Roosting Pigs II: The Diagnosis

I seem to be posting in sequels just lately. Formal Outing I and II, and now the Dreaded Flu II.

Well I dragged myself to the quack, and the diagnosis? Non specific viral infection, probably a case of swine flu, but no point in doing swabs given the pre-existing diagnosis for my daughter.

Anyway she (the quack) says I am not to go back to work for five days in case it is the aforementioned disease. So this morning it was frantic phoning around to make sure my 2IC at work has all the information he needs to keep the whole place muddling along until I can return.

So what to do for five days?
Obviously, bed rest I am after all sick. (don’t forget I am a man, and men are fragile creatures greatly afflicted by minor ailments such as colds, let alone the dread porcine peril.)
Writing… maybe, see how the brain goes.
Reading… some, but see above.
Watching TV… am I the only one who wants to throw something at the screen when daytime TV is on?
Watching DVDs … more promising, but I’ve watched most of our collection, and visiting the library is problematic (don’t want to pass on the dread disease to some bored, but probably innocent, teenager.)
Sorting through my old photos and scanning them…Ack, the thought makes me sick, I only went digital about two years ago. Even contemplating where to start gives me a headache. No wait, that is the flu.
Surf the net… maybe but it’s not really resting? Is it?

Just to finish up a couple of photos (because I can’t help myself).

This little guy is a young white faced heron.

And this guy is an Australian pelican.

If anyone has read Colin Thiele’s Storm Boy, Mr Percival was an Australian pelican.

When the Pigs Come Home to Roost

Before anyone grumbles, I know I have mixed a metaphor. It’s not official yet but I think I have the dreaded Swine Flu.

This picture has nothing to do with our roosting pigs, It is simply a vain attempt to distract me from being miserable.It was taken in Ben Boyd National park not far from Green cape.

My dearly beloved eldest daughter E, brought the flu home from uni with her (E is the first letter of her name and it is one of the few nicknames she has ever tolerated). She has been officially diagnosed by our quack (no real disrespect intended but Aussies have a very strong tendency to irreverence) and put on a course of Tamiflu.

As you may know despite the initial hoo-ha about the virus, in most people it is presenting as a quite mild illness. However, it has caused some fatalities in those with underlying conditions. Hence the Tamiflu for E, she is unfortunately a chronic asthmatic, so the quack said “better safe than sorry.”

I have come down with the same symptoms and although I have yet to drag myself to the doctor (oops I am slipping, quack), I suspect same symptoms = same condition. It’s probably not rocket surgery.

Clearly my mixed metaphor meter is on the blink, maybe it’s the mild fever addling my brain? Before, anyone leaps in to say “don’t be silly get yourself down to the doctor”, I am going later, I have an appointment. As to why I am sitting in front of a computer instead of lying down… well I’m just stupid really. Though, I tried lying down and it doesn’t feel any better and at least this way I get to distract myself.

And just a final distractionThis was also taken in Ben Boyd NP just across Twofold Bay from Eden in NSW. I love the contrast in this picture, between the deep blue and Green of the Pacific and the red of the siltstone.