Answer her question.

"Yes, Susanna," you tell her. "I'm feeling fine."

"Good, John," she says, honestly sounding happy with the answer you gave her.

"The problem is not with HOW I'm feeling. but WHAT I'm feeling," you add.

"And what is that, John?" she asks, again sounding as though she really cares. "A little headache? Maybe some nausea?"

"OK; Guess I said that wrong," you admit. "It's not what I'm feeling so much as what I'm not feeling.... I'm not sure I can get my work done properly when I'm feeling this way."

"Oh!" she says. "Well, of course, your ability to work may reflect on the board's vision of how well I'm working here. Is there anything I can do to help you?!"