Weekends

Had a terrible weekend. I started with a headache and sore throat on Saturday morning, which then bloomed to muscle aches, fever and other whats-not by later afternoon. My temperature was like 39 °C by the time it was evening. I made my way (really slowly) down to TTSH to get some medical help. After waiting for 1 hour to see the doctor and get 3 days MC, I went home and tried to sleep it off.

The plan didn't work out so well. I kept waking up every 2-3 hours and felt that my entire body was burning to the touch. But I felt really really cold at the same time, which was a bitch since I have to keep alternating between keeping my blanket covering me and pulling it off to increase ventilation.

I didn't go out at all during the weekends, TTSH not withstanding. I spent most of my waking hours nursing a really bad headache, which I still have now, in a drug-induced stupor. I couldn't really sleep and everytime I did, I woke up to find my headache worse. Also, I suspect one of my medication has the effect of making my entire mouth seemed dry. I drank glasses of water but it didn't help. My entire mouth was parched but I wasn't really thirsty.

Then today, I went to EYS to get my back looked at. Lying in bed over the past 3 days made it really sore, more than usual in any case. I expected to have a chinese massage session but the physician said it was a nerve problem, not bone nor muscle-related. So I went for the acupuncture session he recommended and took home some grounded up chinese herbs which I have to mix in water after meals and probably will taste terrible and smell even worse.

Anyway, if anyone tells you acupuncture doesn't hurt, they must either be lying or have a high pain threshold. Make that VERY HIGH. It was really sore when the needles go in, especially when it is near a bone. I had 8 needles inserted and it wasn't fun even when it was time for removal. The needles were attached to a wire which supplies electrical currents and had moxibustion as well. I had to lie face down on the bed for 30 minutes for the treatment to be over. I could go to sleep if I wanted to but the current attached to my left knee kept making my left foot jerk nonstop, like every 3 seconds. It was really frustrating to have your feet jerking uncontrollably on and on and on. I realize that once the needles are in, as long as you think about it and focus your attention elsewhere, you don't really feel anything. Once your attention comes back to the needles, the pain is really bad.

Got to go back camp tonight. Hope my back gets better. I don't think I will like to go for another acupuncture session next week.