Saturday, January 12, 2008

I Have Flu

I have flu. Not a cold, but your actual flu.

I haven't had flu since I was fifteen. I've always remembered how unpleasant it was, and hoped it wouldn't happen again. But here we are. Aching limbs, sweating, fever, nausea, and I can't even sleep.

Day 1 and 2 - Lay on the couch feeling like death. High temperature and aching everywhere. Entertained slight hope that it was just a bad cold and might start to get better. Despite considerable suffering, did manage to record all day Avatar special on Nicktoons. My favourite cartoon, which I need to watch for vital research purposes.

Day 3 - Fever gets worse. Unable to move. Unable to eat, sleep, or do anything. Can barely make it to kitchen for water. Abandoned all hope and lay on couch waiting to die. I live on my own. It might take weeks for my body to be discovered. I get so hot. I remove my blanket, my shirt, my socks, and I'm still burning up. I wonder what else I might do but I don't have any energy to do anything.

Taking ibuprofen helps a little. Eventually my temperature drops and then I become so cold I can hardly bear it. It's like my whole skin is aching. I have to put on more clothes, put on the heating and huddle under the quilt.

Day 4 - Alternate between sweating from fever and frozen shivering. Time really seems to drag, just lying there feeling ill, especially as I can't sleep. Unable to read or divert my attention in any way. Find myself lying dumbly in front of CNN International at 4 AM, watching Hilary Clinton win in New Hampshire. I like Hilary.

Day 5 - Start to feel a little better. Watch football on TV. Recovery almost scuppered by poor Arsenal performance against Spurs. Complete despair. Health worsens dramatically. Hopes revive after late equaliser.

Day 6 - Bad headache but flu symptoms definitely declining. Not feeling so feverish any more.

Day 7 - A little better. May survive the experience, and live to watch all the episodes of Avatar I recorded. Stupid flu.

3 comments:

  1. Please get well soon and write a sequel to Lonely Werewolf Girl - we deserve some more Kalix.

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  2. Anonymous5:31 pm

    I hope you feel better very soon, though like the lady above, my motives for wishing you well are not entirely un-selfish. The longer you are unwell and feverish, the longer we have to wait for your next fine novel about rebellious werewolves, fairies and the like. If you're in the mood for cartoons, can I recommend getting hold of Cartoon Network's 'Samurai Jack?'. It's sort of Kurosawa crossed with Chuck Jones and spaghetti westerns, and every bit as good as that implies

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  3. Hope you're feeling better soon. I second the recommendation of Samurai Jack. It is a good cartoon. Oh and I bought my mum a copy of Lonely Werewolf Girl for Christmas and she really enjoyed it.

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