I Wonder If It's COVID-19 or The Flu.

It was the day after I visited Wreck Beach when it started.

Holly Golightly, my dog, and I were lying on the bed when I suddenly felt a ‘cold shiver.’

It was about 6:00 p.m., and I usually go to bed to watch television for a couple of hours.

I glanced at the bedroom window and noticed it was open, so I quickly got up and closed it.

But when I got back in bed and covered myself up, I began to shake and felt very cold.

I got up and quickly put on my pajamas (the ones with the little snowmen) I wear during winter.

Then I closed my bedroom door and turned the heat to 80 degrees.

I also grabbed two heavy blankets from the closet and folded them on top of me.

I was freezing!

I stuck a thermometer under my tongue, but I was shaking so much I had to hold it to keep it from falling out of my mouth.

My temperature was 97.4 degrees Fahrenheit.

I know that normal is 98.6, but I wasn’t smart enough to understand what a lower-than-normal body temperature meant.

My icy hands and arms were tucked under the blanket.

I had to lay on top of my hands to keep them warm.

Holly was lying against my side and started to whimper.

She probably wanted me to put her on the floor, but I didn’t want to get uncovered.

After thirty minutes or so, I began to get warmer.

About ten minutes later, I was getting hot.

I threw the blankets aside and then put the thermometer under my tongue.

After it began to beep, I checked to see my temperature at 101.4 degrees.

That’s when the fear started, and my mind began screaming in silent terror: what if it’s COVID-19?

My mind continued to race.

What about the story about Wreck Beach?

I was supposed to add the videos to the story once I downloaded them.

And what about the Vancouver Venturers Walking Club’s scheduled walk on Thursday that I wanted to attend?

It’s crazy how the mind works under stress – we think about the silliest things.

After another ten minutes, I got hotter and had to throw all the sheets off me.

I checked my temperature, and it was now 102 degrees!

Now the concern was starting to escalate.

I thought about calling 911 and getting an ambulance to take me to the hospital.

But that would mean being away from everyone, including my Holly, because I believe that visitors aren’t allowed during the pandemic period.

So, I decided to wait until my temperature hit 103 degrees.

I took a long deep breath and did a mental exercise I learned some time ago.

It’s like meditating – it brings me peace when I’m troubled.

In a few minutes, I’m not sure how long – I fell sound asleep.

I awoke at midnight, and my pajamas were completely soaked.

I either peed the bed or had an erotic (wet) dream.

But it was from the sweat – the fever had broken!

I quickly got changed and put on a fresh pair of pajamas.

I felt weak and somewhat lethargic but otherwise, okay.

I stayed in the house all day Wednesday and rested. I felt perfectly fine.

I wondered what had caused me to feel so sick the night before.

On Thursday morning, I got up at 4:00 a.m. (my usual time is between 4-5:00 a.m.) and felt great.

I made a cup of coffee and fed Holly.

But for the next hour, my mind told me I should get checked by the health officials to see if I have COVID-19.

It’s always better to be safe than sorry.

I checked the internet for the Province of British Columbia – COVID-19 Website and followed the teleprompt instructions:

If you have had any of the symptoms, dial 604.539.4923 and press 2 to make an appointment.

Another recorded message then prompts you to leave a message with your name, phone number, make of vehicle, and license plate number.

It also gave the address for the test site.

The message ended with an instruction to wait in the car until I got a call.

So after a shower, shaving, and a quick hug to Holly, I drove to the test site in downtown Langley.

I didn’t write the address down, but I assumed it was at the LifeLabs facility I usually go to for bloodwork, X-rays, etc.

There is minimal parking, and I had to park a few blocks away.

I turned the engine off and began to wait for the phone call.

I looked at my watch and noted the time – it was Noon.

I decided that I would go for a walk around Douglas Park and had my cell phone with me.

After walking around for thirty minutes, I wondered why I hadn’t gotten a callback.

So I walked to LifeLabs and climbed the stairs to the second floor.

There was a lineup of patients in the hall.

I searched the line for a friendly face and noticed a guy giving me a friendly nod.

“Is this the lineup for COVID-19 testing?” I asked.

“I dunno,” he replied.

I looked down the line of people, but everyone avoided eye contact.

So I went to the front of the line, and the sign on the door indicated that only seven people could be in the reception area at a time and to remain in the hall until called.

I turned around and asked no one in particular: “Did you all get a phone call?”

I glanced at each for a reply, and all shook their heads to indicate they hadn’t.

Someone near the end of the line shouted that I needed to make an appointment.

But I decided to walk into the reception area and speak to the clerk on duty.

Excuse me, but is this where I come to get a COVID-19 test?

Did you talk to your doctor?

No, am I supposed to call him?

Yes, you need to see a doctor.

Okay, thanks!

I returned to the hall and sheepishly wished everyone in line a great day.

They smiled at me as I walked by.

When I got to my car, I called the doctor’s office.

The receptionist told me I had to drive to the test site at a different location.

She gave me the address – and it was at unit #101.

When I parked and went to Unit #101 – it was a medical center, but signs were posted that there weren’t COVID-19 tests done there.

A lady was waiting in a designated waiting line outside, so I asked her if this was where the COVID-19 testing was done.

She said that it was around the side of the building.

I walked there and noticed the tests were being done outside, in the parking lot.

A couple of uniformed security guards and three or four healthcare workers were present.

I walked up to one of the workers.

Hi, I’m here to get tested for COVID-19.

Sorry, but you have to phone to make an appointment, sir.

But I did make an appointment at Noon but was at the wrong place and…

Suddenly, a supervisor appeared and asked me if I had symptoms, and I told her I didn’t anymore but had had shakes and a fever two nights ago.

I also explained that I had called for an appointment but hadn’t heard back from anyone.

The supervisor was very pleasant and patient as she explained that there is sometimes a two-hour wait before a callback can be received.

She told me to go home and wait for the callback.

At approximately 2:10 p.m., I received a callback and got a 4:45 p.m. appointment.

It took almost the entire day to get tested, and I was getting impatient.

At my appointment, I was parked in a reserved parking spot at the site.

One of the healthcare workers asked me to identify myself by providing my name and birthdate and then asked me why I was there.

On Tuesday night, I had both the shakes and a high temperature of 102. It lasted for about four or five hours and then I was okay.

Well, are you running a temperature now? Are you feeling sick now?

No, I’ve been feeling fine, since.

Then, you don’t need to be tested. We can only test you if you’re currently having the symptoms. Otherwise, we will get a false negative. If you have the symptoms and we test you as being positive, we ask that you quarantine yourself for ten days.

A massive sigh of relief came over me.

So, I don’t need to quarantine myself?

No, sir. You are okay. If you get sick again, then give us a call. But at least you now know the protocol.

Thanks, buddy, you made my day!

I wanted to get out of my vehicle to hug him but decided to leave the area quietly.

I never thought that I had the virus but wanted to be sure.

*******

In one of my A Nude Wreck on Wreck Beach story updates, I explained that I was ill and had the shakes and a fever of 102 degrees.

I wanted anyone I’d been near in the past couple of weeks to know I had been ill.

But a few hours later, when I felt better, I removed the passage from the story.

So if you’re one of the readers who learned of my illness – I’m feeling great!

If you know a healthcare worker – give them a huge virtual hug and tell them how much they are loved!

My gal pal Chona, is a frontline healthcare worker, and I know how busy her workdays are.

Also, thanks, Norm and Gina, for the stunning sunset photo that they sent me.

Photo from Norm and Gina’s home Photo by Norm Colon

It’s what they see from their home in Fairhaven, Washington.

I plan to go to a Vancouver Venturers Club walk in Vancouver on Saturday morning.

I wonder if any of my friends will ask about my recent nude sunbathing adventure at Wreck Beach.

Dedicated to gal pal, Chona

I hope my stories are a gift to your head and heart.

Hugs,

Danny

Today’s tune from Danny’s library (purchased):

Get Closer – Seals & Crofts

Darlin’, if you want me to be closer to you, get closer to me
Darlin’, if you want me to be closer to you, get closer to me
Darlin’, if you want me to love, love only you, then love only me
Darlin’, if you want me to see, see only you, then see only me

There’s a line I can’t cross over
It’s no good for me, and it’s no good for you

And there’s a feelin’, deep down inside me
I can’t explain it and you’re wondering why
You say we’ve been like strangers
But I’m not the others you can wrap ’round your fingers

There was a time when I would come runnin’
I’d drop everything for the touch of your hand in mine

You were blind
And now you regret it
‘Cause I can’t forget it
It’s locked in my mind

And I can’t go on livin’ day-to-day
Wondering if you’ll be here tomorrow
People change, and you’re changin’
And I’ve given you my all
There’s no more to borrow

Songwriters: Jim Seals, Dash Crofts

Here’s what Danny is listening to now: Drowning in a Tub Full of Tunes

I Wonder If It’s COVID-19 or The Flu.

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