David's Diary
It started with a slight itch on the throat, then achy muscles, some sniffling. Later in the day, the fever raged and a full blown battle with the tissues ensued. Non-stop achoos and phlegm filled coughing, sounds that were scary and which reverberated through thick walls.
By the time the symptoms appeared, it was too late to stop it. I infected three of my brothers and my Mom and Dad. From then on, it was a nightmarish two week battle with the H1N1 virus - trips to the hospital to be swabbed for testing and never-ending expeditions to the drug store to buy medicine. Since I was the first to get sick, I was okay after five days, but since everyone got sick after me, I was the strongest and the person tasked to buy food, grocery and medical supplies.
I just graduated from college three months ago and was actively looking for work, and here I was, acting as doctor/nurse/nursemaid/driver to my siblings and parents.
To amuse myself, I just listened to the Good Times show and followed the avalanche of cash prizes given everyday by Mo Twister, Mojo and Grace Lee. I tried calling their trunkline to join the fun, but I was too sleepy and weak to follow through. Many times, I just vicariously jumped in joy whenever a caller got the prize. Yipee!!! That is, before I zonked in slumber and fatigue.
I have been up and about for a week now, and have resumed my daily activities. I could now listen to the GoodTimes show for a longer time with no unseemly interruptions.
It was funny when their topic today was about 'Positive Secrets'. Whenever my friends asked what I've been up to the past weeks, I just say that I was looking for work, not trumpeting what I believe are my achievements as the Chief Nurturer to my family when they were all sick, and hey, I could now put an invisible medal around me as Chief Survivor of this pesky swine flu virus.
By the way, while I was sick as a dog, I started wondering why I was one of the first few people stricken by the virus. Were my body's defenses so weak? I bought one of the newest books on health by Jillian Michaels, one of the trainers of "Biggest Losers".
Reviewed by health critiques as one of the best books on fitness written this year, Michaels wrote "Master Your Metabolism". I thought that Jillian would advocate non-stop exercise and a diet for birds. Surprisingly, she did not advocate this at all. Instead, she had three simple, surprising rules:
* Remove antinutrients and toxins which are slowing your metabolism.
* Restore natural whole foods to your diet - foods that will rally your fat-burning hormones.
* Rebalance your hormones by sleeping,dealing with stress, and exercising in ways that will manage them best.
Surprised? I was too. After years of exercise and painstaking dieting, Michaels figured there had to be an easier and more effective way to become healthy and slim. I read the book twice and it makes sense.
I followed some of the tips of Jillian Michaels, buying fruits and vegetables, whole wheat bread, more beans, nuts, use of olive oil,etc...and used what new knowledge I had to feed family. My brothers and parents seem to recover faster, and their smiles were all the payment I need for all my unsung heroic deeds.
So try to read the book for the sake of your health. Live long and prosper :)
Thanks to ∞N KatuM∞ for the photo on the sick dude with flu.
