Thursday
Mar262009
March 26, 2009 Grateful
I woke up this morning feeling pretty sorry for myself. Rob brought a nasty case of the flu back from his conference in Reno last week, and I came down with it in the middle of second period Monday morning. You know that feeling? All of a sudden, chills, shakes, wooziness, and four hours to go before the day is over. Ugh.
Not being one to take anything sitting down, including the flu, I appealed to my doctor for the miracle drug that will supposedly block the virus and shorten its duration. The first night, my fever shot up to around 104, but since then it's hovered in the low-grade range, 99-100. So, did the pills help? Beats me. They have given me some weird side effects, though. So when I woke up this morning, still with a fever, still feeling not quite myself, I decided I was staying home to kick this thing, and that was final.
So, I'm home and feeling crummy. But I'm about to nip this pity party in the bud the way I encourage my students to do the same -- thinking of some things I'm grateful for.
1) I'm grateful for video chat, which allowed me to see my sister's face and hear her voice yesterday morning, even though she is about as far away from me as she can get on this planet. She even took me on a virtual "tour" of her tiny Seoul apartment, including the Kleenex box with pictures of raw meat on it. (I'm not making this up.)
2) I'm grateful for local whole-grain bread and the organic market that sells it, and the Armenian apricot jam that was a gift from a dear friend. Anything that tastes good is a gift. A few days ago the only thing that fit that bill was ginger ale poured over lemon sorbet, sipped from under the covers.
3) I'm grateful for these fun rhythm cards from my friend and music-teacher idol Michiko. She gave them to a group of us who are testing some new materials for her. So thoughtful!
4) I'm grateful for this snuggly, warm furry thing who doesn't mind curling up on my lap even when I don't feel well. In fact, she prefers me with a slight fever. It's almost as good as an electric blanket.
5) I'm grateful I am healthy. Really. I spoke with my friend and colleague yesterday, who is a week into her chemo treatments and feeling very ill and depressed. I can't imagine what she is going through. This flu is not a big deal.
Starting to feel better already.
Not being one to take anything sitting down, including the flu, I appealed to my doctor for the miracle drug that will supposedly block the virus and shorten its duration. The first night, my fever shot up to around 104, but since then it's hovered in the low-grade range, 99-100. So, did the pills help? Beats me. They have given me some weird side effects, though. So when I woke up this morning, still with a fever, still feeling not quite myself, I decided I was staying home to kick this thing, and that was final.
So, I'm home and feeling crummy. But I'm about to nip this pity party in the bud the way I encourage my students to do the same -- thinking of some things I'm grateful for.
1) I'm grateful for video chat, which allowed me to see my sister's face and hear her voice yesterday morning, even though she is about as far away from me as she can get on this planet. She even took me on a virtual "tour" of her tiny Seoul apartment, including the Kleenex box with pictures of raw meat on it. (I'm not making this up.)
2) I'm grateful for local whole-grain bread and the organic market that sells it, and the Armenian apricot jam that was a gift from a dear friend. Anything that tastes good is a gift. A few days ago the only thing that fit that bill was ginger ale poured over lemon sorbet, sipped from under the covers.
3) I'm grateful for these fun rhythm cards from my friend and music-teacher idol Michiko. She gave them to a group of us who are testing some new materials for her. So thoughtful!
4) I'm grateful for this snuggly, warm furry thing who doesn't mind curling up on my lap even when I don't feel well. In fact, she prefers me with a slight fever. It's almost as good as an electric blanket.
5) I'm grateful I am healthy. Really. I spoke with my friend and colleague yesterday, who is a week into her chemo treatments and feeling very ill and depressed. I can't imagine what she is going through. This flu is not a big deal.
Starting to feel better already.
Reader Comments (4)
Guess what? I saw Rob walking around downtown Baltimore this afternoon just taking pictures for his thesis. It's so weird to see people that you would normally see in church walking around my neighborhood!
Em, I'm so glad that you wrote this and I'm so sorry that you haven't been feeling well. My own little pity party has been in full swing, especially since I felt the need to come back to work on Thursday. I'd like to share the things that I'm grateful for, too.
1. I'm grateful for my Dad. Yesterday he bought me lunch and today he called, heard how horrible I sounded, and immediately started talking about making me some homemade chicken noodle soup and when he could drive up and bring it to me (they live an hour away).
2. I'm grateful for my husband. He has been sleeping in the guest bedroom so that I can get a few seconds of uncomfortable, fitful, restless sleep. In total, I have slept about 4 hours in the past few days but I would have gotten even less (and would be totally miserable) if it weren't for him.
3. I'm grateful for understanding friends who listen to my voicemail, realize that my voice is an octave lower, and that I'm frantically trying to cancel lessons and are totally understanding.
4. I'm grateful for our Television/DVD Player/DVR all of which have kept me company in one way or another. Whether it is playing dvd's at 3 a.m. in the hopes that I can get some sleep or recording my favorite show so that I can watch it later...It's a source of entertainment and escape for me.
5. I'm grateful that I can afford to go to the Doctor (someone that I trust with my life) and that I can afford to purchase medicine that will make me feel better and healthy.
In short, I am going to kick this thing. It make take a while (and it sure doesn't help that I work with germ-y students), but I am determined. Thanks for being my inspiration!
Actually, you're not the first church friend to do a double-take upon seeing Rob wandering around downtown. I guess it's a surprise to see an architect freed from the confines of his studio. :)
I am humbled by your words! Thank you for sharing them. You inspire me too, tough girl.