Thursday, October 15, 2009

Germs, germs, go away.

No, really, I mean it.  I'm sick and tired of being sick and tired.  Just two weeks ago I had the head cold from hell while my daughter was down and out with the flu.  I took a sick day for the first time in a very, very long time, rallied and got my sorry butt back to work.  I truly believed that the household was out of danger from the flu, despite the fact that AshLynne's boyfriend had tested positive for it and had spend a week home from school and work.  My reason for being so optimistic is that it's been TWO weeks, the incubation period should have been over.  Hmm...not so much.

Yesterday, I felt great.  Went up to Mom's to see Estes for one last time before she came down to winter pasture today.  The weather was crappy up on the hill, even though it was absolutely beautiful down here in town, so we didn't go out on a ride.  I attempted to spend some time with Queen Estes, but she wasn't feeling it.  She'd let me pet and scratch, but the minute I went in for a cuddle or a kiss, she'd turn away.  I'm now thinking that she could smell that I was getting sick.  Horses identify their humans by smell, and if I didn't smell right of course she wouldn't want me in her personal space.  At least that's what I'm telling myself to keep from getting hurt feelings that my baby girl didn't want any cuddles yesterday.  Today, my parents loaded her up and took her to winter pasture in Lyons.  From now until March/April, I'll get limited visits with her, as she'll be turned out with the rest of her old herd (and my parents' horses, which will move down next week) to run loose for the winter.



I'd like to think she was saying "sorry, Mommy."  but I somehow doubt it.







Last night, I had a little cough and a stubborn lung cookie that just wouldn't go away, but I still had no idea I was getting sick.  This morning, I woke up with a little headache and took some Tylenol before I went to work.  Still didn't think I was sick, it was just a freaking headache.  As I was teaching my phlebotomy class (which I LOVE), I kept getting hot, then cold, but I was moving between two rooms and the students had the same complaint.  One room was hot; the other was cold.  Still had no idea I was getting sick. 

My headache got worse, but, you know, it was time for the Tylenol to wear off.  No big deal, just take some more.  My lower back started aching, but, again, I blamed it on something else...the new "grown up" shoes I'd worn to work on Monday.  In all honesty, I never wear heels, and my new shoes have some good heels on them and my back's been hurting ever since.  But, probably, three days after the fact, my back pain should have been gone.

I made it through class, got back to my desk and started coughing until I gagged.  Then the hot flash hit.  Oh shit.  It hit me...this was no bueno at all.  I snuck back into the lab, grabbed the thermometer and zapped myself with it.  101.6  on Tylenol.  Shit, shit, shit.  Can't be right.  Nope.  I'm impervious to microorganisms.  I can't be sick.  I slunk back into the office and handed the thermometer to the Education Assistant.  She zapped me in the other ear.  101.7.  Shit.  Guess that explains the headache and muscle aches.

You know, for working in medicine as long as I have, I'm apparently pretty crappy at recognizing the symptoms of illness in myself.  I'm impervious to microorganisms, I'm impervious to microorganisms...my magic anti-sick mantra didn't help at all today.

They couldn't get me out of the office fast enough and they are probably fumigating the whole thing as I type this.  And they're probably saying that they knew I was sick all along...

8 comments:

Allenspark Lodge said...

Typhoid Tel...

Allenspark Lodge said...

I'm so sorry babe. And yes, Estes probably did sense you weren't feeling well. Those darn horses just can't be fooled! She still loves you; she told me so today.
Mom

GunDiva said...

Bill, you're a sh*t. Mom, thanks for buying into my craziness. Bet she was happy to be at her "other mother's", though. That's been her real home for her whole life.

Anonymous said...

oh lord, feel better hun! your probly right about Estes. its ok.

Kudos to wearing heels. I feel as if every woman should wear heels everywhere, lol. If I could pull it off, I would probably wear heels everywhere.

GunDiva said...

Nate, you can have 'em. They are cute little things, but my tennis shoe feet are not having them. Already, I have to go get gel inserts before I wear them again. If I could just "dress up" by wearing my jeans and boots to school instead of scrubs, I'd be a happy camper. It is kind of nice, though, to be 5'4" instead of 5'0" :)

Anonymous said...

girl i dont wanna hear excuses!!! you just need to find the right pair. and you can weer boots that have heels ON them! lol, like the minolo blanik timberlands! i mean, i dont think you wanna pay 1,250 for a pair of shoes... (i would) but u get the idea. Lol, I have an amazing pair of Kenneth Cole boots that look like riding boots, but clearly I don't ride living in NY haha.

GunDiva said...

We can go shoe shopping when you get back state-side. I've heard the trick is to buy really expensive shoes to save your feet. But given the choice between spending big money on shoes or guns...well, you can have the shoes. :)

Anonymous said...

heehee. you know i am ALWAYS down for a fiscally irresponsible shopping trip! And I feel yah on the guns... although I don't own any, I get to play with my fancy M4 with a gangsta grip, custom handgrip thingie (don't remember the actual term), and CCO once a month, every month, courtesy of my uncle... uncle sam. The only thing i paid for was the custom handgrip thingie. =]

But everyone deserves to spoil themselves and look fabulous, lol.