The last time I had the flu was thirty-six years ago. Now I am nearing the end of Day 10 of this flu of 2026 and I am finally starting to feel pretty okay, still easily tired and not about to run a mile or even twenty yards.
Speaking of which, I thought I’d celebrate being able to walk around again by taking a stroll to the end of our street and back, a distance of roughly two city blocks. I got about fifty yards from our front gate and felt/thought Okay. That’s enough. Turn back before you keel over. So I did, and I’m glad I did. I usually walk a couple miles a day, so today’s stroll was humbling.
Yes, I got a flu shot this year. Yes, I’m 76. How did I get the flu, I who have not gone out for a meal since before the pandemic? I went out for a meal on Christmas Eve and four days later the flu took hold. Five years I waited to go out for a meal. Silly me. I should have waited six.
This is a nasty bug. I highly recommend you do not get this flu. You will regret it if you get it. Do I recommend you wear a mask when going to the bank or the grocery store or the post office from now on? You bet I do.
The predominant symptom of this flu for me was that sitting up or standing for even a few minutes at a time then necessitated laying down for an hour. My appetite was good throughout. Yay.
This flu, for me, had an arc that went something like this.
Day One: Sore throat, tired, achy, cranky, thirsty. Went to bed at nine.
Day Two: Sorer throat, exhausted, real achy, very thirsty. Went to bed at nine.
Day Three: Sore throat morphing into snot factory in head and totally clogged ears. Cough developing. What did you say? The phone is ringing? No. Profound exhaustion. Thirsty. Went to bed at eight.
Days Four and Five: All symptoms continuing, thinking if this goes on much longer… what? Went to bed at eight.
Day Six: First day with glimpses of maybe things are getting better, but not much. Aching much less. Snot factory begins laying off workers. Did a little writing. Ears still clogged. Cough lessening.
Day Seven: A couple hours of feeling not terrible amidst the napping and drinking water. More writing. Went to bed at nine.
Day Eight: Obvious improvement without feeling particularly good. Still need to lie down frequently especially in the afternoon. Major accomplishment: doing the dishes, played a little piano. Went to bed at nine.
Day Nine: Continuing improvement. Still tire easily. Three good naps. Major accomplishments: cooking supper, doing dishes. Went to bed at ten!
Day Ten: Quasi-normal. Some actual energy. Made breakfast for Marcia and guest. Started the fire in the woodstove. Chopped a little kindling. Got a wheelbarrow full of firewood moved to the wood box. Tried to take the aforementioned walk. Couple hours of writing. Lay down a few times throughout the day. Reminding myself not to overdo things or even do things.
This is my report. I spared you much of the horror, believe me. I look forward to being fully recovered by the time I write my next blog post.
Stay well, wear a mask, and pray for the end of tyranny.
fin