Not out of the Woods just yet....

So I'm not out of the woods just yet...

The doctor from the hospital called me and told me that my liver enzymes are above normal (not good) but that it may be a result of all the antibiotics that I've been taking. So naturally, being me, I got myself so worked up over it that I made myself so sick all day / night on Wednesday. Finally saw a GP this morning and I'm scheduled for ANOTHER blood test next week and follow-up appointment so they can tell if its the antibiotics or something more serious. Its such a pain to get registered with a GP here bc they need a proof of residency which I didn't have because I'm renting / had a green account with my bank.... anyways, its getting sorted out but its taking time now -- if you EVER come to work in England, get a GP RIGHT AWAY. They told us to and we didn't listen and look what happens lol.

Anyways, I've finally started eating again... It's gross, I've lost SO much weight (and not in the areas where you would want to lose weight haha). I've lost about a stone... which is like 14 pounds. I haven't been this skinny since I was 18. lol.

Today will be full of attempting to eat food and watching Lost (Monica is on Season 2 so I've started watching with her). Hopefully I'll be able to move around / have more energy by the end of the weekend!!!

Slowwwww Recovery....

So I'm finally out of the hospital.... Exactly A WEEK LATER!! I guess if I choose to do something, I go all the way eh? It was a frustrating week. I was poked with more needles than I have in my entire life; told I could leave and then never checking on me so I *could* leave; being bored and lonely in isolation (even though they ruled out H1N1 I was still quarantined); having an IV (and also determining that I love saline... I've never been so hydrated in my entire life. Monica reckons I drank more water this week than I have in the past three months) and generally having huge cabin fever.

I came home yesterday with a whack load of antibiotics. I have to take Clarithromycin twice a day and four Phenoxymenthylpenicillin FOUR TIMES a day for the next four days. It's a lot. And the Penicillin is not in a capsule, its like a dry tablet, so you can really taste the medicine-yness of it. Blah. Its like Banana medicine without the delicious Banana part.

But I'm feeling a lot better. They say it takes about three weeks before my lungs will be back to full capacity and I do get tired really easily. Hopefully I'll be able to take it easy the next few days, maybe see a museum with my parents, and back to work on monday (I might ask to do some TA shifts instead of full on teaching just to ease myself back into it). Jen is coming to visit today too which will be nice!

I just wanted to say thank you to everyone that has been concerned about my health and posting on fb or sending me messages... I really appreciate it. However,I would like to give some special shout-outs to a few people that really went the distance:

- My Parents: my mom was really worried and her boss said she could take the week off work and paid for thier flight over with aeroplan miles so my parents arrived on Sunday. It was so comforting to have them here. My mom helped me with my laundry and they spent Sunday/Mon/Tues with me in the hospital. I'm glad I'm feeling a little better so they can go and do some sightseeing now.
- Monica: She came every evening to visit even though she was working during the day. Brought me about a million little things I kept asking for (juice, socks, toothpaste, etc) and bought me a little potted plant (from Belgium bc we couldn't go this week bc I was sick). She was amazing.
- Sam: She lives pretty far away from me, but visted me a few times when I was cooped up. She even brought me a heart shaped balloon on Valentines Day and it really brightened my day. She was my Valentine! :)
- Johnny: The first night he came over as soon as he could with my computer and toothbrush. Johnny is 100% mr. Positive so he kept me laughing even when I was feeling awful. He also sent me a hilarious e-card. :)
- Rob: Even though he rubs it in my face everytime he wins backgammon (and never really explained the rules to me either!), i appreciate the fact that he played with me and chatted with me at night.
- Matt Turvey: He talked to me all day on Skype when he was at work AND played online Monopoly with me. He's proven to be an amazing awesome friend to me since I've been over here in England and I'll never forget it.

So thank you to everyone that has sent me wishes of "get well soon"... Hopefully I'll be back to exploring England and teaching in a week or so!!!!

Captain Trips?!

So some things I was expecting to experience in London... accents, weird food, wet weather... NOT a stint in the hospital!

I've been in Lewisham Hospital for two days and one night so far (just beginning night number 2). I was diagnosed with pneumonia and then when I developed a high fever last night they were afraid it was h1n1 so they isolated me and we've been waiting to see what's up with that. So here is my recount of my time in the NHS...

I had been feeling awful on Sunday morning, but I attributed that to a hangover after a great night of Poker the night before. I was sick and tired and generally felt pretty awful the rest of the day. I took Monday off work and still felt awful all day. I slept a lot, threw up, had a fever and felt jabbing pain in my side/back. I thought I'd give it til the morning to see if I got better. I'm so worried that I might be a hypochondriac but actually I think my immune system just really sucks. Well the next morning came and no improvement so I asked Bardy to walk me (basically carry me) to the hospital because I felt so awful. Lucky for us, Lewisham hospital is like 5 minutes from our house.

I was super out of breath when we got to the hospital and Bardy helped me register. He then had to jet out of there super quick because he had to catch a plane off to Australia. So I spent the rest of the time alone and terrified in the ER. I waited about an hour and a half to see the Triage nurse, all while getting more and more of a fever (and having two very very kind old ladies take pity on me when they saw me tearing up and said a prayer for me - super nice of them and actually DID calm me down even though I'm not religious, one of them reminded me of my Granny). Finally the rather crabby triage nurse saw me, gave me some Paracetamol (tylenol), took blood pressure/urine sample/blood sugar level and then sent me back to the waiting room. About 15 minutes later, a doctor came to see me and put me on a gurney in a little curtained area. She examined me and ordered a chest xray and an IV to get some fluid in me. The chest x-ray showed some grey areas which indicated a chest infection and she ordered me some antibiotics. I also got a schnazzy robe, lol.

Then it was time for the IV. Now I know most of you know that I am terrified of needles. Not that they hurt, but the sensation of it penetrating my skin is horrible. So the prospect of an IV - slightly scary. An IV in an ER room in a foreign country all by myself? VERY scary. She tried once in my wrist but then I heard "well, you're not going to like me very much but...". Apparently she that vein was blocked so she had to go again in arm under my elbow. Well, she did it, took two blood samples to culture and then gave me some antibiotics. I survived. Teared a bit later when I was alone again.

Then they moved me up to the Chestnut ward. It was almost 6! I arrived at 12:30! Yeesh! Monica met me in the ward and stayed with me for a bit but then went down to the clinic to get her throat checked out (turns out she needs antibiotics too). They put me in a room with three other old ladies, one nice one named Iris who introduced herself to us, one that didn't speak english (russian?) and another random one. I was so sick to really care. My fever had gone down but still feeling gross and found it hard to breathe.

Met the night nurse - very nice lady, but still felt awful. Then around 10, I developed a high fever around 103. That worried them because it came on suddenly even though i had told them it was fluctuating for awhile. Due to protocol, they had to test to see if it was H1N1 (WHICH WOULD MEAN that damn vaccine I took in Dec that made my arm hurt for a week did NOTHING) or just a regular flu. But they said they would have to get a blood test done and then move me to an isolated room. Well I was exhausted and feverish and really wanted some Paracetamol but they couldn't give me any until the blood test came. That happened oh... 2 hours later. Another two hours and I was finally in my isolated room. Now anyone that comes in has to wear a mask, apron and gloves - doesn't that make me feel comforted.


Rest of the night continued to be awful. They started me on tamiflu and either because of that or a combination of that and the fact that I had no sleep, I was sick to my stomach. But there is nothing in my stomach! So some dry heaves, then rest, then dry heaves, then around 4;30 I finally passed out for good. Slept about three hours until around 7 when they started waking people up for breakfast. Didn't eat my toast and continued to doze (you can't get a good sleep here - so many things beep!!! but at least I'm in my own room now). Woke up, took meds, then a team of doctors came around Grey's Anatomy styles and checked up on me. I haven't seen the same doctor twice, I have NO idea who my doctor is and my parents want me to find out more information but its hard because every doctor / nurse is always SO BUSY. (and a little slow. it takes roughly 15 mins to answer my nurse bell.... what if I was dying? I'm not hooked up to a machine. yeesh). Dear Emma and Ken, please when you become Doctors make sure your patients know that YOU are their main doctor and explain EVERYTHING to them. I'm still not sure what exactly is going on.

Felt a bit better the rest of the day, no fever, and my physio said my breathing sounded better. But I needed to practice shaking up the phlegm from my chest. Taught me some techniques and then left. Mostly I was all by myself. It's really lonely being in isolation. Around 3:30 Monica came to visit and bring me some supplies and then around 5 Sam visited with some magazines and crisps. Johnny and Allen texted to see how I was doing during the day. Now for some lists:

Test wise I have had: blood, urine, blood sugar, throat swab, nose swab, peak test, cough-into-this-cup test, and countless blood pressure/heart rate/tempreature tests.

Medicine wise: Paracetamol, gravol style pill, low dose of codine?, something that goes in an oxygen mask that I have to breathe in, antibiotics (oral and intravenous), and tamiflu.

Now here I am... ready for night number two. Let's hope NO MORE FEVER and SLEEP are in store for me. I'm sick of being nervous and scared. Thank you for those back home wishing me love, I need all that I can get.

Sushine and Smiles!

Today was full of sunshine and smiles (and all things nice)! Quite the opposite of my dismal posts of late! So without further ado....10 reasons why today I was listening to happy Motown music on the bus home today.

1. So close to feeling healthy again. I'm still a little sick, but almost getting better... One more day and hopefully I'll have nipped this damn cold.

2. Had a great day at work today. I was in a nursery class at a school I had been at three times this week (they told Protocol they LOVED me and wanted me back for Thursday / Friday). There were very few fights / tears shed during the day (which for three year olds, is pretty amazing), the children actually listened to me during storytime and I could read it without pausing to tell them to be quiet, and the staff likes me / talked to me during lunch in the staff room.

3. Bardy refreshed us on how to play poker last night in prep for Saturday's poker game. It was a lot of fun! I'll miss him when he's gone. And I'm excited for Saturday night and meeting new people!

4. The SUN was shining today!!! There were blue skies! I was out on outdoor play duty and got to play with kids in the sun! I'm already sick of the rain if you can't tell, haha.

5. Turvey mailed me a heating blanket!! I finally received it today in the mail from UPS! I was complaining about being so cold in this damp house to him over skype and he mailed me one so I would feel better! It was so thoughtful and nice. What an awesome friend! :D

6. I got a valentine in the mail from my Mom (and Dad)... with 15 pounds in it! Monica and I have planned to see that new cheesy romcom "Valentines Day" on Valentine's Day as our date and the money will cover it!

7. I got paid!

8. Protocol told me that the school I was at last week (the year 5 class that I loved) really liked me so when they need someone they requested me! This is so nice to hear after the complaints I had at the beginning.

9. I'm going to make some frozen Bangers and Mash tonight for dinner. I hope its good. But it should be! Then Monica and I are going to spend the night watching TV in honour of our lazy friday night traditions.

10. We just bought tickets to see Wicked and are in the process of planning our trip to Amsterdam / Belgium / Vimy Ridge for our midterm holiday. And Jen (PJ 4 / teachers college friend) lives in Fleet which is near Stonehenge so we're going to go visit her at some point to go to that. And I'm probably going to Switzerland in March to visit with Gavin! YAY for travelling!!

:)

germs, germs, germs....

Being sick sucks when you're in a different country. All I want is my mom, my bed, and some home videos. I have zero energy and appetite, sound awful, and look like someone from a George Romero film.

I woke up today and told work I wasn't coming in, and slept the day away. Watched one episode of Dexter, had some tea, and I finally got the energy to go to Argos to buy a heater and toaster.Remember those Consumers Distributing stores in Canada when we were little? Where you would order from a catalogue and pick it up in a wharehouse store? yea that's what Argos is. Anyways, I was gone for about an hour and.... I'm donezo. Completely exhausted. Guess it was a good thing I called in sick eh? Imagine dealing with a rambunctious year 2 class right now - helllllllls no.

But on the positive side of things:
a). Bardy brought my a cup of tea when he heard me hacking up a lung upstairs. So nice! I'm sad he's leaving in a week.
b). I HAVE A HEATER NOW. NO MORE SLEEPING WITH TWO LAYERS OF CLOTHING UNDER TWO LAYERS OF SHEETS. YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS...

Also, please comment on my blog... I feel like I am writing to a ghost world and no one reads it!