I had almost forgotten what it was like to be sick. I’m the type of person who rarely finds myself under-the-weather, thank God, but last week, I got hit like an old farmhouse resting in the path of a tornado.

I should have seen it coming. People all around me, and all around the area, were getting sick. But in the back of my mind, I believed I would magically skirt the surrounding illness once more.

Not the case. A tempest of all the common minor symptoms had built up within my body. Congestion, runny and stuffy nose, sore throat, headaches, loss of appetite, fever, you name it.

After a few days, the inevitable question reared its head. To visit the doctor or not? I woke up one day and felt a bit better. In all my infinite wisdom, I decided I might be well enough to go to work.

Needless to say, it wasn’t my most productive day at the Tonawanda News. I somehow wrote two stories, but I wouldn’t have wanted to edit them on that day.

The next day, I bit the bullet and went to the doctor. I thought maybe it was too late to do so. I was getting better. Would it even be worth it to make a trip and shell out for the co-pay? It’s a sad statement on the country’s health care system when you’re weighing the pros and cons of visiting the doctor.

Turns out, it was definitely worth it. A quick diagnosis and a vial of antibiotics and I was quickly on the path to recovery.

When I started explaining my sickness to people, it’s amazing how many folks I found that have been in a similar predicament lately. Almost everyone around here is getting sick lately, and usually for an extended period of time.

Being the investigative journalist that I am, I grilled my doctor for information.

“What’s the deal here, doc?” I said. “Why is everyone around here getting sick for so long? Why does it keep coming back? What’s the scoop?”

After asking “what’s the scoop” I slid down a slippery slope of old-timey talk, eventually telling the doc that his prescription was “the cat’s pajamas.”

But I digress. In my haze of sickness, I could only ascertain that his words had something to do with the weather. When the winters are wacky and not consistently cold, this tends to happen, the doctor said.

So that’s it, people. Sorry I don’t have anything more specific or scientific for you. But when you’re laid up in bed during the coming weeks, feel free to simply blame the weather.

n Philbit: Some big news, for fans of local charcoal-broiled hot dogs. For those who don’t already know, Ted’s Hot Dogs is now taking credit cards.

Apparently, they’ve been doing so since December, an employee told me on Monday. I can’t believe I let that tidbit of information get past me. But there you have it. One more excuse not to go to Ted’s wiped off the board. I suggest you celebrate the occasion with a couple dogs.

Phil Dzikiy is a staff reporter

for the Tonawanda News. His column appears every Thursday. Contact him at 693-1000,

ext. 114 or by e-mail at dzikiyp@gnnewspaper.com.