Update *cough cough*

I'm a little bored at work and thought I'd fill you in on what's been going on in the past little while.

On the last shift I worked (1 Jul) I was coughing, but nothing serious. It started to get serious fairly quickly and by the time all was said and done I didn't return to work until 2 Nov (yesterday). What was wrong you ask? Good question, there is no definitive answer. Every test came back negative and every medication proved ineffective save one and there I was, coughing through it all.

If you didn't get a chance to see me cough, it was quite a show and you really missed out. I would cough and cough to the point of vomiting (which I tried VERY hard not to do because I hate vomit). At which point there would be a period of up to thirty seconds where I couldn't breathe. If you have never experienced this sensation, make a seal with your lips on the back of your hand and try and take a breath. It felt like I was trying to breathe through concrete. I don't mind telling you, it's a terrifying experience. It gives me a whole new appreciation for patients who are legitimately short of breath. I know the feeling and it isn't fun.

Many (including myself) thought that it was pertussis (whooping cough), but anti-biotics proved useless and testing negative. The only thing that helped the cough was a drug called Hycodan. Which is essentially liquid percocet, and I was almost sucking this stuff up with a straw. Apparently codeine has an anti-tussive effect.

Therefore I couldn't work. I can't drive fast and make snap decisions while under the influence and couldn't trust myself to drive to work while under the influence. Add to that that I wasn't sleeping for more than thirty minutes at a time without coughing so I was very much fatigued. So I stayed at home for four months at two-thirds pay. Luckily Jaci is working and this helped tremendously to off-set the loss in pay.

So I'm back at work now. Am I cured? No idea because we don't know what it was in the first place, but the coughing is almost gone. I haven't been on the narcotic for a few weeks (I proudly weaned myself off) and am feeling generally better.

Here's the kicker, even though I'm AT work (back to full pay) I'm not allowed TO work. Because I was off for more than three months the base hospital has de-activated me and I have to have my skills assessed before re-activation. For those that don't know, the base hospital is the organization that allows me to give drugs and defibrillate people.

Also because I'm deactivated, I'm not allowed to drive anywhere while working, just in case I stumble across something. The argument that I can still do first aid and CPR falls on deaf ears. So I'm not doing a whole lot at work but hopefully that situation won't last. I am however on legitimate vacation next week so it will have to be the week after that.

What am I doing on my vacation might you ask? Excellent question!

Monday is my anniversary celebrating two wonderful years being married to my best friend. So we will be doing some stuff during the week as time allows. And while my beautiful bride is at work or doing work related things, my eleven year old nephew allowed me to borrow his XBox 360 for the week. Needless to say I anticipate saving the world or conquering the galaxy fairly often this week.

For those who gave their best wishes, prayers and phone calls/emails while I was sick I thank-you very much. I can't really describe the feeling you get when someone calls and says "heard you were sick and wanted to see how you were". Not to sound too bitter, but there is also a feeling you get when you don't get contacted, but I won't get into that.

Special thanks to Jaci's uncle Steve who loaned me a WHOLE bunch of DVD's to stave off boredom and to my dad who loaded us up with tonnes of yummy food to stave off starvation!

So that's what's been going on the past little while.

Thanks for stopping by San Diego!

Be well all.