Slowed Down By Acute Bronchitis, Oh Joy!

As I write this, the spring rains have finally arrived in Stockholm. I woke this morning to the sound of rain splattering on my windowpanes and, instead of being annoyed by it, I was actually glad. We need the rain--and not just for the usual reasons like spring flowers growing, etc. We need it to wash away all the dust and grit left over from the winter.

For the last ten days I have been ill. It started off as my usual spring battle with pollen allergies. This commenced just before Easter. I thought I had it under control. The nasal spray my doctor prescribed was working like a charm, I could breathe and my head didn't feel like the size of a pumpkin. No worries for me! Then on Easter Monday, I woke with a fever and my throat was raw. At first, I thought it was another bout of strep throat. But I realized that it didn't feel like glass in my throat this time. It wasn't even my throat that was the biggest problem--it was this weird burning sensation under my breastplate. Then the coughing fits started. And the wheezing...and another fever...and it occurred to me that I could have bronchitis.

I consulted my favorite site for health info--the Mayo Clinic (www.mayoclinic.com) and looked for information on bronchitis. There was a list of thirteen symptoms, and I had all of them. I called my doctor, he told me to come in for an examination and sure enough--I had acute bronchitis, which he thought could be attributed to the copious amounts of pollen dust in the air. Since it was viral and not bacterial, no antibiotics were prescribed. Just rest, plenty of liquids and the strict order to "allow" myself to cough--"That's the only way you'll get rid of it," my doctor said. "Get rid of the phlegm, cough it up."

So after five days of fevers, coughing, feeling like a zombie and hating the world, I am finally able to sleep at night without being awakened by coughing fits. I can actually walk up a flight of stairs without wheezing. I still feel a bit weak, and my brain feels like it's in the wrong gear but they say this should pass by Friday or Saturday. Maybe I will jumpstart it with a bit of sudoku or a crossword puzzle.

One nice thing about being at home ill is getting to lie on the sofa and watch loads of dvds. I found a new favorite film, Something New with Sanaa Lathan and Simon Baker. Also saw Imagine Me and You with Piper Perabo and Matthew Goode.

I bought a book to keep me occupied called Special Topics in Calamity Physics by Marisha Pessl. So far, I am spellbound. If you haven't read it yet, go out and buy it.

Time to start writing again...