The Godfather of Viruses
Maybe it was the comforting and creative turkey recipes you all sent, or perhaps it was five straight days rest (okay, there was that madcap codeine run to Harvard Square yesterday, but that is a nutty story of narcotics hi-jinks for another day), but I am thrilled, thrilled (!) to report that I was able to walk the dog for her usual three miles this morning.
And I am still awake to talk about it!
She, however, is fast asleep.
Don’t wake me, monkey.
You might think I’m kind of making a lot of a case of bronchitis, and I suppose it would appear that way if you didn’t know that seven years ago when I still lived in NYC, I came down with a case of bronchitis at the end of October, but I kept going to work, to the gym, to Halloween parties…I just kept up my usual schedule, albeit while hacking and coughing up alveoli everywhere I went. By November 2nd, I couldn’t walk around the block. From then until early December, I did not leave my apartment.
By this I mean I did not even go down the hall.
Long story short, the virus caused lung inflammation, I lost half my lung capacity, at the worst of it I could not raise my arms above my head because that movement compressed my lungs too much for me to breathe, and a good day was when I could sit up in bed for an hour or two. I didn’t resume anything resembling a normal schedule for six months. As ailments go, the excruciatingly slow progress of this was maddeningly like something out of the 19th century, except that I was not sent to “take the waters” for six months. Which was a shame.
At the time, the pulmonologist gave me a two-year horizon for full recovery and I have minor, but apparently permanent lung damage.
What was my mistake? I didn’t respect the virus. I didn’t understand that I was dealing with the Godfather of Viruses. By the time I got the picture, the Godfather of Viruses was saying, “You come here and ask me to leave you alone, but you don’t show respect, you don’t show friendship.”
That’s when you know you’re gonna get whacked.
I haven’t had bronchitis in the intervening seven years (thanks be to God!) and this virus seems far less virulent than the one I had in 2000, but then again, I know now. I respect the virus, children. I don’t push my luck. I don’t go out in public coughing and hacking and flipping off the virus in a whole variety of ways that makes it very, very angry. Because I know what happens.
You end up as a character in The Magic Mountain.
So that’s why bronchitis is a big, ole, hairy deal Chez Mad Dog. That’s why we’re hunkering down and knitting The Sick Socks and doing crossword puzzles.
I’m also making the Superior Ruffled Pullover, which looks like this so far:
If you don’t knit, this yarn will make you want to learn. 70% cashmere, 30% silk. Superior. Ask for it at your LYS.
And I’m slowly re-entering the world. But this time, I’m showing respect.
November 25th, 2007 at 7:12 pm
When reading this, I recognized much of me and a whole lot of people around me. Everyone tries to be brave and walk around/work when ill.
I’m glad you defeated this mean Master Virus episode and hope it’ll never happen again. Get well soon. 🙂
Triin (just someone who accidentally found your blog).
November 25th, 2007 at 8:27 pm
I understand completely…been there, done that and likely have some permanent lung damage from mold allergies (the mold was at work place, but try and prove that one!). Also have had the dreaded bronchitis and a bout with pneumonia once. My goodness, sounds like I ought to be in a home, doesn’t it?
Feel better soon, young monkeys!
November 25th, 2007 at 8:44 pm
Oh yeah, I touched that yarn the other day. It was …. really quite good.
I had the Whooping Cough once, it was much as you describe and really, a thing to be feared and respected. Feel better.
November 25th, 2007 at 10:55 pm
Oh, bronchitis! Been there, done that, bought the t-shirt, and got the lung xrays to prove it. I had it like that while living in Germany, kept me down for about 6 months at least. Now, something settles in my chest, and I’m off to the doc for meds and then parking my butt in bed with knitting and a remote control until it’s long gone. Not ever doin’ that again; nosirree bob!
Glad you’re feeling better.
November 26th, 2007 at 1:52 pm
Dear sickies,
Try to be good to yourselves and take it easy. Sleeping-in is the best.
Love,
Woooof
November 27th, 2007 at 12:08 pm
On behalf of the general population, thank you for not going out and hacking and coughing in public places! Seriously, glad you’re feeling better and taking care of yourself!
November 30th, 2007 at 3:03 pm
I hope your feeling better soon, but the silver lining is you get all kinds of knitting time not interrupted by any like work etc.
December 2nd, 2007 at 6:57 pm
Wow – that bronchitis story is a scary one! I’m so glad you are taking care of yourselves. It reminds me a bit of my friend Emily’s pneumonia drama – she had a cold, kept working at a dizzying pace and was suddenly flat on her back with pneumonia for weeks. She too recovered, but there were some tense days in there. Enjoy the rest for what it is, work on those sick socks, cuddle up with Shelley and drink lots of soothing hot beverages.
Also, very belated happy birthday to Sarah!
December 6th, 2007 at 6:11 pm
I am with strep as you are with viral lungs – you gotta do what you gotta do, cause hospital stays are NO fun! Glad you’re on the mend, and looking forward to the codeine run story.
December 10th, 2007 at 9:05 pm
Hi! take care of those lungs! meanwhile i am also knitting the superior pullover in the greyish black color. are you knitting it in the round? i have trouble seeing the knits from the purls which is something that never happens for me….
December 12th, 2007 at 6:45 pm
So has your Fairy Godmother come and helped kick the behind of the Godfather of all Viruses?
Hoping you’re feeling better.
December 14th, 2007 at 4:49 pm
Just finished reading your “Difficult Person” entry. Haven’t enjoyed a blog entry this much in a long time. What a total hoot!