CML Summertime Blues

I love summer, I love our garden, I love floating the river, I love having our grandkids in our home and so many other things that summer brings; what I don't love about summer however, is the heat. I have never liked the heat of summer and have always been a bit intolerant of the direct sun and being hot.

Hot for me is anything over 80 degrees in a dry climate, and 75 in a humid one; my intolerance doesn't bode well for the season. Having CML has made me even more intolerant of the heat. During the summer I must keep all of my outdoor activities to either early or late in the day, and remain indoors during the hottest time of the day.

I have found that I sunburn more easily, and quickly become nauseous and get headaches if I am not careful; my eyes also ache while in the sun. In order to make the summer more tolerable, I always wear sunglasses, light clothing, a hat and sunscreen. I also remember to stay hydrated by drinking lots of water (sports drinks are probably a great idea, too) and I have found that bringing a small cooler bag, filled with frozen ice packs, is a lifesaver. I bring them everywhere I go; they are especially helpful when getting into a really hot car. I place them on my chest and the back of my neck until the air-conditioned cools the car. I have also strapped them around my torso with a back brace when I am visiting the Palm Springs or Phoenix areas.

Running cold water over my wrists, when I am extremely hot, also helps; as does a cool shower or bath.

Remember that heat stroke is an extremely real complication, especially for those of us with CML.

The major signs and symptoms of heat stroke include:

               1. Nausea

               2. Vomiting

                3. Fatigue

                4. Weakness

                5. Headache

                6.  Muscle Cramps

                7. Dizziness

Let’s have a great summer while trying to remain as comfortable as possible!