Thursday, September 11, 2008

Goodbye Cruel World

My reluctance to go to the doctor has been well documented. Nothing against MDs or those of you who believe that "if one works, two will work twice as well." I just don't like the idea of medication. I believe that, in most cases, the body can heal itself. I'm not militant in this stance by any means. I mean, I love me some Nyquil. A girl's gotta sleep sometimes when there is just no more sleep to be had. And I realize that if I were in the hospital, they will need to use some sort of anesthetic before they removed the limb that needs removing (which, of course, is the only reason why I would be in the hospital in the first place...) But for a headache? Close your eyes and relax a bit - if it gets worse, go home...don't work. Sore neck? Just don't turn to the sore side. Duh.

All of that said, and not to get melodramatic on you, I think I'm dying. Seriously. I am sick sick sick, and since I have very little experience being sick, I have no idea how miserable I should feel when it's just a little sick vs. a big sick. That said, judging on how I feel, this is obviously a very serious illness and I am going to die from it. I'm chilling out on death's doorstep just waiting for the angels to come and take me home. (or for someone to help me into my handbasket. Either way.)

It all began at my parent's house over Labor Day weekend. I woke up one morning with no voice. The second morning it was a little bit worse. I just figured it would go away...something about the air down where my parents live has never worked well with me anyway. The raspy throat in the morning persisted and eventually developed into a cough. A rattling cough that sometimes produced grossness from my lungs. I was mildly concerned, but I didn't feel worse for the wear...I just had a cough. I sounded like a smoker, actually. I went ahead and participated in an all day, two-on-two volleyball tournament with this cough.

And then Monday came. And with it came misery.

Monday morning started off okay. My head was a bit stuffy, and I really didn't want to get out of bed, but I made it to work and had an okay day. By Monday night, all I wanted to do was whine about how I didn't feel well. Tuesday morning I knew I wasn't going to work (for long) and after coming home at noon and getting a quality nap in with the dogs, deciding that I couldn't possibly go to class and demanding that the boy come and keep my sick ass company, I called the doctor's office. (After that phone call, I asked the boy, in all seriousness, to cut off my nose with a kitchen knife to stop the DAMNED ITCHING that was making my eyes constantly water.)

I don't have any allergies of which I'm aware.

Which doctor? Good question, as I do not have a general practicioner. (I know, I know. Save your lectures for someone who's not sick at the moment.) I begged a referral from my boss and made a Wednesday morning appointment with his doctor.

The only outstanding memory I have of the doctor's office was a neat discussion about western medicine vs. herbal/organic supplements, and the fact that his scale confirmed my worst fear - that my home scale isn't weighing heavy by 20 lbs. Damn.

Apparently I am not dying. Apparently I have a "sinus infection." I still think that "sinus infection" is code for "dead in a week" but what do I know? I woke up this morning feeling better, but I still have that death rattle in my lungs, and the slightest laugh sends me into a coughing fit that brings tears to my eyes.

Because I've now pulled a muscle in my abdomen from the coughing and sneezing. I'm so old.

Never mind the old. It's a new decade, right? I'm going to learn how to take care of myself. I need rest, right? No volleyball, no stress, just sleep (and prescribed medication.)

So last night I went to volleyball - just to observe, mind you. I'm the captain of one of the teams, and one of the subs didn't know anyone else, blah blah, insert excuse here. I only played one game. One out of six! That's progress, right?

And tonight...well, I'm still going to lab. I have to go to lab. I can't miss lab. We're having a quiz tonight.

And tomorrow... I'm watching a movie with some friends after work. Um, I'll make sure to get home early.

Saturday? Well, I volunteer in the morning, but I should be able to sleep in the afternoon. That's it. I'll schedule in some sleep on Saturday afternoon.

See? I can take care of myself...

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

OMG this is a funny post! I agree. Sinus infection is secret code for deathly ill. At least you didn't pee when you had a coughing fit.

Candace said...

The seasonal allergies have been kicking my but also...I feel your pain. I am similar to you in my desire to never see a doctor and to never take pills but I do love the way my daily Allegra makes me feel in the spring and fall.

BSJ said...

Yeah, I don't have a doctor either. I live with a medical professional. If its that bad, she'll know what to do, right? I'm not sure she approves of this method, however... Preventative what?

Moore said...

I am glad you are better. I felt the same way about the GC. I recently went to one, though.

AnnD said...

I had my first sinus infection this year too and it. was. terrible. I hear you!!!

Farmerspice said...

well, I can't think of other than my "yearly" exam that I've found a need to see the doctor in oh...since I was pregnant, 5 years ago. Oh wait...after the accident last year I begged the family gp to prescribe me some good drugs. They literally asked if I was a new patient. Yeah...there is that. Shoot Drexel doesn't go unless I can't fix it. I can fix it can't I? I mean oh wait...I did drive myself to the ER last year when that horrible nasty flu went around and my arm went numb, my chest hurt and I couldn't breathe. Yikes. That wasn't fun. So nevermind this comment...we're a lot alike.

alisa said...

I just read this. Doctors = the Devil. Actually I don't really believe this, I think doctors are good and necessary as long as they aren't abused. I just posted on my OB/GYN. She prescribed me the DEVIL in pill form ...

I hope you feel better soon :)

Anonymous said...

Sinus infections are awful. Thankfully I'm down to only about 2 a year. Beware - if you keep up the working full-time, school, extracurricular activity thing you will be sick more often. Trust me. Hope you feel better soon!

The Carrels said...

Emily...let me put on my mother voice...go to bed...do not socialize with your friends...do not volunteer...get rest...eat soup (preferrably Chicken Matzo Ball from Shaprio's)...and sleep. You are sick and you need sleep to get over it!

ems said...

Um, I slept all day on Saturday. Seirously. Like, I volunteered, and then I slept until Sunday. I'm still not better, but it felt good to sleep that much :-)