It seemed like this morning would never end. But finally, it did. I have five days before I return to work and I hope that will be enough for a full recovery.  I still have the congestion, the coughing and the pulled muscle, but it’s continuing to make (very small) improvements. Julia has been investigating and thinks I may have one of a number of stomach bugs currently doing the rounds – hence some of the symptoms that don’t seem to go with the bad chest. I have just been treating myself as if I have a stomach bug and can report that the “muscle pain” in the lower abdomen seems to have gone. The other muscle pain, on the other hand, persists. I hate having two things at the same time.

To be fair, I can be a difficult patient.

Julia has decide that she must keep me hydrated and feed me small, light regular meals. It tells you how bad I am that I’m still not keen on eating. Normally, driven by boredom and hunger, I eat my lunch by mid-day, sometimes 11.00. Today we toasted the cheese sandwich that has survived uneaten since I took it to work on Thursday.

Having just been on the internet checking out health stuff I am now relieved at how healthy I am compared to some people, and fearful at how much worse I may become. The internet is definitely a mixed blessing. There is definitely a point where you have to shout “Too much information!” as you recoil in horror from some of the things people write on discussion sites. It was a moment of weakness, I know better than to wander into those sites.

Poppies and corn wreath