Sick Day

I woke up from a deep, much needed night of sleep with a pounding in my right ear. I looked at my clock, 5 am was glowing blue in my dark room. I never wake up in the middle of the night, but my ear hurt so bad that I couldn’t go back to sleep.

I was feeling really sick the night before and was hoping a good night sleep would refresh me. It was just the opposite. I think my head cold spread to my ears. I thought to myself, you have two more hours to sleep. You need that sleep. I tried so hard to fall back asleep, but the more I thought about it the more frustrated I got. I was in too much pain.

I was having a debate with myself in my head…Go to work, or call in sick. I didn’t want to call in sick because I know it makes it harder for Kelsey. At the same time was miserable. That’s it I thought. I have to take care of myself. I made the call and tried to fall back asleep; hoping the relief of not working would help.

I still felt the pounding in my ear. It felt warm and swollen.  Maybe I should call the doctor I thought to myself. No…I will just have to wait forever in an uncomfortable waiting room and the doctor will just tell me there is nothing he can do. I’m better off in bed.

I tried a wet warm wash cloth and pressed it against my ear. This feels a little better I think to myself. The relief only lasted a few minutes. Tylenol wasn’t helping either.

I broke down and called the doctor’s office. They were booked for the next two days. I was so discouraged. How am I going to go back to work with screaming 5 and 6 y ear olds with this pounding in my ears? I asked the receptionist to call me with ANY openings.

I lay miserable in my bed for the next two hours, and then my phone rang. I was praying it was the doctor’s office.  “How does 3:45 today work?” Perfect I said.

I was sitting in the exam room anxiously waiting for the doctor to come in and tell me what I could do to make the pain go away. It felt like the clock hands were moving in slow motion. The doctor finally came in. He looked in my ear and said”Owe! Your ear is bright red. Like blood red. You’re too old to get ear infections.” I wasn’t even really listening to what he was saying. I was relieved I was going to get medicine and just wanted to leave to get it. I couldn’t get out of that office fast enough.

I went to the pharmacy and picked up the antibiotics and ear numbing drops. I put thin in my ear…awwww! Instant relief. I was finally able to go to sleep and get the full nights rest my body needed.

I'm not really sure about the title, I am also unsure of how to differentiate when I'm thinking to my self, and when I am telling the story, or if I need to (if that makes sense).