This Explains So Much

I have an actual phobia!  Found the following on MedicineNet.com:   "Cryophobia: An abnormal and persistent fear of cold, including cold weather and cold objects. Sufferers from cryophobia experience anxiety even though they realize their fear is irrational. To avoid cold, they may live in a warm climate, dress more warmly than necessary, stay indoors on cold days, and avoid cold foods and ice cubes."  I thought I never made or bought ice cubes because I was lazy, but now I can blame it on my condition!   And the reason why I cannot bring myself to eat any cold meat isn't because it's disgusting, it's because of my debilitating affliction. 

I'm focusing on this serious, delicate, personal matter today because I am in San Diego and am currently freezing, even though I'm wearing sweats while sitting infront of a blasting space heater.  There are waves, but I'm a prisoner of my sickness, so I can't paddle out until the sun is capable of giving me melanoma.  I know there are others out there just like me.  People who pack for tropical vacations by making sure half of their wardrobe is suitable for a freak cold snap which could very well happen.  People who assume that maybe they dislike the cold because it reminds them of living in a cold, boring state; therefore, they associate cold with grossnosity in general, never suspecting that they are cryophobic.  People who have lived in FL for over a decade and still make sure they have towels in the car (blankets would be a dead giveaway that they are covering up their frigid albatross), just in case they break down in a snowstorm.

This picture is so symbolic of my disease.  (There is no known cure at this time.)  At first you laugh, and think it's kind of ridiculous.  And then a closer look reveals that this adorable thing is suffering!  Please keep me in your thoughts as I deal with this diagnosis which pretty much blind-sided me.  I feel better just knowing that I am not alone in my long fight to get my life and core body temp back.

(photo from jiveturkey wordpress)