Thursday, February 21, 2013

From Blah to Blithe

Here is the opening paragraph of this post, as originally written Thursday morning:
I hate taking antibiotics. It makes me feel vaguely guilty - as though, by getting sick, I've somehow let myself down. Asking my doctor for a prescription is like an admission of defeat.
The green-and-white flag of surrender.

The post went drearily on from there, to talk about how draggy I've been feeling, how far behind I am on blogging and crocheting and blog-reading, the guilt of not having posted since Sunday, etcetera, etcetera.

Good thing I didn't click that "Publish" button.

Here is the new opening paragraph, as written Thursday evening:
I can't say I enjoy taking antibiotics, but I'm so very grateful they're available. It's really quite amazing what those little tablets can do. Gone are the wearisome weeks of fatigue and lassitude; just two doses in and I feel like a new woman.
My heroes!

Isn't that a much better beginning for a post? :)

~

Being under the weather has made me think about how differently we all respond to minor illnesses.

For example: When I'm ill, I lose interest in pretty much everything. If I had my druthers, I'd curl up in bed and sleep, shutting out the world until I felt better again. In the intervals of sleep, I'd lie there and think of nothing, or read a comfortable book. And drink a lot of tea. Tea-drinking must be the human equivalent of licking wounds - or my equivalent anyway.

Of course I don't give way to these desires (unless I have something serious like influenza). Life must go on and woman's continual work be done. But certain things do fall by the wayside: blogging, blog-reading, crochet, crafts, conversation in the home. My creativity goes into a temporary coma, and I tend to withdraw into myself. I suppose you could call it suffering in silence. (Not a noble silence - just the silence of someone who has temporarily run out of things to say.)

Mr. M, on the other hand, acts as though he's dying whenever he gets so much as a cold. With many a loud groan does he attest to his misery, and - never mind. 'Nuff said. (I dare not be more explicit than this. Though he doesn't read the blog, you never know when he may decide to start.) I suspect his response to illness is similar to that of most men.

How do you respond to mild illness? Are you the stalwart type who soldiers through, cheery to the last, refusing to give in? (And how I admire you if you are.)

Or do you long to curl up and let the illness have its way until things get better again?

Do tell.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

47 comments:

  1. I am now of the sort that just wants to lie in bed and sleep or wander around the house in my nightgown getting bored. I use to be able to just keep going and only give in at night, but with the years creeping up on me and the RA doing it's thing, I've found that I really enjoy the lying around and being a slug. Hope you feel better soon. AND take all that antibiotic so you will kick whatever you have had completely.

    Hugs,
    Sharon

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    1. Thanks Sharon - and don't worry. I will take the full course! :)

      P.S. It IT nice to lie around and be a slug.

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  2. I try my hardest to be myself during the day and go to work and be mommy to my two year old, but once I'm home and he's in bed I curl up, spend nights sleeping on the couch with many pillows and blankets, and drown my sorrows in tea. I was sick with an awful cold two weeks ago and had a relapse. So I'm back in the thick of feeling cruddy. February has just not been a kind month. Glad you're feeling better!

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    1. I too like to sleep on the couch when I'm sick - for one thing it's easier to prop oneself up there (with all those pillows).

      Thanks for commenting, and I do hope your cold will soon be gone!

      :)

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  3. I've turned into a slug - used to keep going no matter what, but that has changed in the last few years. A good hot cup of tea seems to help cure all ills, doesn't it?
    So glad you are starting to feel better. Not fun at all being lethargic and feeling ill for very long..

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    1. Yes to the curative powers of hot tea! And thank you. :)

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  4. Dear Sue, I am so very glad you are feeling better! Isn't it fascinating (albeit quite logical) how the body and mind are so closely tethered? I still have a similar post knocking around in my archives written at the end of last year when I was low and viral. I didn't post it either but feeling ill made me wonder out loud whether I would stop writing my blog altogether.

    My husband was brought up never to complain. He's a courageous man but when he's ill he just goes to bed (when it's possible to do so) and closes in on himself. It doesn't happen often. I'm not sure about myself. Apparently the body has a strong pain memory. I am guilty of nursing my children to health and being convinced that I have the same symptoms. I would love to curl up in bed but like you it's not really a possibility. My positivity flies out of the window though...and returns as soon as I start feeling better.

    Hurrah!

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    1. Thanks, Stephanie. Your point about the mind and body had not occurred to me, but it makes perfect sense.

      "Low and viral" describes exactly how I'd been feeling (though as it turns out it must have been "low and microbial"). :) I am so glad you're feeling better (and still blogging).

      How very stoic is your husband's response to illness!

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  5. Carry on? Bustle through? Hehhhhhhhh... Where are these (silly) stalwart people??? Hehhhhh... Not I. I curl up, of course.

    Our body needs rest, to help fight off any sickness, along with taking the "magic pills" too.

    Actually, my husband is different. He does not turn into a big baby, when sick. He gets quiet and rests, yes. But not with all the male whimpering, I hear about, from other wives. LUCKY me!!! ,-)

    And luck him. 'Cause I am more tending to be soooo nice to a person, who is NOT whining. Heh... heh... heh...

    Btw, watch out for the coming Full Snow Moon on 2/25! It is already messin' with my blogging friends.

    Hugs...

    “We have, as human beings, a storytelling problem.
    We're a bit too quick to come up with explanations
    for things we don't really have an explanation for.”

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    1. Thank you, Auntie. And wow - two stoic husbands in as many comments! Perhaps I have misjudged the gender's capacity for silent suffering....

      Thanks for telling me about the Full Snow Moon. I hadn't heard of it. I'm counting on you to take some photos. :)

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  6. I don't give in to illness, I "soldier" on, but secretly I decide that rather than a minor illness I have the very worse disease that could possibly fit my symptoms.

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    1. Ooh, a secret hypochondriac. (Now secret no longer.)

      Medical websites have a lot to answer for....

      :)

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  7. So pleased you are beginning to feel better. I always think I'd like to curl up and hibernate if I'm not well but in reality I am no good at that and just carry on unless I'm seriously ill. I do like the idea of slowing down for a while but will have to wait until the children are much older! Juliex

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    1. I don't know how you do it with four kiddoes in the house ... and thank you. :)

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  8. so glad you are feeling better.....i had to smile, though. i thought i was the only one who waited...waited...waited (all the while, getting sicker, sicker, sicker) until I FINALLY succumb---get my 'pills', start feeling better---and then think....I bet I would have gotten better if i had just stuck it out a couple more day! (I do the very same thing when I get poison ivy----) I'm an old dog---you would think I could learn this trick.

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    1. Ha! That's exactly what I thought! "Studies show that most sinus infections will resolve themselves" kept playing in my brain. But I had a secondary infection that affects my sight, so I couldn't afford to mess around any longer. Had to get those pills.

      Thanks for commenting. :)

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  9. I used to keep on going but not anymore. I curl up and try to sleep it off. I do agree that either way my creativity leaves for the duration.
    Glad you are feeling better.

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    1. Thanks Beth! Yes, the sight of cloth or yarn leaves me strangely unmoved when I'm under the weather. :)

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  10. I'm sorry you have been sick. I suspected something was up and I am happy to hear that you are on the mend.

    When I feel something coming on, everything comes to an abrupt halt and I head to bed and disappear to try and "nip it in the bud"...if at all possible.

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    1. Disappearing ... and tea ... the perfect solution. :)

      Thanks, Astri.

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  11. I, too, am so glad you are feeling a bit better. I suspected something was up because you were quieter than normal.

    I hate being sick. I try not to complain, and I try to soldier on. But when it reaches the point I might infect others, I have to give in, because I HATE when others don't give me that consideration!!!

    I, too, would much prefer to heal naturally than have to take something to help it go away, but sometimes we have no choice.

    Keep getting better!

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    1. Thanks, Deb. I can picture you marching determinedly forward through injury and illness. (You are definitely one of life's stalwarts.) :)

      A very good point about being considerate of others when one is infectious. Where I work, we wish more people would have that attitude.

      Thanks again.

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  12. So sorry to hear that you are ill but glad you are on the mend Sue. I try to carry on as normal when I am ill, I hate giving in to illness and I still go to work unless it's contagiousness of course, I have been known to take to my bed and curl up in a ball. I'm a great believer in hot toddies for cold and flu symptoms. Every man I have known moans when they are ill and they expect to be waited on hand and foot haha, hope you recover very soon. xx

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    1. Thanks, Linda. I've never tried a hot toddy, but my dad used to make them. I know chicken broth (especially homemade) works pretty well for a cold, especially when spiked with garlic and cayenne.

      Wouldn't it be nice if someone waited on US hand and foot when we were ill? :)

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  13. I always think the more you are able to take it easy the quicker you'll get better - maybe that's just an excuse for taking things easy but I'm happy to stick with it! As a teacher I'm rarely ill during term time but things inevitably catch up with me as soon as the holidays begin - things'll get you in the end! Tea is definitely the best medicine x Jane

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    1. Yes, tea IS the best medicine. :)

      You teachers have the best immune systems (built up, no doubt, by the constant exposure to germs). For years I babysat teachers' children and inevitably caught things from them. But their moms (the teachers) NEVER got sick. It didn't seem quite fair.

      Thanks for commenting!

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  14. I have been dragging all week and I was just about to write a post about it, but I might be too weary. My husband thinks he is dying when he has a rare headache, and if he gets a cold, Lord watch out.
    Glad your meds are working.
    Hugs,
    Meredith

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    1. I hope you're not sick too, Meredith. This is the time of year when things sneak up on us (at least in Wisconsin).

      Feel better soon, and be sure get a little medicine-box of your own if you need to.

      :)

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  15. Did you not realize that whereas women only get colds, men always get man-flu which is so very much worse? Glad that you are on the up and up anyway (I think my husband has given me his cold, but when I accused him of being the source of my sore throat he told me to go and drink a glass of water and I would be all right).

    Pomona x

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    1. What a very kind and sympathetic reply from the Head Chef ... and very like something that Mr. M would say.

      Someone posted a hilarious clip last year about man-flu - or man-colds? - with Nick Frost, I think. Very apt.

      :)

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  16. well it depends. I trudge through the ordinary common cold but any stomach flu does me in for a few days.....
    Im so sensitive tummy wise

    Fireman is awful at being sick at any time in an capacity> he believes he should always run at 100%

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    1. Yes, those tummy viruses do tend to keep one at home ... for very obvious reasons. (But at least they're good for taking off a few superfluous pounds.)

      Men do so often seem to take illness as a personal insult.

      :)

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  17. I hate to be sick and I hate to take medicines because of the out of it way they make me feel. I too have a husband who takes to his bed like a Southern belle with the vapors, but I have to say, that when I do get sick he waits on me hand and foot. Such a dear!
    Glad to hear you're pulling through.

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    1. I confess that the antibiotics are rather harsh on the intestinal tract - but I'll put up with that if only they drive the infection away! (Which they seem to be doing.)

      I like your description - "Southern belle with the vapors".

      When I'm REALLY ill Mr. M is very kind, though I can never forget one time when I had a nasty stomach virus and asked him for a bowl of plain oatmeal. He willingly made it, but put protein powder in, thinking I wouldn't notice the (rather awful) synthetic vanilla flavour and smell. He meant well, but I simply couldn't eat it. Since then I'm very careful what I ask him for.... :)

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  18. Hi, Mrs. Micawber! I hope you are feeling better now. Many people fell ill this time (in US and Indian and everywhere else!)
    I also had some minor cold, but even it disabled me enjoying the things. I feel very weak even when I have mild fever, so I prefer lying on the bed and having hot tea.And sleep is one of the best ways of self healing, so don't be ashamed of sleeping much when you are unwell.
    Get well soon and have a nice weekend!

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    1. Thanks so much for your good wishes, Anna. I have been sleeping a LOT lately! :)

      I hope your cold is better now.

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  19. I hope you are feeling better now. I have been lucky so far and haven't gotten ill as so many around me, teachers and students and my husband. We are leaving for a ski camp tomorrow so let's hope I'll stay clear. I don't give in when I have a mild illness. No one to substitute in school. I drink a lot of tea and go to bed early. Have a nice weekend. Regula

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    1. I can see you soldiering on, Regula. You too are one of life's stalwarts. Have fun at ski camp! (Are you skiing, or cooking?)

      :)

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  20. I hope you are soon feeling tip top Sue, sorry to hear you have been so unwell. I really get very impatient when I have a cold/chest infection/flu, I absolutely HATE having to give into it as I lose all energy for anything. My creativity goes out the window and all i tend to do is muster up energy to read and the radio is always good company. My worse symptom is losing my appetite because i love food and if I can't taste and enjoy it I am not a very happy bunny :o)
    Andy is usually very kind to me but once he's said just go to bed and rest he doesn't show much sympathy thereafter and if i get up and get busy then complain about it he just looks at me as if to say...I have already given you my advice! Once I feel human again I tend to get myself back to work and soldier on through with early nights and lots of fluids. When Alice was little it was much harder but now she is 12 she is a little gem and brings me cups of tea :o)

    Andy generally assumes he has the luxury of taking himself to bed and resumes normal life when he feels like it.......lovely to have that luxury i always think to myself!
    Hope you are tip top very soon and thanks for all your comments and visits xox Penelope

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    1. Thanks for this lovely comment and all the laughs it gave me - I can identify with so much of it. How nice to have an Alice to bring you cups of tea.

      I hope you're feeling better yourself and that the lurgy has now left your neighbourhood. :)

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  21. I do hope that you are feeling much better. It's such a bummer to be sick. I still miss my mother when I am ill. You'd think that I would have outgrown that by now. Well, I still miss her when I am well, so I guess it makes sense.
    Do rest up and eat plenty of yogurt. That does help counteract all of the unwanted side affects of the meds.
    Sending warm thoughts your way for a full and speedy recovery.

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    1. Isn't it funny how illness makes us feel like children? When I have an infection that has reached a critical point, I get the urge to cry like a baby just because I don't feel good.

      I wish I could eat yogurt, but milk and I do not get along - even cultured milk. But I take plenty of acidophilus, and I know it's making a difference.

      Thanks Ellen! :)

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  22. I don't do being poorly, probably because I know I can't really stop....last weekend I spent a couple of days lying on the sofa when I could, which was easier being the weekend so no school runs or strong routine....I stood on the sidelines of biggest's footy match with gritted teeth. The doc has given me steroids now for a poorly chest and I am feeling so much better physically, but definitely feel the need for some sun and warmth. I think the winter is taking it's toll on so many now, roll on blue skies and the chance to direct ourfaces in the sunshine.

    I do hope that you are totally on top of the world now, and your craftiness is coming back to the fore. Looking forward to reading it is so!x

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    1. You are a whirlwind, Faith! Someday when the kids are gone, you won't know what to do with yourself ... or yes you will. You'll be painting and knitting and crocheting all over the place, even more so than you do now. :)

      Hope you feel better soon. The prednisone will help a lot. Good point about the winter - Mr. M always gets very low this time of year, after battling the cold for months on end. Spring is coming!

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  23. I get crabby...so crabby. I blame this on the fact that no matter how I feel I do not get a break. The kids (1, 3 and 5--almost 6!) just don't get it (but they do get to watch a lot of tv when I'm sick). When I feel really bad I usually have one good sorry-for-myself little cry (I've done this since I was a little girl) and take a nap.

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    1. I know - I cry too when I get sick enough. Don't know if it helps or not but I can't stop myself. One day the kids will be old enough to understand and maybe even help. I can see E being a very conscientious little nurse.

      Love you! :)

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  24. I'm glad you're feeling a bit better :-).

    I lose all interest in creativity, blogging, everything really when I'm not well. I suspect I'm a bit like you - I want to curl up with a hot-water-bottle and a hot drink (though not tea, I'm not much of a tea-drinker) and sleep or read in a very passive way. My Beloved is quite similar - he doesn't moan, he just retreats and sleeps it off. He doesn't like being fussed over when he's unwell. Of course that means that he doesn't fuss over *me* when I'm not well, but now and then I like someone to bring me hot drinks and ask how I'm feeling!

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