It's funny how the entire world seems to shrink and become smaller when you're sick. I feel as bad as I've felt in years right now. I'm pretty sure another trip to the doctor is in the cards for me tomorrow.
I have so much congestion in my chest that I've been getting short of breath. Friday afternoon I actually went and bought an over-the-counter emergency inhaler. I haven't had an asthma attack in years, and I was truly afraid I was going to end up in the ER for a breathing treatment. I also bought Mucinex DM, which is practically a miracle drug, and it's helped keep some of the worst congestion at bay. I'm running a fever now, too, and I ache all over. I'm pretty sure this is either the flu or bronchitis.
This whole weekend has been terrible. I've been feeling horribly depressed and sad. I'm sure it's just being ill that's making me feel that way but whatever the cause, it's awful. I cried when I got an email from a friend, checking on me. The dogs have been a big comfort. They both sit as close to me as possible, never leaving my side. Ginger, in particular, always makes sure she's touching me even if she's just sitting beside my feet. She's such a good girl. And Georgie looks so sad. He knows I don't feel well. I love those dogs so much.
I went ahead and texted the principal to let him know that I won't be in tomorrow. With a fever, I might be contagious, never mind how awful I feel. I wouldn't wish this on anyone. Of course, Gregg has gotten sick now, too. That's always scary to me, since he only has one lung. We watch any respiratory infections very closely in case he needs to go to the ER. So far, he's sick, but not quite as sick as me...at least not yet anyway.
How do you cope/comfort yourself when you're sick? I can't seem to concentrate to read for very long, and I have a bad headache to boot. I can't settle on anything to watch on tv, either. This is just the worst!
ps....Our a/c might really be dead this time. I think we're going to have to get some quotes on a new HVAC next week. Thank goodness it's cooler outside or I'd have to go somewhere else to stay. I couldn't cope with being hot on top of everything else!
comfort food, plenty of rest, some fave music playing. and always the furkids to nurse you back to health.
ReplyDeleteComfort food would be nice...except everything tastes weird right now and I have no appetite. The furkids really are a comfort, though.
DeleteWhen I was little, a long, long time ago, there were two treatments for chest colds: a Vicks rub, or steam. That's right. My mom would put a dollop of Vicks into a pot of water and bring it to a boil, then she'd make a cone out of a piece of old newspaper and we'd inhale the fumes for the narrow end.
ReplyDeleteMy mom always believed in Vicks, too. I hate the smell of it. The Mucinex works much better for breaking up congestion, I think.
DeleteThis DOES sound miserable and it sounds like the flu. And no, you absolutely cannot go to work like that. You and Gregg take care and yes, get to the doctor. And your AC has to be replaced? Just too much. I hope things turn around quickly.
ReplyDeleteI called a guy out to give us an estimate on a new HVAC this morning. He comes highly recommended. And I went ahead and paid him a deposit to get started. We will have a new HVAC by tonight! What a relief that will be. It hurt my feelings to transfer the money from savings, but I'm ready to be rid of this one worry.
DeleteI still use Vicks on a cloth on my chest and a cloth around my neck, and two different prescription Asthma inhalers and if congestion is bad I sleep in the recliner, just relined, not flat, because I can't sleep if I have a bunch of congestion going on.
ReplyDeleteThe Vicks seems to make my muscles in my chest relax. There have been times when I had my husband rub it on my upper back, but that was before the days of the really good inhalers that they have now. It did help me to relax so I could breathe a little better. Sometimes mucinex helps me and sometimes it doesn't. Now a days I call my allergist/asthma doctor at the first sign of things moving in the wrong way too fast. One of the asthma inhalers has a black box warning that I talked to my asthma doctor about because I was worried about it. He explained that what was happening is that people were using it over and over again, when it is not a rescue inhaler, and that they were not getting the help they needed soon enough. He said if that inhaler stops working for me, I need to either call his office or go to the er immediately.
I hope you will fee better soon, and that your husband will feel better before he feels any worse.
Thank you Susie.
DeleteThis may sound strange, but I go into myself when I am sick and when I get out of the other side I almost miss the introspection. It's a bit like having an excuse not to go out, not to answer the phone and not to work in general. I find myself almost missing that other place we go to when I get better, a bit like coming home from a very bad holiday. I don't miss the physical pain or tiredness, but I do miss the excuses. There is always some good to be found in an enforced retreat.
ReplyDeleteI understand what you mean about the introspection of being ill, and withdrawing from the world for a while. But I keep stressing out about missing work, and other responsibilities.....I wish I could just relax and "go with it". Worrying doesn't help me get well any faster, that's for sure.
DeleteI have not been that sick in year and years, and hope I'm not, ever again. You and Gregg take care, and get to the doctor for an evaluation, OK? Best wishes.
ReplyDeleteI think I may be on the upswing now. Another day or so of rest and hopefully I'll be back to normal.
DeleteSickness sucks, as you know you just can't do anything about it but wait. Good luck and drink fluids.
ReplyDeleteI've been drinking like a fish for days now! And today I'm sweating like mad. So hopefully this nastiness is getting washed out of me.
DeleteWhen I'm ill (which I haven't been for several years) I always read Hardy's 'Jude the Obscure'. It's a very depressing book, but somehow always makes me feel better. Also, I find reading in bed very soporific, and sleep is the best medicine. Take care xx.
ReplyDeleteI've been reading favorite children's books for the past few days. It's comforting and non-taxing. I don't think I could handle Hardy right now.
DeleteThat all sounds really nasty, hope you feel much better very soon
ReplyDeleteThank you Sue.
DeleteDrink water. Plenty of water. More water than you would usually drink. Water helps to flush away the badness. If you can muster the energy, take a short walk in your neighbourhood then come back and rest after drinking more water.
ReplyDeleteSigned - Dr Pudding M.D.
I've been drinking a TON of water...and juice, and Gatoraid. I tried Ginger Ale, but it tasted too sweet and nasty. I think your advice is solid. Fluids are the best treatment for most colds and flu. I'm sweating bullets today so maybe some of this nastiness is washing away. Thanks Neil.
DeleteI wish I had a great answer. I whine, I moan, I get depressed, I become grateful for sleep and a moment here and there of improvement. Hope this passes quickly!
ReplyDeleteI hate the depression! Argh!
DeleteI hope you feel much better soon, and Greg too.
ReplyDeleteThank you Yael. I think we're both starting to improve a little.
DeleteI'm so sorry for you. I hope you bounce back soon.
ReplyDeleteYou're very kind. Thank you Colette.
DeletePoor you, and poor Gregg! Like the others here have said (and you are already doing that anyway), water - LOTS of it - is important. Reading favourite children's books is the kind of thing I tend to do, too, when I am ill; it gives me a bit of comfort when I really can not read anything taxing. One time when I was home with a bad cold, I watched ALL my Harry Potter movies and felt rather hungover afterwards.
ReplyDeleteI've been reading Anne of Green Gables and The Railway Children. :)
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