Apprehension Grips My Heart

I was sick for two days. This is the second time that I got ill in a span of less than three months. This does not usually happen to me, but given the possibility that I could be showing the early symptoms of post-polio syndrome, I'm not really surprised.

During my childhood years, I remember being very sickly, especially the period after I have recovered from my bout with polio. When I entered my school-year age, I recall getting sick often which mean being absent from my classes for weeks at a time.

That eventually changed when I reached high school. Maybe it had to do with the physical changes that teenagers are known to experience during this time. Or perhaps my body was finally able to develop a fully functional immune system.

Either way, the years that followed proved to be healthy ones for me. I seldom got sick, and even if I did, it lasted only for two days at most. And I was not even taking in any vitamin supplements; just a healthy diet, regular exercise and a good night's sleep.

This set-up went well until last March when I was diagnosed with pneumonia. I struggled through the illness for almost a week before I got fully recovered.

Last May, I got sick again, and although it was comparatively milder, the illness was a surprise as it came in the midst of summer, and only two months after my last sickness.

This was when I learned about post polio syndrome. Considering my age and the period when the initial polio attack took place, I suspect that my last two illnesses are early symptoms that I am suffering from this condition. Of course, I still need to confirm this with a medical doctor.

I am keeping my fingers crossed that my suspicion is unfounded. Still,  apprehension grips my heart like a vise. Just like many polio survivors who are now suffering from post polio syndrome, my fear is that after years of believing that I have recovered from the effects of the disease, polio has returned for a second round of battle, and this time, it seeks to ensure that it will come out the victor.