Jessie and the swine flu.

I have been trying to research the illness when I am awake, but I drift in and out. I have been to the doctor twice, and even got Tamiflu in time. But there is no mistaking that I've got it. On the second visit to the doc, I asked if I need to get the flu vaccine now, since I have been infected this year, and he said, "You have swine flu, it is all we have been seeing so far, and yes, you should get the inoculation for regular flu."

And so it goes. I sold my house last week, boarded a plane for Austin, went directly to Austin City Limits Music Festival and the Reckless Kelly performance, which kicked ass. When I woke up the next morning, my skin was crawling and I was suffering major body aches, which I attributed to a long hike the evening before. I powered though the day back at ACL, getting soaked in the rain, and then sitting around in wet clothes, and yet, I didn't feel ill at all. Then came the next morning. Seriously sick: shivering, chattering teeth, face hurting, fever upwards of 102.5, joints aching, eyes sensitive to sunlight. And so to the clinic I did go.

It was Kafka; people curled up in fetal position, everyone's skin was gray. It was a roomful of flu. I pity the doctor and the women working in the office. The people there to be treated, we were all in a private hell, and incommunicado. Day five now. There are antibiotics and inhalers and cough medicine. And I am wiped. But I have to be coming out the other end of this soon...I just gotta. Thank goodness I have health insurance! Sleep now.

-Jessie