Well, I started to get worried when my fever wouldn't drop below 102 on the 4th day, and my throat was closed up and burning like fire and my head felt like it was in a vise, I couldn't stop coughing, and my son couldn't stand up and neither one of us had eaten anything but a couple sips of broth since Monday. So my husband took us to the doc yesterday. And yep, we tested positive for Influenza A, which we could have AVOIDED had we bothered to get this year's flu shot! Can ya believe it?

The good news is that we both tested negative for strep, meningitus, and pnuemonia. It's just the damn flu. And what a doozy of a flu it is.

We're both still in horrific shape, although luckily my fever's down to 100, and my son's is down to 99. I still can't get him to eat, though. I just managed to drag myself around the kitchen to whip up a batch of home-made corn muffins, which are in the oven now. (Took me an hour to throw the ingredients together.) He loves those, so I'm hoping he'll try to eat some.

The rest of you who are sick, unfortunately it's too late to start on Tamiflu, which only helps if it's taken in the first 72 hours. But hopefully it helps to know what it is. We all have the classic symptoms.

Many people refer to various colds and illnesses as "the flu", but most are not. Only true Influenza is the flu, and it is 100 times worse than any cold you've ever had. I realize now that I've never actually HAD the flu before! I know for sure I've never been this sick before in my life...well, except for the time I actually did have meningitus 14 or so years ago, but that was totally different.

Anyway, moral of the story -- get your flu shots! The doctor assured me that this is one of the strains covered by this year's shot. Believe me, you don't want to go through this. I've lost a week of work so far, and my son's lost a week of school, poor kid.

Well the corn muffins are done -- I'm going to try to get my poor boy to eat some. Later!

You poor guys!! Nothing much will make you feel better, other than some TLC! Not even Airborn would of helped with this nasty flu bug!

LeeAnne, so sorry to hear about your terrible case of the flu! That sounds terrible!! Knock on wood, I don't think I've EVER had the flu, nor have I ever had a flu shot (still knocking on wood especilly since we sat next to each other Sunday)....could it be the Sambuca is multi-functional?( always looking for another excuse to drink it!)

Take good care of yourself and your family and I hope you're feeling better real soon!

Well, then I guess that means I'm just going to have to start drinking Sambuca, because it's obviously worked for you Marcie! I'm going to send the hubby out for a bottle.

And Karen, I'll take the TLC. Boy am I glad germs can't be transmitted over the internet.

I'm definitely sick of being sick. And my two clients are none too thrilled either. They're being pretty understanding about it, though. I told them I hoped to be able to start doing some work again on Monday. Right now that seems unimaginable, but I can hope!

Kathy, how are you?? Is your fever down yet? How about you Todd, Don, Diana?

Well, I am still in the same fever boat you're in, LeeAnne. Heading to the Dr. in an hour. All that I can say that's been good is that I've lost about 5 lbs, but, I don't recommend this kind diet.

Hope you & your son get better fast, LeeAnne. I had the flu shot & I didn't get sick. Don got the flu shot too but he's verrrry sick. This is wicked stuff. I need some more of Marcie's disinfectant...I feel a cough coming!.... :)
- Michele

LeeAnn;
I got the "bug" Christmas two years ago. I STILL remember how sick I was then. Now I know why it kills the elderly, and people with sickness already.
Thanks for reminding us to get the flu shot, got mine a few weeks ago.

Chicken Soup with a few crackers will help a little.

Stay warm and get well soon.
Bob

I did get a flu shot in October which obviously didn't work for what I have, and Karen, no, our trusty Airborne was worthless as I took it Thurs.!

LeeAnee, your flu sounds awful. I had the capital F flu a few years back and it's an experience I'll not soon forget.

One thing I was able to tolerate was fruit juice popsicles. Maybe if your husband could get some your son (and you, too) might get some relief that way.

I hope you get well soon.

I hope you all feel better soon - I got my flu shot a couple of months ago but Tony really has had difficulty getting his - still does not have it - after your horror stories I am going to keep nagging him -

LeeAnne, It is not fun to get the flu. Keep pumping in those fluids. Last year, I couldn't get the shot and Randy (sweeet thing that he is) brought me the flu. That was the first time in many, many years I got it. This year, I was sure to get the shot.

Everybody, that care and do get your shot. They are worth it.

Thanks for all of your well-wishes. I did finally manage to get some food and gatorade into my son. It's been hard having to take care of a kid as sick as I am when I'm feeling like this, but my hubby's gotta work.

Kathy, I am soooo sympathizing with you. And Todd, I'm worrying about you! I hope you are on the upslope.

Thanks LeeAnne! Actually I do not have a fever today - just congested and a sore thoat. I had to leave the house today to take my little TJ to the Vet becuase she had scratched her eye - A scratched cornea per the Vet. Anyway she's not happy because not only was her eye swollen and red but she has to wear a lamp shade thingy so she does not scratch the eye - and she is getting meds in the eye twice a day.

Ah but I did get to drvie the new car finally!

Hoping all are on the mend! This would be the year I did not get the flu shot!

Poor TJ! Hope his eye gets better real soon! At least he's getting to the Vet in style! I hate it when my pets have to wear those satellite dish collars, they hate them!

I think I want to start mixing Cosmos to dull the pain from this flu!

LeeAnne, So sorry that you and your son are suffering from the flu. I agree with Marsha, the fruit popsycles are good for when you're feeling that bad.

Kathy, Diana, Todd and Don, hope you guys feel better soon, too. Todd, how was driving the new car? Make you feel better?

My grandpuppy had to wear one of those lampshades when she had surgery, she didn't like hers either. Hope TJ will recover quickly.

Alan had business in LA this week. I told him to wash his hands really well and not bring that LA flu home. I'm still not completely over my sinus infection. Don't need anything else to complicate Christmas.

Oh the new wheels did put a smile on my face today!

If you weren't so sick, I'd at least join you for a cosmo....raincheck?

I need to stay healthy. Next month it sounds like We're facing strange stuff like yellow fever, typhoid, hepatitis....lots of bad stuff that We got immunized against to get our visas!
Cosmos on hold....

you and TJ get well soon!

We, also, have had many shots for SA and prescriptions - they tell you yellow fever but Mayo gave me 4 shots PLUS!!!!!!!

with all these immunizations, Tom is asking me "where in the "#@#&#^$%@"
are you taking me??????? I keep assuring him, we're going to have a GREAT time sweetheart!
:banana:

Well, I am here to report in that I too just have a very bad case of Flu with a possible secondary infection so I am armed with Antibiotics and some good cough stuff now. I had a fever of 101 at the doctor's office - if I can only shake that.

It took us 45 minutes of traffic to get into the Valley (Yes THE Valley) to see the Doctor. That traffic was just awful, but, if you were Todd, in his new car, you'd be sitting there with a big smile (fever and all)~ sorry about little TJ. Those little Boston's are prone to that kind of thing.

OH MY - I'm so sorry about all these illnesses. It seems to be an epidemic here. I'm sure glad I have my virus database up to date!

LeeAnne - what a Trooper you are! So sick, but gotta make those muffins for your kid. A really good mom - hope he appreciates it.

Well, all - feel better soon.

Speaking of sick - we were in Emergency Room for 3 hours tonight. Arlene, a right handed artist, needed 10 stitches in her right hand. I broke a ceramic serving piece - and she was being helpful and cleaning it up - oops - a sharp edge got the back of her hand. She immediately said "This one needs stitches" and off we went to ER. A fun evening here.
I was going to post a picture - but since so many of you already aren't feeling well, I won't.


GET BETTER EVERYONE!

OK, you've all convinced me to get the flu shot. I'll call tomorrow. I feel so sorry for all of you who are ill. Todd, what type of car did you get?

I have had the flu twice since in college and wouldn't wish it even on my soon to be ex...it's not fun. As an asthmatic i've gotten my shot for the past 10 years and am glad I do.

For all of you folks I hope you mend quickly. Lots of warm fluids will do wonders...especially chicken soup.

Andi, definitely get it. The flu can lay you up for anywhere from 1-3 weeks

Arlene:

10 stitches.....scary. Hope you're on the fast track for mending.

Flu sufferers: Get well and soon!

For whatever it is worth, I got flu, tetanus and pneumonia shots within the last couple of weeks.

Cheers! Ray
One of the most sublime experiences we can ever have is to wake up feeling healthy after we have been sick.
Rabbi Harold Kushner

Gil and Arlene my grandson fell off of his bike last week and had to go to emergency to get stitches also. He is 13. The Doctor told him that he was going to do a really good job so that there wouldn't be a scar. My grandson said "but I want a scar" I had another grandson who had to have a kidney removed. He is 8. He begged the Doctor to let him take it to school for show and tell. The Doctor convinced him to take a picture.

Taking the kidney to school! Now There's a Great Kid!

I once took a brain to school (OK - No wisecracks!) - from a rat - put it in a bottle & took it in my pocket. Showed it around - I wasn't very popular that day. I kept it on my dresser for awhile. It was given to me by a 13 yr old girl that I had somewhat of a crush on.

Gil,

I think that Arlene will be happy to share her brain and her scar (hopefully none) with you.

Arlene,

I hope that your stitches heal quickly and you are back to your old self.

Frank and I get to go back to the doctor on Monday for a Gamma Globlin (sp?) shot. On top of my week in bed with the flu, we found out today, we ate at one of LA's best restaurants and were exposed to Hepatitis-A. So, not only is is Influenza A, It's Hepatitis-A too. Nice to find out while reading the Sunday paper. At least the restaurant could have had the good sense to call people who had reservations. Lots of people ate there before the McCartney concert. :eek: I might've missed the article if it weren't for a friend who called to tell me since she knew we ate there. Enough already!

geeze Kathy. I hope you're on the mend quickly and that the gamma globulin shot keeps you from getting hep A. What a week you've had.

Bette your grandkids sound like very cool kids.

Thank you all, I am on the mend. Just itches a bit now. I expect that by morning I should be able to start working again.

um, uh...well I do share my thoughts with Gil on a daily basis. ;) I was also promised there'd be no scar.

Gil, I'm beginning to wonder about you. :rolleyes: :ohmy:

Arlene, so sorry to hear about your mishap and stiches....sounds like it was all Gil's fault :D

Kathy, Gamma Globlin shot?? I had to have that immediately after giving birth (RH Factor, I'm negative). What else is it used for?

Well I can finally say I am over the flu and doing much better. Just a little residual congestion - the cough is all gone and my energy is all back. Off to the office today to catch-up on some work. Hope others are feeling much better today as well.

of course it was all his fault! if he had cleaned it up before I got there, I wouldn't have needed to be "helpful." ;)

Todd I'm happy to hear you're back to your old self.

Boy, what an unhealthy week we've all had! Here's hoping the next one is free of disease and injury.

Todd I'm glad you're on the mend. Me, well, I'm not sure why this hit me quite so hard. I could just kick my son -- his fever dropped on Friday evening, and you'd have thought nothing had happened to him. He was up and begging to get outside on his skateboard, and eating everything in front of him. Other than a mild cough, he's back to his normal teenage self.

As for me, I still feel like I've been hit in the head with a sledgehammer. I'm up all night having coughing fits and night sweats, and as soon as I get up in the morning and try to eat breakfast, I feel like going to bed again so I crawl back upstairs. I haven't been out of the house in a week. My voice still sounds like Walter Mathau after smoking a pack of cigarettes. I've lost ten pounds, and I have all the energy of a zombie on qualudes. I want my life back!!!

One of my clients is asking for a meeting this week, so I'm going to have to pull myself together. Wish me luck.

You all can keep that flu on the West Coast..... It sounds horrible. Get well soon, LeeAnne & Kathy.

Did all the sick people NOT get their flu shots??? Tony blows the shots off as not important -

This is the first time in a long time I did not get the flu shot - I wish I had.

This has been a lesson to me about flu shots, for sure, especially since it hit so many so hard. Thank goodness Marcie, Suzanne, Robert, Paul and I stayed out of that limo, and stayed behind for our own particular variety of vaccine! Hope everyone is feeling better after the weekend. Todd seems to be on his feet again, along with the other fella "under 40"

Good to read all those hit with this nasty flu are on the mend.

I'm sick.

I realized Friday night that I hurt all over but I thought it was somehow from the plane flight. Saturday when I woke up I knew it was flu or its evil twin. I am miserable.

George went out for popsicles for me. What a good guy.

Feel better Marna Lou!