NEW: Hi Everyone. I wanted to thank all of you for your very kind comments below, and for reaching out to me personally this past week. I went to bed late Tuesday night and spent the next 3 days flat on my back with some crazy high temps. When I woke up Saturday morning, my sheets were drenched and I knew my fever had finally broke.
(That’s when I made the big move to my livingroom couch where I can now stare at my tv instead of my tablet or bedroom ceiling.)
I’m still working on making a full recovery, I have a persisent cough and congestion. But I’m guessing in 4-5 days it will be out of my system. Gigi if you’re reading this—I’m sorry about your own cough, I used to go thru a lot of those Halls Lemon lozenges too. But I’ve since switched to Riccola Lemon Mint Drops. They’re sugar free and all natural.
And Peter if YOU’RE reading this, I did have my flu shot in November! Do you know they only reduce the risk of flu in seniors around 41%? And dkzody, you brought up a good question: I’m not around a lot of people, so where did I get this. The NHS says you contract the virus 4 days before you begin showing symptoms.
Anyway… I regret sharing all of this. The ONLY REASON I did when it sprang up was because I sort of panicked. I am still wrestling with long covid relapses, and 2 days before the flu hit, I developed a painful burning in my head and behind my eyes. Long covid headache. (Miss Merry, I’m very sorry for your son-in-law’s relapse.)
I knew I’d have to deal with that and the flu both, and it just overwhelmed me.
So, I’ve had quite enough of the “woe is me” talk. Thanks again for your kind words and concern everybody, and for reading this update too. I haven’t looked at the news in days, I hope we’re not at war with Canada!
Tues, Mar 04: Today around noon, I developed a bad cough that wouldn’t go away. I’m really not a cougher. Around 2pm, my friend (and fomer coworker from the 90s, Susie) called to tell me she had just returned home after being in the hospital for 7 days following gall bladder surgery.
I couldn’t hide my coughing, she asked if I had a fever. I said I’d check, and I didn’t. I wished Susie well and decided to lay down for an hour. Couldn’t stop coughing, darn it.
I was going to have a stuffed pita for my Early Bird dinner, but opted for a scrambled egg instead. I began shivering very hard and checked the indoor/outdoor temperature. It was 71F inside, and 65F outside. Positively balmy out there. I take my OWN temperature (above), 101.3.
I’m now aching from head to toe. My long covid head WANTS to explode, but doesn’t understand this good old American cold or flu.
At least, I hope that is what this is. I do have a covid test in my cupboard, if I’m not feeling better in the morning, maybe I’ll take it. Thanks for letting me share, I’m in misery right now sitting up to type this, so I will probably be out of commission for the time being. Take care everyone.
Oh, Dug, you can't get a break... but hopefully it's just the 24-48 hr flu. DH had something similar about a week ago (mostly tired, chills, and achy). It was gone in 48 hours. My DIL's are both nurses and say that Covid and Flu A (?) are everywhere right now. You know the drill... plenty of fluids, rest, and maybe something for the fever and/or cough. Take care of yourself, my friend.
ReplyDeleteOh no, hoping it's just a the flu/cold thing going around and it's the 24 hour kind. You really don't need this!!!!
ReplyDeleteUpdate on son-in-law. He developed a horrible headache two weeks ago. Again. Then exactly a week later, another headache. Both headaches followed an evening in a crowded high school gym watching girls basketball finals. He is thinking it was the overhead florescent lights, which were a huge problem with him returning to the classroom. It's not a sacrifice to just not attend these games so an easy fix. It's kind of one step in front of the other to get through this.
Wishing Susie a quick recovery too!
DeleteOh no! I'm so sorry. This flu season is no joke. Take care of yourself, and as I always say, drink plenty of fluids and rest!
ReplyDeleteEveryone I know is catching this awful flu. I hope you recover quickly, dear friend.
ReplyDeleteGet well soon buddy
ReplyDeleteSiobhan x
If you were in Canada you would be calling the doctor or going to emergency and it would not cost you a dime. Don’t mess with this, if you are not feeling better in the morning. I wish you well. Gigi
ReplyDeleteSending you healing vibes! May the Luck of the Irish grace you soon, you certainly deserve some good luck.🍀
ReplyDeleteI do hope, whatever this is, resolves itself quickly. If your temperature continues to climb, do seek medical help.
ReplyDeleteThere is an abundance of flu out there. Have you been out with a group of people? If so, you probably picked it up from someone who came out who shouldn't have. Although not wearing a mask, I am back to my old COVID protocols. Using lots of wipes any time I go out. Coming right home and changing clothes and washing my hands and glasses immediately. Changing towels on a more frequent basis. I had gotten lax with that procedure but this round of flu has me concerned.
ReplyDeleteAnd now there is a measles' outbreak. Who would have ever thought we would live to see that!
Flu has been a major issue this year. I'm so sorry, Doug! It doesn't seem fair that you should be hit with something else. Hope it gets better soon!
ReplyDeleteDoug, I am so sorry! I hope it is the flu, so much of it around everywhere.
ReplyDeleteTake care.❤️
Robin
If it's the flu, I hope it's the 24 hour kind and you're halfway there! And I certainly hope you feel better soon.
ReplyDeleteI imagine you’re not reading the comments, at least, not regularly, but I’ll say something, nonetheless.
ReplyDeleteI hope it’s just a cold. Did you have your flu shots, or is it problematic having them with long covid?
I had my eighth? nineth? covid booster on Monday. I guess the flu shots are only a month or two away.
Get plenty of rest. Drink fluids. (Yes mum).
Flu is going around everywhere, this has been one of the worst years for it. I'm sorry you are sick. Please take care of yourself and like everyone says, rest and lots of fluids!
ReplyDeleteTake care of yourself. Consider it may be flu.
ReplyDeleteOh, Doug!!!! It a pretty sad situation when you find yourself hoping that you've got the flu. Take care.
ReplyDeleteOh no! I hope you feel better soon! Those numbers are never fun!
ReplyDeleteBeth
Dang! I’m sorry. 😞. Hang in there. Joyce
ReplyDeleteTerrible. Hope you feel better by now. I have had a chronic cough since last July that won’t go away. I take Hall’s cough drops honey lemon flavor and it helps. Gigi Hawaii
ReplyDeleteHope you feel better soon
ReplyDeleteJust wanted to let you know that I've been thinking about you.
ReplyDeleteDoug, I hope you are doing better!❤️
ReplyDeleteRobin
I hope this week will be better for you. No we are not at war with you, not what we want. We just need donald to stop trying to look tough for Putin, get it into his head that we will be staying Canadian. He is just hurting the people who voted for him. Gigi from Canada
ReplyDeleteDoug, so thankful to read you are on the mend!! Take care of yourself.❤️❤️
ReplyDeleteRobin
Sorry that Long Covid is still being so mean to you, Doug. Years ago, I would get occasional bouts of winter flu from the workplace. I found that inducing a fever was my best cure. I would rug up, take a Tylenol and wash it down with a toddy made of hot water, lemon, honey, cinnamon and rum. (Yum-m-m) Of course I realize that you have no ordinary flu. Hope you feel better soon!! ❤️🦉
ReplyDeleteSo glad to read you have turned the corner!!!
ReplyDeleteGood news about your recovery. I’ll keep the Riccola in mind though I enjoy my sugar free Hall’s.
ReplyDeleteGigi Hawaii
DeleteI was really getting worried that you might be in the hospital. I'm so glad to hear you're finally seeing some improvement. Don't regret sharing your health woes, if we didn't care or didn't want to read your blog, we wouldn't be here. When I'm overwhelmed, I appreciate being able to share it and if I had a blog, I'd do just what you did. That's what blogs are for, sharing and connecting with friends and judging by the comments here, you have lots of folks who care about you. Also, we're not at war with Canada yet, but if you have money in the stock market, you're probably broke thanks to our moron in chief.
ReplyDeleteHi Doug,
ReplyDeleteI just wanted to let you know I am thinking about you. This is such a rough time you are going through. You have had MORE than your share of health challenges. Long Covid has affected so many people; medical folks still don't fully understand it, nor how best to treat it.
Hang in there, and know that we are all thinking about you and hoping for better days ahead for you.
Carole
Geez Doug, your temperature fluctuations and cough sound nasty. I hope it lessens soon, so you are back in the land of living soon.
ReplyDeleteNope, no war yet but the President continues to push buttons. Elbows up!