No matter how many times I get a cold, it kicks my butt. From the second I wake up with a sore throat, I know I’m down and out for the count for the rest of the week. Call me a wimp, but not being able to breathe or sleep really puts a damper on me. Here’s a timeline of how it usually goes.
Day 1
The day of doom. This is the day I wake up and have that feeling. The tickle in the back of my throat that isn’t quite sore, but isn’t quite right, either. It’s going to be a long week.
Max amount of sleep: Seven hours
Number of tissues needed: Two, to wipe the tears.
Day 2
Today begins the full-blown sore throat. Nothing tastes right, and nothing makes it feel better. Except Halls Throat Soothers. Those are heaven.
Max amount of sleep: Seven hours
Number of tissues needed: None
Day 3
Still plagued by the sore throat, but the stuffy nose comes in just enough to lose my sense of smell. Add in exhaustion from lack of sleep, and you’ve got a recipe for disaster.
Max amount of sleep: Five hours
Number of tissues needed: Somewhere close to 10
Day 4
The sore throat seems to be getting better, but the stuffy nose is getting stronger and stronger. Now, it’s almost impossible to even breathe through my nose, meaning my lips get chapped from having to breathe through my mouth.
Max amount of sleep: Ten minutes, while lying in a steaming shower.
Number of tissues needed: An entire box. Not exaggerating.
Day 5
This is the worst day; day 5 makes me feel like there is no end. I'm sleep deprived, achy, I can’t breathe and I just feel sick. I wonder if I’ll ever feel like my normal self ever again. Probably not.
Max amount of sleep: What is sleep? Do you have any tissues? I’m all out.
Number of tissues needed: Another box. Not kidding, I went through two boxes in 48 hours.
Day 6
Remember when I said I would never feel normal again? Well I was wrong. Today is a much better day. I may not feel totally normal, but I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. Breathing returns to almost normal, with the occasional need for nose blowing. Mood improves considerably.
Max hours of sleep: Eight hours
Number of tissues needed: Maybe five
Day 7
Ah, order has been restored. I made it! Now it’s time to catch up on sleep and try to moisturize my nose in an attempt to combat the scaly reptile look. Also, time to take out my trash, seriously. Two and a half boxes of gross tissues take up a lot of space.
Max hours of sleep: The limit does not exist.
Number of tissues needed: Carry a couple to help the runny nose, if needed.
