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I've been trying to stay positive, I really have. In fact this journey began last week with a trip to Marietta Ga
(!worldmappin 33.94937 lat -84.54661 long d3scr)
I used to go to "the Sing Thing and String" in Marietta as often as I could, but it was a long way for me. It was held once a week on Tuesday.
Then the host/creator of the event (neighbors and friends gathered to just play and sing) died.
After a period of mourning, it began again at a different location, once a month.
The new host was/is less popular, but still an excuse to gather should be taken advantage of. I have not in 5 yrs until last Tuesday.
I went, apprehensive about my long lapse in practice, my new guitar and sore finger tips, but I was able to play and sing better than I'd hoped. (sorry, no pics from that night)
I rode with my niece since driving at night is problematic for me, and this new location is in DOWNTOWN MARIETTA, not far from all the city gov't buildings and the old city square
The day before on Monday,
I got a haircut and while waiting, a man came in with "home cooked fresh "cracklin's" (aka Pork Rinds)
I've never like those things when bought from a store, but I got that bag and was mildly surprised that I found them good.
Next day, I had taken the remainder with me in the car. Not enough left to take in and share.
When we left, I ate the remainder on the way home and ended up choking. I began coughing and reguritated stomach acid into my mouth. I had to hold it and swallow because I was in the back seat of my niece's new car.
Doing this burned my throat and VOCAL cords.
When I got home, I went to sleep with a raw throat. Slept badly.
Next day I had a 10 am appointment with Ortho in Atlanta at the main VA Hospital, that went well, other than the raw throat/cough.
I wore a mask just in case.
About 5 pm, I began feeling bad, feverish and a major cough was developing (this is now Wed night)
From that time until present, I've had a debilitating cough. Wed night my temp went to 99.7°F (high for me) Thu night 100.5°F, Friday night 101.3°F.
My voice all that time was unintelligible.
I did get cough meds, sore throat spray etc...
I googled what Antibiotics were most prescribed for upper respiratory problems, I had some Keflex so I started taking those.
It was now Saturday, 3 straight days of almost nonstop coughing.
I barely got out of bed those first feverish days, but I'm out and motorvating [sic]today.
Never did have CHEST CONGESTION other than what drained from me head. What IS in my lungs seems to be in both UPPER LOBES, which are extremely difficult to cough out.
I've spoken with one other person who said the almost exact same thing hit her, out of the blue (no causitive things like I described like choking on pork rinds) but she went and got tested, no Flu, no Covid... she like me, just waited it out.
Now I have a dilemma; my planned trip to Ireland (Happy St Patrick's Day☘️) is only a few days away (Mar 28th departure).
I can still get most of my money back. Do I risk flying across the pond and being sick the whole time? OR do I postpone my trip (in which case knowing me, I'll never end up going)?
What to do, what to do...
This weekend was that horrible storm system that did SO much damage across our country. Luckily I didn't have much, one metal bakers rack on my porch blew over, breaking one pot
I am blessed that my home, my pets and myself were mostly undamaged.
"Digging out from Illness"
by
Jerry E Smith
©3/17/2025
All images are mine
by
Jerry E Smith
©3/17/2025
All images are mine
You have all this week to feel better, plus a few days this coming week... if it were me, I don't think I'd cancel the trip, at least not just yet. But, you know tour body better than anyone else. Hope you are feeling better and back to 100% soon! 💜
Thank you my dear friend Miss Kitty. I just talked with the travel insurance co, and the travel agent this morning.
I think I will try to take it easy this week and hope for the best.
In fact, I am about to leave to see about getting 2 pair of dress slacks hemmed to length. I could probably do it, but I don't want to take a chance on messing up brand new slacks.
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Ohhh dear a lot did happen to you, so sorry about everything, hang in there friend.
Stay strong and stay positive dear friend
I am so sure you will scale through this journey