Vince went to work this morning before 7 and about 9:30, I was in the kitchen and the back door opened. Scared the heck out of me. I should keep the door locked when I’m home alone but mostly, I don’t. Vince knows the code (of course), but anyone could walk in when the door is unlocked. He knows to announce that it’s him the minute the door opens but those few seconds from when I hear the door knob til he says “It’s ME!” . . scary!
He said he felt achy, had a headache, felt dizzy . . probably other problems too. I grabbed the Oscillococcinum, gave him one dose of that, handed him bottles of acetaminophen and ibuprofen, a 30 oz insulated tumbler of water, a 20 oz. insulated tumbler of apple juice, a thermometer and told him to tell me every time he takes something so I can write it down. Neither of us will remember what he took and when he took it. He’s in bed! Now he tells me he has chills. I pray it isn’t the flu. We both had flu shots, which I know are terribly ineffective this year but hopefully, if it is the flu, the vaccine will help somewhat.
Anything else he should be taking or something I should be doing to help him?
What are the chances of me not getting the flu if he has it? Slim to none!
The roads are icy so I’m glad he got home before they got any worse. I said “Do you think you should go to the doctor?” and he said “NO! Too many sick people there!” We can call the video doctor but he wants to wait and see how he feels later. I hope better.
I keep saying “DRINK!” and he said “I’m going back to work . . you’re making me worse!”
Our electricity has blinked a couple of times. The icicles are getting longer on the fence and trees. Vince keeps telling me he’s cold. I keep thinking . . wait til the power goes off! We have firewood on the porch so it will only take a few minutes to get a warm fire going if the power goes off. We have two 5 gallon buckets of water so we can flush toilets. We have other buckets outside catching rain water so we’ll have water for toilets and bathing. I have jars full of water for drinking. I suppose we’re as ready as we can get except I don’t know how to work the generators and if the power is off long, we’ll have to fire those up to keep the freezers going.
I’m very thankful for my gas cooktop. Yesterday I toasted bagels over a burner and the whole time, I was saying “I love having a gas stove!”
OK . . Nurse Judy . . signing off . .
Dianne says
Elderberry syrup Saying prayers!!
Linda Mincher says
Oh, no. I do hope he feels better quickly. Several years ago hubby and I just didn’t get around to getting a flu shot, then it started going around his office. He called from work at lunch saying he felt like he was getting it, but had to take care of a few things and would be home in a couple of hours. I changed the sheets on our bed, moved my pillows into my daughter’s room (she was at college), tossed our toothbrushes and moved my bathroom stuff into my daughter’s bathroom. I sanitized all the hard surfaces and the bathrooms and kitchen before he came home. He stayed in our room and I stayed out of there except to take him food and water and to check on him. Otherwise I washed my hands like crazy and sanitized our bathroom (that he was using) 3-4 times every day and did the same in the kitchen. I was a sanitizing and cleaning fiend. He was better after about 4 or 5 days, and fortunately I never got it. I think sleeping separately and staying far away from each other helped. I hope you can avoid it.
pandrpeele says
A repeat but you both need elderberry syrup or tablets.
pandrpeele says
Do you have any essential oils to diffuse?
Amy (Waunaknit) says
Hope Vince feels better and that you DO NOT get what he’s got.
Linda in NE says
I agree with the others who say Elderberry Syrup, but unless you have the ingredients on hand it’s too late for that. You could run to town and look for Sambucca (elderberry syrup) but since you’re in an ice storm that’s not a good idea. Allibiotic is good, I start taking one capsule a day about Oct. 1 and keep taking it until the end of May. Wards of all kinds of germs. I agree with Vince about going to the doctor, too many sick people there, and who knows what they all have. Most important is keeping hydrated. Make some chicken soup. Even if he doesn’t feel like eating, the broth will be good for him. And keep your distance! Lots of hand washing! The flu just plain sucks!
Becky says
My hubby had it and we made a trip to the emergency room when fever hit 103. They gave him mucinex and Tamiflu. He was sick for a week and coughed for another week. I waited on him hand and foot, and I never got sick. We slept in separate rooms for the duration. We both had the flu shot.
Erin says
Oh no I agree with everyone. Stay safe too. Just keep cleaning with bleach counters handles door knobs etc and stay as safe in the storms.. I am praying Vince will be ok keep Rita away from him too dogs and cats are succeptable also .. if it’s the flu..
Liz says
Chicken soup, hot toddy to help him sleep, lots of fluids but make sure that he has gatorade then water (interchange the two fluids to make sure he keeps the K and NA in balance). Do you have a heating pad to use to combat the chills? It will help with the aches.
If he is getting sick, make sure he has a plastic basket by the bed so he doesn’t have to rush to the bathroom. Consider putting a towel by the bed so you have less cleanup after the fact.
I concur with you staying in the other bedroom and keep cleaning everything. Bleach is your friend.
April Reeves says
I had it and took care of my two kids during it and they never got it. Take care of in this case means getting them to school and back though. They were on their own with food or whatever and could not enter my room or bathroom. I did get them fast food a few times. I stayed out of the rest of the apartment as much as possible and just sprayed down things with lysol. So, it is possible. I wouldn’t believed it though till it happened.
Carolyn S says
He needs Tamiflu ASAP. I had the flu and within six hours of taking the first dose, I felt so much better and my temp went back to normal. I believe you have to take it within 48 hours when your symptoms first appeared. And I had a flu shot too.
Connie H. says
I’d also suggest Tamiflu ASAP. It needs to be given soon after developing symptoms to be effective. You should be able to call Vince’s doctor and ask them to call in a prescription. My daughter is a pediatric ER doc. She got a flu shot but came down with flu symptoms on Sunday, took Tamiflu, already felt better last night except for fatigue, and was going back to work today, which is pretty amazing. She’s super careful at work and always wears a mask but they are seeing many, many cases of flu. I really hope Vince feels better soon and you don’t catch whatever he has. Be well.
Karen Sutton says
OK, I’m going to weigh in here too. Sleep in another room, wash your hands frequently, especially if you touch Vince or anything he’s touched. If you’ve got some Lysol wipes or similar, wipe off the faucets, knobs etc that Vince has touched.
For those who mentioned Elderberry Juice – thank you. I’m going to pick some up.
pattilynn9 says
For the chills or just being really cold, use a heating pad on your chest. He can hold his hands against it. For me, if I get my core warm, I can tolerate cold limbs. Poor fellow, I hope he feels better soon! Oh, also fold an extra blanket over the bottom portion of the bed…the heaviness will push the blanket against his feet…pushing the air out and he’ll get warmer. He could also wear a knit beanie hat, the top of his head will be all that’s sticking out of the covers.
Char says
Raw honey with fresh ginger sliced in it. Use in tea with lemon or a hot toddy.
Stephani in N. TX says
If you know your doctor well enough, ask over the phone for Tamiflu for both of you. For Vince it may shorten the life of the flu bug, for you it could keep you from getting what he has or get a milder version. Some years back, I missed the flu completely on Tamiflu when my husband and son were using the throw-up pan and the bathroom for several days straight.
Wanda says
I’m sorry Vince is sick men make the worst patients. Chicken soup and we made a drink out of either v8 or tomatoes juice and put in lots of worchester said in it Loads Of Vitiman C Stuff.
Wanda says
Don’t worry about freezers they will be fine For several Hours just don’t open doors
Judy Laquidara says
I don’t worry about the freezers til they’ve been off close to 48 hours but the last time I lost power due to an ice storm, the power was out for 7 days.
Susan says
What a time to be sick! Something bubbly helps the flu – I found Dr. Pepper more effective than 7-UP, which was just too sweet and sickening. I hope it’s the short flu, if that’s what it is, and not the several days kind. The first 12-18 hours of the long one are the worst, and after that, it’s a lot of sleeping, and feeling yucky, but not throwing up.
Swooze says
Call the doc and get tamaflu. They say if someone is sick in your house with flu your doc will prescribe half dose of tamaflu. Hope he feels better soon!
Helen says
I believe everyone has given you good advice. My only additional thoughts are Tessalon Pearls for cough. My doc writes us Rx for them and they are amazing. I’ve also read that pineapple juice is good for cough. Both hubby and I had it (began January 1 of this year) and it was a good 2 weeks before we were back on our feet and feeling much better. If he needs to go to the doc, call him instead of going in. With all the flu going around, I’d be pretty sure the doc would rather call in a Rx than have you come in. Stay well and hope Vince is feeling better pronto.
Ellen says
Differentiation for Flu ? Elevated Temp! If no temp, it is not the flu. If Temp is up? Get Tamiflu ASAP!
cassews says
Read an article that said the vaccines for the flu are only 39% effective; every time I get a flu shot I end up with the flu and it takes a while to leave.
Make sure to wash your hands Nurse Judy!!
Inka says
We like ginger ale when sick and without appetite. Ginger is good for an upset stomach and the sugar in it helps the blood sugar level tonot drop too much.
Amy Makson says
The MDs here will also give the spouse Tamiflu preventatively as well as the person with the flu… but has to be the first 48 hours I believe…. good luck. Hope he feels better soon!