Still in Mammoth Lakes

Ah, day 4 in town. I must say I'm feeling a lot better after my second ER trip. I have not developed another abscess, but I had gotten a ton of my favorite symptoms back. Over production of saliva and phlegm, restricting my ability to swallow and speak, and a locking of the jaw so my teeth cannot spread more then 2 finger heights apart. 2 nights ago was a most wonderful night, waking up every 45 to 60 mins, unable to sleep on my left side (gravity pulling down on the tonsil caused pain) and having sleep upright. It was nearly impossible to get comfortable again. Yesterday I got it in my head I was going to try and leave town that day, I don't know where I got such a stupid idea from, it was the worst day yet. By the 7pm all I had to eat was a pint of Ben and Jerry's and was unable to communicate effectively. I planned on going to see "Land of the Lost" instead I went back to the ER. After having a sonogram probe shoved down my throat and no evidence of an abscess, the physician gave me a dose of Percocet and a steroid. I left the ER with 12 Percocet tablets. Last night I slept wonderfully and this morning I didn't feel any need to take Percocet. I'm still taking Ibuprofen, going to cut back to 400mg from the 800mg I was taking, to help with the inflammation of the tonsil.

Here is where the days are going to be tougher. Now that I'm feeling better I will start to get antsy about getting back on the trail. I still have 4 days of antibiotic, Azithromycin, to complete before I will get back on the trail. I should also get my cell phone charger today :-). This is the second time I have regretted sending it ahead, at 1oz I guess I will start carrying it again. And now that talking is no longer a chore I might actually make some phone calls!

As always I miss everyone and wish you all a happy, wet :-), summer back east. Enjoy.