I noticed this meme on a good friend’s Fb web page (no unique attribution was supplied), and it struck a chord with me. It reads: “The whole lot is tremendous vital. Till you’re sick. Then you definately understand there was solely ever one factor that was vital. Your well being. However nonetheless we borrow from the financial institution of our well being, taking loans on stress and sleepless nights to pay for one thing that doesn’t actually matter.”
This most likely caught a chord with me as a result of right here I’m, recovering from an odd sickness that has sidelined me from regular “life” stuff in the interim (although hopefully not for lengthy). However let’s again up a bit.
Work Journey
I usually journey domestically for work about a few times per yr. Over the previous 3 years, although, I’ve additionally had one main worldwide journey per yr. I simply returned from one such journey – a visit to Peru. Whereas the journey was for work, I tacked on a private weekend on the finish of the week so I might see one of many 7 Historic Wonders of the World: Machu Picchu!
Unusual Signs
The day I used to be to return residence, I woke as much as a full physique rash. Odd. However I’d been extraordinarily busy. Hadn’t been sleeping, had been touring a ton (from Lima to Cusco to Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu and again once more!). I assumed my immune system was run down and IDK – I simply sort of ignored it. NBD.
Obtained residence on Sunday night time. By Monday morning, I began feeling further signs of being unwell. Upset abdomen, unhealthy headache, basic fatigue and feeling of malaise. However I’d simply been gone for a complete week and despite the fact that the journey was for work, I used to be drowning in emails from the time away from the workplace. I ignored my signs and received busy with work.
Tuesday morning I woke as much as a nosebleed. That is very uncommon for me. I haven’t had a nosebleed since childhood. However this was not your regular run-of-the-mill nosebleed. This was PROFUSE bleeding that might not be managed. It continued unabated for over an hour. Lastly it subsided….solely to return lower than two hours later. Each these bleeds have been fully unprompted (nothing hit my nostril, no nostril choosing, and many others.). At this level, I used to be scared sufficient to name my physician and get in ASAP.
Present Epidemic
Certainly one of my colleagues urged me to examine Dengue. There’s an epidemic of dengue circumstances proper now in Peru. It’s an an infection transmitted from mosquito bites of contaminated mosquitos (it’s not contagious from person-to-person). Whereas most circumstances are comparatively gentle, the extra harmful side of dengue is that it causes low platelet depend. When that occurs, bleeding could be a problem. It may trigger inner bleeding (showing as bruising or pinpoint pink dots on the pores and skin) and exterior bleeding (corresponding to my nosebleed) that’s tough to regulate. It additionally causes quite a lot of different signs, many in keeping with the unusual signs I used to be personally experiencing (headache, abdomen ache, fatigue, rash, and many others.)
Symptom Administration
I had a blood draw to get labs run on Tuesday however was instructed I wouldn’t obtain outcomes for 3-4 days. Regardless that this nonetheless has not been formally confirmed, I’m fairly constructive I’ve dengue. Whereas there’s no “remedy” for dengue, one can deal with and handle the signs. Crucial factor to extend platelets is to have meals excessive in folic acid and collagen. I’ve been “self-medicating” by consuming these meals, in addition to taking dietary supplements and nutritional vitamins. I additionally ordered a cell IV to come back give me fluids and extra nutritional vitamins like B-complex, zinc, magnesium, and extra. I’ve continued to have signs of low platelets (just like the pin level pink dots on my pores and skin), which is worrisome so I’m wanting to handle this, even within the absence of getting the official prognosis.
Monetary Accountability
All of these things comes with prices. Thus far, I’m out virtually $500 for medical care – that is unfold between the physician’s appointment, lab work, prescription remedy, and cell IV (which isn’t coated by insurance coverage, however is HSA-eligible). However this begs the query….who’s financially answerable for these prices? I’m so grateful to have a wholesome HSA so this isn’t popping out of my regular month-to-month price range, it’s coming from my HSA account. Nonetheless, I feel this could depend as a “office damage”, no? There’s some ambiguity, although, on condition that I did add on the weekend Machu Picchu journey for enjoyable on the finish of the work journey. That stated, I used to be solely in Peru for work and wouldn’t have been uncovered to Dengue in any other case. Is that this one thing I ought to report for Workman’s Comp?
I’d love some recommendation from others who might have navigated office accidents or claims up to now. I’d not pursue something till I’ve obtained a proper prognosis. And even then, assuming I proceed to enhance and get higher and no further medical bills are incurred I would simply go away it as-is to keep away from the effort of no matter is concerned with workman’s compensation. I truthfully don’t even know if this could qualify because of the odd nature of the sickness, and many others.
Prognosis
From what I’ve learn, it seems like my case is comparatively gentle (with the low platelet depend being the one true factor of concern). Most circumstances resolve on their very own inside every week and I’m already feeling higher at present than I used to be 3 days in the past, so I imagine I’m transferring in a constructive trajectory. Within the absence of something loopy taking place, I feel I’ll be again to regular by this time subsequent week.
Any ideas from anybody on the market with extra expertise than me on this area? Ought to I attempt to speak to Workman’s Comp or simply go away it as-is (paid from my HSA) and name it a day?
The publish Monetary Accountability from Work-Associated Sickness appeared first on Running a blog Away Debt.
