When we dressed up like germs for Halloween I thought we were being pretty clever. My boyfriend and I painted our faces green, had green capes with him being H-1 and I was labeled N-1, we topped it off with swine noses and tails. Three days later when I got sick I knew it was Murphy’s Law coming to haunt me.
I spent a week in denial and continued on as if nothing was wrong, even though the coughing had escalated to the point that my co-workers were threatening to make me wear a surgical mask and avoided my desk as if I had the plague.
Eventually my boyfriend suggested that I go to the doctor because he was worried that the coughing was driving me insane, although I think he meant it was driving him crazy. Losing my voice wasn’t the worst of the complications of the non-stop coughing, as other body parts began to malfunction and leak. Sleeping wasn’t an option unless I was sitting up and yet I still thought I was going to cure myself by drinking tea with honey and lemon. During one late night episode, I even resorted to adding a little adult beverage to the tea but all that accomplished was additional fire in my throat. I was pretty sure I was on my way to “coughing my brains out” as both ears were ringing and felt like they had burst.
I’m not sure why I was fighting with myself about going to the doctor except that this week is my birthday and with just one more year until I hit the big 5-0, I’m subconsciously trying to avoid the fact that an illness can keep this young’n down.
The final straw that broke this coughing camel’s back was when my coworkers and I made our daily afternoon trip to the “golden arch” to get coffee. The kid at the drive-thru charged us less than usual and although that was nice of him, I wasn’t impressed with his answer of why. “Senior discount special,” didn’t settle well.
The next day I was sitting in the doctor’s office awaiting my turn and was irritated that it had finally come down to this. I’m not a fan of medicine, in fact I will usually only take half of the prescribed dosage because I think we are too quick to over-medicate ourselves instead of letting nature run its course. I left with four prescriptions and strict instructions to take them until they are all gone. With an upper respiratory virus and double ear infections I had indeed turned into the green germ that didn’t seem like such a funny costume after all.
I have to admit the cough syrup with codeine worked like a charm as far as letting me get some sleep. Doesn’t work so well during the day, since napping at my desk apparently isn’t an option.
I’m not taking any chances next year – we’re going to be carrots for Halloween.
