Not a First That I Wanted to Experience

Friday I woke up with a sore throat. Not an unusual thing for me, especially during that time of the year that the seasons can't make up their minds about whose turn it is. I have some issues with my sinuses that stem (I believe) from a car accident and a broken nose. This leads to mouth breathing, and occasionally waking up with a dry and sore throat. That's probably more than anyone wanted to know.

The point is, though it hurt a little more than usual—I got up and went to work as is the norm. By noon, I could tell that this was not a normal sore throat. It was the worst sore throat I had ever experienced in my life. Around eleven o'clock I had gone down to my car and dug through the pockets on the back of the front seats, I vaguely recalled having some throat lozenges. YES!!! I found them. After sucking down three to no effect, I started to suspect this was not a typical sore throat. Shortly thereafter I started to feel cold and a little sick—so I went home.

On the way home I stopped at the Drug store and picked up the real deal throat lozenges. Did you know they sell two kinds? For about the same price you can buy a bag of one hundred or a box of eighteen. Those available in bulk have an active ingredient of Menthol. Those that come in a box of eighteen have an actual oral anesthetic; it's like sucking on Orajel—it literally numbs your mouth/throat. After sucking down two of those, and noticing that my mouth was numb, but my throat still hurt—I suspected, but didn't want to admit what illness I had.

Saturday, when I woke up with the same sore throat (and had been dealing with Chills and Fever), I decided it was time to go to the doctor and get diagnosed for what I suspected was Streptococcal Pharyngitis. All my life, and all around me I've heard of people getting Strep Throat, but I've never had it. Until now. If I don't get it again for another 33 years I'll be okay with that.

Going to the Doctor was weird. I didn't know where to go or how to fill out the insurance information and what not. It's literally been over twenty years since I've gone to the Doctor for an illness.(Unless you count that one time when I was on my mission that I just remembered; that's a little different though, since it was the emergency room at one in the morning, and suspected Appendicitis, and I didn't take myself in, I just sat there in pain—the Dr. told me he was 95% sure it was appendicitis, but that he wouldn't operate until he was 98% sure. I had a priesthood blessing. I spent the night in the hospital alone [very strange for a missionary of my faith]. In the morning all symptoms were gone.)

For what it's worth, the throat culture confirmed what I suspected...At least I get a couple days off of work.