I have type 2 (well controlled) but I also have asthma, and scarring of my lungs from several bouts of pneumonia, so apparently I am doomed if I get it.
I can't speak for you other than to say have a plan and preparations in place. If you don't have a smart phone, I hope you can get one, because that's how I communicate with my husband and friends during the first week (because talking for me is very problematic while ill).
My lungs are damaged too, yet I've gotten through two bouts of influenza in recent years without being hospitalized. The first time, I remember laying awake for hours one night gently telling myself to stay calm while monitoring my breathing and asking over and over again, "At what point should I go to the emergency room? Am I at that point now?" I was lucky that time. My husband was home and in bed with me, sleeping. I knew I could wake him up if I needed to. That was the worst of it during the first week. The next night my ability to get enough oxygen was better and I was able to sleep without fear.
When I get influenza, I am back on my feet and working again in about a week. (Note: I work at a desk on a computer.) But it takes me another week before my cough begins to wane and that's while taking the strongest over the counter cough control medication available. It's torturous for my co-workers the first two days. It's a really scary cough. I have to email them at the beginning of my work day to remind them that I won't be able to talk for a few days. If they need something from me, they have to email me. It takes two to three weeks for the cough to resolve completely once I'm back at work.
With my last bout of influenza a couple of months ago, my husband was away on business, but luckily, I had prepared ahead of time to have everything I needed to care for myself while on my own - (food, medication) - so it went as well as it could have. I learned important lessons from the previous bout.
This time, I stayed in bed, and focused on staying hydrated. I didn't talk for a week. But when I did have to talk on the phone at the end of that week, I realized I had significant shortness of breath so I called the 24/7 nurse line. They advised me to go to the emergency room immediately to get an x-ray, which I knew from previous experience would have cost me $4,000 to $5,000 out of pocket - (I have medical insurance but with a high deductible) - money I don't have. I thought really hard about it. I researched the treatment protocol for pneumonia. I read until I fully understood both the treatment protocol and the risks of refusing treatment, and I reflected on my previous episodes of shortness of breath. In the end, I decided to not go. The reason? This happens to me almost every time I have a cold or influenza. If I don't talk or exert myself, I feel like I'm getting enough oxygen, and I come through it fine.
A night or two later, I decided to go for a 10 minute walk. There was a really dense fog. It felt good. I took a bottle of warm with me to sip on to prevent a coughing episode. I walked slowly. Halfway through the walk I questioned if I'd made a good decision. I periodically stopped, then continued on slowly. I was fine. That told me I'd be able to return to work because the walk between my car and our office building was the same distance.
luckylocket61, our grandson has asthma. I've been thinking about him a lot over the last couple of days. It is scary. That said, the statistics are in your favor. I'd be interested in hearing how you're protecting yourself and how you are prepared to manage if you become infected.
[Correction made. Thanks urbanracer!]
