Just the Facts

After my last post, last week.... I ran into several troubling items.  I am just listing the facts here, as I do not have the energy to try to describe things.  As the week progresses, I will likely expand more.... unless I end up finding it easier to simply try to forget these items and "move on":

1.  My "ill feelings" that I thought were from my vaccines apparently were not from the vaccines (or at least MOST of the "ill feelings" were not from the vaccines). I must have caught the local "bug" that has been all over the place at the U within a day or two before getting the vaccines. I was hugely ill all last week from the time I wrote my last post.  Besides fever/sweats/chills being rampant, I had a sore throat that was not bad, but it caused unstoppable fits of coughing... while trying to sleep.  I could not lay flat, and most of the rest of the week I was downstairs sitting upright and not sleeping much if at all (I do not seem to have much ability to sleep sitting upright).  The worst of it was the most horrendous case of laryngitis I have ever experienced.  I could not speak at all until just a little bit Saturday night.  

2.  The laryngitis destroyed much of my ability to teach Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.  I was beyond sick and sore and ill, but I struggled through TRYING to teach as best as I could but it was not very good at all.  

3.  On Wednesday, I went to the doctor and was prescribed an antibiotic and two other medicines to help reduce night coughing and to try to quell the laryngitis.  

4  But, on the way home, I stopped to by myself a Diet Dr. Pepper fountain drink to try to sooth my throat.  The absolute IDIOT that I am, I stupidly put my phone on top of my car as I navigated around to put the drink into the cup holder.  I drove off.  A ways away, I heard some chatter on my roof and saw my phone fly off the back through the rear view mirror.  I stopped as quickly as I could and went back.

5.  But, unfortunately the phone had been run over by another vehicle and was destroyed.

6.  It has been a nightmare ever since at the U as the U has "multifactor authentication" to access ANY computer or ANY electronic door lock. Multifactor Authenication is set up with a person's PHONE to be a second, third, or fourth tool in identifying a person before you are granted access.  I no longer had a phone and could not get anywhere or do anything.

7.  Trying to work with IT on campus on a regular telephone was nearly impossible with my laryngitis. They could not hear/understand me.  I had no stamina, no energy.  

8.  I had to do more running around to get permissions and jury-rigged work arounds all the rest of the week, and I was so, so very sick at the same time.  But, I could not access anything, even from home that was U related without the "Multifactor Authentication".  

9.  The whole situation emotionally took its toll on me.  At this point, I do not want to even try to write about my feelings during the last several days.  Just suffice it to say they were not good. 

10.  From the insurance claims, I MIGHT have a replacement phone by Tuesday.  But who knows?  

The above sounds so stupid and so foolish.  And, I know and understand that these are things that can happen.  But, when they are added onto the already extreme stress I have been experiencing the last two months or so.... it felt more than I could bear.  

I am more settled and resigned today, and being able to talk a bit (quietly) has also helped.  But, even though it seems stupid, and simply "just things that happened", they really threw me for a loop.  I should be able to "laugh" at these stupid things, perhaps.  And, perhaps that is so.  But, the above things crushed me. 

That is about it for now.  Going back to just trying to fix all the messes that have arisen from this.

If the phone issue can be fixed tomorrow, perhaps I will be able to swing back up.

PipeTobacco