I seem to have somehow snorted mustard gas sometime yesterday. I had a tickle in my throat in the day which led to the occasional cough, then as the evening wore on the coughs increased in frequency and severity, and by night, it felt like my lungs were coated with something that prevented air from filling all the way.

This morning, I woke up with raw throat and sinuses. The intake of air hitting my throat brought on pain with each breath. As I laid there, I realized that any part of my body that had any sensation — of the comforter brushing my ankle and shoulder, the pillow against my cheek, a knot of sheets clasped in my hands, my sleeve against my wrists — was in oversensitivity hell. Then I became aware of deeper aches. My bladder hurt from the pressure of being full, my uterus and boobs hurt from PMS, and my lungs hurt. I made the mistake of inhaling a little too deeply. A torrent of hollow coughs tore through my body. It really feels like I should have a fever with all the body aches and pains, but I don’t seem to. I’d go to the doctor, but I can’t imagine what the doctor would do for me except charge $25 for an aspirin.

So I came to work. And I sound horrible. My skin hurts. *whimper*