Last night a gherkin saved my life #amwriting #BritishSummer
No kidding, at 1:30 a.m., when I was ready to chop off my head if that was what it took to stop coughing, I went online, typed: How to stop a cough spasm and read, fervently, desperately, dropping my phone at least twice in the midst of yet more coughing. Water, cough medicine, painkillers, cough sweets - did all that. The internet said: Use steam (in the middle of the night?) Watch the humidity (watching) Clean bedding (check) Salt water gargle (hell, no) Warm fluids (let's not think about the strain this much coughing puts on your pelvic floor) ...and so many quack remedies, but really, I was up for trying every last one. I started with the more conventional: Honey and lemon Honey and tea Honey and hot water Honey and honey Well, I've never seen a bee coughing...but no, the honey didn't work. Nor, I imagine, would menthol vapour rub on the soles of my feet, but I couldn't find it or believe me, I'd have given it a go. Then this: If your throat ...