Flubug

I was feeling better a bit ago so I thought I would take a shower and maybe write here a little bit, but the shower took most of it out of me and I have decided you don't really need to know about The Great Flu Saga of 2013 taking place in our house.

Or do you? Maybe I AM feeling up to it a bit?

Apparently, I can't stop talking about it, frankly. 

I don't mean to be annoying, it's just that. I have not felt THIS terrible in a long time.

So far, it's just me and Rainer which is not only unbelievable considering how prone to things my Georgy usually is (knock on wood, throw salt, pinch myself, etc...), but MUCH a relief!

The first two days I was so sick, but almost worse than the physicaity of it was the anxiety that Alex was going to get sick and then Georgia was going to get sick and then with Rainer and I already sick...well, who would take care of us????

I have been sleeping in bed with Rainer trying to keep the germs away from Alex and mostly attending to Rainer and my needs at night, but the rest of the time (and some of the time over night when I was just too ill or hopped up on cold medicine), Alex has been taking care of us like a true Nightengale. He's made sure Georgia is taken care of and entertained and getting her to school and fed. All the usual. But in between bringing me ginger ale and Ramen noodles (because apparently I revert to all the comforts of childhood when I am sick. Seriously....why is Ramen SO good???). 

The man is a gem. I highly doubtI deserve him.

I thought I'd be doing much better today, and I am. Except, I am nowhere near back to normal. Nor is Rainer. We're just exhausted and still coughing and stuffed up. Lethargic and bt achy still. But the achiness seems more from atrophy than from those zap-like flu pains you get in your joints. Still getting low grade fevers. Rainer danced for a little while--despite the flu, a 4 year old boy can only stay cooped up inside for so long and he had to shake it a little. He really put on quite a show. But then. He crashed. And he's been in bed since a little before 5pm.

At least the chills seem to have subsided. That is a major plus!

It's so very different when you are sick and you have kids. You can't just rest and take it easy because you've got other ones to think about--whether they, too, are ill, or not. I find it incredibly stressful and I remember it being a huge fear of mine soon after Rainer was born and I had a tidge of PPD (at the time undiagnosed). I was so fearful that something would happen to Alex or I and the other would be left to cope alone. And then? If something happened to the remaining parent??? I don't even mean death per se--although of course, that would be the ultimate fear--but a broken leg, cancer, the flu. All of it. I carry such anxiety about the whole kaboodle.

The last time I was this ill Rainer was just a year old. I got the stomach flu that time and I nursed him through it. He weaned about a month later. I think I must have all but dried up when I was sick that time. But Alex then, like now, was such a good nurse, and would bring Rainer to my bedside and I would nurse him. Then, I would drink some water and promptly vomit. 

It was pretty.

Anyhow. That's the tale from the trenches today. I want to try to keep on a roll with writing here, even if it's just tales of temperature taking and night sweats.

Stay well! Don't lick any handrails. And wash your hands!!!!

Comments

[Becca]

Yuck, yuck and yuck. :-( So sorry you've been sick!! I have never actually had the flu, and can't even imagine having it and having to take care of children!! Two people at work are down with it despite getting the shot a few months ago. Last week I had just been about to send you a message to see if you guys wanted to get together to play this weekend when I saw you posting about being sick. Guess that'll have to wait...LOL Hope you continue to feel better every day!