We're now on the third straight week of someone in our family being sick: we've experimented with chest infection, stomach flu, and lingering cold. And after the previous round of illnesses in early December (swine flu and stomach flu), I've had enough! I'm grateful that my chest infection didn't turn into bronchitis like it did last year at this time, but I'm sick of being sick!
We've done all the things we can to stem the tide of illnesses. We've all been on vitamin supplements for the last year (multi, C, echinacea, zinc), and been diligent about getting sleep, and we've loved growing our own fresh veg, and getting plenty of great nutrition. But to no avail. The Status Cloud application on my Facebook page revealed that 'sick' is one of the 30 most common words in my Facebook status updates over the last year. Grr.
A chance comment by a friend has got me thinking. He wondered aloud if the damp climate here in Manchester has been affecting our immune systems. Could it be that I've lost my wet-weather stamina from growing up in Portland?? Perish the thought!! Though now that I think of it, our susceptibility to colds did seem to improve markedly in our last flat after we started fighting the damp with moisture absorption gadgets in our windows. However, this new house doesn't have any signs of moisture problems, so what gives? Humph.
I'm so thankful for good doctors and meds (neither of which we have to pay for!), and for jobs with generous flexibility for sick days and even the ability to take time off to care for Little Man without penalty. I'm thankful for friends who have done absolutely anything we needed to help when we've been under the weather - run to the store, take Little Man for an afternoon, cook us meals. I'm thankful for Skype, which has allowed us to call our parents for comfort and advice and prayer at any time of the day or night. I'm thankful that all of these bouts have been uncomfortable and annoying rather than life-threatening.
I have a lot to be thankful for, but I'm still ready to be done with this! Sigh.
