Aches and Pains

Last Sunday morning, as I was sitting in church, I watched my wrist swell up, and a slight pain that had been there for weeks spread over my hand and arm. My routine check-up with the oncologist was scheduled for Monday, so she looked at the area and was very concerned. Her instructions were to go straight to the emergency room if the swelling and redness got worse, or if the Augmentin she had prescribed did not begin to improve the problem in a few hours. It did get worse over the next 24 hours, so I went, rather unwillingly, to the emergency room. I felt like a classic hypochondriac walking into the ER, alone, looking healthy, and feeling reasonably well (although my muscles were sore, and my wrist was hypersensitive - I really didn't feel sick). But after a brief examination and review of recent medical history, the doctor decided to admit me. Evidently, I have a kind of staph infection called merca (MRSA - antibiotic resistant staph). It was caused by some unknown intrusion into my left arm, which had been weakened by the lack of lymph nodes. I got a round of IV antibiotics and some hefty oral medication. The infection seems to be responding well to the treatments, so (much to my relief) I was discharged yesterday evening with prescriptions for big-gun antibiotics.

I'm feeling very well now. And I've already demonstated how accurate my wellness feelings are...I'm sure I'm all better now...I bet I don't even need those nasty antibiotics...