Fever broke?

I think the fever's broken, not sure. Either that or I'm having a brief respite, which -- hey -- I'll take it. My throat hurts like you wouldn't believe but even that's an improvement.

I have a theory.

I think these flus are the fault of flu shots.

I never used to get sick, or else which I did, it wasn't very serious. I got a very bad virus back in 1987, then the next one (other than a sniffly week or two) was in the late 90s, once flu shots started to gain popularity. Once my office (from 2000 onward) started pushing flu shots on the entire staff (and you were strongly advised to get one, it was provided for free, in-house -- seems someone examined the stats on on the costs of missed work days) I caught a severe virus every year.

So here's my working theory: flu shots are great for those who get them, terrible for those who don't. By combining the worst flu viruses into one vaccine, people are being exposed to a greater variety of brutal viruses. Most of which they would never face without the shot. Those who have the shot become carriers because viruses aren't the same as polio, measles, etc. Viruses mutate. The whole flu shot theory is founded upon everyone getting the shot.

Now here's where I get cynical. There are only a couple companies allowed to produce flu shots in the U.S. This is a very profitable business, increasingly so with corporations on board with the flu shot theory, sponsoring flu shots for their employees. There may be good intentions involved, but I bet someone at these businesses knows there's a risk of increasing flu epidemics if not everyone gets the shot.

God, I'm so sick of the U.S.

"He makes it look magical" and flu report.

Johnny Weir.

Just showed wildernessguru Johnny Weir's exhibition number from the 2007 Cup of China. WG commented: "He makes it look magical."

( He makes it look magical. )

I love Lysacek, but I have to admit, I think Johnny is more subtle.

Sick update:

The stages of this flu --

Initial 12-24 hours: runny nose, dizziness, inability to concentrate, persistant cough, shortness of breath, gradually worsening into day two with an increased fever.

Day three is the worst. You just curl up under the covers, sheeting with sweat and shivering. WG was in a steaming hot bath and had goose bumps. T-shirts and sheets are soaked like sponges. No appetite, continued shortness of breath, physically weak. WG calls this the "just shoot me" stage.

Day four the fever breaks, some energy returns though you're still sleeping an abnormal amount. Appetite still nonexistent. Occasional shivers. Persistent cough continues. For some reason I have the sore throat from hell and WG doesn't. I blame this on my allergies compounding the flu. WG on the other hand had the headache from hell, which he blames on getting dehydrated.

Day five is as far as we've gone. WG caught this first. He still has the cough, no appetite, and is sleeping in the next room.


Those of you who've dropped by my previous post to tell me how healthy you are, please think about that for a second. You mean well, and you may be agreeing with me, but is that the kindest thing to say to someone who's currently hacking up a lung?

The insensitive jerks who've stopped by to give me a lecture on the flu vaccine ... the only reason I haven't gone on an unfriending spree is because I'm too busy coughing, I'm exhausted from lack of sleep and I know my temper is short. But come a little closer, my pretties, and let me share -- *hack, hacks all over you* -- the joy that is this flu.