I read last week that a woman became ill with influenza A while on vacation. I can’t recall when she became ill with pneumonia. Or how soon after she became sick with pneumonia, she died. I’m not sure if the article stated whether she saw a doctor. But I guess she had to see a physician. How else would she have known that she had influenza A?

Anyway, after several days of feeling ill last month. I went to the Emergency room, where I found out I had Influenza A. I had right-side chest pain, body aches, and a headache. My nose was runny, and my throat was bothering me. I don’t know why my throat was giving me problems since I had my tonsils removed several years ago.

Once in the ER, I gave my information to the receptionist/nurse, then into the waiting area I went. I didn’t have to wait long before the receptionist called me. I waited about 30 minutes before the doctor showed up. She ordered blood work and a X-ray.

I didn’t have pneumonia, which was good to hear. A little while later, the doctor came with the results from the 1st Troponin T Test, a blood test to test my heart muscles. I might not be verbatim about the test, but I am almost positive I’m right. She said my first Troponin test was normal, and since it was normal, she felt it was unlikely that the next couple of tests would be any different. Regarding the RSV, COVID, and flu results, which hadn’t returned yet, she (the doctor) said I could wait or go home. I went home, since she thought I was okay.

When I got home, the first thing I did was to check MyChart, where I was positive for influenza A. I got a little upset with myself; I should have stayed and waited for the results. I couldn’t reach the doctor I saw in the emergency room, so I sent a message through MyChart to my pulmonologist, and he sent a prescription to the pharmacy.
Within a few days, my health improved, but I kept coughing. After more days of coughing, I went to a walk-in clinic. I had an X-ray, and it showed I had pneumonia. I was like, wow, thank God I had sense enough to go to the doctor.

I don’t know whether the woman in the first paragraph saw a doctor. However, I am so relieved I didn’t play around about going to the ER or the walk-in, who knows the same thing could have happened to me.

I thank God for healing me from the flu and pneumonia (Flu-Monia), lol! However, I still don’t get enough sleep; or exercise as I should, I also need to be more conscious of what I put in my mouth. These things probably contribute to me becoming ill. I almost forgot I need to manage my stress, but can you manage your stress when it lives with you and/or comes to visit?

God, I sure can use some of your help!

Until the next blog be Blessed