When Mom is Sick
My little resting corner.
The last two weeks of January, I was sick. Thankfully I’m rarely sick. When I do get sick my body is pretty good at fighting whatever it is off and I’m never bed ridden. Except, this time it was completely different. It did start as a cough I usually get this time of year. I went to my pulmonary doctor as usual. He prescribed the same medications I usually take. But this time I didn’t get better. I started getting worse. I know I went to the doctor later than I should have, I postponed it because I had more important things to do. (I know I shouldn’t have put everything first as usual…) I went to see the doctor on Tuesday and started my medications. Then, I couldn’t sleep for two nights in row. I felt so exhausted and miserable Thursday morning, so I took myself to the ER where they gave me Ventolin and more medication. The doctor didn’t think it was COVID but I asked to be tested just in case. It was negative thankfully. I continued to feel worse until Saturday, went back to see my doctor Saturday morning. He doubled the dose of two medications and gave me one more medication. I slowly started to feel better. I slowly started to actually get some sleep. I spent half of one week and the beginning of the other on the sofa (I could not lay down without coughing continuously.) For the first time in a long time, I was bed ridden, so to speak. I didn’t do anything except sit. I couldn’t do anything. I had no energy. I read a lot. I couldn’t stand bright lights or loud noises so reading was my biggest comfort. Especially in the middle of the night when I couldn’t sleep. I managed to finish two books and I’m on my third! I haven’t read that much in a long time! (We have to find the silver lining)
You might think how did everyone survive? It does seem like I do everything so how did they manage when I was temporarily out of service? Well, a lot of things got over looked. Your priorities need to change when you’re sick. My husband was so much help even though he works long hours. I’m lucky I live with my mother in law so I didn’t need to worry about cooking lunch. My brother in law did afternoon school pick-ups the past week so I didn’t have to. My kids are old enough to understand that mom is sick. Even my four-year-old seemed to understand. Though a little bewildered: how are you sick mama? Is it your voice? Does your mouth hurt? He asked all wide eyed and innocent.
Laundry did pile up. Things got cluttered. The kids may have had more take away then normal for dinner. We managed. I’m lucky I have supportive family. I also have a full-time cleaner which is the biggest blessing! Although cleaners only clean and the cooking, decluttering, organizing and laundry are my job.
I slowly healed. Sleeping better. Slowly getting things done around the house. (mainly laundry.) I didn’t go to the gym in 10 days. I had to put training for the marathon on hold until i felt better.
As much as I hate it, being sick has made me really slow down. I have so much on my to do list that is waiting for me. I guess it made me realize that its ok. Its ok to slow down, the house work and decluttering can wait. The gym can wait. All the errands can wait. My kids managed with me being there, but not doing much. The world didn’t end because mom was sick. Sometimes you have no choice but to put yourself first and let everyone take care of you.