The condition my condition is in.
One week ago today I got the beginning stages of pneumonia.I suspect, that I got infected from the combination of a handshake
between myself and another photographer I met, while photographing a female wild
bald eagle, and the fact that my nose was running a bit from being out in the cold
for an extended period of time.
As I wiped my nose with a tissue, the bacteria now on my hand likely got onto the tissue
and then transferred to the moist mucus membranes of my nostrils.
Of course, since we can't actually see anything as small as a bacteria with the naked eyes, it wasn't actually witnessed by me. Yet, it seems a reasonable explanation.
This is also slightly supported by the following. The other photographer, who I met for
the first time that day, asked me for my website. So, I gave him a business card,
and requested that he email me, and then I would respond with a link to that webpage.
He did so that night.
In the morning I responded with that webpage link along with a statement that it was nice to meet him and if he had any questions about the photos, I would be happy to help.
I also mentioned that somehow I got infected with pneumonia that day and wasn't feeling all that well at that moment.
Usually when I send someone my webpage I initially get a thank you and subsequently all sorts of compliments about the photos. From that guy - no response. Guilt ?
Is it possible he was still recovering from pneumonia and shouldn't have been shaking hands ? Perhaps.
Regardless, I am doing worlds better than I was last Thursday. That was the peak
of the infection. Both Wednesday night & Thursday night, I had to sleep sitting up,
or I literally would have drowned from my own mucus. I had no appetite. I was dizzy,
My world was confined to my bed and my bathroom and the internet,
It snowed Wednesday night and my cable TV has been wiped out since.
Somehow, I still get internet and phone. Same cable.
I have had this happen years ago, so I do know that it is possible.
Thursday night, while I was sleeping, was when the war began.
My immune system detected that something foreign was inside my body and needed
elimination. So, T cells, antibodies, macrophages and other biological agents all
teamed up to kill the bacteria. They kicked bacterial butt. That's when things started improving. It made a HUGE difference. Every day I am getting a little better.
Yesterday, for the first time since last Wednesday, I actually ate 3 meals.
I also drove my car to a store to buy cough drops. I avoided coming in contact with anyone.
Physically, the main problem now, is that my immune system got a little confused
and also attacked my right knee. Perhaps it detected some scarred tissue from
playing on 4 softball teams all summer. That's a LOT of running on these old knees. Now is generally my heal & repair time from the spring & summer before next spring.
Well, instead, my right knee is now swollen, stiff and sore. I think that is also getting
a tiny bit better each day. I guess time will tell.
Today the cable repair person is finally supposed to be here. I won't let them in the house, nor come in contact with them, as I don't want them to get infected.
After I am completely well (not there yet), there is a 10 day period where I am
still contagious. Thus, I had to cancel Thanksgiving plans with family.
However, I definitely did not want any of them to get infected either.
So, I am feeling a bit better every day since Friday morning and well on the path to recovery.
That's the condition my condition is in.
Comments (14)
Dampen the imune system and it takes longer for virus to depart, but might save knee joints.
We are poor mortals are we not.
Anyways keep on and up
Liked the music first time i have heard that.
I'd rather totally eliminate the bacteria before attacking the immune system just yet.
My sister had prolonged bacterial and viral pneumonia infections at the same time as a child. I was in constant contact with her, but never succumbed myself.
I admire your cautiousness all the same. Not everyone is that conscientious.
I wonder if they have a combo vaccine - flu & pneumonia.
Does it matter? you were pretty sick. I was brought to hosptial with same. I could not breathe and the coughing was horrific. An XRay showed it on the lung. They say you should try and move around rather than lie down for obvious reasons and you know you stay away from inflammatory foods and sugars .
It will make you take it easy, I was appalled when the Doc at the hospital said to me 'Well you're an old woman' ~ He must have seen the look on my face. He said you might not look your age but your immune system weakens as you age. I take my probiotics, the best I can afford, my VitC drink daily 1000mg and my Q10 and another multi vitamin especially for thinning hair. [age again].
It takes a while to right back up after that Jim So stay away from people with Flu s and even colds if you can.
Glad you are on the mend.
So, by the time the vaccine is commercially available, it may not be effective against the ones it was made from.
GG - I wasn't able to move around much. My energy levels were very low and needed to nap every 2 hours or so. I slept in a sitting up position, otherwise I probably wouldn't be here now.
EB - Thanks. No. Turkeys are big. There will be no turkey for me this Thanksgiving. Hopefully, next year. That's the goal. I had chicken pox & measels too. I don't have any kids, so I don't know about such parties and if I was at one, I wasn't old enough to be aware that's what it was.
CH - Thanks. I will enjoy more than if it was last Thursday.
But, will miss seeing my family in our annual fun huge feast,
MC - Thanks. I'm very happy about that also.
MU - Thanks. No, I can't blame it on Trump at all. FINALLY, he's innocent of something !