In Sickness and in Health
It would appear that my 'anti-germ' protection was on hiatus this weekend. I suppose it was because I was busy cooking and cleaning for a house full of people, instead of worrying about an attack on my immune system. I might also have put aside my strange aversion to germs, because I was so happy to see my daughter and son in law. So much so, it would seem- that I ignored sonny in laws sniffling, sneezing and coughing attacks, and convinced myself it was just an allergy.
Let me be clear. It was NOT an allergy. While I was baking yummy eats and treats for Superbowl-those nasty bugs were putting up camp in our house and planning their own party.
Hubby was the first one they attacked. By Sunday night, he too was sneezing and complaining of having a scratchy throat. Once again, I blew it off. "You're probably allergic to Mel's cat," I said, while filling up plates of dip, meatballs and chicken wings. "Take one of my allergy pills and I'll vacuum tomorrow."
Monday morning we both woke up feeling as if we'd been run over by a freight train. But of course-I chalked that up to staying up way past our bedtime the night before-as well as, imbibing on a few cocktails during our party.
Let me be clear. It was NOT lack of sleep or a hangover. While I was vacuuming, dusting, washing clothes, and disinfecting our entire house Monday afternoon-Mr. Flu bug was lounging on the recliner, sipping a cocktail, and laughing his arse off at my ignorance and obsessive compulsive denial.
Tuesday morning it happened. I was forced to face the truth. I was sick-but guess what-so was hubby!
Now, I know that shouldn't be a surprise. Germs aren't picky or choosy about who they attack. Man, woman, or child-it matters not. I mean-the reality is-when one person in a household gets sick-the rest our bound to fall, one by one, like a set of domino's.
Here's the thing- I've been sick before. Hubby has too. But the truth is-we've never been sick at the same time. That's right. Even after being together for almost five years-sharing everything a married couple can possibly share-we have never-I repeat NEVER, shared the horrifying experience of being sick together.
Yes, that's right. I said, 'horrifying!' Why? Well, bottom line is-hubby and I deal with being sick in two totally different ways.
When I am sick, I prefer to suffer in silence. I don't want to be pampered, coddled or, for that matter, even talked to. I want to be left alone, for however long it takes to feel normal again. I am also a realist. The reality is-when the flu bug has taken hold of my body-I'm going to be underground for a couple of days. Why? Because I don't function well when I have a stabbing pain in my head and throughout my entire body. Nor, am I able to put a smile on my face and pretend that everything is just fine, when my chest is on fire, yet no matter how many blankets I put on-my teeth are still chattering. I'm sick and I know that no matter how much I try and fight it-the flu bug is going to take it's own sweet time. I accept that.
Let me be clear-Hubby is totally the opposite. He may sound like Donald Duck (because he's so congested) and look like The Joker (because his hair is wild and his face is pasty white)- but gosh darn it- he's not too sick to talk. He wants to know how I'm feeling (aw-so sweet-NOT!) and of course-the fact that we shared almost all the same symptoms, was quite fascinating to him. But the real kicker was-his complete and utter denial that he was just as much down for the count as I was. "I'll be fine," he was heard saying often. (TOO OFTEN). "It's just a cold. I'll be fine after resting all day and getting a good sleep tonight." That was Tuesday.
On Wednesday morning I found him curled up in a ball on the living room sofa. (Neither of us slept much Tuesday night and it was either me or him that landed downstairs) Guess who won! Anyway, I couldn't resist asking, "How are you feeling?" (Of course it was obvious-but two can play at this game). He moaned something unintelligible, and with blanket in tow, headed back up the stairs to bed.
Two hours later-he returned and we spent the remainder of the morning, lying around like zombies.
We are now on day four of the attack of the flu bug. There is some improvement. Our bodies no longer feel as if they've been run over several times by a semi truck. (More like being out of shape after a very long, strenuous work out). Our heads are still congested, but hubby sounds a bit less like Donald Duck, and more like Barry White. Our energy, and humor is slowly returning, and though still exhausted, we are both back to work.
Hopefully, within a day a two, this nasty bug will have picked up camp and chosen another home to vacation in, and this whole experience will all be just a distance memory. But regardless-hubby and I have learned many things in a time when we both were at our WORST. Things like-opposites really do attract. We were definitely meant for each other(because no one else could put up with us). But most importantly-we were reminded that our love can help us to get through and overcome, anything.
As much as I hated to admit it-I guess we have that nasty bug sonny in law shared with us-to thank for that.
I have a lot of catching up to do on the books for the rest of the week/ weekend. And a house that needs to be cleaned from top to bottom. But no worries. I am hoping to have a guest post this weekend, and I'll be back in full swing by Monday.
Until then- Be Healthy-and if you can't be-I hope you have someone to share your illness with! (just kidding)
Let me be clear. It was NOT an allergy. While I was baking yummy eats and treats for Superbowl-those nasty bugs were putting up camp in our house and planning their own party.
Hubby was the first one they attacked. By Sunday night, he too was sneezing and complaining of having a scratchy throat. Once again, I blew it off. "You're probably allergic to Mel's cat," I said, while filling up plates of dip, meatballs and chicken wings. "Take one of my allergy pills and I'll vacuum tomorrow."
Monday morning we both woke up feeling as if we'd been run over by a freight train. But of course-I chalked that up to staying up way past our bedtime the night before-as well as, imbibing on a few cocktails during our party.
Let me be clear. It was NOT lack of sleep or a hangover. While I was vacuuming, dusting, washing clothes, and disinfecting our entire house Monday afternoon-Mr. Flu bug was lounging on the recliner, sipping a cocktail, and laughing his arse off at my ignorance and obsessive compulsive denial.
Tuesday morning it happened. I was forced to face the truth. I was sick-but guess what-so was hubby!
Now, I know that shouldn't be a surprise. Germs aren't picky or choosy about who they attack. Man, woman, or child-it matters not. I mean-the reality is-when one person in a household gets sick-the rest our bound to fall, one by one, like a set of domino's.
Here's the thing- I've been sick before. Hubby has too. But the truth is-we've never been sick at the same time. That's right. Even after being together for almost five years-sharing everything a married couple can possibly share-we have never-I repeat NEVER, shared the horrifying experience of being sick together.
Yes, that's right. I said, 'horrifying!' Why? Well, bottom line is-hubby and I deal with being sick in two totally different ways.
When I am sick, I prefer to suffer in silence. I don't want to be pampered, coddled or, for that matter, even talked to. I want to be left alone, for however long it takes to feel normal again. I am also a realist. The reality is-when the flu bug has taken hold of my body-I'm going to be underground for a couple of days. Why? Because I don't function well when I have a stabbing pain in my head and throughout my entire body. Nor, am I able to put a smile on my face and pretend that everything is just fine, when my chest is on fire, yet no matter how many blankets I put on-my teeth are still chattering. I'm sick and I know that no matter how much I try and fight it-the flu bug is going to take it's own sweet time. I accept that.
Let me be clear-Hubby is totally the opposite. He may sound like Donald Duck (because he's so congested) and look like The Joker (because his hair is wild and his face is pasty white)- but gosh darn it- he's not too sick to talk. He wants to know how I'm feeling (aw-so sweet-NOT!) and of course-the fact that we shared almost all the same symptoms, was quite fascinating to him. But the real kicker was-his complete and utter denial that he was just as much down for the count as I was. "I'll be fine," he was heard saying often. (TOO OFTEN). "It's just a cold. I'll be fine after resting all day and getting a good sleep tonight." That was Tuesday.
On Wednesday morning I found him curled up in a ball on the living room sofa. (Neither of us slept much Tuesday night and it was either me or him that landed downstairs) Guess who won! Anyway, I couldn't resist asking, "How are you feeling?" (Of course it was obvious-but two can play at this game). He moaned something unintelligible, and with blanket in tow, headed back up the stairs to bed.
Two hours later-he returned and we spent the remainder of the morning, lying around like zombies.
We are now on day four of the attack of the flu bug. There is some improvement. Our bodies no longer feel as if they've been run over several times by a semi truck. (More like being out of shape after a very long, strenuous work out). Our heads are still congested, but hubby sounds a bit less like Donald Duck, and more like Barry White. Our energy, and humor is slowly returning, and though still exhausted, we are both back to work.
Hopefully, within a day a two, this nasty bug will have picked up camp and chosen another home to vacation in, and this whole experience will all be just a distance memory. But regardless-hubby and I have learned many things in a time when we both were at our WORST. Things like-opposites really do attract. We were definitely meant for each other(because no one else could put up with us). But most importantly-we were reminded that our love can help us to get through and overcome, anything.
As much as I hated to admit it-I guess we have that nasty bug sonny in law shared with us-to thank for that.
I have a lot of catching up to do on the books for the rest of the week/ weekend. And a house that needs to be cleaned from top to bottom. But no worries. I am hoping to have a guest post this weekend, and I'll be back in full swing by Monday.
Until then- Be Healthy-and if you can't be-I hope you have someone to share your illness with! (just kidding)
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