Ramblings of an Anonymous Coward

48 Hours To Live...

it's been a few days since the warning signs, and today -- an overcast day by any standards -- i drove to the doctors. it's funny how the trip there always seems longer. at about the midway point, i keep thinking the hospital will be the next turn. i know it's not, but i keep expecting it inexplicably. every time. the drive home always seems shorter even though i take the same route. i don't know why.

it all started monday when i got this...

From: [sender omitted]
To: everyone@company.address.com
Subject: Visit by Health Department tomorrow at 11 am.
Date: Mon, 5 Jan 2004 15:08:46 -0800

One of our employees has contracted tuberculosis. As a precautionary and
routine measure a nurse from the local health department will be at out
office tomorrow at 11 am to do a skin test. I have placed a two page fact
sheet in your box at work that explains TB and the skin test. If you have
any questions please do not hesitate to ask. Thanks.

[name omitted]
[title omitted]
[comany name omitted]

so today begins my 48 hours to live without knowing if i have become infected. see, my work arrangement greatly limited my exposure and i was going to be unavailable for the follow-up, so i didn't get my test until today, so i must wait until monday afternoon to get the scoop. if positive, it's back for blood work, x-rays, and a 9-month supply of meds.

i made fun with some of the others as they checked their bumps throughout the day. today, i look at my arm every time a cough. a cough that has lasted weeks on end. besides, i generally don't catch things. seriously. i'm a thirty-something that despite numerous exposures, failed to catch chickenpox. also, odds are that it would be inactive, which just means i get to eat pills for nine months, though admittedly, being quarantined and kept away from people does have it's appeal. more time for blogging. haha!

Posted by ac at January 9, 2004 04:45 PM