Lately I've had a rash of throat-related medical issues. This March, when I was down on the Arizona/Mexico border, I woke up with a swollen uvula, which went away with a field dressing of Sudafed, Ibuprofen, and Mexican Amoxicillin. I had a hard palate infection followed by a command performance of the swollen uvula, this May while I was up in Bryce Canyon. I got over that with a superdose of steroids and a course of Amoxicillin.

Then, early this Saturday morning, I awoke with a feeling that was not unlike having half a brick wedged into my throat.

I went to InstaCare and discovered that the May instance of uvular edema was not some sort of pilot error on my part. The doctor said that there had been multiple cases recently, and they suspected a viral cause. In any case, the by product of a massive dose of steroids is a weakening of the immune system.

Which brings us to the massive case of strep the doctor found squatting in my throat on Saturday morning. I got a big shot of antibiotics (they threw in the Tigger band-aid), then I went home and slept pretty much constantly until the next morning, at which point I grabbed my headlamp and checked my throat in the mirror. It felt like the brick was gone, but it looked like a brick had indeed been shoved in there and then yanked out with a piece of vinyl clothesline.

So, that's what's been going on with me lately.

As a side note, I'm making good headway into my revision of Rift. It's been really quite enjoyable. My editor need not fear.

UPDATE 6.11.08 :: Alisa has it, too. So, to clear the house we all went to Kung-Fu Panda. I had a surprisingly good time.

UPDATE 6.12.08 :: Ike got it, too. Zoë seems to be in the clear. Cross your fingers.