Swine Flu

My mom and dad were down visiting for the weekend. I loved to have them visit because they paid for everything. On Saturday afternoon, Mom and I decided to go shopping. While looking at earrings, this horrible feeling came over me. I told my mom that we had to leave. All of a sudden every muscle in my body ached and I knew I was really sick. My parents left Sunday morning and within hours after they left, both of my children began showing signs of a respiratory condition. My poor husband was taking care of all of us.

By Sunday night, I probably could not tell you my name. By Monday morning, my husband called in sick. He had never called in before. Thank GOD in those days, the doctors would call in a prescription and the pharmacy would even deliver it.

My three year old ran a high fever and croupy cough and all had stuffy noses and sore throats. My son had a really bad ear infection, and so did my husband. I had trash cans next to all beds; it was constant. The pediatrician said the kids had a bad flu.

This swine flu was going around, but nobody knew what it was. I remember hearing about a soldier dying. I had horrible chills; my whole body shook. For two weeks, I did not get out of bed. I could barely move and had no appetite whatsoever. I felt like something had literally drained the life out of me. When I finally got up, I went to my doctor. I told him I had two children to take care of, had no energy, and had lost 20 pounds in two weeks. My doctor said several people had the same symptoms. After a month and two more visits to the doctor, my doctor confirmed my flu was the "swine flu". We contracted this flu in February. My daughter's dance recital was in May, and I was still weak as water and no appetite. I lost a total of 35 pounds in three months, my son and my husband both had burst eardrums and my daughter contracted some type of immune disorder.

Please do everything you can to avoid this flu. Take vitamins, orange juice, anti-oxidants, wear masks, use hand sanitizer, wash all fruits and vegetables and do not go out unless absolutely necessary. This stuff is bad. By the way, in 1976 I was a 32 year old full time mom, lived outside of Charleston, South Carolina, did not travel, and rarely left the house.

Stay Healthy.