February 24, 2008 at 6:35 AM
You guessed it, I've been one sick puppy for the last few days. This year's influenza is a nasty bug, and I'm sure any of you who have had it can testify to this. It all started last Thursday, which happened also to be my 40th birthday. Many thanks to all of you that sent me your wishes -- on that day I couldn't even look at a computer screen because my eyes were on fire and my head felt like it was about to explode! But I did read them!Being too sick to even walk across the room without having to take a rest made me think a bit. I'm juggling so much, as all musicians do. Teaching, playing, being a mom. On about Friday, all the balls I'd being throwing up in the air this year started coming down, with no one to catch them. Boing, boing, boing, boing....Cancel this class, and that lesson, and forget about the kids' basketball practice, and nope, won't be teaching tomorrow either...At least it didn't happen during an orchestra week.
Despite all the things you miss, you have to take care of yourself when you are sick. Otherwise, you just get more sick, spread your sickness to others, and you're no good to anyone. It's okay to take care of yourself, in fact it is a most important responsibility. I think Americans especially miss this point, as if killing yourself with work is a virtue. It's not.
Have you been sick this year? And what have you had to miss?
And for those of you who answered "Yes":
Happy belated birthday, Laurie! Sorry I missed it, as I was away the last a few weeks in China visiting my ailing father.
Yixi,
Great advice — my wife and I do some of those things. I pray your dad will be okay.
God bless,
Drew
My secret remedy for the past few years is to take 1000mg of Vitamin C every day - usually dissolved in water. I also take a complete mineral/vitamin A-Z tablet. I've not had a cold or flu while doing that. If I sense the slightest hint of a bug starting, I'll up the Vitamin C to 3000mg a day... Seems to work (touch wood of violin but not on the varnish!)
Ricola makes very good cough drops...
Mara, yeah, I'm wishing I'd had a flu shot, though they aren't easy to come by; they tend to be reserved for the elderly, ill and young. My kids did get a nasal shot -- they like to giggle that they got a "flu snort." So far they aren't sick...
Definitely I need some good cough drops, and I should take out my Vitamin C fizzies.
Ruth, take it easy, girl!
One of my college roommates once slept for no less then a week when she was sick. Literally, she stayed in her bed, and made her only trips to the bathroom. Her roommate kept joking, "I think Denise is dead, but I'll bring her some food." She went to no classes, no nothin', for an entire week, and this response to illness went completely against the culture at Northwestern, where people go to insane lengths to be competitive. But I thought her very wise. When she was better, she was as bright as ever!
cheers
Hot Toddies, YUM!
To the juice of one large fresh
squeezed lemon in a tall glass and a dollop of honey
add very hot water/just off the boil to 2/3 full
and Jameson's Irish Whiskey to taste.
Sip slowly as you meditate on the joys of civilized life...Ahhhhhhhhhhh
cheers
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