Tag Archives: Illness

I Could Write a Book

Well, I was a bit unwell over the past 24 hours. It started at work, and I was OK most of the day, it was within the last 90 minutes or so that things took a turn for the worse. I started to feel really cold and I later found out that someone had set the thermostat to cooler.

That meant someone turned on the air conditioner. My bones ached and felt hollow. And I was quite hungry. I did eat some food but it didn’t do much, except keep me awake for a little while longer I guess. I knew I was in trouble though and felt it might be best to see if I can get Bill to rescue me.

I didn’t think I would be well enough for public transportation and if he were home, he might have access to a car. He was home and willing to get a car and pick me up. I was that bad. Everything turned out well when I closed the store that was one less stressful thing to worry about.

Bill parked the car on the corner and I hurried home, teeth chattering and extremely fatigued. I made it upstairs, Bill leading the way to make sure the heat was turned in when I came into the apartment. I sat in the bathroom and Bill put a thermometer in my mouth. I had a fever of over 100.

I went to bed, wearing a long sleeve t shirt, and track pants and I lay underneath a few blankets and a comforter. I fell into a deep sleep but kept waking up every now and then to change my shirts, since they’d become soaked with sweat.

I had a fever dream where I had to fly to London and fill out paperwork. I’ve never been to London. I’d like to go someday. I think I landed at Luton Airport and met up with a decent group of people who showed me around, as well as taking me to the movies.

I called the cigar shop in the dream and spoke with Sean who told me he was too busy with a customer to talk to me on the phone. Fever dreams are weird. I slept quite a bit in the last 24 hours, probably about 13 hours all together.

Whatever it was that got me has subsided and I will be going to work tomorrow. I shake a lot of hands at work and I also handle money and take mass transit, so any of those scenarios could have brought whatever virus it was to me. I will have to wash my hands more often.

I don’t recall any other time where a bug crept up on me and caused such havoc in such short time. Or a bug that made me sleep so long. It’s not like I’ve been out partying and drinking. Or being overworked, true the hours aren’t great at the cigar shop but still they’re not overwhelming.

Oddly enough I never really got sick when I was partying back in the day.

The thing was certainly just a bug that saw an opportunity and took it.

Day In Day Out

Well last night I was getting better, or so I thought. Bill came home as I was watching a retrospective on George Carlin. Bill didn’t know that he had passed away. I drank some juice and soon went to bed. Didn’t sleep as well as I did earlier, perhaps I had slept too much. 20 hours of sleep will do that to you. My temperature has been around 97.9.

I didn’t actually fall asleep properly until I put a pillow between my knees as I slept on my side. I got up to the sound of 96 Tears by ? & the Mysterians. I decided to take it easy, to go into work later than usual. I showered and shaved and had some breakfast. Put on some clothes, too hot for whatever it was I was wearing so I changed again as Bill was stirring.

I headed out to the bus stop just missing one when I felt out of it. A bit light headed, more than usual. I felt it would probably be best if I stayed home again and to go in tomorrow. Bill was surprised to see me walking through the door, more surprised that I was covered in sweat. I went about taking off my clothes and sitting in my underwear.

Bill’s concerned obviously and worried. I told him after my last dental visit to be aware if I stop making any sense, a fear of having a stroke like my brother Frank had in May 2007. Now he’s overly concerned. I reassured him that I was ok, just needed another day to get back on my feet.

I decided to read Nic Sheff’s harrowing memoir of addiction and started to think I was withdrawing. But I’m not addicted to meth or heroin or any of those nasty things he’s been shooting up. Decided to stop reading that for a while and get some sleep.

Yesterday there was an engine on the street outside my building and every time I would start to fall asleep the construction workers would turn on the engine. I guess they were done with the engine since I haven’t heard it rev up today. Made for an easy nap when the phone rang. It was my sister Annemarie from California, worried about me.

Of course the phone was in the other room so I eventually got out of bed and got the message and called her back. She was worried about my neck hurting but no, it’s basically my back and since I heeded her advice from years ago about the pillow between my knees I’ve been alright. Except for the phone ringing.

It was nice that she called, and I hate the fact that she’s worried about me. I don’t get being worried about too well. I always think there are so many other things to be worried about than me. And there are. But you know what? I would be hurt if no one worried about me. I’ve got to get over it.

Still it was nice to hear from her, just wish she wasn’t so concerned. And it was nice that she offered to help me should I need anything. But at 3000 miles away, I don’t think she’d be willing to get me some orange juice.

Well I just ate my first meal in about 48 hours. My temperature is 98.4, an hour ago it was 98.8 so I guess I’m back to ‘normal’. Or in the ballpark.

Got an email from work : You poor little thing….just stay home for the rest of the week. I handled Maywood yesterday, so all is well in New Jersey. You just keep drinking liquids and feel better soon. We are all fine. Kate. Kate’s a managing director. I’m feeling better and I am going to work tomorrow.