FEVER

It's 58 degrees outside and 68 inside. I'm lying on the bed burning up. Before, I was snuggled under the covers, 2 furry blankets, one sheet under, one sheet over and the electric lap blanket in between in case I need it. Actually it's more for the cats than for me. But, then, suddenly it hits me like a menopausal hot flash, and I strip off the old puffy sweater and throw off the sheets and blankets to allow some air to circulate over my fired up skin.

Hot
Cold
Hot
Cold

Yes, I have the flu. I think. I was so sick when I started to take the Tamiflu, and so much better now. But the fever keeps returning. Or is it just metabolistic misfiring? Fever, it would seem would remain at one level for a while before making subtle changes dipping down or climbing up the degrees. One time I felt so feverish, I found the thermometer and took my temperature. I was surprised it was 95.6 degrees. How can that be? Yesterday and day before at different times it was 101. That was a bit low. Isn't normal body temperature supposed to be 98.6?

Today I felt better. Coughing takes the energy out of me. Lays me low. Not only because it is from a cold or flu, but it aggravates the asthma too. Today there is not so much trying to hold it back, feeling it in my chest waiting to bust out. No more need to hold the chest tight to keep the coughing from starting. Once it starts it just encourages more.

So, now, the legs are cold and the blankets go back on. In a little while the sweater will rejoin them. Then the whole process will start all over again. There is no happy medium. I've tried changing the number of blankets, the type of nightgown, the sweater to a night jacket. Doesn't seem to make a difference. It's always the same, or I should say.... always changing.