the trifecta

On Saturday night, I started to get the aches that usually signal the begining of the flu: my neck, lower back, upper arms and backs of my hands. By Sunday morning, I could hardly get out of bed, which was sort of a problem, because I was supposed to be in a wedding.
So I took it easy all morning, took a mega-dose of cold medicine right before the ceremony started, and did a nice job in an incredibly beautiful ceremony.
I spent most of the reception in a chair, which meant I was a pretty lousy date for my stunningly beautiful wife, but as usual she never wanted for a dance partner.
Sunday night, I woke up nearly suffocating on the phlegmy shit in my throat, in so much pain I couldn’t swallow. I think I slept for about 52 minutes and when I woke up I couldn’t even talk. Good times, lots of really good times. Monday morning I started running a fever, averaging about 101.5. So I gave in, admitted I was sick, and saw my doctor this morning. Holy mother of shit. I hit the trifecta:

  1. A severe sinus infection
  2. excra-something tonsillitis
  3. and the mother of them all: Mono.

So that sort of explains why I have felt so tired for the last two weeks, and why nothing I do seems to make this infection get any better.
My doctor has ordered me to stay in bed for at least the next week, and he said that it will take anywhere from ten days to two months to completely get over the infections, so I’m probably not going to be able to finish the ACME run, and since I can’t fly, I don’t get to go speak at the Red Hat conference on June 1.
Because this is all viral, all I can do is take stuff to help me feel not quite so bad, and because it’s mono, I have to rest for about three hours to get fifteen good minutes of anything done.
I probably won’t be updating my blog very much for the next seven or ten days. If you’re waiting for your Just A Geek from the fundraiser, I’m about half-way through. I’m doing my very best to get them all signed and shipped, but I hope everyone understands that I’m at about 30% right now. Okay, time to go sleep again.

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147 thoughts on “the trifecta”

  1. OHMIGOSH…I’m not alone. And neither are you Wil. I was diagnosed with Mono last Wednesday. Sure does explain a lot. Of course it doesn’t make you feel any better.
    I’m so sorry you are feeling this bad too. Take comfort that there is a lump on a sofa in Tennessee that feels just as bad as you do. Hopefully we’ll both be better soon.
    FYI – my mom hooked me up with a supplement called Monobrex that’s suppose to kick it quick. You might want to check it out. Available online and arrived in just a few days. I’m only 2 days in – I’ll let you know if it makes a difference.

  2. If Wikipedia is any guide, you also need to avoid aspirin and be careful with paracetamol, but ibuprofen seems to be OK.
    In the UK, Infectious Mononucleosis is also known as “glandular fever” or “Yuppie Flu”! (Hey, take it as a compliment – young & upwardly mobile, you is.) So get some rest, Yuppie! 😎

  3. So sorry you are ill Wil. Mono sucks, get some reading in! Try a half a lemon soaked in Hot water and then juiced into the water, add a tablespoon of honey and some Scotch. Always makes me feel better.

  4. Hi kiddo, hope you feel better soon. And regarding hitting the trifecta, you might want to buy some lottery tickets about now, considering the odds. Once again, let me tell you how much I love your website. Hugs, Jenna

  5. Wil,
    I’m really sorry to hear about the mono. Don’t worry about the blog or work. We’ll all be out here sending you good health mojo.
    Somebody who posted before me said that she keeps hearing and nanotechnology and she always thinks of that Next Generation episode. I’ve had the same experience. Everytime I hear or see something about nanotechnology, I see Wesley telling Guinan that he always gets an A. Weird.
    Anyway, get better.
    Lee

  6. Wil
    Sending you some distance Reiki (mojo, to you). Enjoy the fever dreams, and take your time getting back to “reality”. The world will still be here when you get well.
    P.S. Noble Poker with Iggy isn’t resting. 😉

  8. Wil,
    I’ve been reading your blog for a while and finally got around to registering to comment. I’m sorry to hear you’re so sick. I hope you get better as fast as you can. I’m sending good vibes your way.

  10. Ugh! I’m so sorry! I think one of the worst things about being laid up sick is that you have “free” time but can’t do anything with it!
    I recommend the Quadruple Cocktail:
    Echinacea + Garlic + Vit C + MultiVitamin/Mineral
    I used to get sick a lot. With asthma and various allergies, my immune system has never been up to snuff. But since I started taking Nutrilite vitamins I rarely get more than the sniffles. Double X Multivitamin/mineral daily. Then I just add the garlic, echinacea, and Vit C when I start to feel that I’m-about-to-get-sick tingle.
    Get rest. Get well.

  11. Damn dude…
    I had mono when I was in high school along with strep, so I have buckets, nay barrels of sympathy for you. It sucked like a thing that sucks a lot.
    Apparently this is Nature’s way of telling you to sit the hell down for a bit and you best listen. I mean it. Rest, sleep, consume healthy foods and liquids and try to keep the crankies to a low roar. Do not think you are better just because you feel ok one day. This crap takes time to work out of your body. I wish you a speedy recovery and best wishes to Anne in taking care of your illin’ butt.

  12. For what its worth, my wife and I just went through the same thing in February. It started the same, we both developed Strep infections (thank God for Antibiotics!) and then spent the next six weeks with something that acted alot like mono.
    Along with exhaustion, watch for liver pains and expect to be completely “spaced out” whenever you try to work/blog.
    The kids tend to get less severe sympthoms, but you and your spouse may be out for the next month or two, or three…

  13. Get well soon, Wil. One thing I enjoy about feeling a bit (or a LOT) under the weather is that there is no expectation that you be ‘productive.’ Nap. Read. Nap again. Drink tea. Catch some TV. Nap.
    I downloaded your Gnomedex readings to my iPod and listened to them as I flew to San Jose on business earlier this week. What a hoot. Luckily I had a cool seatmate who simply smiled at me when I giggled. And what a pleasure to hear familiar stories read aloud. I won’t be able to watch William **** Shatner in anything in the future without getting an unfortunate visual courtesy of Spiner’s toupee comment. 😉
    Listen to your doctor and lay low for a bit so this crap doesn’t boomerang back on you.
    Get well – karmelrio
    P.S. Do you ever think it’s weird that thousands of people you’ve never met are so wired in to your life? I’ve lurked here for years, have just posted a few times, but I just want to thank you for letting us get to know you. You have many e-friends. Whether that makes you happy or squicks you out ??? Who knows. 😉 But it’s quite an accomplishment, this little community you’ve created. I appreciate it.

  14. Oh, I almost forgot, my brother lost hearing (all of it) in his right ear as a result of Mono so keep an eye on your bodt temp. If you get above 100, jump in the tub with a few bags of party ice.

  15. Hopefully you’ll get better a lot sooner than what the doc says, Wil. I’m sending all the mojo that can be carried to try and help.

  17. There have been a ton of college mono horror stories, so I won’t share (much of) mine, other than to comment that my mono started to come in earnest in early August and it was late October before I kicked it. Of course, that was almost twelve years ago, so I bet medical science has better answers on how to manage it than I did.
    Otherwise: if you want a truly surreal experience, now might be a good time to dig out The General in His Labyrinth, just for the sheer synchronicity of reading about Simón Bolivar’s night sweats and interminable illness while you’re experiencing the very same thing! I still think that Gabriel Garcia-Marquez must have been suffering from mono or something like it when he wrote that book.

  18. I totally feel your pain. I got it twice (yeah, it can recur, but it’s rare) in 2000 and had to drop out of grad school.
    Everyone’s left some good advice, and here’s mine to add to it:
    -Don’t make any commitments for the next three months.
    -Find a comfy place to hang out with close proximity to the bathroom and common areas so you don’t have to try to yell for help.
    -The infection will be totally gone in about four weeks. Don’t worry about that part, it’s just like having strep. Just do the usual popsicle/soft foods thing and you’ll be fine. Crushed ice is your friend…if you can get/make that, you’re set.
    -Join Netflix if you haven’t already, and make Amazon.com your homepage. You’re going to be doing a LOT of reading and and a LOT of watching TV. And even that will make you tired at first, so start with simple stuff.
    -Milk it for all it’s worth. You’re going to be really really weak for a while. Enjoy a few months of mindless entertainment.
    Good luck. You have our sympathy. 🙂

  19. Oh, and you should also post a link to your amazon wish list so we can send you reading material. 🙂

  21. Aw man, I read mono and my body cringed. You can feel special, it is *very* rare to get mono once your early 20s! I’m one of those unlucky people that had confirmed mono three times. As your doctor said it can take up to two months to clear out, it can take up to 18 months to fully recover. Chocolate milk is your friend, so is ice cream. Sleep is also your friend. I remember having to take an hour nap every time I went to the bathroom, not to mention my liver and spleen were so swollen I had to hold them while walking stairs. Oh the joy of mono. I really hope you get over this soon, and no matter what, rest is your best friend. It can get really frustrating, especially once your mind recovers from being sick and your body is still battling mono. Wish you all the best…
    *~Enk~*

  23. As much as I love reading your your expoits and opinions, I hope I don’t see any posts for the next week as you let your body heal.
    Get well!

  24. Wil,
    being sick totally sucks! But let yourself get better the viewership can wait we’re not going to go anywhere. Missing Red Hat really sucks but there’s nothing you can do, I’m sure the geeks will understand.

  25. hey I’m new here, but I wanted to send my well wishes to you!
    and here is a proven family remidy for congestion and philm…
    Put 2 shots of whiskey One shot of lemon and two shots of honey in a mug and either heat or take cold, and sip (don’t gulp down!)
    it helps break up all the gross stuff!
    hope you feel better soon

  29. Wil mono sucks! Heaps and loads of get well mojo coming your way from DC.
    {Insert repetition of previously posted home remedies and generic advice}.
    I kicked mono in 2 weeks…sort of a “mind over body” mentality. Although, don’t do what I did –enjoy the relaxation, the sleep attacks, and the chance to have “but I don’t wanna do that” actually work as an excuse!

  30. Ugh! I got hit by a massive cold like a freight train. Sounds alot like your. It started with a slight tickle in my throat one morning. By that evening it I was BLAMO… hit by the train. Hope mine isn’t as severe as your. As I have no health insurance (ain’t America great?) I have to keep my doctors visits to a minimum. So I’ll wait it out to see if it gets worse…so far it seems to be getting better. I’ll keep my fingers crossed.
    Get well soon!

  31. Thanks, everybody. The swelling in my throat is down, and the sinus pressure is easing up a little bit at the medication starts to work. I’m still exhausted, but at least I’m not in quite as much pain as I was yesterday.
    I’m still exhausted, which I understand is normal with mono, and is how I can count on feeling for at least the next two weeks. Ugh.
    I am very touched by all your kindness. 🙂

  32. Hi Wil,
    Just wanted to let you know that I fell ill with mono the day I returned from my honeymoon back in June 2002 aged 30. It was hell. I got it so bad that I could barely drink for the first couple of weeks. I ended up having to have three litres of saline through a drip just to stay hydrated.
    Don’t plan on doing anything at all in the next month or so and when you do start to do things again take it slow. I mean really slow.
    I’ll be praying for ya.
    Remeber take as much fluids as you can and rest.
    David

  33. I had mono + terrible sinus infection a few years ago. It was nasty. Drink a lot of water, watch for recurring sinus infections once you heal up. Feel better.

  34. Mono actually turned me into a Star Trek fan. I remember when I came down with it, Star Trek: The Next Generation just came out in syndication and one of the channels was running the episodes almost constantly. I remember laying in my bed, watching Star Trek, being too tired to move, much less change the channel. Good times…
    Well, not really, but at least I gained one positive from the experience, since I’m still a fan. Get well soon…

  35. Ugh, I had a serious case of mono in highschool that knocked me out for 3 months. The kicker was that they couldnt figure out what I had at first, because I had hives all over, and fatigue as my main two symptoms. They took gallons of blood to test before the doc said ‘you know, hives are a rare side effect of mono, maybe you have that’ and they tested me and bingo, positive.
    Feel better Wil 🙂

  36. Hey Wil. First, hope your illness lasts as little as possible and that you feel better soon. Did your doctor prescribe any steroids (like prednisone) for the swelling in your throat? Also, 90% of the time mono is caused by Epstein Barr Virus (EBV) but it can also be due to Cytomegalovirus (CMV). If you have the CMV, there is a drug that can help, Ganciclovir.
    I can relate to the whole throat swollen deal. Last February I had a nasty PTA (peritonsillar abscess) (http://icarus.med.utoronto.ca/carr/manual/pta.jpg) . Very nasty stuff. Came very close to needing surgery for it. Anyways, hope you feel better soon. Drink lots of fluids, don’t get dehydrated.

  37. Crisis on a cracker, what a horrid combo. Mono is a bit embarassing after 22 or so. Sooooo many bad jokes. Sleep until you are slept out, then after the Himalayan journey to the john go back to sleep. Try to get something down everytime you wake up. Real fruit shakes and smoothies are great if you have a good blender. Don’t rush the process. Better a few extra days of being Slugly Doright than a relapse. We’ll all be here when you get back.

  38. On a more hopeful note, I had strep and mono at the same time in college and got past the worst of it in the first week or two. I was still more tired than usual for the rest of the semester, but was back in classes and functional after that second week.
    Listen to everyone else’s advice and get well soon!

  39. That really sucks but I feel your pain. I had the flu all week too, along with tooth pain. I get to have one wisdom tooth extracted next wednesday. UGH. Anyway, feel better soon!

  40. I’m here to join the chorus of over-20-and-had-mono-recently. In my case, it was three years ago at age 26. The best advice I can give you is to pay close attention to your own level of fatigue for at least the next six months or so. If your experience is anything like mine, you’ll feel like you are back up to 90% of normal in a month… but you’ll still find yourself getting tired at odd and inconvenient times. When this happens, you *must* rest. You may feel like a big sissy for feeling tired when you think you really shouldn’t be tired, and you may try to push yourself through the fatigue. Don’t.
    And for the next couple of weeks, make like a vegetable–plant yourself somewhere and drink lots of water. I’ll send lots of anti-mono mojo your way, Wil.

  42. Hey, Wil,
    Just caught up with your blog. Very sorry to hear about the Trifecta. You have my empathy, both regarding the illness and the general public’s lack of understanding.
    I’ve been dealing with a nasty recurring food allergy this week…apparently eggs, of all things! Third or fourth attack in two years, this time bad enough for an ER visit. Next week, I’ll finally get the serum (blood) allergy test to confirm and /or rule out culprits.
    No more Eggs Benedict for me, I fear…!
    Since laughter is the best medicine…
    http://scifi.about.com/blstrippokerrules.htm
    Gilder Anne McCarroll
    [email protected]
    San Antonio, TX, USA

  43. Hey Wil, just stopped by the site to see what’s up with you after seeing you in “Python”. I hope you’re feeling better, sucks that you got ALL THREE of those at once. Just remember, don’t get out of bed, especially if it is only just a snake. lol

  44. You know, I’ve always wanted mono… Think you could backwash into a bottle of Aquafina and send it to me? I’ll pay for S&H, too.
    (If I told you I didn’t mean that in a stalker-ish way, would anyone believe me?)

  45. Okay so no one knows who I am, but that’s okay. That’s what a first comment is for right? Just a fan since I was 12 (but I’m not that old now anyway) that stumbled across this a little while back and have been checking in.
    I gave up reading all the comments have way through. I didn’t know so many people had mono! Of course, I wouldn’t go to the doctor even if I did. I muddle through sore throats with Singer’s tea, chicken noodle soup and orange juice. And now, I’m leaving because everyone else has said as much or more, but I do hope you feel better Wil. I thought my sore throat was bad, but I think us singers have a tendency to be dramatic over voice loss.

  46. Just a reply to a few previous posters: mono is a virus, can only be contracted once, although as with all viruses, immune deficiencies may cause a chronic condition. EBV also reacts badly with antibiotics, and many people develop a rash that mimics an alergic reaction to penicillin; it’s not, nor is it at all unusual, and it will go away. The virus alters the white blood cells it comes into contact with, elevating their levels in the blood; they steal nutrients, hence fatigue.
    So, the best advice? When tired, rest, ’cause the body just *can’t* do what you’re asking it to do.
    Get well soon, Wil! You will… eventually!

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