Suffering Through the Cold & Flu Season

This weekend, as we moped around the house coping with our millionth cold of the season, a favorite SNL skit from the past came to mind. Take a look... '>video

When I first watched the skit as a teenager, I chucked at the preposterous idea of a drug that could help you sleep through the winter, but now the concept of "HiberNol" is funny in a whole new way...mainly because if such a product really did exist, I would be all over it! The past few months have been so germ-ridden that I'm not sure I even remember what it's like to NOT have a minor ailment of some sort. Lately, my dependence on Tylenol, ibuprofen and caffeine is what keeps me standing upright, and I'm pretty sure our family is single-handedly keeping the Kleenex company in business.

Since late October I've been afflicted with more colds than I can even count, two bouts of gastroenteritis (stomach flu), sinusitis, shingles and the normal aches and pains that come with training for a half marathon. I can't complain about the last thing, because I brought that on myself, but SHINGLES? I did a little research when I had them back in November, and found that they usually only happen to people older than 50, the immunocompromised, or those who are undergoing a stressful period of life. My research into the upper respiratory infection (aka cold) also revealed that those who feel more stressed and get less sleep report more frequent colds, longer duration of colds, and worse symptoms. It further advised that those suffering from colds should be sure to take the time to rest in order to speed recovery, and to of course, avoid stress. No further advice given on how to actually accomplish that.

Let's face it, with a toddler in the house, life is stressful. We get a 5 am wake up call daily, and that's when she isn't sick! Lately it seems like about once a week we're up for 2-3 hrs in the middle of the night because she's not feeling well. During the daytime, the girl is a tornado. The house is a mess. Every single meal ends up on the floor. She brings home every germ known to man and doesn't have any concept of hygiene. She kisses us smack on the lips (but who can resist that?) and rubs her drippy nose on our furniture, our clothes and our faces. When she brings a new germ home from daycare, we pretty much sigh and brace ourselves for the next round of illness. We've learned that no amount of hand washing, nose blowing or careful food preparation will prevent my husband and me from getting sick too.

You can see why a product such as "HiberNol" sounds appealing. Let's face it. Not much good happens between January and March anyway, so why not just hibernate? Maybe those bears and squirrels have the right idea. I wouldn't even complain about missing the Pack in the Superbowl.

A couple weekends ago when my sister was visiting, we discussed our frustration with frequent illnesses in our families. She's the mother of three, so she's been dealing with the cold & flu season x 3, and even suffered through her oldest bringing home lice twice. She's a very spiritual and prayerful person, so her advice was this: any time you have an illness, view it as a cross. Take it up without complaining and offer your suffering as a prayer for someone else whose needs are greater. Imagine that. No wallowing in self pity? No complaining? Thinking of other people who are worse off than me? Wow, what a concept!

As our church prepares to start a partnership congregation with a church in El Salvador, we've started learning more about this small country. A guest speaker told us that pain, illness and early death are simply a part of life for your average Salvadoran. In other words, the common cold is the least of their problems. Most don't have access to basic medical care. They are vulnerable to the elements...earthquakes, mudslides, and hurricanes can and do destroy their homes at any given moment. Dengue fever is endemic. It is not uncommon for women and babies to die in childbirth simply due to lack of good medical care. The day-to-day diet consists of beans and corn and is therefore insufficient in nutrients, which leaves them more susceptible to illness.

So maybe my sister is right. There are basically two ways to cope with the cold & flu season: search for the "HiberNol" solution which mainly involves self-pity to the point of a medicated stupor, or to offer it up. So El Salvador, you won't hear any more whining from me-I promise. This one's for you!

We did it!

Over a year ago, I posted about a goal that I've had in the back of my mind for most of my life, despite having a million excuses for not doing it. Now, I'm happy to report that my husband and I have finished not one, but two half marathons. For the longest time, this goal seemed far off and impossible. It kind of reminds me of grade school. When my sister, who is two years older, used to come home with her text books and do her homework, I'd think to myself "Her homework looks HARD! I'll never be able to do that!" But low and behold, two years later I was learning the same things.

And now that we've run a 1/2 marathon, it feels like no big deal! Walking around Disney World on marathon weekend and seeing thousands of other people with their medals, including full marathon and Goofy challenge medals (running 1/2 marathon on Saturday and full marathon on Sunday) made me feel like kind of a slacker for not going the whole distance. But in case you're wondering, this is NOT a current goal of mine, though I can't promise I won't want to pick up running in the future during a less hectic time in my life.

2010 was a sometimes fun, sometimes frustrating year of training. Making time for both Kyle and me to do long runs on the weekends and maintenance runs during the work week was often a logistical nightmare. We gave up sleep and time together, and shamelessly finagled free babysitting out of numerous friends and family (thanks again for your help-we owe you!)

In the end, it helped that this was a group goal. Kyle and several other mom friends from church as well as Kyle's sister and her friend were working for the same goal, and that helped to keep us all motivated. It was a seriously fun ride and now it is very rewarding to say "We did it!"

By the way, in case you're looking for that romantic photo of Kyle and I crossing the finish line holding hands, you won't find it. During both 1/2 marathons we parted ways around mile 10. The first time I left him, the second time he left me. Turnabout's fair play, he says!