The Lost Year

Being the last post of the year, this is where I would reflect on the past year. For me 2010 will go down as, as the blog title suggests, the lost year.

I spent the year learning things about a virus called Epstein Barr virus. I say I spent the year doing this because when I was diagnosed as having it, no one thought it warranted an explanation and my google searches didn't offer up much more help. And since I also had mono, that's what the doctors focused on - so I did too. Only it seemed to be dragging on for so long and no one seemed to understand why. That is until I went to see a new doctor. Roughly six months into my illness, she was the first one to tell me that what I was experiencing was consistent with the Epstein Barr virus - which I still had (and still have). However, she offered no solutions for relief.

A few months later I went to yet another doctor who did offer relief in the way of drugs. Personally I'm not a fan of taking anything that I don't absolutely have to and since this virus is temporary (although I've discovered that "temporary" can be up to two years), I was reluctant to go this route. But I did. And I'm pleased to say that this is the first week I've actually felt good for more than one or two days in a row for a good nine months - and I even went to the gym yesterday . . . the first time since April 21 (I asked).

So, my top take-aways from this year are:

1. If your doctor tells you that you have something but doesn't fully explain the possibilities of the illness, get a new doctor - even if you've gone to the same one for 15 years.

2. If you ask explicit questions about your illness and your doctor won't answer the questions to your satisfaction, see #1.

3. The friend who offers to go to the doctor with you so you can get answers is a better friend than the one who can only focus on when the last time you saw each other and how long it takes for symptoms to appear.

To sum up, 2010 basically sucked for me but I did learn some valuable things - like who my real friends are. And you know what? That's never a bad thing!

I never get sick

Okay, I can't really say I never get sick but I hardly ever get sick. Yet, this year - already - I've been down for the count, twice now.

A couple of weeks ago I had my first migraine in a good five years and missed 2-1/2 days of work. And now I, apparently, have the flu. I woke up yesterday not feeling all that great but I didn't really think it was going to kick my butt like it has. By yesterday afternoon I was running close to a 102 temperature. I took my last prescription strength motrin pill about 5:00 last night but the fever didn't start breaking until around 8:00.

Woke up this morning with a fever and sent an email to my bosses and co-worker saying I wouldn't be in this morning but after I went to the doctor I might be in - depending on what she said. Well, I called the doctor at 9:00 a.m. (when they open) and said I needed an appointment. I was told they had an opening at 2:45 this afternoon. I really wanted to get in earlier than that and asked if that was the earliest appointment they had - she said yes. So I said I would take it. About 30 minutes later I got a phone call saying that the doctor wouldn't be in this afternoon so they would have to reschedule for the morning or some other day.

Hmmm...did she mean this morning? The one where there was no opening? I asked if she meant this morning and she said, "Can you come in this morning?" as if I was the one asking for an afternoon appointment. I said I could and she said she could see me at 11:00. Why that wasn't offered to me when I called in, I don't know but I got in then anyway so I guess all was good.

I made the decision not to shower before I went in to see the doctor because - without fail - when I do, I start sweating like a pig right after I get out of the shower and end up stinking when I get to the doctor's office and having a normal temperature. I always feel like they think I'm a hypochondriac because of that. Anyway, so I went in without the shower. I had a 102.2 temperature and was diagnosed with the flu.

She prescribed four medications. One I have to take in the morning. One I take before I go to bed. One I take twice a day and one I take three times a day. Guess she wants to keep my brain active (and alert?) while I'm sick? ;)

How's everyone else doing?