It seems that, like our blog friend Sandra, my daughter Sara, and my friend Mark, I too have succumbed to the flu. At first I tried to pretend it was just a cold, but since my symptoms match those of H1N1, my pretence didn't last long.
I must say though, the information on H1N1 symptoms is rather conflicting depending on which website you check. However, the US Dept of Health, the Public Health Agency of Canada, and the Center for Disease Control all list the same set of symptoms: fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills, fatigue, and possibly vomiting or diarrhea. The Mayo Clinic has a similar list, but also includes eye redness and burning, and loss of appetite.
The main decision factor for H1N1, as far as I can tell, are the sudden onset and severity of symptoms, particularly the cough and fever. H1N1 apparently hits within hours, whereas seasonal flu and colds develop over a period of a couple/few days.
I was fine until felt a bit of a cough coming on late Friday. I woke up Saturday morning with a fever, chills, a very painful chest cough and my body felt like I'd been hit by a bus and thrown against the building across the road. My eyes have definitely been burning today and yesterday, so it was interesting to find that listed as an H1N1 symptom on the Mayo clinic site. I'm also having an occasional brief flutter in my chest, not sure what that's about but imagine is nothing since there's no mention of it as being something to watch for. I haven't noticed a significant loss of appetite, although come to think of it, I haven't been eating much in the way of solids. Mostly I've just had popsicles, crappy tea and chicken soup. (Valerie made me home made chicken soup and brought it over yesterday...I've never had anyone do that for me before, it really lifted my heart. ♥) I'm not sure about the stuffy nose. My sinuses feel a bit full and are throbbing along with my head, but my nose isn't runny...except for the moments I am overcome with tears of frustration because I hate being sick.
And it sucks having to miss out on things because of being sick. I was supposed to go to Truro with Valerie today. (She was guest preaching at a First United's anniversary celebration and I was going along just to share a special occasion with her because that's what friends do.) But given the strongly emphasized message to quarantine oneself at the first sign of swine flu, it would not have been very responsible of me to go along and spread my germs, so I stayed home.
I now understand why people use the expression "laid low" in relation to illness ... I feel low in every possible way: physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually. Dave's gone away hunting. I'm honestly glad he gets to have his hunting trip and wouldn't have asked him to cancel, but...I also wish he was here right now to give me a hug, I really could use it :(
Well, I'm too tired to write anything more right now. I'm hoping to be one of those who has a relatively mild, short lived bout of swine flu...I am so not enjoying feeling this draggy and low.
Comments (23)
I'm so sorry that you are not feeling well. I wish i could bring you over some soothing hot soup or just a quick pick me up of some sort. Feel better. Rest and take care.
Posted by Barb Cabot | November 15, 2009 10:53 PM
Posted on November 15, 2009 22:53
Thanks Barb, you are so sweet! :)
Now the furnace is stuck on and I don't know how to turn it off. And Dave doesn't get home until Wednesday. I might have to call someone tomorrow, am thinking it can't be a good idea to let the furnace run for 3 days straight.
Posted by Anne | November 16, 2009 1:39 AM
Posted on November 16, 2009 01:39
Anne, I am so sorry you are so sick. I wish you had someone there with you to look after you.
Feel better soon.
Posted by nancyhol | November 16, 2009 3:25 AM
Posted on November 16, 2009 03:25
Sending you a big virtual hug. So sorry you are sick. I am getting my H1N1 shot tomorrow (they are giving free shots in all the schools for the kids and teachers can get them also). I debated but after hearing about how bad this flu is, I am going with the shot. Hopefully it will work! Take good care. Chicken soup is the best medicine (at least that is what my grandma always said).
Posted by girasoli | November 16, 2009 5:34 AM
Posted on November 16, 2009 05:34
So sorry to hear this. I hope that you are feeling much better very soon. And I hope the furnace is fixed too!
Posted by Annie | November 16, 2009 11:01 AM
Posted on November 16, 2009 11:01
thanks Nancy, I know my mom and my best friend will come to my rescue if I need anything while I can't leave the house, so I am being taken care of in that sense. But what I really want is hugs!
girasoli, YES get the shot! This flu is nasty and I think I only have a mild case. NS didn't give shots in the schools, our vaccine clinics are still only open to certain high risk groups, although the list of groups is expanding as more doses become available. My M was able to get her shots last weekend because she has asthma. Thanks for the hugs :)
Thanks Annie, I do feel a bit of improvement today, although still not moving far from the sofa! I think I got the furnace under control...was up at 2am, in a lather between the fever and the furnace running, so went down to the basement and turned a few handles off and on, banged a couple pipe joints with the hammer in case the valves were stuck. Seems to have done the trick, at least for now.
Posted by Anne | November 16, 2009 11:43 AM
Posted on November 16, 2009 11:43
Oh no!!!! Anne, I'm so sorry to hear that you've been hit by this horrible flu. It IS hard to know for sure what virus you have, but it sounds to me like classic H1N1.
That feeling of not only being hit by a truck, but then being thrown and splattered against a building sounds so familiar. I couldn't believe how badly I ached and how very low I felt.
Poor you, and how kind of Valerie to bring you chicken soup.
I also send you many virtual hugs (and now, I'm immune, so I'm not scared to hug you!) I hope the furnace is under control and that you feel better soon.
Posted by sandrac | November 16, 2009 5:09 PM
Posted on November 16, 2009 17:09
Sandra, the virtual hugs are greatly appreciated! That's one of the worst things about having something like this, it pretty much prohibits physical contact like hugs.
My mom dropped off some worm medicine for the cats this afternoon and we didn't dare hug since she hasn't been vaccinated. But she's coming back tomorrow with more chicken soup - yay! I had the last of Valerie's soup today and not much else appeals to me right now. Except M is making me scrambled eggs for supper and I know they will be delicious to me just because she made them. ♥
My fever had subsided for a while this morning, but is now back...sigh.
Posted by Anne | November 16, 2009 5:48 PM
Posted on November 16, 2009 17:48
Hi Anne, sending you a lot of get well wishes from Scotland! Hope you are feeling better these days.
Take care of yourself.
Kathy
Posted by Kathy (Trekcapri) | November 17, 2009 3:48 PM
Posted on November 17, 2009 15:48
Poor you, Anne, be careful -- don't take on too much as long as that fever is hanging on. Clearly, your body is still fighting hard against the virus!
Posted by sandrac | November 17, 2009 4:29 PM
Posted on November 17, 2009 16:29
Hi, I know you can't publish this comment but maybe you can read it. I hope you are feeling lots better!
I'm suffering blog withdrawal - got an entry ready but can't post it! And I'm so glad that Kathy has a different blog server and is able to blog on her trip. Hope they get us fixed soon.
Posted by Annie | November 18, 2009 11:02 AM
Posted on November 18, 2009 11:02
Thanks for your comment. Can't publish it but I was able to read it. And please feel free to write a story about the mandolin on the bed if you want!
Glad your spirits are lifted even if you have to be quarantined. When I get sick, I try to do everything I can for comfort - softest clothes, hot tea, favorite books and music etc. etc. Still, it's no fun.
I too hope our blogs are fixed soon (my withdrawal is getting worse, plus I want to finish my Torcello series before Xmas, ha ha!).
Take care!
Posted by Annie | November 18, 2009 12:32 PM
Posted on November 18, 2009 12:32
Sorry to hear you are not feeling well - hope you feel better soon and are back into the swing of life! m
Posted by menehune | November 18, 2009 4:43 PM
Posted on November 18, 2009 16:43
Another virtual hug from me! So sorry to hear you got sick as well. But glad to hear everyone is taking care of you! Get lots of rest and lots of fluids and lots of sleep, if you can.
Posted by Chiocciola | November 18, 2009 9:55 PM
Posted on November 18, 2009 21:55
LOL, your brothers are seriously CUTE!!! Thanks for the introduction to them. :)
Hope you're feeling a whole lot better by now.
I miss my blog!
Posted by Annie | November 20, 2009 1:03 PM
Posted on November 20, 2009 13:03
Late catching up on Blogs Anne, but I hope by now you are feeling better!
Posted by sheri | November 20, 2009 1:28 PM
Posted on November 20, 2009 13:28
So glad to hear that you are fever free and released from quarantine! I hope the comedy show and outing tonight is lots of fun.
Yes, the "lads" are adorable! I love that you helped send that "we can't blog" thread in a happy direction (and hopefully we will get some happy blog news soon). I didn't realize how attached I am to my blog until this little forced hiatus. I am ready to work on some posts!
Have a great weekend!
Posted by Annie | November 20, 2009 2:00 PM
Posted on November 20, 2009 14:00
Sorry to know you are dealing with the flu. Get well soon.
Posted by candi | November 20, 2009 3:32 PM
Posted on November 20, 2009 15:32
Yay! Looks like our blogs are healed. Have a GREAT weekend!
Posted by Annie | November 20, 2009 3:41 PM
Posted on November 20, 2009 15:41
Thanks for all the kind comments (now that I can finally publish them!!)
I am almost fully recovered finally - yay! Still missing my energy though, can't wait to get that back!
Posted by Anne | November 21, 2009 7:31 AM
Posted on November 21, 2009 07:31
I’ve been away for over a week and I’m just catching up with everyone. I'm so sorry to hear that you've been sick. I hope by now you’re feeling much better and stronger. Sending you lots of hugs!
Posted by Maria I. | November 22, 2009 8:54 PM
Posted on November 22, 2009 20:54
Just catching up here...sorry to hear you got the bug but so happy to read you are feeling better now.
Take care so much going on these days that keep us moms busy.
Posted by Barb Cabot | November 23, 2009 9:20 AM
Posted on November 23, 2009 09:20
Thanks Maria and Barb :) I am feeling much better, although still fatigued. Still amazed at how this flu sapped my strength, hope to never have anything like it again!! Thank heavens for the support of family and friends. Even virtual hugs make a difference and bring comfort.
Posted by Anne | November 23, 2009 9:54 AM
Posted on November 23, 2009 09:54