Did you know that I am NOT Supermom-wife-employee? Because I didn’t. I wish someone would have told me this before I tried to singlehandedly save (i.e. please) everyone in my world from inconvenience totally risking my health and what’s left of my sanity in the process. Whew.
Here’s what happened. Josie had a fever and congestion over Memorial Day weekend. That work week was pretty hectic as I prepared to leave for a weeklong conference. Not surprisingly I caught Josie’s bug by Friday. Her two-day bug walloped me for five. It started with a fever of 102-103 with white-stuff on my swollen tonsils. Saturday went to see Doc who said it’s not strep. Go home and rest. You’ll be well soon. “No antibiotics?” I asked. “No reason,” said Doc. Okay…if you say so.
Ben was super busy that weekend working and helping our neighbor. I tried parenting. I was supposed to be on my way to Ben’s parents for my trip the next day. Instead as Josie lay on her playmat on the floor, I sat crosslegged bundled in a heavy blanket. I dangled toy after toy in Josie’s line of vision. Once captivated I would doze until she fussed in boredom. By late afternoon my fever had actually spiked and my head was pounding. Not normal pounding. More like “something isn’t right” pounding.
To the emergency room we went. I was dehydrated. Still not strep. Not mono. Some vague, nasty virus. Did get antibiotics this time. I felt so much better that the next day I drove the three hours to Ben’s parents’ house and proceeded on my work trip only one day behind. What a good employee, wife and mother. See how I can do it all? Ben could proceed on painting the living room sans child. The Grandparents could see their girl and show her off to friends. I was eager meet my long-distance colleagues and didn’t want to be left out of the experience.
Only while literally running to the gate to catch my connecting flight that was scheduled to depart at that very minute, I wondered if I should’ve stayed in bed. I arrived to see the pilot in the cockpit. I banged on the window waving my boarding pass. There was another late passenger whose daughter was on the plane begging for them to open the doors. Likely thanks to her daughter, and not my frantic gesturing, did we both board the flight. I felt like shit from running. I said to myself that I would rest during this trip.
I didn’t rest. I had these weird night sweats for the first two days. I nearly lost my milk from not pumping enough. Gotta admit though, I did have fun on those nights out with my colleagues. Josie didn’t seem to miss me at all. She had a great time despite still being very congested, which sent her to the doctor upon my return. She was “the healthiest sick baby” the Doc saw all week at least. The living room is much improved.
Sigh. No, I’m not Supermom-wife-employee. Let the cape rest at the bottom of the pile of laundry on my closet floor. I’m changing my attitude. It’s always going to busy. Busier. Cliche time: It’s a marathon. Not a sprint. It’s going to be busy for a long time so no need to try to do it all. Slow down and enjoy the ride.
