draining. One of its side effects is that I got what's called a Cough Syncope, which means I faint when I cough too much. Two weeks ago, I was sitting at the computer, started coughing, and the next thing I knew, I was on the floor with blood gushing out of my forehead. So, apart from anything else, it's obviously quite dangerous.

Nevertheless, I am now on a new course of tablets that I hope will put me on a road to recovery soon. The mucus at the back of my throat has disappeared to be replaced by incredible dryness. It's a weird feeling, as I want to cough and there is nothing there to cough up. Since the beginning of this year, I've already gone through 7 jars of honey, and I'm about to put my coat on and go get another one.

Due to all this, the Open University short science course I was doing has fallen behind ever so slightly. Thank God I can submit the assignment again in April. Only thing is - I'm about to start a proper OU (e-commerce) course in 5 days, which obviously will take most of my time now. Nevermind, all for a good cause.