A woman that works in my cubicle called in yesterday but at work today. Boss said this morning at

[wnylib]

49. The bronchitis was only the first part

of the problem. After getting it 4 times in a couple months, I developed a muscle inflammation as an aftermath. It's a disorder that follows viral infections for people age 60 and over, women more often than men, and a certain ethnic demographic.

It was debilitating. I lost range of motion in my arms and was in chronic, serious pain. Could not go up steps, not even up a curb when crossing a street without excruciating pain. It was made worse by a PA who misdiagnosed it as "mild" arthritis and did not believe the degree of pain I was in so it went on for months.

Fortunately, another PA figured it out from my age, ethnicity, and recent multiple bouts of viral bronchitis. She put me on Prednisone, the only med that works for it. Took two years of gradually reducing the dose and exercises from a rheumatologist before I finally got back to normal. But I still have to be careful about not overusing muscles.

All because a selfish coworker refused to get treatment and kept infecting me, plus an employer whose attendance policy was draconian.