A lesson in compassion

I'm blogging at 5am on a school night (morning?).

Why?

Because I've been tossing and turning all night and I couldn't stand it anymore. I am sick....sicker than I've been in years, and I'm miserable. I have a sinus infection AND the MOTHER of all URI's (upper respiratory infection).

Started on Sunday night with a sore throat....never a good sign. Woke up on Monday feeling pretty awful, but assumed this was because I'd missed out on some sleep (and engaged in some drinking) due to a free comedy show on Sunday evening. Still, it was just the sore throat, and by the end of the day it was gone, so I was just dandy.

Then I woke up yesterday. I didn't even have to open my eyes to know something was wrong -- I felt like I'd been hit by a truck. My face and head hurt, I couldn't breathe out of my right nostril, my throat was sore again and now there was a cough...the barking seal type of cough. So, at 1pm when I was to report to work (Tuesday is our half day), I came in jeans, announced that I was "calling" in sick and asked for some samples of Allegra-D.

I spent the day at home, drank plenty of fluids and took my medicine. Surely I'd feel better if I did all the right things, right? Wrong.

Around 4pm yesterday I started feeling really horrible again, and by 9pm I barely had a voice left (although at least now I know it is viral, as I've learned that bacterial infections won't cause laryngitis). I went to bed last night at 11pm....but probably didn't fall asleep until 1pm, and definitely never slept for longer than an hour at a time until I got up 15 minutes ago to make more tea.

There is NO WAY I'm working today either.

I've completely lost my voice, and now when I cough it is extremely painful (throat, not chest). I've got some big old lymph nodes in my neck and despite the Allegra D, my head still feels like it is going to explode.

So....to all the patients I brushed off for having "just" a sinusitis or URI - I'm sorry. I feel your pain.

And that....is compassion.

PS- I fully intend on gaining hold of some Tussionex and passing out into drugged-up oblivion for the rest of the day.