Strep by Strep

So, I had every intention of a wonderful Labor Day weekend.  I was going to fly to Pittsburgh, reunite with my family, surprise my friends as Kelly and I joined them for a few nights in remote Pennsylvania, and then some family time over the holiday before we all returned to Florida together.  What happened instead was that I left the church early on Thursday because I wasn't feeling well.  I prepared to leave, got the house closed off, dogs boarded, headed to the airport, and through two flights really started to feel worse.  I reunited with the family, had dinner, and Kelly and I headed off to surprise my friends.  Still feeling worse.

When we got there I just wanted to crawl in bed, and so I did.  Got up for about 3 hours on Saturday, and after lunch went back to bed as my friends sat in the other room laughing and reminiscing.  I felt very far away.  That afternoon, after realizing that I had spent the past 21 out of 24 hours in bed, Kelly asked if we should head back.  I reluctantly said we should.  So I bade farewell to my buddies, got in the car and headed back to her parents house.  That night I was up every two hours, shivering and never getting even close to comfortable.  I didn't sleep, and I didn't feel very well.  I really wasn't enjoying Labor Day weekend at all.  I almost felt as though I shouldn't have come.

Sunday I got myself to a walk-in and even though the quick-strep test came back negative, the PA thought I was in the margin of error.  Amoxicillin, lots of liquids, and rest.  I was starting to feel well enough for a 6 hour day with the boys and family, enough to salvage some of the dream weekend.  I think my Labors were catching up with me.  Kelly was disappointed, I was distraught, and we just felt an opportunity missed.  Only now am I thankful for the chance to get away and see my family again, or that I really did relish seeing my friends, even for a few minutes.  I trust there will be other opportunities and better times.