July 11, 2009

Swine Flu Scare

So I’ve had a sore throat since Tuesday. It started out as just a tickle and gradually turned into something so horrible that it hurts to swallow water.

Then I was on Facebook on Friday morning, and I updated my status to reflect this miserable bit of information, and my friend tells me her 2-year-old son was in the ER the night before, and that the doctor believes he has swine flu.  Yeah, you read that correctly.  The freakin’ SWINE FLU!

I see my friend and her son at least 3 times a week, so if indeed the poor little guy does have the H1N1 virus, I’ve been exposed.

“Don’t freak out, okay,” my friend e-mailed me.  “But it starts out with a sore throat and nasal stuffiness.”

Did I mention I have had a stuffy nose in addition to the sore throat thing?  Did I tell you how I did indeed freak the hell out?

I was ready to drive myself to the ER right that minute, but a wise owl told me to call my OB/GYN and inform them that I’ve possibly been exposed.  The nurse who took my call told me to stay home, get lots of rest, and avoid contact with people.  She also explained that if the symptoms got worse, to call back and they’d decide whether or not an Urgent Care visit would be necessary.

I spent most of the weekend sleeping.  Dawson was at my parents house since Thursday, before I realized I could be infected, and my parents said he was fine.  He was full of energy and had no visible signs of being sick.  Thank God for that.

Doug didn’t seem to be sick either, so we figured perhaps I was just having an allergy attack, or that rhinitus of pregnancy was causing some sinus troubles.

As of today, my throat feels somewhat better.  I’ve been drinking gallons of water, and the occasional 7-Up (the carbonation feels wonderful on the scratchy throat), and my symptoms are not getting any worse.  I think the worst part was the freak-out I had when I realized I could have the flippin’ swine flu.

My friend is still waiting for results from the test her son had Thursday night.  They are quarantined until the results are in (and they were supposed to be in on Friday), and I know my friend and her family are on edge, waiting for the doctor’s office to call back.

Let’s hope the little guy just caught a cold that will go away quickly!

January 8, 2009

The Sneeze Factory

It’s Sickness Central here at the DF house.  I think it all began Monday afternoon when I was feeling sort of yucky.  It was like I could feel an impending illness coming on, but it never turned into a full blown thing.  Until yesterday.  Dawson has it, too.

I think it’s a stomach bug because we’ve spent most of our time in the bathroom.  Immodium has helped me, but the little guy doesn’t really understand what’s happening.  Yesterday he clinged to me and cried a lot when he wasn’t awake.  And let me just tell you he didn’t get a lot of sleep.

Dawson insisted on laying next to me on the couch while we watched an Unsolved Mysteries marathon on Spike TV (and we’re watching it again today).  I hadn’t watched that show in so long and the marathon was awesome.  I love seeing all the updates and solved cases.  Dennis Farina is pretty good as host, but I do miss Robert Stack.

In addition to the virus thing, I’ve been sneezing like crazy, but I think it’s allergies (other symptoms include scratchy throat and dry eyes).  I can’t imagine having a cold on top of it all.

I haven’t eaten much the past two days.  What’s the point of eating when my stomach is in protest?  Saltines and 7-Up are doing the trick for both me and Dawson.

Since we’re mostly watching television today, I’ve been surfing the channels and came across an Elvis Presley movie marathon on TCM. I’m waiting for the ones that I don’t already have on VHS to come on TV.  Roustabout starts at 3:30.  Woot!

It’s Elvis’ birthday today.  He’d have been seventy-four years old had he stopped using drugs lived.  I’m a huge Elvis fan and have been since I was little.  My mother and my aunt were mega fans and introduced me to his movies and music at a very young age.

I think I was five years old when Aunt Judy told me he was dead.  I cried for days. Seriously.  He died two years before I was born, and my grandmother thought it was hilarious that I was crying over the man she called “the glorified lounge singer.”  She liked Elvis, but she wasn’t crazy about him like her daughters.  Doug will be totally annoyed when he comes home to find me watching Elvis movies, but I say, I’m not feeling good, so he can buzz off.

In between movies, tv and mothering a sick little boy I’ve tried to read blogs and news stories today.  I haven’t gotten very far, but I’ve got some good links to share:

Dear Brett Favre – Because you know I’m a Packer fan and can’t get enough Favre talk.

Gearing Up For Valentine’s Day - I love the marshmallow pops!  Such a clever idea!

Are You Freakin’ Kidding Me? -  If this happens I will protest.  I don’t think it will, but anything is possible in our country…  and if it does I will march from my home to Washington D.C. and I will do something drastic.  I don’t know what yet…but I sound threatening, yes?

Christina Has a New Look! – And both of her girls are beautiful, dammit!

This sweet bloggy pal o’ mine has big news. – If anyone understands my conception woes, it’s Lisa, and I’m so freaking excited for her.

Enjoy the links!  I’ll be back when I’m feeling much better.

December 8, 2008

Dear Santa Nintendo,

Please send Wii.  And Wii Fit.

Wii we need them desperately.

Love,

The Dana Files

________________________________________________________

What?  It’s worth a shot.

November 26, 2008

Slowly Becoming “Me” Again

Twenty-one pounds gone.  Several inches lost.  I feel good.  Confident.  Energized.  Happy in my own skin (for the first time in a very long time).

I look in the mirror and I see how the changes I’ve made (and continue to make) are paying off.  My legs are stronger, my abs feel more fit.  Granted, I’ve still got a ways to go, but the goal I’ve set for myself isn’t out of reach.

I can do this.  I will do this.  I am doing this.

It just keeps getting better.