Lost week

I’ve been hit with a nasty cold-or-flu-like virus.

I first felt bad last Wednesday morning. I made it into work, because it’s not a good time for me to be losing time at work. But by late afternoon I was falling asleep at my desk, so I went home. My hope was a bit of rest would see me right for the next day.

When I got home, I was so desperate to get to bed that I just climbed in with all my clothes on. I woke up two hours later, covered in sweat.

Ever since then, I have suffered mid-night fevers, a headache that has gradually moved around different parts of my face, tinnitus, coughing, and a general lack of energy.

On Thursday, I felt no better. On Friday, I had such a terrible headache that I didn’t get out of bed until 5pm. Totally gutting, as I had bought tickets to the National Museum of Scotland’s late night event for their Rip it Up exhibition about the history of Scottish pop music. Alex had a great time there and says I would have loved it. 😞

Since then my body has vacillated between feeling almost better, to feeling cripplingly ill.

This week was a little different, because I had it booked off as annual leave anyway. So I didn’t feel the pressure to try and get better for work. But I did nevertheless have lots planned for this week.

I find it tricky and frustrating being ill, because I’m not great at resting. It feels like a waste of time. I like to be productive. That keeps me happy.

Moreover, I often think that staying indoors is bad for the mindset. Normally I go for daily walks, for some fresh air, sunlight and mind space. But I’ve just not been up to it. I have barely made it outdoors for the past week an a half, at least not for the simple pleasure of a half-hour stroll.

But I have been forced to venture out on occasion, for planned engagements. On Monday and Tuesday, Alex and I had meetings with some of our wedding suppliers. Every time I ventured out, my body punished me by making me feel worse the next day.

On Wednesday, I declined an invitation to visit someone for dinner.

Yesterday I felt well enough to make a trip up to Dundee to see some friends I hadn’t seen for almost a year. I still didn’t feel 100%, but the fact that I made a long train journey spoke for itself.

Now, today, I feel rather terrible again. I have a banging headache, I’ve lost my appetite, and I just want to sleep. Tonight I’m supposed to be going to the theatre. Then tomorrow we’re at a wedding. If I can, I’d like to fit in a visit to the Rip it Up exhibition I was planning to see last Friday (it closes on Sunday).

Monday, I’m back at work. Hopefully I’ll be fit as a fiddle by then. But to be honest, I thought I’d be fit as a fiddle this time last week.

Mark this one up as yet another thing that makes me feel old — being absolutely incapacitated by a little cold virus.