It's so weird

not going to work tomorrow.  But that should be my last day, per doctor's orders, and I've been taking my antibiotic faithfully and feel much better.  I need to call tomorrow and make the two-week follow-up appointment they wanted.  When I spoke to the receptionist Friday, they were getting ready to close (they leave by 1 pm on Fridays).  Maybe I can figure out what's going on.  Also, it occurred to me to look up my lab results through their portal.  Looking at them, the following were all high: White Blood Cell Count, Red Blood Cell Count, Hemoglobin, Hematocrit, Platelet Count, Absolute Neutrophils, Absolute Monocytes.  Also, there are two things that are always just off, and I think they have to do with the liver, which scares me sometimes, as my mother's liver disease started like that.  They are Alkaline Phosphatase and ALT.  There used to be a reference guide in my health library that gave some indication of what these values mean.  That went to India, of course, with the other materials.  So I'll have to have Dr Nesbitt explain it to me.  The white blood cell count was the worse; most of the others are slight elevations.  So I guess it's an indication of infection and he wanted me on the antibiotic.  Not quite sure why he wanted me off another four days, though, unless he felt that 1) I needed more time to build up my strength in the face of infection or 2) maybe I was infectious.  I guess there's no way to figure out what was wrong with me.  But he wouldn't have put me on an antibiotic for a viral issue.  So, who knows?  I'll talk with him in a couple of weeks, by which time I'm hoping I feel normal (I have still tired out a bit, I must admit).

Why you shouldn't let voicemails pile up

I finally got around to listening to my voicemail at my home phone tonight. I'd had several calls, and checked each day to see who had called. Invariably it was Walgreens with a note telling me my prescriptions were ready. I had asked for them to be filled last Thursday but had not been able to make it to pick them up until yesterday. Hence all the many reminders.

Turns out, I missed one, which made my experience at the pharmacy make ever so much sense. See, when I went in, there was a prescription for Cipro, an antibiotic. I thought this was a mistake and asked them to put it back. Apparently what I missed was a phone call from my doctor's office telling me my white blood cell count was up and they'd called in a prescription for Cipro for me to take.

So I called the pharmacy just now and they're going to get it ready for me. He asked when I could come get it. Realistically, that would be Monday--the bus only runs every hour tomorrow and I wasn't sure I could get there in time to get notes finished and get to work. He pointed out that Monday was too late to wait for a medicine for an infection, which I must say, he had a point. Still, on the other hand, I've apparently had one since June 4th with no symptoms beyond the blood test results. Even so, I'll slog over to the pharmacy tomorrow anyway. I wouldn't want to die just to get the game notes finished. :)

Still, I do wonder why the count is elevated. Nothing else was out of place, apparently.

Oh, and of course they'll ask me if I've ever taken Cipro. They always do. I've taken it in the past, but there's always concern because I'm allergic to penicillin. Mind you, just because I've taken it safely before doesn't mean I wouldn't develop an allergy, but they always seem relieved that I've taken it and not anaphylaxed and died. Now just so you don't think otherwise, I really appreciate the concern about my health. I'll be seeing my doctor in a relatively short time since we're trying to go up on Actos. So far it seems to be helping; my blood sugars have been about 180-190 in the morning and 120-140 in the afternoon, which is loads better than the 300s I was having as a fasting glucose level.

Scary in an almost Cthulhoid way

Why is it always fungus? Why is it always spores?

Deadly airborne fungus in Oregon set to spread: The new, rare strain has killed 1 in 4 infected, researchers say

A deadly, airborne new strain of fungus has emerged in Oregon. It has killed nearly one out of four known affected people so far and might also attack animals ranging from dogs to dolphins. And it is likely to spread, researchers now warn.

The new strain known as VGIIc of the fungus Cryptococcus gattii not only targets humans but has also proven capable of infecting dogs, cats, alpacas, sheep and elk. Other strains have even infected porpoises.

Although it can spread to mammals, it does not jump from animal to animal. Instead, people and other animals get it from inhaling spores released by samples of the fungus that infect trees.

It might be more virulent than earlier strains because it is reproduced sexually, or it could be a factor of a fungus moving from tropics abroad to a new clime (British Colombia, Washington, and Oregon are where the less-virulent strain are found in trees).

Symptoms can appear two or more months after exposure. Most people never develop symptoms, but those infected may have a cough lasting weeks, sharp chest pain, shortness of breath, headache related to meningitis, fever, nighttime sweats and weight loss. In animals the symptoms are a runny nose, breathing problems, nervous system problems and raised bumps under the skin.

Treatment requires months to years of antifungal medications, and even surgery to remove the large masses of the fungus known as cryptococcomas that can develop in the body. So far it cannot be prevented, as there is no vaccine.

Wow. Let's hope this doesn't turn out to be that easy to catch.

I'm up very late

but I just finished watching an excellent movie, The Gathering, starring Christina Ricci and Ioan Gruffudd. It's definitely one to obtain on DVD.

*Warning: the following contains Too Much Information. Ignore if you're squeamish about women's anatomy and related issues*

Today was pretty nice weatherwise. After work, I had a gynaecological appointment, my first in awhile. I came out with prescriptions for Diflucan for a minor yeast infection and Flagyl for a bacterial one, so hopefully that will make me right as rain. Earlier I was having waves of abdominal pain, which can be linked to the Diflucan. I hope it doesn't continue--it's not like you can discontinue the medication, as one dose lasts for seven days. I've never taken either drug before, so I don't really know what to expect. I do know someone who's allergic to Flagyl and apparently the reactions to it can be kind of scary. Here's hoping I have no similar experience. As far as I know, the only drugs I can't take are Penicillin, Cleocin, and Lortab. I almost forgot to tell them at the doctor's office (it was my first visit) about my latex allergy, but remembered before she began the exam. Dr Saunders was very nice and good about distracting you throughout the exam so you don't get embarrassed or feel silly (something that's easy when you have your feet in stirrups and your privates out in the open).

I did weigh 291 lbs at their office. 291! I think that proves Dr Nesbitt's is WAY off, since the work one is within the range of the GYN's scale. I don't think I gained 26 lbs in a week. My blood pressure was good at both visits, though. I'll find out the results of my blood work from Dr Nesbitt's office on Monday (they called today, but right before they closed, so when I returned the call I just got the answering service). I guess the GYN office will send me a card about the Pap smear--that's what offices usually do. I was also given an order for a mammogramme, since I hit 40. Fortunately, I've had one before so I know what to expect (it's certainly an interesting experience).

I didn't go see Bob and Sheri like I'd considered, and I wish I had, but I didn't feel so great after the appointment and went home and laid down for a little while instead. I hope they enjoy Lexington. They were in for a Pure Romance party (a Lexingtonian won a contest) and stopped by Barnes and Noble for about an hour. It sounds like it would have been fun.

Well, that's all for now. I have to be up for work in 5 1/2 hours. I'll write later.