Dr Con Murphy arrived into my hospital room. He was fully gowned and masked. He sat down and told me my chest x-ray was clear and my blood infection markers were very low. This was all very good news. Then he said, “did anybody tell you that you’ve been diagnosed with Flu Type A?” I realised the reason for the mask.

He went on to explain that Flu Type A is not covered by the vaccine and I was unlucky to contract it as it was the end of the flu season. I’d be starting on a medication called Tamiflu. I did feel unlucky, especially as I was getting a break from chemotherapy and hospitals. Tim had been miserable for a few days with a heavy cold and a cough. I was bound to get it. It started with horrible muscle pain and a high temperature.

Each time I leave hospital after chemotherapy, I’m given a list of symptoms. If I experience them, I am to contact the hospital. One of them is a high temperature. This is because I have a portacath which is a little device that has been inserted under my skin that, in turn, feeds directly into a vein. It facilitates treatment but it can be an infection risk.

Down with the flu

So, I rang the Bons Secours in Cork and was told to come in immediately. I was admitted onto St Oliver’s ward where I got excellent care, assisted by Donna and Marguerite from St Bernadette’s ward. Following blood tests, swabs and an x-ray, Flu Type A emerged.

One of the things I’ve learned from this episode is that when you are immuno-suppressed, you really are more vulnerable. I did not like leaving the calf shed so abruptly without a plan in place. At least it wasn’t the peak of the season.

A plan for next spring

Anyone can get sick enough not to be able to work. When you are in your prime, you don’t imagine that this can happen but it can. Colm is taking over the calf shed while I am out of action.

Our farm apprentice, Sinéad is also in Clonakilty ag college for the last three days of this week. You wouldn’t imagine that the two of us would be gone out of the shed together but we are. It leaves me thinking about how to plan better for next season.

Tim and I are getting older and our stamina is not what it used to be. In order for us to continue working, we probably need to pace ourselves better and plan to have more defined breaks. Many farms are in the same situation where there are two generations farming together.

It is a difficult conversation to have but necessary. Even though we are very busy, now is the time to have the talk – or at least document it – because we know how it feels and as a result, know what is needed.

When you move on to the summer months, you remember that you were very busy but you won’t remember exactly how it felt. None of us want to admit that apart from being tired, our physical selves are not as agile.

How many farmers are suffering from backache, sore knees or hips or painful shoulders this week, due to repetitive strain injury? If you can answer ‘yes’ to the question, then you need to plan for more relief breaks in the system for next spring. You will probably say “not now dear woman, but pass me the muscle rub”.

Meanwhile, keep the communications board in the calf shed up to date and clear so that if someone has to take over, the daily plan is easy to follow.