Well I'm in a bad crash. Not unexpected.
I've attended one hour of class this week.
Very weak (trouble lifting arms) and exhausted.
Mild sore throat, hoarse voice, tremors and shakes. Major OI. And the worsened breathing/chest ache of course.
So my plan was to head home. However, the course is more than half over and I didn't want to lose it, so I contacted the profs about finishing the assignments from home.
Unfortunately they aren't willing to go this route.
They would rather me stay, and attend portions of class when I can, in order for me to get credit.
This makes for a difficult decision. I fear if I head home and lose the credit that's it for the PhD. This would have been my last course; however, I NEVER want to put myself through something like this again. But without finishing this course I can't move forward.
On the other hand, I talked to my housemate Joe and he said it's really really hot at home with no air conditioning and maybe I'm better off here. At least here I'm laying sick in an air conditioned room.
Getting a physician's advice popped into my head but my experience with GPs is that they are mostly ignorant and useless when it comes to this illness. Although I wonder if my WBC has plummeted? Even so, all they ever say is when it does, is "don't get sick". Aren't I already?
To top it all off my suitemate's a bit freaked out unfortunately. Perhaps because I lay in bed most the day sick looking pale? She thinks I should go home and "get well".....wouldn't that be nice. She even approached one of my profs about it today.
I'll let you know what I decide, but for today I'm just resting.
Oh, I'm so sorry to hear that you have gotten worse and are faced with such a difficult decision.
ReplyDeleteI know it's something you need to decide for yourself - maybe give it a few days and rest as much as possible? You've probably already tried everything, but lots and lots of extra salt and fluids might help a bit combined with rest.
Whether you stay or have to leave, know that just having come this far is an amazing achievement - you are very brave for attempting this and are an inspiration. Even if you do have to go home early, there will always be other opportunities, maybe even things you haven't even dreamed of yet.
I'm thinking of you -
Sue
Sorry to see you're having such a horrific time.
ReplyDeleteAs far as a doctor's opinion, I'd say you're the best judge. They don't have a clue as to what to do or not do when it comes to this illness. I'll tell you the heat index in NY is 105 with high humidity and it's absolutely oppressive. I don't have AC and I'd kill a human to get some. I'd say you're better off in the AC too. Maybe just do the best you can from there and try to attend if at all possible. If you can't attend, don't attend. I can't believe (then again I can) that they can't let you complete this work from home. At least if you stay and something changes for the better day by day you'll still be there to attend. If you can't, then you can't, but at least you're there in case you can. What about Skype? Can't you "attend" via Skype or some other tool? Your options suck. I do agree that you should get some salt and tons of hydration into yourself, however if your BP is not at OI levels or low then maybe you may want to check your current BP status first before doing so.
I'm sorry you have to go through this. You're very determined, just take it one day at a time, one hour if necessary. In the end it's not worth it if you're going to get even worse. You will have opportunities in the future to try again if you need to.
Sending healing and good thoughts your way.
jenji