My health was breezing along just fine until this past Thursday, when I decided to abandon another day of televised reports on the status of the coranavirus flu outbreak and go outside to soak up some sun on a warm spring-like day.  

My outlook changed a bit when I realized the wind was blowing hard and filling the air with blooms and leaf buds from the trees in our back yard. Covered with a thick pullover shirt, toboggan and gloves, I was determined to make myself useful.   

I tried weed eating around my garden but gave it up because the ground was too wet. Instead, I ventured into a wooded area where footing was better and cut alder bushes for future use in the garden as bean sticks.  

When I realized I was covering myself with pollen, I decided to give it up and go back inside.  

Later that day, I was sitting in the den enjoying the comfort of my easy chair when I sneezed loud enough to activate the singing of two red lovebirds seated on a perch in the next room. More sneezes followed, along with watering eyes and a runny nose.  

Without hesitation, I diagnosed myself as the victim of an allergy attack and went to Walmart for medication. I took a tablet, the symptoms eased, and I rested well that night. 

I took another tablet the next day when the symptoms reappeared, but it was little if any help. After a restless Friday night, I got up late Saturday and attempted light breakfast. It came back up.  

I couldn’t remember the last time I’d had an upset stomach. I swallowed some water, and it came back up.  

My wife Geanell intervened: “You need to go to Urgent Care right now and see a doctor. You know your doctor’s office is closed today and won’t reopen until Monday. You don’t know what could happen from now until then.” 

I relented after considering the outcome of being hungry and not being able to eat.  

I got to the doctor’s office an hour and 15 minutes before closing and was the last patient he saw Saturday. He had me sized up the minute he opened the door, greeted me and looked at the chart his nurse had prepared earlier.  

“You feel sick, Mr. Clifton, like so many others?” he asked. “Sneezing, runny nose and eyes and cough are caused by so much pollen in the air. Drainage builds up in your stomach when you sleep and can be vomited when contacted by food. The nurse will give you a shot with antibiotics, and I’ll write you a prescription for upset stomach. Continue taking an allergy pill for the next four or five, and you should be fine.” 

As I left the doctor’s office, I felt foolish for imposing on his time when I could have treated my illness at home; however, I was relieved when I arrived home and was able to enjoy a delicious meal without mishap.