I've literally been sick for seven days now -- debilitatingly so -- and now have standing orders to stay home the rest of the week.

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It all started last Tuesday.  I woke up feeling horrid, like a waking Nyquil poster-girl on viral steroids.  Being utterly exhausted, I inadvertently got dehydrated; a trip to the Urgent Care clinic turned into a frightening trip to the ER, as I was completely out of it by then.  Pazi and Tess, bless them, took me and accompanied me; I fear I scared the bejeebles out of both of them though, as to my understanding I stopped speaking English at some point (and was defaulting to Japanese) and got... I believe the medical term is 'uncoöperative.'  Next thing I know my arms are strapped down to the gurney in an awkward and painful position, I'm aspirating my own sputum, and the nurse is asking me "Why are you acting like an idiot?"  Sigh.  Not fun for anyone.

Saw the doctor Thursday; his note barely satisfied HR for keeping me out on Short Term Disability (STD).  Things haven't really improved much, and in fact some axes have gotten worse.  The doctor started to suspect mono, but I just went in and tested negative for that.  He prescribed antibiotics and thinks, possibly, I've got a sinus infection brewing that's just adding fuel to my body's fire.  Not really sure though.

All this, in a word, sucks.  i've missed so much work.  And it seems they want a full suite of forms every time I so much as sneeze.  I just want to be healthy and do my job, but friends and family and therapists are all encouraging me to get my résumé in order and start looking elsewhere.  I'm starting to think seriously about it.  I may even enquire regarding a "live-in groundsperson" at my building.  If nothing else, that might get me out of a work environment that's turned toxic, and keep me afloat while I search for something more suited to my abilities and talents.

That's all for now.  Time for me to take some more anti-inflammatory medicines and crash for a bit.