Sick Days

Ah-ha! The exhaustion had a purpose! I'm sick!

I usually do a pretty good job at staying upbeat and positive, loving my life as a busy mother, but the last week has been hard! A combination of stress and and fatigue has taken its toll. Last weekend I went to Urgent Care (for the first time EVER, for myself or a child) because I couldn't breathe. For several weeks I had been experiencing a scary tightening in my chest that first woke me up in the middle of the night. I found myself gasping for breath, wondering if I was having a heart attack. It stayed for weeks, but was definitely worse when I was reclining to sleep, and it was progressing. I was unable to sleep because I had to consciously inhale to make sure I got enough air. And when I didn't, I would start wheezing and coughing. Frustrated and worried, I went to see a doctor the night after my best friend was here with me and told me she was worried about me. (Thanks, Amber!) It's a mystery, really, but I had chest x-rays and certain scary things were ruled out. I was prescribed two inhalers, and that seems to have helped immensely. Breathing is fun again!

And then Friday night, late, I started to feel that tickle in my throat that tells me sickness is coming. I knew it was my turn, and with all I've been doing it makes sense, but I have to say that even in the middle of the night when my throat felt like two big raw golfballs and my body was racked with chills and aches, all I could think was how grateful I am that I got sick over a weekend! I even said a prayer of thanks! I didn't have to go anywhere besides Aiden's baseball game, and I needed some recovery time with no pressure or obligation. For the most part, I've taken it.

Not without a price, however. You know, families fall apart without Mom. Nobody can do anything without Mom, and nobody knows how to be cheerful when Mom's grouchy. But I insist on taking it easy this time! Two days without Seminary, piano lessons, or school, are you kidding me? I'm so lucky to be sick without all of that pressure! I even stayed home from Church today, sending all the kids off with Adam. I had a little guilt, but I did it anyway, and once they were out the door, I climbed into bed and went to sleep!

I'm taking my vitamins and herbs, fasting to help speed recovery, and relaxing in bed. Sometimes the kids are in bed with me, sometimes Adam comes in to rub my shoulders, and sometimes I curl up with a book or a movie. If I didn't feel awful, it would be perfect! But, as far as sickness goes, I can't complain. Hopefully by tomorrow I'll be feeling so much better.

I should have known there was a reason I was feeling so worn out and overwhelmed. Mother Nature forcing me to slow down and take it easy!