I think it’s happened to me. I started the day off with mild congestion, a tickle in my throat, nothing really. 

It was enough to make me bail on exercise, but I justified it, saying I was spending time with my little dude.

Then at work, I found myself clearing my throat, the scratchiness intensifying.  It’s nothing. Then the sneezing began. 

Oh no! I quickly squirted hand sanitizer on, changing my game plan from tidying up loose ends to just seeing the people who needed to be seen.

Mustn’t infect anyone, I mumbled under my breath, looking around guiltily as I sneezed. I saw a patient who I resembled, sneezing and coughing with beet red eyes and my heart sank.

It begins.

Much like a zombie plague, I have been infected with the most horrible illness to befall someone on a Friday.

The Man Cold. 

I felt hot and cold, achy and sneezed repeatedly with changes in light quality. I finished my paperwork, going home to lay on the couch while throwing burgers and fries at my young who were excited for the “picnic” in front of the tv.

I took two Tylenol extra strength, scoffing at the label. Extra strength, my butt.

I coated myself with Vicks, allowing my left nostril to turn on like a faucet. Oh, that’s so much better.

Taking my tender bones to bed, I wonder what the future holds. As always, I turn to my loved one and say, “Please, no CPR. I don’t want to live like this”

TGIF