Rhino Ramblings

Golfing Rhino

So I promised this blog would be about introversion and extroversion.  Well, let’s see ….. 

I have been placed in an introverted form of heaven and yet not so much.  It has been three and a half days of total isolation which will likely go at least another three days (should we all get nostalgic for the good old days of Covid quarantine? (and why doesn’t MS Spell Check have Covid in its dictionary?)).  Let’s step back a bit for those who may not know me that well, or at all – I am a 100% introvert.  Being alone (but not lonely) can be a relieving time.  So when I noticed a swelling of my neck I unknowingly was heading to alone time.  Since I do not believe in getting sick – not a religious thing, I just figure if I act like any symptoms are not real, most will just disappear without any real life disruption.  And I was brought up by depression-era parents who felt you had to be on your death bed to merit a doctor’s visit (I literally had pneumonia as a child and it took several days before a doctor visit occurred).  So a little neck swelling was nothing to consider.  The next day I did what any sane person would do when a possible illness hangs over them – I went out to play a round of golf in muggy 80 degree heat.  Made it 11 holes.  Finally realized I had no energy to keep going.  Head home – note that this is Friday afternoon which makes waiting to call the doctor that much smarter.  Get home and still debate the doctor thing but was mainly swayed by the fact that if I waited much longer, I might have to wait until Monday for an appointment.  I was able to snag a Saturday morning time slot.  Setting that appointment up was followed by sleep that was followed by sleep that was followed by sleep.  I essentially was asleep for the next 24 out of 26 hours – the two hours awake was the appointment.  I have never thought about the difference between lethargy and being tired – I was lethargic.  There was zero energy.

Oh and did I mention I fortunately grabbed a fast food breakfast on the way to golf – not something I always do.  This was to be my last meal for three days.  Those Egg McBurritos powered me for days.

I considered calling Uber for the trip to the doc’s office, but even wearing a mask I wanted to limit person-to-person interaction since by Saturday morning my throat was exceedingly sore and my glands were swollen and painful so I had to accept that sickness exists and I was contagious.  I did not have a working thermometer so I did not know the fever story yet. At the office, I was checked for fever and I of course had one – 101.3. When I am put in the room, having the usual long wait, I semi-dozed.  (Side note-first time I wore a mask in awhile; this will come back up later).  Med assistant comes in and gets basic info.  Long wait and doze time again.  Doc comes in.  Immediately suspects Covid (I think that is likely now the go to since there are so many possible Covid symptoms, whatever you are sick with could point to Covid). She checks my throat, and say ”Well that’s wacky”  I have no idea what specific medical diagnosis “wacky” is, but I kinda like it.  I told her I never got Covid (I did not go into one theory that seems to have some backing – O-Negative folks have at least partial Covid immunity.  Not sure if that is true, but when I told my Gynecologist the theory she noted that she was also O-Neg and had never gotten Covid.  No proof; just an interesting note).  Anyway, took a swab for Covid and Strep (apparently the only two infections that are checked for). I have neither.  Was told to take Amoxicillin, just in case, and Advil and rest and eventually all will be fine. Doctor also said I needed to wear a mask in a tone that indicated many people balked at that statement. (I had taken mine off when she was in the room – it would be hard to examine my nose and throat with it on).  To her relief I said no problem and put my mask on immediately.  Went home.  Slept. Occasionally sipped water.  My friend Melissa got my pills and a working thermometer, but stayed outside.  During the afternoon, my temp rose to 102 then 103 then 104, and I started thinking of who could take me to the emergency room if it gets much higher.  It did – I started sweating profusely.  That lasted for about half an hour and I was so shaken I did not take a temp reading.  But suddenly I stopped sweating.  Now I have seen movies, TV shows and read books that have a dramatic scene where the fever breaks – this is the first time I learned that is a real thing.  My temperature immediately dropped to 98.8.  I suddenly no longer felt lethargic (tired, yes – but not needing to sleep constantly).  Wow.  My throat also started to improve.  In another 24 hours I was finally able to eat a small dinner.  Now I am left primarily with very swollen glands around the neck and upper torso.  The main cure is Advil and rest.  Since I do not want to risk possibly having any remaining contagiousness, I will wait to leave the house for a few more days.

Now here is my own wackiness – I have to wonder if this unknown infection was caused by a bug bite from earlier in the week. It was some big black bug that bit or stung me as I was walking. I brushed it off. I could immediately feel the effects (toxin/venom/I don’t know) spread through part of my foot.  It was only painful for the first few minutes but I had a red skin splotch for many days after.  So maybe the wacky throat was due to the wacky bug.

Oh, so this was supposed to be about being introverted.  Guess you’ll have to wait for a future blog for that story. 

I do not have any clue what the next blog’s theme will be (I never really do until I actually start writing) but I can guarantee it will focus on the LGBTQness of my life and thoughts.  My plan continues to be a blog every to weeks, seesawing back and forth between one of general topics and the other focused either in past, present and/or future (I think I covered all the bases) of my navigating what I will refer to as the community ( I will not limit myself to the trans world but will most certainly venture into all parts of the community)

As always, thank you for indulging me by reading this blog.  Please feel free to circulate the link to everyone and every group that you feel might find enjoyment.  This is a fully public blog.