Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Reports of my good health...

... on Twitter may have been somewhat exaggerated.

I'm no longer sneezing my way through ten trees' worth of tissues every day, nor running a fever, but I'm totally WEAK, dudes.  I feel great - when I'm lying down.

Yesterday I got really excited because I felt so much better than I had in a week.  In a burst of enthusiasm, I bundled up and took a trip to the grocery store, which is a ten-minute walk from my front door.  I got myself back, and even cooked myself a nice dinner, but by the time I'd been up and active for 90 minutes, I was beat.  I barely had the strength to sit up at the table and eat.  

It's not that my muscles are weak.  It's like, I don't know, I feel like my heart is actually labouring.  I feel drained and my heart starts to beat faster, which makes me feel anxious and cranky.  The bad feeling goes away if I lie down and stay still.  So.  Obviously I'm not ready to back to work just yet.  I could probably manage to walk myself there, but then I'd curl up under my desk and whimper piteously until I fell asleep with my head pillowed on my spare pair of shoes.

I finally caved and got a prescription for antibiotics.  I took the first dose this afternoon.  Totally terrifying.  I have a bad track record for side effects: if there's one to be had, I'll have it.  I usually avoid taking pills at all costs.  I can't even take ibuprofen anymore - the stuff burns holes in my gut.  Any cold remedy with ephedrine or pseudo-ephedrine is not an option because of what it does to my heart rate.  In my experience, the cures are usually worse than the disease.

I read all the possible side effects: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, bloody stool, etc.  Please God, I prayed, please just let these little pills help me.  I can't take barfing and the runs after the week I've just been through. 

Then I ate a granola bar, and tossed in two little Barbie-pink pills on top of that.  So far it's been over an hour, and no dreaded side effects, so I think I'm in the clear.  It's a small miracle to me anytime my body manages to tolerate a pharmaceutical product.

The bonus part of being home sick today was getting to watch live coverage of Obama's inauguration.  I'll just say that I loved his speech, and I feel he's a breath of fresh air that will benefit the entire continent.  I was happy to be a witness to this historic day.

Now I'm a little bummed because my cable cut out at 2:30 pm and hasn't been back since.  The cable provider's service line is playing a message claiming system-wide problems.  Look, any other time I wouldn't care, but TV is an essential component of my recuperation right now.  I need my opiate of the masses!  Give it back!

13 comments:

LL Cool Joe said...

I thought it was a very good speech too. I think this day is a great day for the world.

I'm sorry you are still feeling unwell, I hope the medication works. I'm not keen on puking up either!

Anonymous said...

Cable problems suck big time. Health problems suck even more. But when combined, oh dear.
How is your internet connection? High speed? Cable? DSL? I'm sure the Obamarama was uploaded or being shown through some streaming video or something.

Preity Angel... said...

I hope you will feel better soon

Warped Mind of Ron said...

Hope you continue your recovery and have none of the nasty side affects. Obama's speech was great and I can't tell you what a relief it is to have someone in office for the first time in eight years that I feel I can get behind. I truly hope his actions in the future match the words and ideals he has been portraying. Time will tell, but I feel optimistic at last.

Anonymous said...

I hope you feel better soon! HUGZ!

Dianne said...

I watched it all - one of the few perks of business being so slow.

I'm hoping you feel stronger soon - and that cable comes back real quick.

Kate said...

I had to give in to antibiotics last time, myself. And I'm not allowed to read the side effects before I take it. Someone else does. Otherwise I'm so worried I'll get them, I either don't take it or I manifest them. It's a horrible thing I do to myself.

Feel much better, chica. And keep laying low. That's the only way to get better.

Karen said...

I feel you on the weakness. I feel almost like my lungs are not giving my body enough oxygen to keep going. But I am short of breath.

I have a chest xray scheduled for tomorrow afternoon. The doctor feared walking pnemounia. Blah.

Take it slow and feel better soon.

Anonymous said...

Shucks, hope you get well now quick!
Poor you!

david mcmahon said...

Hope you're feeling better. I came here from San's site.

By the way, my next novel is partially set in your part of the world.

Sparkling Red said...

LL Cool Joe: Thumbs up! The meds are working wonders, and the only side effect is that they are giving me an odd sensation of wearing a glass fishbowl over my head. (Sounds are slightly distorted.) I can deal with that for a few more days.

WIGSF: The mixed blessing is that my husband works from home, on our only computer. So while his company is lovely, when the cable went down I didn't have the option of going online in the middle of his workday. Still, it was nice not to be stuck at home alone all these days. There was someone around to feel sorry for me and bring me a blanket.

Angel: Thank you! Your wishes are working. :-)

Ron: I feel the same way. A courageous, reasonable, and wise man is finally in charge, and it's about time!

Unsigned: :-)

Dianne: The cable came back on just after I posted my last entry. I was well entertained. :-)

Kate: Maybe I should try that: not reading the side effects. And also the laying low. I'm itching to get back to work because I know there's work piling up. Maybe I'll try half a day tomorrow? Or maybe I'll just collapse on my couch some more.

Karen: Walking pneumonia? That doesn't sound good. Good luck with the x-ray. I hope it all leads you back to health in short order.

Nicole: Thanks! I'm getting there, sniff by sniff and nap by nap. ;-)

David M.: Thank you for coming by to say 'Hello'! I'm starstruck by your profile. I've always been a bookish type, and Penguin is my favourite publisher. I'll have to track along with your blog and see what you're up to in Canada. It's nice to meet you! :-)

Jenski said...

I left work to watch the Inauguration Ceremony from the comfort of my home. Much better than missing it at work! Hope you are feeling better today!

Emma Gorst said...

did you get your TSH checked? I am just asking like an annoying aunt; feel free to ignore me. But tiredness has to do with that sometimes.

Also, yes. No-one should have to be sick without the opiate of the masses!!! where would we be without our pvrs? Rioting, I say.