Flu shot? But I never get the flu!

Never again in this lifetime - which I was sure was coming to a premature end last week - will I scoff at the idea of getting a flu shot.

Up until last week I was among those tempting fate each flu season, believing that the shot was a waste of time since I never get the flu anyway. Word to the wise - "I never get the flu" translates to "I haven't had the flu yet."

It all started innocently enough that Monday morning. I had gone for a "power walk" Sunday afternoon, and I was sure the aching in my legs was due to overdoing it. But then I noticed I could also feel stiffness in my neck, my elbows, and virtually every moving point of my body.

Then that night I was blessed with a major case of chills. While feeling warm from the inside, the chills got so bad I threw on a long-sleeve sweatshirt, lounge pants and socks, and dove under the covers in hopes of fending off this latest attack.

Now I knew I could take Ibuprofen for the aches, and the chills only seemed to present themselves at night, so I figured I could "tough it out." (Married women, you may insert laughter here.)

After covering an event Wednesday night, I had the chills so bad by the time it was over that I had a hard time getting my key into my car's ignition. Achy, warm, restless and queasy, I reached that point of no return when you give in to the inevitable and realize that it's just a matter of time until "Mt. Fluvius" erupts.

After being comforted by the coolness of the bathroom floor I made my way to bed, for yet another night of light sleep that bordered on delirium, and with the knowledge that I had to take my first sick day since I began at the Observer. The day was falling on a Thursday, which is a production day for us. I knew how hectic it would be for my co-workers having to pick up my pieces, but I also knew that they would understand that this wasn't a "I don't feel like going to work" day, it was a "I can't be vertical for any length of time" day.

I'm still not back to 100 percent and am now showing symptoms of a cold, but next year when I first hear the term "flu shot," you'll be looking at the soles of my shoes as I run to be the first in line. The rest of you will just have to fall in behind me!  

Craig Purcell may be reached at 824-1036 or cpurcell@tcnpress.com.