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.