Kotatsu Cleared of All Charges
Okay, so it turns out the kotatsu wasn't making me feel crappy. I actually was coming down with something. That something has whipped my butt since Friday.
On Friday, my fever kept going up until I was finally ushered off to the doctor's (jeez, they act like it's an odd thing to sweat in this weather..). There, we went through the usual tests, with an extra fun bonus - an influenza test. More than a year here, and Japan still manages to surprise me. Basically, the test involved shoving a massive q-tip up my nose. WAY up my nose. I now understand what a mummy feels like.
Luckily, the test came back negative. I was told I had a cold, but was given a huge load of medication that closely resembles what I was given last year when I had bronchitis.
Went home, crashed until one of my JTEs came by (a saint) with one of my students to drop off icey packs for the fever and ice cream. After I took my medicine, I finally found time to watch Snakes on a Plane. Samuel L., you really are too cool. Snakes, I never realized what a perverted species you are.
Saturday was the worst, but it's my own fault. This summer when I went home, I knew I needed to buy a new inhaler. However, I didn't. My asthma only kicks in when I work out (haha), or when I get sick. I figured I didn't need it so badly, and opted not to spend money on it (especially after having to pay for that unexpected surgery). Well, on Saturday, what had been so-so bad coughing became hell. I kept going into fits that were so hard to come out of that I'd start choking. Next thing I knew, my gag reflex would kick in, and I'd get sick (yummy TMI). It happened again, and again, and again. The solution? Take my medicine. Buuut, I couldn't take my medicine without eating. But I couldn't eat without my already twisting stomach quickly returning my effort back at me. I tried eating light stuff like pudding and yogurts, but it was no good. My JTE played the part of a saint, again, and called the hospital. They told me to try simple foods like carrots and bananas. I threw clothes on and started to head out to the nearest convenie to pick up what I could, but another coughing fit and more yucky stomach sickness ensued.
Luckily, Andy came to my rescue. She is my savior. She can have my firstborn. :) I promise it will be better behaved than I (although it probably won't be a vegetarian no matter how hard you try).
Lynn was also a sweetheart and sent me a few pages of text messages on how to feel better (did you know cucumbers can bring down fevers?). Following her advice, I did nothing but sleep that day. No reading. No TV. No music. Around 8 at night I vaguely remember thinking that I had to do something, even if that only meant reading a chapter of a book or watching a half hour of TV. I got up to do just that, felt dizzy, and laid down for "just a minute". When I opened my eyes it was 4 in the morning. Oops.
Sunday went a little better. Monday was work, and then the elementary school night class - it was rough, but my girls pulled through and helped me out. The students wound up LOVING the session. I should do all of my lesson plans when heavily medicated.
I just typed way more than I intended to. It's not exactly a riveting subject. I guess I'm just making up for lost time, or something. In any case, for those who sent e-mails and stuff like that, this is why I haven't contacted ya. I've been down and out for the count. The next few days will be computer-less, too, so my apologies that communication is lacking!