I don't know how they do it

I don't know how to be sick for an extended period of time.

Let me back up. I have worked 9 out of the last 13 days, two of them from home, and been to the doctor twice. Since we just finished the big release at work we have a little "down time" to work on other projects, my boss had no qualms about sending me home early to take care of my health. She'd wanted me to take a vacation anyway, and though I would prefer to take a FUN vacation, I appreciate her support. Even so, I HATE calling in sick to work, and have never taken off so many days in such a short period of time. Not only did I get bored, but I felt extremely guilty for not being at work, and worried about what everyone else was doing without me, though, oddly enough, I wasn't worried about losing my job. I just don't like knowing that everyone is working hard but me!

My doctor who I love is leaving her practice, so I have to find a new one. Curses! In the meantime, I went to the same InstaCare "doc in a box" (Candice, my mom totally laughed when I called her that) that I saw last summer, and she said that I had yet another sinus infection. Since it was my third since June, she gave me stronger antibiotics.

A few days later, those symptoms seemed to be clearing, but I was getting massive headaches! Sheesh. I tried to go back to work anyway, but Beth sent me home again. I didn't want to see the doc in a box again, so I called my doctor for a referral, and saw a new doctor. I don't like her, yet. She just stared at me when I described my symptoms, and I started to worry she thought I was lying or wasn't sick enough, so then I started talking really fast and saying everything in my head. I am sure I came off as a total ditz, as opposed to my normal partially ditzy state. I think the headaches may be related to the huge, painful knots in my shoulders.

Annoyed with Western medicene, I decided I was time to call up the acupuncturist I had recommended to me a few months ago. I called this morning and made an appointment for this afternoon. The Dr. reviewed my symptoms, and then opened up his book (which was all written in Chinese) and pointed to two words he had handwritten into the book: Cervical spondylosis. Apparently, the shoulder and neck pain is a result of a pinched nerve in the top of my spine, and it has caused my backbone to go a bit out of wack. The Dr. was really surprised that a person as young as I was in such bad shape. The headache may or may not be related. He started doing chiropractic cracking, and then had me lay facedown on the table and he put needles in my neck, head, and hands. I'm not gonna lie -- the ones on the top of my head REALLY hurt! And the ones in the back of my head were painful if I tried to lift my head. But, it was about what I'd expected. What I didn't expect was for the Dr. to start an electric current through all the needles! So, I felt this warm buzzing pulse go through my body. I lay there for 15 minutes. It actually wasn't so bad for the first 14 minutes. If I didn't have such a good feel for the passage of time I might have freaked out. Fortunately, just as I was really starting to panic the timer went off, the current stopped, and the Dr. took all the needles out. It was weird! Then he gave me an awesome massage, cracked some more parts of my spine, and I was done... with the first session. So, I'll go every other day for nine more sessions, and then my spine should be right as rain.

Like I said, I don't know how to be sick. I don't know that I was particularly grumpy, but I sure did feel sorry for myself, in a spoiled, priviliged way. Then I started thinking about people who can't take time off for financial reasons, or who in the turn of the 20th century would loose their jobs if they didn't show up for any reason and still had to work 12 hour shifts, or slaves. I am so blessed I can stay home when I'm sick, but how horrible if I didn't have that option? No wonder people died when they couldn't take time to rest and worked with other sick people sharing their diseases in close quarters and unsanitary conditions. It's horrible! I am so lucky I live now and that my boss and coworkers are so good to me!

Likewise, I don't know how people who are sick for months or years do it! Sitting in bed, feeling crappy, having doctors who may or may not be able to diagnose you, treating you with medicenes that may or may not have the desired effect. I can't imagine how frustrating and lonely that would be. I know several people who are dealing with major illnesses right now. I am grateful that their friends and families are taking such good care of them, and for the miracles of modern medicene. I am praying for you!