Down and Out

So I had been doing very well this year healthwise, managing to avoid anything major. My luck was not to last. I got hit by a fairly significant flu bug this week. The last night I worked, my throat started getting scratchy and I felt like something was coming. To be fair, I overdid it last week and worked a couple of days of overtime, getting only six hours of sleep combined over the two days. I am an ox in Chinese astrology through and through and the offer of overtime for me is nearly impossible to refuse. Still my first day off was spent in a fever induced restless sleep, shivering, and a nasty developing sore throat. I threw everything I could at it... Oscillococcinum, throat lozenges, Riccola, Ibuprofin, Sudafed, gargling with warm salt water, and on and on. Friday I was feeling a bit better, but probably should have called in sick for some overtime I had scheduled. I put in my nine hours, but was lagging by the end. I came home and tried to go to bed, but my throat was killing me when I woke up again today. I got dressed and headed over to the local easy in/easy out clinic that I have frequented for years. Today, I was seen by some Filipino doctor who decided to prescribe me a medication that I am confident I have some allergy to. I felt like I was on the losing end of negotiations, but was too weak to put up a strong defense. (The pharmacist filling the prescription asked me three times if I should be taking this medication. I was like, "Uh...I'm not going to die, right?" What doesn't kill you.... Uh... Yeah, I guess.) His exam took approximately three minutes including a strep culture that left me unable to speak or swallow for ten minutes. As I left, he saw my address on the medical forms and then launched into a long diatribe of his bad experiences working in Oakland (approximately five minutes longer than my three minute exam). My hunch is that he now suffers from PTSD, but I am no medical expert. I assured him that where I live is very safe and I enjoy it greatly. I think I was subliminally hoping to piss him off which I might have had some success with. After all, he did prescribe me a medication that I am allergic to! The medication seems to be working despite some minor allergic symptoms and my throat is definitely on the mend. So good deal there.

I am taking off to Hawaii for a long weekend soon. I need a break and I need to recharge my batteries. O took off to So Cal last week, he may or may not return. I hope he finds what he is looking for, wherever that might be. An opportunity has presented itself at work and I am going to have to make a decision this week on whether or not to take it or stay where I am. I keep writing everything down, making diagrams and pointless calculations to try and make the right decision. In the end, I suppose it is where you want to call home.

Hope everyone is doing well. Cuidate.