Being sick sucks

So here's the thing, I won't actually know what this crap is until Tuesday when I go for my follow up at the hospital.  I went to the hospital in Dongtan that has an international health department.  Since I was a new patient for the ENT doc, I wasn't able to get on the list to see them until after their lunch break.  That's right, in Korea doctors and nurses take an hour lunch break all at the same time - not staggered like in the states.  During that hour, you are officially SOL to see anyone.  Thank God the hospital had free wifi.

Anyway, I went in and the doc spoke good English.  I was able to tell her all of my symptoms with a voice that was kinda breaking.  She looked down my throat and felt the swelling in my jaw and neck.  She said that she'd have to order a blood test to see if it was the mumps, but in the meantime she could diagnose laryngitis.  She said she'd prescribe me 5 days of antibiotics, anti-inflammatories, and I think the other one was to help calm my stomach.  She also prescribed a gargle.  She said it will be about 5 days for the blood work to come back, so I should come back for a follow up in 5 days.  She also said if the symptoms get worse to come in sooner.  She also said to drink plenty of fluids - cuz that is the real cure-all as far as I can tell.  Apparently dehydration could be an issue.  She said that I could probably work as long as I wore a mask because she didn't know if I was contagious or not.

Here's the newest meds.

Now I went to the doc a little late in the day, so I was late to work.  I walked in, signed in, talked to my boss, signed out, and went home.  LOL.  On the way home I stopped by a CU to get soup and gimbap.  I figured those would be soft enough that I could eat them without having a lot of pain.  I then binged watched the last of season 12 of the Big Bang Theory.  After that, I watched The Fellowship of the Ring.  Then I went to sleep.  Woke up this morning at about 7am having trouble breathing.  I think my throat has gotten so swollen that anything getting caught (think nasty crap from sinuses) acts like a real obstruction.  It took a while to get whatever it was dislodged.  I have to tell you, it's pretty scary thinking that your body is rebelling against you to the point where it's trying to choke you!  Anyway, I got up and had toast and an apple slice for b-fast, took my meds, and called my friend Ana.  We talked until it was time for me to leave.  My voice sounded ok for the most part, only got a bit weird once or twice.  I think that bodes well for work today.

So I'm working today.  I have my scarf and my mask, but I'm pretty sure the kids will have questions.  I have my afternoon meds with me, and my bosses are trying to figure out how to give me a couple breaks during the day.  Here's the thing - yes, sick leave isn't really a thing here.  However, both of my bosses have been so amazing about this crap.  I told my H.I. that I was going to the hospital, she told KA and A, so everyone knew what was up.  When I got in, I talked to A and she sent me home.  Today I came in and talked to KA who told me she was going to see if she could cover my last class of the day so that I could go home early.  She seemed surprised that my voice was ok, so perhaps that won't be necessary.

None of the kids seemed to think it was weird that I was wearing a mask today, and between that and the scarf, none seemed to care.  Until my 4th class, that is.  To give you an idea, this is the class where one of the students tells me if he's going to kill me every MWF.  It's full of strong English speaking kids with so much personality and sass... I love it.  Anyway, I walk in and one of the students (one of my favorites) looks at me and says "Teacher, your face looks... not good."  I laughed and told her I knew that.  She said L teacher told them that my face and neck were swollen.  So then I got "We want to see your face and neck!"  I explained to them that I would not be taking off my mask because I didn't know if I was contagious and I didn't want to get them sick (and yes, I had to explain 'contagious').  After that class, my last one was covered and so I was able to go home a bit early.  Also my boss A brought me some Korean porridge, which was interesting.  I had to doctor it some when I got home, but it was nice not to have to chew it.  The jaw is a bit better, so I'm hoping to have pizza on Sunday.

Here's the porridge - the funny thing was, J and I were just talking about this and how people in the US don't use that word.  We either have soup or stew, that's pretty much it.  The only time I've ever used 'porridge' is when I'm talking about Goldilocks and the 3 bears.

Here's the gimbap I decided to get.  It also doesn't require a whole lot of chewing - this is the pork and kimchi kind.  And yes, there was more of it, I didn't think to take a pic until I'd already eaten a bunch.

So now we're officially into the weekend.  I'm planning on taking my meds, being lazy, and maybe going to the grocery store and/or pizza place.  I'm going to watch the next 2 Lord of the Rings, Hogfather, and also at least Die Hard.  I've cancelled my hair cut because I have no desire to be seen with 'puffy face' and frankly I don't think day drinking and taking my meds is a good combo.  Guess that's just going to have to wait for another weekend.  Hehe.  I don't know if the swelling has actually gone down or if it's just wishful thinking, but I do know that the pain isn't as bad.  I hope that I don't have the throat obstruction issue tonight, but if I do there's not much I can do about it.  I've been drinking a TON of water, and trying like Hell to put a happy spin on things.  I think I look like Steve Carrell in his fat suit in Get Smart... but only from the neck up.  We'll see what Monday brings, and in the meantime any prayers or thoughts you can send my way are appreciated.  Much love to all, will update you on my condition next week.