Everything checks out. I went and saw my doctor who is affiliated with Northwestern Memorial Hospital. After spending yet another weekend with sniffles, I knew I would need to be seen again by doctor to have some peace of mind. Particularly since my cough was so deep and starting to hurt my ribs. She listened to my lungs and nothing sounded unusual. Just to be certain, I insisted on getting a chess X-Ray done. Everything came back clean. Same for the blood sample that was drawn during my annual physical two weeks ago and tested by Laboratory Corporation of America. Everything was within normal range except for my LDL Cholesterol which was a little high. So I don't have pneumonia or some ungodly disease. Just another cold. That's a blessing. But it’s so strange to be sick all the time.
That’s what made me think I was allergic to work. You see, I began getting sick around September 2002. That’s when I started a new job at a consulting firm that shall remain nameless. So maybe it has something to do with the building. But I’m not really sure as it’s a pretty modern one – and I’m the only one who seems to be chronically ill. So early in 2003, I'm going to have some allergy test run. Hopefully I'm not getting allergic to work or to my cat. Maybe it really is just a bad spell. Whatever it is, I can't wait to put this period behind me. I just don't like feeling this way.
Ursula, do you watch while they draw blood? I never used to, but about two years ago I decided I would start doing so as a character-building exercise.
Most people don't watch -- and they really don't like you to, either, I think.
Once, a lab drew blood, then handed me the tubes, which I brought over to my doctor's office. (This was in the same building; I guess I looked trustworthy.) While I sat in the waiting room, it was fascinating to watch my own blood separate by weight into its components.
Anyway, hope you're feeling better.
I always have a terrible time when they draw blood. Usually I have to get poked 3-4 times before they find a vein big enough. Unfortunately, its one of the reasons why I don't donate blood. The process is just too painful.
Do I look? Sometimes! But that usually makes me more light-headed. Not good when you've been fasting for 12 hours prior to appointment.
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