10 Stages of Being Sick

Nobody likes to be sick, am I right? But it happens to the best of us. Being sick is a battle. My autoimmune system is already compromised because of MS, and I often take a lot longer than normal to recover from even a basic cold.

It's so dang annoying!!!

I was sick pretty recently, and it totally knocked me for a loop. Hence why there haven't been any new posts from me for a while. Sorry about that, peeps. I have a ton of fun ideas lined up though, so don't despair. While ill I started thinking about all the stages of being sick, and I began to wonder if it's the same for all of us. So this is me!

Stage 1 (Denial) - I'm not sick, I'm not sick, I'm not sick...  the weather is changing, I have allergies, something. But I am not sick.

Meanwhile, my fever spikes, I lose my voice, and my nose might as well be a running faucet. But I'm totally not sick.



Stage 2 (Power Through ) - This stage usually goes a bit like this...

Hubs: "Honey, you should lie down and get some rest"

Me: "Are you mad? I'm fine! I need to cook dinner"

Hubs: "Honey, no one wants to eat anything you're cooking. It could be contaminated"

Me: "I'm not that sick! I have things to do. Go away!"

At this point, the Hubs usually lets me fall on my face from sheer exhaustion because I am completely delirious. Not to mention unreasonable. I can't say I blame him.




Stage 3 (Acceptance) - OH MY GOD, I'M REALLY SICK!




Stage 4 (Panic, with a dose of self pity thrown in) - At this point, hypochondria sets in. I could have typhoid fever! I need juice, I need vitamins, I need to binge watch Dance Moms. Bring me my favorite blanket, I want to cuddle with the dog, do we have Nyquil?

The fun never ends, people. Poor Hubs deserves better.




Stage 5 (Coma of Indifference) - I want to be unconscious, but I'm not. I want to watch random, trashy TV shows... but I can focus on nothing. Rather, I stare at the wall for hours at a time, bundled a foot deep in blankets, and bemoan my existence. More self pity ensues.




Stage 6 (Denial. Again.) - I'm better, I'm better, I'm better!

Or not.

I discover this by attempting to walk downstairs on my own, and then realize I am too weak to walk back up. Cue the whining and sniveling.




Stage 7 (Relapse) - Due to the second bout of denial, repeat stages 3 - 5.




Stage 8 (Shower Time) - I've been wearing the same pajamas for days on end. My hair is a bad imitation of Johnny Depp's in Edward Scissorhands. Professional help may be needed. A shower is all I accomplish at this phase before I fall back into the coma of indifference.




Stage 9 (Finally! Recovery) - Recovery for me doesn't mean I'm ready to dive back into work or anything. It means I can actually dress myself and walk down the stairs. I may be capable of cooking my own breakfast. This lasts for several days while my body finds its rhythm again. I spend most of this phase profusely apologizing to the Hubs for being a general pain in the you-know-what.




Stage 10 (The After Party) - Oh, if only this was an actual party! That would be way better than the grueling reality of Stage 10. Ya see, this phase involves lots and lots of laundry. And grocery shopping. Disinfecting the sick room comes into play.

It's not fun, my friends. Not fun at all. But the end of this stage marks the end of illness. Of course, that's until the Hubs starts sniffling as he's come down with whatever I've just recovered from. Repeat stages 1 - 10, only louder and with more whining involved (if that's even possible).

Sigh.


So, what are your stages of being ill? Do you recover quick, or are you more like me? I'm happy to be back in the saddle again, blogging away and getting back to what qualifies as 'normal' around here. Stay tuned, there are lots of new recipes coming and all sorts of other fun things.

Until next time!

Thanks for reading, everyone!

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Chatting with Friends

Everybody I know seems to play these "apps", like Words with Friends, Scramble with Friends, Match with Friends…. well, I've got my own version. It's called Chatting with Friends! With so much technology in the world, I don't want to lose sight of what's really important in my life. Moving to Germany has helped me greatly, because the internet and phone service is definitely not on par with what I was accustomed to in the States.

This means I use my technology less. Some might find that a hardship, but I've found it to be a lifesaver, honestly.

Every week, I pick one day that I try to call all my loved ones in the States. I find it helps me to call all my friends and relatives on the same day, so I make my rounds and chat with everyone. Last week, I was lucky enough to talk with one of my favorite people…. I bet you can guess who.

You got it, I chatted with my girl Abby!

Whenever we start yakking, a single phone session can go on for hours. Maybe days if our phone batteries didn't die.  You know what I'm saying here? Abby and I connected with each other right away, from our first meeting. She's the kind of friend where time and distance don't matter. Seriously, we could not speak for months (prob wouldn't happen though!) and still be instantly cool with each other, no issues.

Me and Abby hiking the Guadalupe Mountains

Those are the kind of peeps you hold onto forever. I'm so blessed to have several people like this in my life.

Abby and I talked of everything under the sun, like photography and travel, our problems and joyful moments. And we also talked about some lifestyle changes we've each been making in our lives.

See, a few years ago I found out I have the early signs and symptoms of MS. This has set me on a path of research and discovery. And I don't like everything I'm finding. There are so many chemicals and drugs on our markets. The food we consume is full of them. The more I research, the more overwhelmed I become.

So instead of freaking out, going to the extreme, and basically having a total meltdown, I made a decision. I would tackle one thing at a time in my life. I want to be a healthier, better version of me, but I can't make all those changes at once. I'm afraid I would become discouraged and give up if I did.

I began the journey by cooking as often as possible from scratch. I buy organic when I can. Of course, I'm not perfect. Some of my tried and true recipes are still made from processed goods.. but I'm getting there.  A few months ago, I started making my own Brown Sugar Scrub instead of using chemical-laden bath soaps.

Brown Sugar Scrub

I have a super long list of the changes I want to make. For example, I hope to test out my own shampoo and deodorants, as well as a body lotion. Food-wise, I plan on making my own gummy snacks and granola bars in the near future. So expect a lot of these recipes on the blog!

I love having the support of my amazing friends (like Abby!), who have their own journeys and changes ahead of them. And I'm so inspired by the people I know who really look ahead and make the effort to achieve their goals (also like Abby!)

I know I've rambled a bit today. You might not be interested in this stuff at all. But it's what was on my mind at this moment. No matter what comes my way in the future, I'm so blessed to have amazing people around me. I carry them in my heart wherever I am in the world, and I know they carry me in theirs. Friends are awesome, aren't they? So take a minute today, put down your game, and pick up the phone. Have some real contact with some of your favorite peeps. I bet you won't be sorry.

Until next time, my friends!

Thanks for reading, everyone!

Follow me on Facebook @ OurArmyLifeAccordingToTheWife

or on Pinterest, my newest obsession @ ArmyLifeFromTheWife

Email me: armylifefromthewife@gmail.com