When is 'sick' really SICK?

I don't 'pop pills' or rely on dopey medications and a quick-fix prescription from the doc. I may feel lousy when I get the sniffles, but it's never been my cue to pack it up and head straight for the clinic at the fist sign of a cold.

There's something going around here, and it seems everyone I know has it. I've been taking notes and collecting handouts for a girl in my English course this week, only because I know her from last term's class. She's so sick, she hasn't made it to any classes all week - this, the first week back to school for most University students. (I will post about this soon, but right now Turtle Health Care is on the top of the agenda!)

Tuesday came around, I went to class feeling like I had a cold, but nothing to hold me back; really tired though, so opted out of yoga.

On Wednesday I went to the chiropractor. I hardly said a word while in the office - the staff KNEW there was something up! The chiropractor came in, and placed his hand on my back, as is normal procedure. Immediately he said,

"OK, Dave... have you been sick? Everything's swolen!"

I remember uttering something, not quite sure what. He did the regular adjustments, which seemed really harsh in comparison to most weeks.

"There. This one will definitely kick-start your immune system."

At that point, I felt fluid move into my right ear. This is when I know a cold is serious. As soon as my ears are involved, I'm usually headed for a prescription.

On Wednesday night, I lost my voice. I decided to skip the monthly board meeting at the church, and to email my prof. to let her know that if I didn't show in the morning, that was why. I regained my voice overnight and felt quite OK by morning. (That, and I didn't want to miss one of M.'s lectures - golden words, I swear!) She was quite happy to see me, but noticed that I had taken a seat off to the side and away from the class. She remarked in an email later,

"I was pleasantly surprised to see you in class this morning, though I thought you looked a bit peaky"

"Peaky"... must be a touch of British slang, me thinks.

I slept Thursday afternoon, thinking I was quite on the mend. Supper time rolled around and my throat was so sore, eating was a challenge.

As I write this in the wee hours (because I cannot sleep), the back of my tongue is swolen, and my throat is so sore it hurts when I move my head side-to-side, let alone when I try to swallow. I tried gargling some mouthwash - no good, I had to swallow it, but it felt good as it went down.

This must be it. I'm off to see the doctor come 8:00; I think I'm sick.