The Triple Whammy...?

Ended up going back to Misericordia Hospital again Friday after work.

I've steadily been getting better, most of my symptoms have gone, and my medication has run out. However, last Tuesday I started coughing up blood...

I haven't been hemorrhaging or anything, just had small amounts of blood in my sputum any time I had a coughing fit. The boss got worried and took me to the hospital himself.

So, after the super-cute nurse examined me, she handed me a magazine, smiled at me, and said "There are a few charts ahead of you...", which apparently means "Hope you didn't have any plans tonight..."

An hour and a bit later, an obviously overworked doctor came in. She listened to my breathing and heart, examined my ears, nose, and throat, and said "You're fine. You likely ruptured a few capillaries when you were coughing, which led to blood in your sputum. So go home!".

Ended up meeting my new friend Karen at a cafe near the hospital (we'd had plans to meet earlier, but being at the hospital sort of killed that...). We had a few coffees and some pastries (both of which were great) and shared an interesting conversation.

All in all, it wasn't a bad evening. Apart from being late for a date 'cause I was in the hospital.

Bronchitis and Sinusitis: The double whammy

Ugh.

I've been laid up in bed since last Friday.

I had a number of sinus headaches pretty much all last week, but I ignored them. Foolish human.

I was feeling particularily bad Friday at work, and by the time I got home, I was ready to drop. Headache, fever, chills, and a nasty cough.

I stayed home Saturday (apart from a quick trip to 7-Eleven), which was a good idea. The headaches had gotten worse, the chills and fever got much worse, and I couldn't stop coughing.

By Saturday evening, I was hallucinating. Nothing tangible, just white blobs of light, and a few spots thrown in for good measure. My mind started going weeeiiird, I mean weirder than usual...

If it weren't for the pain and risk of permanent damage, it would have been a blast! I only wish I'd started a tape recorder or video camera up, because I'm sure I said some interesting things.

Sunday was a bit better, the fever let up a bit, and I was able to get up to change my sweat-soaked bedsheets and have a good shower. But I still had that nagging cough, chills, and wicked headache.,.

Got no sleep Sunday night, which prompted me to call in sick Monday. Boss wasn't happy, but oh well, I was sick. Monday night wasn't much better... every time I coughed, my head would POUND with sinus pressure... and as such, I got NO sleep.

I got up at 6am yesterday, and hopped the bus to the 24-hour urgent care ward at Misericordia Hospital. Didn't have to wait long to see a doctor, as the chronic visitors (both legitimately sick and those who just need social contact) don't normally start showing up until 9am or so.

Several hours of gowns, xrays, and radiologists later, I was given the news... bronchitis and sinusitis. Got a doctor's
note excusing me from work for both yesterday and today, along with a prescription for nasal spray and some antibiotics. Boss wasn't happy when I told him I'd be out of action until tomorrow (Thursday), but, well, I'm sick.

Man, six days cooped up at home. If it weren"t for the CBC, I woulda went stir-crazy. I had the TV in my bedroom tuned permanently on CBC Newsworld for the entire duration (well, when I was awake).

So, thanks to Heather Hiscox, Sarika Sehgal, Peter Mansbridge, and all the rest for keeping me sane during my illness.