This is not how I thought I would be spending my Saturday back home after holiday travel. First weekend of the New Year. I had important things planned, like a hair appointment, and other stuff. But here I am curled up in bed with 102 temp, and aches and pains all over.

The symptoms started on Thursday - a little achiness and a low grade fever. No big deal. It will pass. Right? It didn’t. Friday morning my temp was over 101 and the achiness had turned into full grown pains. Even though I got the flu shot I was concerned that it might be the flu based on the sudden onset and the symptoms. Tex drove me the doctor. She checked. Not the flu, just a nasty virus that needs to run its course. Great.

I figured I better start focusing on the positive. No need for my mood to suffer along with my body. One positive thing to focus on is that I was healthy throughout the holidays and got to enjoy the time with family. Another positive is that I have time to write a blog entry! My eyeballs hurt a little, my head is foggy, and it is hard to type while covered in a dozen blankets so I might have to come back to this later. I’ll just close my eyes for a while and think about the things I am grateful for...

A funny thing happens when you are heavily medicated and you close your eyes. It’s called sleep. Which is good, healing happens during sleep. It’s day 4 of the attack, and I feeling a little better today. Sort of. A sneaky cough has decided to join the party. I am not sure how I feel about that. Actually, I know exactly how I feel about that...I am not a fan. I am supposed to be dropping symptoms, not adding them!

The doctor recommended a Tylenol and Ibuprofen regimen to manage the fever, and lots of fluids. I added my own regimen of Zicam, supplements with vitamin C and Echinacea, and some lime with a hint honey added to cold water. And of course there is Apple Cider Vinegar, my go-to remedy for just about every ailment. Tex promised to make vegetable soup with lots of garlic. (I am a “non meat eater”, so no chicken soup for me.) I discovered that one of the side effects of the pain/fever medicine is...well...it backs up the plumbing. Not cool.

If you have a favorite cold remedy that works for you, send me an email or share in the comments section. I would love to hear from you.

Be healthy!