1999 february 18

doctor, doctor

i did something yesterday that i haven't done since 1985; i went to the doctor.

i am still rather traumatized by the whole thing as not only did she do the normal blood pressure / temperature / pulse routine, she also had the audacity to order a set of chest xrays and some blood work. there is nothing quite like the chill that runs through your fevered body when a doctor says, "hmm, i think we better get an xray here."

there is also nothing quite like the chill that accompanies the chill when you realize you are wearing your long underwear with no bra or panties underneath and you are going to have to walk to the xray room pretty much stark naked. those little gowns don't even come close to closing around my chest and they are entirely too short. luckily, the technician allowed me to leave the long underwear on, creatively knotted at my waist so as to minimize the world's exposure to my rear end.

after checking out the pictures of my lungs, the doctor decided i don't have pneumonia, although she is still concerned it may develop. she is more concerned about my inability to keep fluids in my system; as soon as i drink, i urinate. needless to say, i am dehydrated beyond all belief. enter the blood work to check my glucose levels. and as long as they were sticking me with needles and draining me, they took another sample to do a white blood cell count, looking for signs a bacterial infection might be lurking in the wings.

right now her tentative diagnosis is either really bad flu or a viral infection. she gave me an antiviral, just in case, and some tylenol-3 for the pain in my lungs. she also gave me a note that says i don't have to go to the office again today so i am about to take some more drugs, bundle up under a pile of blankets, and sleep, sleep, sleep.

i am quite prepared for this to be over. i'm sure you are as well.

about to drift off an a tylenol-3 cloud, claire