My “Mom Steps of Sickness”

I am home from work sick today.  You ever notice, as a mom, how you freak out when one of your children has a runny nose or any sign, for that matter, that something ails them – you run to the doctor, or to at least comfort them?  When it comes to myself, I am a bit of a slacker, and my “Mom Steps of Sickness” begin.

At the first sign of sickness, Step One begins – Denial.  I think, “oh, it’s a tickle,” or “must be something in the air”.  For example, this time around, my throat started to hurt, and instead of thinking it could mean I am getting sick (which it ultimately always does), I chalked it off to breathe in too many fumes when I was getting my hair dyed that night.  (Yes, the secret has been revealed LOL…I dye my hair.)

Step Two: Avoidance – begins shortly after.  I had a lot of fun things planned for the weekend and this hair dye-induced sore throat was not stopping me!  I got some throat lozenges and called it a day.  Saturday I started to feel some sinus pressure, which would normally indicate that I may have a sinus infection.  Nope, not me.

Step Three – Ignorance sets in now.  Before a final design center meeting for our new home, I run into CVS and grab some Alka Seltzer Plus.  I remember someone telling me that it works wonders!  One hour into the medication, I am yawning like a “b” and my head is on the beautiful granite desk.  (Sorry Angie for giving you some of the medicine, not knowing it would knock ME out…I hope you lasted through the rest of your workday.)  The next day I am slowly heading downhill…OYE.

Monday comes along with Step Four – Questioning Reality.  I have to fly out for work and my head is pounding, I am super congested and not so happy.  My flight is at 2 pm, so I run over to the clinic for some advice and medicine.  The doctor takes one look inside my ears and throat, and then asks me, “Is it important for you to fly today?”.  Well yeah – it’s for work…who asks such an open-ended question?

Step Five finally sets in – Acceptance.  I get a zpac and an awkward look from the nurse when I ask his opinion as to what he would do in my situation.   I succumbed to the sinusitis, went into the office, rebooked my flight for next week, did everything that required server access, and then headed home.

That leaves me where I am today, at home, in bed.  I slept like a baby, thanks to Nyquil (love) so I am not super tired.  I finished reading my book, Shadow of Night,…that will be another blog post!  Feeling better, I did try to tidy up a bit, and have now successfully hurt my back.  It’s nothing, really….as I called for my husband to help me get up.