What had happened was

[fredericks]

So, right, facial rash and slight elevated temp yesterday plus sinus irritation (thanks so very much for the supportive comments, y'all). I felt pretty nifty this morning but didn't want to go in to work because of the rash and the possibility of having something contagious (seriously, I'm rocking a weird Star Trek facial thing right now). The reason why I ended up going in anyway? I don't have insurance. And I will continue to not have insurance for another month or so. I figured I'd be able to head down to Employee Health, they'd tell me what was what, pat me on the ass (figuratively speaking), and send me on my way.

WRONG. Employee Health ended up sending my ass *home*. Officially I'm off the floor until my labwork comes back (liver enzyme levels for possible isoniazid complications, CBC for off-counts most everywhere else, and a strep culture "just in case") and I get clearance from a physician, so no work for me until Friday at the earliest. Problem being I don't have insurance yet. The Employee Health people referred me to an affliated outside group that has sliding scale payment opportunities (major yikes, but if I have to...) but the group doesn't have an appointment window until next Wednesday, meaning I'd have to miss four-five days of working, meaning no. nein. nuh-uh. By calling around I managed to find out that I have two-three days of "holiday pay" accumulated, meaning I can swing a couple of days off the floor without a huge financial crunch. I also wheedled with the PA on duty in Employee Health and convinced him to give me clearance this Friday if the rash has cleared up and I don't present with any more weird symptoms. I'll be trekking out there on an "off day", but whateverthefuck, I have bills to pay.

My day in a nutshell: woke up at 5AM, got to work at 6:15AM, started work at 7AM, worked on the floor until 8:30AM, went down to Employee Health and then left (das boot) at 10:30AM. Got in the house at 11:45AM, made a huge cup of tea and moped for a bit, popped in "Veronica Mars" at 12:30PM, hit my bed at 1:45PM. Fast-forward uneventfully until now. Time really drags when I'm not working on a day I'm supposed to.

This is me being semi-pouty. The Star Trek look? So not fetching.

Comments

[geeklovegod.livejournal.com]

do you not get sick pay in the states? Most jobs I've had, where I also get holiday pay, I also get paid if I'm off and legitimately ill

[fredericks.livejournal.com]

You do, but generally only after you've worked a probationary period. This period varies from job to job. At this hospital the probationary period is three months. I'm only at two months, hence the lack of insurance as well (insurance and benefits kick in after the probationary period). I figure holiday pay is what they give new people to make up for the fact that they have no sick time to play with if they are legitimately ill during their first couple of months on the job.

[pr-spin-girl.livejournal.com]

I understand the whole rash/hives thing. That's how all of my medication allergies present - oh, and my lips swell up like Jimmie Walker.

Hope you feel better soon! Another of my LJ friends has a sinus infection, must be going around!

[fredericks.livejournal.com]

Communicable LJ diseases! ::cackles wildly::
Thanks for the kind words. *grin*

[pix3lated-dream.livejournal.com]

Sucky probational periods! Hope you get better soon. Crossing cold fingers. Brr, it's cold and I'm sick with the cold of dOOm so I can relate. I hate germs!!

[fredericks.livejournal.com]

Gah! Not the Cold of DOOM! Thing is, I sort of like that being ill gives one an excuse to lie back all day. Of course, the feeling like crap part is always detrimental.

You feel better as well, now! *hugs, with a hazmat suit on to prevent infection*

[pix3lated-dream.livejournal.com]

Lol, you make me laugh! BTW not sure if I told you that I LOVE the card you sent me and as always it made me giggle like a little girl!

Lazing around does have it's advantages :-D, as long as I can stop feeling guilty for not getting anything done around the house during that time frame of dealing with the cold of dOOOOm.

[fredericks.livejournal.com]

I'm glad you got the card! I think I sorely underestimated the speed at which mail makes its way from the US to Canada. Next time I'll try to send things out three weeks early.

dOOOOm!

[theoban.livejournal.com]

Right - I'm telling you now. GET BETTER. You'd think people would listen to me....

[fredericks.livejournal.com]

Bloody deaf immune systems...

[stryfegeek.livejournal.com]

I remember back in the day when going to a doctor's office was a quick thing. Now you have to wait like a week for places to have an "opening" or you get to go there and just sit around for 8 hours hoping to get in....

Best of luck getting it sorted out.

[fredericks.livejournal.com]

This is me realizing how damn lucky I am - it SUCKS to be without insurance.
Thanks for the kind words.

[quenya-tattoo.livejournal.com]

Ahhh poor thing!! Sleep. Just sleep-- that's the only way to make it NOT drag >.

[fredericks.livejournal.com]

I'd start to drowse, and then I'd go "oh, shiny!" and be distracted by something on the computer. Daytime television sucks all sorts of varied nuts, though. I'll do the sleep thing tomorrow to make up for time. :)

[emily-goddess.livejournal.com]

Aw, feel better *hugs*

[fredericks.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the kind words. :)