you can do this, vw. Just focus on getting to the doctor's, then getting to work. Then focus on whatever's next. Just take it one step at a time. Once you are getting better, school and work will be so much easier to handle- exponentially so. Just get through one day at a time, one hour at a time. Do what is best for YOU. one day, one hour at a time.

{{vw}}

It would sound like the most ravingly paranoid, over-the-top GOP-hating-and-fearing conspiracy theory ever, except for the part where it's all completely true.

Uh-huh × ∞. It's all part of a GOP plan to assure permanent GOP dominance of all three branches of government.

No, really.

vw, don't quit. You're strong. And, honestly, when I feel like I can't do any more of the headache-related stuff, I do think of you. So you don't quit, and I won't quit.

vw, I did. I'm lame. I'm probably also mostly unable to answer the question, but I'll try.

Also, you can do this. I'm sorry it's so horribly crappy right now, but you totally can. I mean, have you met you?

My stomach prodded me awake an hour ago with extreme glurpiness, and Hec has been in and out of bed all night with his still-excruciating coccyx, poor lamb. Getting through the rest of the day should be interesting. I predict mutual collapse at 5:01 pm.

JZ, you're not lame. You're busy. I just wanted to make sure you got it...that's all.

Thanks, guys. I don't want to quit. I go back and forth between being really stubborn and wanting to just give it all up. It's just the prospect of being in this much pain for four to six weeks is almost more than I can handle right now. You're right, though, Nora. I need to just take it one step at a time.

I e-mailed work to let them know I'd be in this afternoon. I hope that's going to be ok. I've been pushing myself so hard there this week...I think it may actually have made things worse, but I need this job. I just...ack.

Morning all. Today is going to be one LONG day, but with a worthy payoff in the end as I'll be on vacation...but I won't see sleep until about this time tomorrow - GUH.

vw, it won't be the same level of pain all 4-6 weeks. It will get incrementally better until it all goes away and you feel like superwoman again. Your doctor will make sure you've got meds to handle the pain, and we'll be around to hold you up and curse the asshats until it's over.

vw, I think the work you have done this week (hopefully not to the detriment of your own health) shows that you are committed to doing everything possible to be there and part of the team. It is not possible to skip this doctor's appointment, and you are making an effort to be there afterward.

Don't give it all up. There are LOTS and LOTS of steps between where you are now and giving it all up, if you feel like your current responsibilites are too much for you. It's almost the weekend. Get to the doctor, go to work, hang in. Take the pain meds. You can do it. You are strong.

I guess I'm just skeptical, because the last time I was told that I'd have a symptom for 4-6 weeks, it never went away (the headache in the back of my head, from the encephalitis). So, it's hard to focus on much other than that.

vw, I hope the doctor is right about the transitory nature of the pain this time.