Ah the frailties of the human body. Being sick is all the rage by the way. It seems I can’t go anywhere without talk of H1N1 (which by the way I survived this past summer). And when back-to-school time came, all of the kids got sick and brought the germs home to their families who brought them to work…game over.
I could sit here and rant about how we need to have hand sanitizer machines everywhere (especially in schoools), but even that would not help me now. I’m down with a cold–day 1–and all of the Airborne in Costco couldn’t save me.
There are two maladies which accompany being sick: 1) The physical bodily discomfort which comes with the accrual of a bacterial or viral infection, and 2) the mental exhaustion accompanied by pangs of frustration, guilt, and –yay– fever dreams or antihistimine-induced deliria.
1) Mental health Step #1: Acceptance
The first step to getting well is admitting to yourself that there is indeed something to get well from. This is a huge hurdle for me. I don’t listen to my body at all and will often say aloud, “I’m not sick!” As if I would have to verbalize such a thing if I wasn’t. If you’re healthy, you can tell. If you’re trying to convince yourself that you’re healthy, you’re probably not.
Accept that you’re sick. And accept that you’re going to need some time to recuperate. And while you’re at it, might as well enjoy it. It is not often that we devote time to pay attention to how our bodies are doing.
Sometimes I actually enjoy being sick because if I lie quiet enough, I can actually feel my body healing. If I am still long enough, I can almost grasp the chords of the symphony of systems operating just to help me breathe. And if you’ve ever been stuffed up and congested, you know how much of a blessing clear breathing is!
So accept that you’re sick, so that you can start taking steps to heal.
2) Physical health Step #1: The Basics
Mind you, I am no physician. …but in the name of all that is good, SLEEP and DRINK PLENTY OF FLUIDS (orange juice, water, gatorade). When you wake up, EAT food that is rich in nutrients, and AVOID STRENUOUS ACTIVITY (soccer with a fever, not so good).
STAY HOME. Period. No one wants you at the office. Really. And if your kid makes my kid sick at school, we’re gonna have words. So stay home, and keep your sick family home. Friends don’t let friends bring germs over.
3) Mental health Step #2: The Correct Mindset
Try this on…be thankful for your illness. Since you’re staying home now, thank God for the time to heal and rest. Appreciate the view from your bedroom at 10:00am. We don’t see it very often. Appreciate the stillness of your street during daylight weekday hours. Revel in your blankets! I am so reluctant to leave the coziness of my bed in the morning that being able to stay in is like stealing a few precious hours with a good friend. Take it as a gift and be thankful.
Set your fluids by your bedside (a glass of juice and a glass of water? why not?). Gather up a novel and a box of soft tissue. Keep the phone nearby for the friends and family who will inevitably check on you. Temperature-control the room.
Do not feel frustrated about not getting done the work you had planned to get done today. Do not feel guilty about the not cleaning the bathroom on the one day you are home. Right now, you are doing exactly what you are suppoesd to be doing.
Sleep. And know that the time is for no one but you and for no reason but for your healing.
Physical health Step #2: Medication
I know what you’re thinking, “what if I can’t sleep because I’m stuffed up and coughing and my head feels like it’s going to explode?” I know. (Insert symptom here) does not make for a good sleep. This is where OTCs come in. OTC’s (Over the Counter medications the stuff found in your local Walgreens which you don’t have to go to Kaiser to get a prescription for) have medicines which can ease your symptoms for sleeping. Again, I am not a physician, but there are many medicines at your local Long’s which will help. If you need something which will unclog your nose and stop the runniness, get something with an antihistamine (read the back). Mind you, antihistamines will make you sleepy. Do not drive, operate heavy machinery, or attempt to do your finances.
Antihistamines, and other medicines, primarily should help you rest. DO NOT take medicines as an quick fix to keep you going. OTCs merely cover up your symptoms, they do not cure whatever is making you sneeze or cough in the first place. So don’t go running your body ragged just because you feel like you have an ounce more strength thanks to your Sudafed burst. Take your medicine, lie down, wait.
Mental health Step #3: Fever Dreams
Medicines which are meant to quell uncomfortable body symptoms often have unintended side-effects. One of these side effects is general LoOpInEsS. This is why you’re not supposed to drive while taking them. I also find it hard to think straight. Some people describe the feeling as “baloon head-iness” or they report feeling “high as a kite.”
Whatever your effects may be, now is not the best time to argue with your spouse, make any important decisions, or attempt to help with your 4th grader’s math homework. You are not in your right mind. And that’s okay.
One of my favorite out-of-mind sick experiences are “fever dreams.” These are dreams you have while in a fever-induced sleep. And they are Nuts. Sometimes I have fever daydreams too. These are the ones which I think in my stupor, “wow, that would be a great idea for a book!” and then the next day realize that they were absolutely wacko. File these under “not in your right mind.” They don’t mean anything. Do not consult dream dictionaries.
You’re just sick and your mind is trying to deal with your semi-conscious state at the same time that it is dealing with healing your body.
Physical health Step #3: See Your Doctor.
I’m not a big fan of my doctor’s office. It’s a hassle to go down there, especially when I’m under the weather, find parking, wait in the waiting room, pay a co-pay, and be around all those really sick people, just to have a physician (or usually nurse practitioner) spend three minutes with me and tell me that I have a cold. So I only go in after much pleading from my family.
But in all honesty, sometimes I need to go in to Kaiser. I just don’t know everything there is to know about my health and what currently ails me. And if, after a few days of trying the above, I’m not doing better, I have to accept that I might need some help from a professional.
Today I am in day 1 (and a half) of this cold. If I get to day 4 and I’m not better, I will go see my doctor.
Here’s my strategy for making the ordeal less painful: (in order of preference)
1. Bring a friend.
2. Bring a book.
3. Bring food.
maybe even bring a journal.
I have learned to take the few minutes of quiet time I have in various spaces. Instead of being bored sitting somewhere, I can meditate on the train, deep breathe while walking to the office, or say a prayer of thanks in a checkout line. Changes things entirely.
After seeing your physician, FOLLOW THE DOCTOR’S ORDERS. Get your medicine, get rest, etc. I always bring a small pad of paper with me to my appointment (or type in my cell phone) so that I can remember what she’s telling me to do.
Following the Cat
Cat doesn’t get sick very much. Or at all really. Probably because she doesn’t go out, or stress out about anything, or try to pack her weekends full of activity. She drinks plenty of water–always. She eats just what she needs, the healthy diet provided for her. She sprints around the house for exercise. Then she rests. She sleeps a full night. She naps during the day.
She is currently lying near the window (it’s a cool morning), watching the wind in the eucalyptus trees. I think I’ll go take a page from Cat.