November 23, 2009
So I have bronchitis. Acute bronchitis to be exact. As such, I am cringing at the absolute pain that is enveloping the back of my throat and climbing up to my ears all while I fight back a fit of coughs that is surely to erupt in my chest if I give in to that niggling tickle.
But I’m Mom… and I’m not supposed to get sick, I can’t!
It all began over a week ago, when mrQ began to cough. It grew from a simple clearing of the mucous every once in a while to a loud and painful sounding bark, which later evolved to include a fever and a runny nose. Feverish and lethargic, he sent me a plea via text to come home from work to watch the kids. I rushed home, but not before having to let the front desk folks at my job know, and you could just see the lady was silently clicking her tongue when she pursed her lips as she took down the details of my impromptu schedule change.
Fast forward five days later, and now I’m the one with the on and off fevers, which is not surprising considering I seem to get sick if an unwell anybody even breathes in my direction, no matter how many times I wash my hands and slather Purell on my hands. And so I had to call out of work sick. I work on the phones for Pete’s sake! I’m pretty sure the customers would hang up on me for fear of being infected via phone line. Again, I got a snippy ‘tude from the front desk people when I called in. Whatever. I wonder if they’d enjoy being treated that way if they had the flu or the shingles or something.
Well, what are you gonna do? When anyone in the house is sick, who has their life placed on hold? Mommy, that’s who! When there’s nobody to watch the kids and both Mommy and Daddy have to go to work, who has to use a personal day? Still Mommy. At least that’s the way the division of labor is distributed in our house. Because this isn’t the first time this year that family related circumstances or (obviously) unplanned sicknesses have conflicted with my work related responsibilities, let’s all hope I don’t get fired while still recovering from this nasty bronchial infection!
Ay, I need more sick days.
Hi
?
I used to travel a lot for work; I became SUCH a germ-a-phobe because I kept getting sick. Now, if I am in any public place (airport, plane, store) and I hear a sneeze, I hold my breath for a solid 5 seconds so no germs come in! (I heard sneezes come out at 2000 MPH – have no idea if that’s true, but still refuse to breathe one in!).
Do you think I am paranoid
Swati