My head hurts. My face hurts. My eyes hurt. My ears ache. My throat is sore. My chest hurts. With each breath, a whistle wheeze echos in the ear that I lay against the pillow. Severe abdominal cramps send me tottering unsteadily to the bathroom with agonizing frequency. Every muscle in my body seems to ache.
I'm wearing sweats, a down vest, a fleece zip hoodie, and two pairs of socks. I lay on the couch under 2 throws, freezing, while my temperature creeps above 101 degrees. The dogs love it when I am sick. I am "momma" bed, and they each find a place to snuggle on me. Tonight I am too hot for them, and they find other places to be.
I am in and out of awareness with vivid, feverish dreams. One in which someone is tapping on the window from outside trying to rouse me while the dogs protest the intrusion. I don't acknowledge them. Long after bedtime, I rouse enough to secure the house and go to bed.
I missed my flu shot this year for the first time in decades. I hope it isn't too long before my body assembles the templates for antibodies to fight this bug. Maybe they will come in handy next year.
