Amy Writes

Occasionally, I get sick. In theory, I get sick more often than the average Jane, because I have this immunodeficiency . Now, that may or may not be the case - it certainly was as a kid - but either way, having spent a fair amount of time under the weather, I have developed a sick system. When I recognize my body spiraling toward illness, I load up on Emergen-C . It may or may not do any good, but it is soothing to drink and makes me feel like I am doing something healthy. Usually, my throat will go from suspicious to painful during the course of a day. When this happens, I place a call to my husband and he picks up my staples: Citrus Cooler Gatorade (which I water down and drink without ceasing until I am well), Sudacare Shower Soothers and Benadryl. These things may or may not help. I place a box of tissues in every room and keep Chapstick within reach at all times. I do not take cold medicine. I take a planet-endangering number of hot showers - especially if it's cold and dry o...

I am still sick. I have now reached the point in sickness where people are asking if I've been to the doctor (no) and telling me they're praying for me. Tonight I actually heard from someone who had been asked by someone else to pray for me. I feel a little like Ferris Bueller. I have been offered cough drops by strangers, asked if I still have my tonsils, heard the word "Mucinex" a dozen times and actually tried a Neti Pot . (Interesting experience, thanks to the facebook friends who suggested that .) As I type this, I am coughing. Case in point: Matt just said: "Hon, I am going to take the day off tomorrow and TAKE you to the doctor." The thing is, I know the cold will go away. I don't know that my doctor will go away. We've seen what happens when I stop in there for a visit. I just need a doctor friend. Anyone out there willing to write me a Z-pack?

This is Day 9 or 10 of the yuck. I'm sad to report that I don't feel much better today than I did on Days 2 or 3. It's killing my productivity by sapping my motivation by draining my energy by wearing out my nose, chest, head... I've had a few sick realizations though: 1. When nothing else sounds good and there is no position in which I am comfortable, Gone With The Wind provides solace and distraction. 2. Tissues made from recycled material are a noble idea and great value, until you have to use 137 of them per day. Then they are sandpaper. 3. Persistent coughing attacks WILL wait for the most inappropriate moments to happen. For me this week: corporate prayer time, Bible study lecture time. 4. Cleaning house is satisfying, but does not usher the germs out of the house. At least not the ones holding on to my trachea for dear life. 5. No matter how much I understand, having people take a step back from me when they discover I'm "infectious" still stings ju...