It’s been a lousy week. I developed a severe upper respiratory infection and Ed took me to a convenience clinic run by Lee Memorial on Saturday. I got antibiotics and I am getting better but I am not comfortable. The doctor also gave me an injection for pain because my throat, ears and back were screaming. We waited two hours to get seen. The up side is that my back is better, but the effects on my throat have worn off. I have a cough that won’t quit and I am not sleeping much. When I try to talk, I can’t, because I start coughing. The congestion has now moved into my sinus area and breathing is difficult.

I have taken the maximum dose of Robitussin and can't take anymore until tomorrow.

Compounding this is we are having the piping in our house totally replaced. Eight or 10 plumbing workers are roaming through the house cutting holes in the walls so the pipes can be placed behind. This is something a lot of plumbers don't want to do. Ed insisted. While they work, we are without water.

The noise from the cutting is tremendous, horrific, the cats are freaked. The holes will be plastered and painted when they’re done. All of my under-the-counter items are in cardboard boxes, I can’t find anything. They kept leaving the door into the garage open and the garage door was up as well, so Max got outside, but he was a good boy and came in when I called him. Ziggy hid behind the big sofa in the living room but edged toward me when I sat down at one end and let me pet him. I had to empty a curio cabinet and move it so they could cut a hole behind it. The clean-up and restoring of order will be exhausting.

I have to get up early and wash up before they come because they are shutting the water off at 8. Being without running water is the pits.

My appetite is off because the antibiotic makes my stomach sensitive. I am taking it after eating, but the effect hangs on. We ordered Chinese and I had egg drop soup and a spring roll. I am sick of Chinese food.

We have dinner plans tomorrow night with one of my favorite couples and I’ll have to put it off. I do not think I will be up to it and I refuse to cough through dinner at a restaurant. I canceled physical therapy for Tuesday and will probably cancel this Friday too.

In the past I used to recover from stuff like this on a steady basis, but it is slow going this time and that worries me.

I trust you are all fine and doing better than me. I’m not jealous … just sayin’.

xx, Teal