January 13, 2013

Pass the cough drops

It’s a tradition. Every year, my family and friends get together over the holidays and exchange viruses. By January, we’re all sick.

This year has been no exception. My ribs hurt from this deep, hacking cough. I’ve tried to sleep sitting up the last few nights because the cough starts every time I lie down. The amount of mucus I’ve expelled from my sinuses could — well, I don’t even know how to end that sentence. I can’t think of a single useful thing to do with gallons of mucus. It doesn’t even make good compost.

The worst part is that everyone in my part of the world seems to have the same damned cold, and no one feels sorry for me because they’re all miserable too. They say misery loves company, but I don’t think that’s true. When I’m sick, I prefer to have healthy friends and family who might run to the store to buy me treats.

I’m going to wake up tomorrow morning feeling completely better. That’s my plan, and I’m hoping my body goes along with it. Tomorrow’s the first day of spring semester, and I need to be on campus. I need to actually put on real clothes and function like a human being. And I'd like to recover from this cold before I get hit with the next round of viruses that my students will bring back from their hometowns.

8 comments:

Belle said...

Here: a cup of (virtual) tea, with more in the (virtual) pot, a plate of yummy cookies and let me tuck that blanket in a bit. What else can I get you?

jo(e) said...

Belle: Aw, thanks. A new set of lungs might be nice.

east village idiot said...

Feel better. There appears to be a flu epidemic in the NY and New England area.

Kyla said...

I hope you feel better soon! I was sick like that in November and it was no fun. K was even sicker, so it was also a poorly timed illness. Yuck!

Bev said...

You and me both...I'm teaching two classes today in between coughing fits, but at least I'm not running a fever any more. Tea and hot compresses really helped with the cough, and if you have one of those flax-seed-filled hot compresses that you heat in the microwave, it's just wonderful.

YourFireAnt said...

You have my sympathy, because I'm hacking up the same amount of snot. We should have a contest.

;-)

Zhoen said...

Honey, hot tea, a few days wallowing in misery.

Mary Stebbins Taitt said...

K and I are both sick too--we also get sick every January. It is not only the exchange of viruses and germs, but also all the bad food--eg--sugar--consumed over the holidays the lowers our resistance.

Hope you feel better soon!