The Bullet Will Find You

In which Mike finally gets put down.

Photo by Sander Sammy on Unsplash

Suquamish, WA -17 Sep 2024

I thought I was going to get away with it.  For the past four years I skillfully dodged the COVID virus.  I rarely get sick as it is and head colds don't hit me but once in five years.  So when I got a stuffy nose last week I thought nothing of it.  Lots of sneezing and congestion, that's a cold.  Right?  Well, I guess not.

I knew something was wrong when I felt especially fatigued.  At first I thought it might have been from all the running around we did keeping my visiting sister-in-law entertained.  I developed a chill and didn't think too much of it.  I get cold easily and the weather has taken a turn toward autumn so I figured that was it.  I did until I crawled into bed and got under the covers and could not warm up.  I was cold and actually shivering.  That is not right.

In spite of all that I was only experiencing sneezing and some nasal congestion.  To be safe, I thought I should test myself.  Since I had a CPR class coming up I needed to make sure all was well.  I ran a test.  Usually when I do, the reagent flows across the test area and when it gets to the other side, all I see is the control area lighting up.  Well, this was different.  Not only did the positive test indicator light up, it did so the instant the reagent hit it and it wasn't even a maybe.  Instead of a faint pink line, this was a bold dark stripe that leapt up from the test area and seemed to physically mock me.  "You can run, but you cannot hide.”  I suppose it was inevitable.  After a four year run I was destined to have my turn like everyone else.

On a positive note, I don’t feel sick, just some congestion and a lot of sneezing.  I do get out and walk during the day.  I wouldn't say I am at my usual activity level, but I make it a point to do something.  The best way to fight a virus is to keep busy and on the move.  No need to crawl under the covers and wait for things to pass.  Do what you can when you can.

I continue to try and get into a regular routine again.  My sister-in -law gone home now and we have the house to ourselves.  We spend our quarantine time tidying up the house and putting away the guest amenities.  While we were at the state fair, my wife found a fancy shower head that she had to have and I installed that and gave the shower a good cleaning.  The sister-in-law has very long hair and I had to pull that from the drain.  Oh joy.

Keeping busy does me good and helps me heal in the long run.

Keep on truckin'
-Mike