Well Enough to Get Sick

I felt it coming on last night, that tickle in your throat cold thing. I have been more in the public space than usual, between the Gulik Gym and the dentist. And more around students at work since I am back on desk duties. It was inevitable that I be exposed. Still, its miserable to get sick.

I dutifully check my temperature, but its only a very low grade fever, not even high enough to report to the doctor. I can't take decongestants because of my blood pressure, but I start on Vitamin C and lots of fluids right away. I feel like I am trying to breathe through an ocean.

Even though my immune system is out of the danger zone, I can tell its not full bore. This is taking a huge whack out of my energy supply. I want to be careful not to let things get out of hand, so I decide I will only go to work when I have a commitment at a desk, to teach or a meeting. If my calendar is open, I will go (or stay) home.

My voice has dropped three octaves and when I cough I sound like I am about to expire. And I am exhausted. I constantly monitor to stay on top of things and sleep sitting up so the post nasal drainage will not clog the plumbing any more than necessary.

I take it for a good sign. When you are battling cancer, your body doesn't seem interested in catching colds. There are more serious things afoot. But when the crisis is past, then we can deal with more normal illnesses like colds. So, for better or worse, I will slog through this the best I can and hope for a short siege.