12/Not a very productive start to 2017

New Years Eve I started to feel a tickle in my throat. Chalked it up to dry inside heated air. By the evening of the 1st I had lost my voice and was beginning a new semester with new students the next day.

The first thing I did was apologize to my new students as I crocked and coughed my way through the first week. I had to let them go early one day because I was coughing so hard I couldn’t breathe. Tears were streaming down my face and my ears were ringing. It is possible that I may have peed a little too. I did see a doctor. He told me it was a virus and not to talk. Right.

Why didn’t I find a substitute? Because the entire department is sick or injured. We work too hard and make too little money. I drank tea, well hot water with lemon, ginger and honey. I had a humidifier going in my bedroom by my head whenever I was in bed. My days consisted of dragging my sorry ass to school, Tylenol and going home to bed . No cooking, cleaning, laundry or email or other work of any kind. No writing.

My son cleaned the kitchen and made me eat ginger. My ex-husband brought me honey and ginger when I ran out. My boyfriend allowed me to completely miss his birthday. No cake, no card no nothing. My daughter texted me because it made her sad to hear my voice.

Two weeks later and my voice has almost returned. Other than getting through the day I haven’t accomplished much. The cough is still with me but at least I can sleep at night with only a few coughing, choking episodes.

The to do list is pretty long. And I will get it when I get to it.

January is half over and I almost sound like myself again. I did get a flu shot. Maybe this is the universe telling me to slow down. And here I am writing again.

Big warm sympathy hug for all you cold, flu and laryngitis sufferers.

Happy Healthy New Year