I Don't Do Sick

I haven't been blogging! Have you missed me? We've gone from Halloween to Christmas and I've barely noticed. Granted, in between there were 2 trips and Thanksgiving, so I have been busy. But writing has really taken a back burner to anything else. My creative skills are lying in a cold frying pan waiting for someone to light the flame.

 

Around the beginning of November, I came down with a bad sore throat and a fever. The doctor ruled out Strep, but put me on an antibiotic and directions for chicken soup, lots of fluids and plenty of rest. The fever subsided and 2 days later, I was feeling perky and energetic, in spite of the cough that seemed to be a residual of the sore throat.

 

3 weeks ago, I lost my voice. That is rare, but this time it was gone for several days. Larry was torn between reveling in the silence and being frustrated as he tried to read my lips. Round 2 at the doctors! More antibiotics and another strep test. (Negative, again). As my voice came back, so did my cough.

 

Week 5 of this nonsense and a third doctor's visit left me with a diagnosis of a sinus infection, a whole regimen of drugs I could take, and more instructions for plenty of fluids and lots of rest. There was only one problem. I felt fine. And it's Christmas. Who gets lots of rest around Christmas?

The common line of thought is that men don't see a doctor when they should. I've started to realize a few truths about Larry and I. 1) Larry is exceptionally good about keeping doctor's appointments, and seeing a doctor when he doesn't feel well. 2) He has no trouble following doctor's orders, for rest, medication, tests, etc. 3) I am not nearly as good as he is.

I grew up with a doctor for a dad, so I will follow their instructions very well, but it is only recently that I realized I am much more reluctant to make an appointment unless I am really feeling badly. I don't get sick very often. The only 'over the counter' drug I take is aspirin or advil.

For weeks people have been telling me to 'get better', 'feel better', 'get lots of rest', plus plenty of advice from others who have found what works for them. Feel Better? I feel fine, mostly,... usually.... and that's the problem. Apparently if I don't have a fever, aches, pains, I don't consider myself sick. A cold is not 'sick'. A sinus infection is not 'sick'. Once the antibiotics kick in and I'm not contagious, I'm not 'sick'. I've been very good about taking the meds. But getting plenty of rest has been a lot trickier.

I'm also realizing that I may 'feel fine', but I'm not at the top of my game. My head is in the clouds, my thoughts are befuddled. I have a hard time planning my day. It has as much to do with the lineup of pills I am taking to combat this sinus infection, as it does the actual sinus infection. Whatever the reason, I'm tired of hearing the inside of my head and living in a fog.

I may be a slow learner, but I'm realizing that I may not be bed-ridden, but I do need to take it easy, rest up, and drink plenty of fluids. I'm learning to go a little slower, and try to push a little less. Even as Christmas looms. I'm really ready to be rid of this. I guess it's time to learn how to 'be' sick.

Final Note: It's taken me a few days to write this. On Friday I suddenly realized the fog had lifted! I still have a week's worth of meds to take, which I will, and I will continue with the fluids and rest recommendations, but currently there is a light at the end of the tunnel....Hopefully it's not an oncoming train.