Closing That Chapter

I'm aliving and thriving. Almost.

Back to see the doctor again today for what turned out to be the final time. The throat culture results were in and showed that it was indeed a staph bacterial infection in my throat. The interesting thing on the lab report was where it showed a list of antibiotics and their effectiveness against it. For example, this strain was shown to be resistant to both penicillin and amoxicillin. Obviously this explains why I didn't get better after the first course. The cefuroxim, which I ended up taking next, was shown to be effective.

The only problem, and the main reason I went back again today, is that I now have a light red rash all over my stomach, chest, arms, and back. So although effective, I had an allergic reaction to the medication, and this probably accounts for the reason I feel like my body is still fighting something.

Good grief. What an episode. We'll file that one under "nasty little staph infection which I pray to God to never have again." So I guess that goes under "N"? Anyway, I'm glad it's not mono, as I wasn't particularly looking forward to another month or two of recuperation.

I'll be returning to the office on Thursday. Seems like I've been gone forever.

Drugs are My Friend

I've been in to see the doctor Wednesday, Thursday and today. Things only got worse over Wednesday night and I needed something badly to put me out of my misery as I was barely able to sleep again. I was truly a wreck. So on Thursday morning, I got additional painkillers and an injection in the ass which was to make me feel "100% better." Who could turn that down? Hell, I'd take it for a mere 25% improvement. My God, it lived up to the hype. Almost by the time I got home, I felt much, much better. The pain was gone. My glands stopped screaming. My ear stopped aching. So it enabled me to get some sleep in both the afternoon and a decent night.

Woke up this morning and could tell that the effects were wearing off, and within an hour I was back to feeling like crap. So went back to doctor as he suggested and got another shot - this time on the other "cheek." She was going to do it in the same spot, which was still a bit sore, so I put in a special request for the other side. Guess it's some crazy concoction of steroids and anti-inflammatory medication. All I know is it worked again today.

I hate having to talk to people like in the doctor's office. Because my throat is so swollen, I speak with a slight speech impediment. It's like trying to talk while gargling water. Or amaretto or any drink of choice. Well, combine that with my German, and it just comes out all wrong. In fact, it seems to hint at the presence of mild retardation. I'm surprised they haven't wheeled me over to the mental disability center for "additional tests."

The belief is that it's mono. I'm a bit concerned about the weekend since I know this injection will be wearing off in the morning and the doctor's office is closed for the weekend. He gave me some even stronger meds to help get me through though, so we'll see how it goes.

My flight left for Italy this morning. I wasn't on it.

God: Please Take Me Now

Really, God. My bags are packed and I'm waiting. Don't be shy. I'm ready.

I now have the nastiest sore throat in the history of sore throats. It hurts like hell. You can't see down my throat anymore - everything is swollen. And that damn uvula is swollen and hanging so low that it's literally resting on my tongue. I can't talk because of it. And I can't sleep because it hurts so badly. I wake up whenever I swallow.

After taking Monday off as well, then suffering through a day of work yesterday, I went straight to the doctor this morning. The doctor at work made a call and found anther doctor for me. The first thing he said when looking at my throat was "Oh dear." They took a throat culture - actually he called over the receptionist to do it. Jack of all trades, I suppose. He says I have tonsilitis, but isn't sure whether it's a result of a staph bacterial infection or mono. So I get to try a different, stronger antibiotic as well as a painkiller.

I was trying to figure out what this painkiller is exactly, and then I found this description online: "Metamizole sodium is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), commonly used in the past as a powerful painkiller and fever reducer. Metamizole was first synthesized by the German company Hoechst AG in 1920, and its mass production started in 1922. Metamizole was banned in Sweden in 1974, in the United States in 1977; more than 30 countries, including Japan, Australia, Iran, and part of the European Union, have followed suit. In Germany it became a prescription drug..." How fun. Bring it on. It actually tastes pretty good - I put 30 drops in water a few times a day and down the sucker. I'm desperate - I'll take anything right now.

I don't think I'll be taking the planned trip to Italy on Friday, which really upsets me. I already cancelled the room reservations. At any rate, I'm home for the rest of this week.

Still Clinging to Life

What a week. Made it to see the doctor at work on Wednesday and she checked everything out, noticed the swollen glands and red throat. She must have thought it was a virus as she didn't prescribe anything. Have gotten worse since then, so went back again today after arriving at work. Different doctor in this time, and I liked him much better. Didn't take long for him to look at me and say that he thinks I need to be on antibiotics. Says it could be a virus, but looks like bacteria to him. I never remember my neck being this swollen and sore. And my tonsils are red, swollen, and have clearly defined white spots on them. And they hurt like hell when I swallow. It's great. So he wrote me a prescription and I left work by 11am.

I don't know what on earth I've contracted, but I never ever want to have it again.

Wanted to gargle with Listerine during the week to help kill germs in my throat, and didn't have any on hand, so I gargled with... Amaretto. Good lord. First it was hard liquor for stomach aches, and now this. Perhaps I'll publish a book on the wonderful medicinal uses of various alcoholic beverages.

At any rate, it will be another quiet weekend at home for me. And if I survive, then I can go ahead with plans to go to Naples and Rome next weekend. Should be enough incentive for my body to fight this off.

Help

I just checked the back of my throat for the first time today. I clearly have a case of tonsilitis. I grew up with sore throats and strep all the time, but I have NEVER seen my tonsils this enlarged, red, and pussy. It clearly explains why my glands and neck are so damn sore. If I'm not better tomorrow morning, I will have to find a doctor, which I'm not looking forward to doing. May have to ask coworkers as I don't have a clue where to begin. And then there's the task of finding one with open office hours tomorrow, which would most likely be for a two hour window. The very thought is making my tonsils grow more inflamed.

I'm Siiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiick

Not feeling so hot here. And suffice to say, probably not looking it either. After thinking I was fine after surviving the migraine earlier in the week, Friday brought a fever, sore throat and aches everywhere. So I stayed home from work. I have prescribed myself a strict regimen of alternating Tylenol and Ibuprofen, which are both doing wonders. It's very noticeable as soon as one or the other starts to wear off, though. I'm keeping both within reaching distance.

I'm sitting here at home all day with my scarf wrapped around my neck. It's very comforting. Eerily comforting. And it makes me feel like I've finally become what I've always wanted to be - a German woman. Hell, I think I'll wear this look to work on Monday. Wait a minute - am I going to work on Monday?

Are You Ready to Jump?

Two thumbs up for the weekend. All day Friday, I had the song "Jump" by Madonna stuck in my head. This thing was front and center in my mind the entire day. This may have manifested itself into me singing it constantly to coworkers. And, there may have been a few random emails sent out telling people to get ready to jump. Once I left work, I went home and made sure it was loaded on my mp3 player for the trip to Munich. It was the first thing I played after heading out the door, and finally getting to hear it was like an addict finally getting what they need. Pure bliss. I suppose it's safe to say it's my favorite song at the moment. Makes me love Madonna all over again.

Stayed with a friend in Munich - and soon realized he wasn't kidding about having a club in the basement of his building. You can hear the music from below if you're in the bathroom. Great location, though, and only a 5-10 minute walk to the main square. I didn't bring my camera but after being there got the itch to take pictures. I just didn't want to lug it around all weekend as it's not exactly the smallest or lightest thing. We walked all over the city on Saturday, and by early afternoon, I had developed an increasingly painful stomach ache. It actually got quite bad, and my main concern was not being able to continue with evening party plans. My only thought was that if were food poisoning or some kind of stomach virus, that I could possibly kill it with good old hard liquor. Well, wouldn't you know, but it did the trick. Within the next couple hours, my stomach was completely fine. And I was feeling fine as well, if you know what I mean. This also led to the fact that I had a buzz from about 4pm to 2am. We bar-hopped a bit and ended up at the club in his "basement." And guess what song came on while we had prime spots on the dance floor? You got it. Add that to the weekend highlight reel, Marge. It was really a fun evening.

Slept in late on Sunday and headed back home on the train at 3pm. Got in and found out my Uncle had passed away on Friday. He had been battling lung cancer over the past two and a half years - which had spread and led to brain tumors, surgeries, etc. Took a nasty turn for the worse in January, so it wasn't all that unexpected. Funeral was today.

Got a splitting headache at the moment, which has been hanging around all week. Not sure what's going on, but I do know I"ll be crawling into bed early tonight.

Me to Munich

Holy crap - That was a close call. Italy and Chicago are a go, but almost not. My manager approved the requested vacation time today. I had the signed sheets lying on my desk, and as one of my coworkers came by to discuss a new task, she noticed them and got worried about the dates I'd be gone at the end of February. Suddenly before I knew it, my manager and team leader were at my desk as well. Good lord! My initial thought was to scratch the original evening plans because the new task would be figuring out where to dump my coworker's body. Meanwhile, the three of them were discussing whether they would need me in the office at that time since it was right before a big deadline. I sat there in knots while they went back and forth. Finally, it was ok'd. For the second time. My weak heart can't take any more of this.

This all meant that I could proceed with the evening's original plan, which entailed packing and preparing for the weekend in Munich. I leave right after work on Friday. There aren't any concrete plans except for a night out with friends on Saturday night. Anyway, I'm looking forward to the mini-getaway.

The workday ended with me breaking out into a spontaneous rendition of "Stop! In the Name of Love" for my fellow-trainee who sits next to me, complete with hand motions. She seemed to enjoy it. God it was a loooooooong day.

Have a great weekend.