Life, if that’s what you call it

Note: this was written on March 15 but I forgot to publish it.

About three weeks ago my wonderful daughter came home with the flu, courtesy of the friendly neighborhood playground. Needless to say it started to make the rounds in our house. First was my wonderful husband and son. Then the baby and during the time that I was caring for them I was treating myself with Zicam and drinking lots of fluids, you know the normal things to do when you feel it coming on, but alas this did no good. My husband, daughters and son were all over this flu within 5 days. Despite my efforts to keep myself out of the sick bed I came down with it as everyone started to feel better.

I was optimistic that I would be feeling better again with in a few days like the rest of the family but this was not what was planned for me. By day 4 of my illness my chest was hurting, I still had a high fever, i was coughing non stop and to top it all off it hurt to breathe. So I dragged myself into the doctor, who actually had to remind me that I am not a normal patient. Her words exactly were “You have to come to see me as soon as you get sick from now on. Always remember that your immune system doesn’t work right”. This was the first time since I was first diagnosed that i had to have the figurative slap on the head for forgetting. After a thorough exam she gave me the motherly “I told you so” look and said… Bronchitis. And then gave me about a million medications to take and sent me on my way with this warning: “Don’t miss a dose, take it easy, and come back if you’re still having problems. I don’t want to see you in the hospital with pneumonia”

So here I am two weeks later… I still have a cough, slight fever, and a lot of aches and pains. I feel as if I am at my wits end. This infection has triggered a lupus flare and I find myself depressed by it. I can barely do any housework, it’s hard for me to play with the kids and of course the biggie I’m tired. I feel as if none of my meds are working and I’m terrified at the thought of the next phase of treatment and the possible side affects.