The Week That Was…

/ Theresa Smith Writes

Another rollercoaster of a week, but that’s the new normal, isn’t it? My daughter turned 18 on Monday, which was a lovely way to begin the week. Celebrating was significantly quieter than any of us could have envisaged, but we still tried our best to make the occasion a special one with homemade pizza, lemon cheesecake and champagne.

From that starting high, it was all downhill. My eldest son (16yo) was sick last week with a bad case of tonsilitis. It was apparent at the beginning of this week that the penicillin wasn’t working and he was getting worse. A change of antibiotics saw a minor improvement in his throat but then he began developing a range of other symptoms: abdominal pain, fatigue, a rash, swollen glands, puffy eyes. Back again to the doctor and a diagnosis of glandular fever has been made, pending blood test results. I’ve had friends with glandular fever and in every instance I’ve encountered it, it’s been debilitating and gone on for months. I guess there’s a flip side to online learning next term: at least he can do it from bed? He’s as thin as a rake as it is and six foot tall. He’s likely to blow over in a breeze at the end of it.

I’ve been struggling this week with feelings of guilt. I am on leave from work as per my doctor’s recommendation due to chronic asthma and lung weakness. To give you some background, I have had recurrent bouts of pneumonia over the last ten years and three years ago, my left lung collapsed. A common cold is now disastrous for my lungs, and while I take a range of medication daily for my asthma to keep it under control, it’s never actually under control, as such. I feel effectively as though I have abandoned ship at the most difficult time. Schools are scrambling to set up online learning and working all hours to get this done. I asked my doctor if I could go back with less students. She recommended I remain isolated at home indefinitely. I know how sick I can get, the struggle to breathe, what it felt like to only have one lung working at 20% while the other was not functioning at all. I know what the recovery for that was like: slow. I still bear the effects. So I’m not going to argue with or go against medical advice, particularly when my doctor has said to me: you are exactly who we don’t want getting this virus. But I still feel bad for being at home when everyone else is at work, as we have zero cases of Covid19 in our town at present. I absolutely have to choose my health over work, I know this. This will be an ongoing internal rollercoaster for me, I expect.

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Useful resources:

I downloaded this for my daughter but thought I’d share here in case it’s of use to any of you.

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Joke of the week:

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Book of the Week:

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What I’ve been watching:

Sometimes this irritates me but for the most part it’s entertaining and doesn’t require too much of my attention to follow. I like it enough to proceed to series two, so that’s something.

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What I’m reading right now:

Until next week… 😊☕📚

20 thoughts on “The Week That Was…”

  1. You have a lot to be concerned about. Those of us who are generally healthy with whole lung capacity and ability to work from home don’t often realise how difficult it can be for others. I hope you can stay safe and well and your son recovers sooner than you expect! With love.

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  2. First, happy birthday to your daughter. I’m glad you could have a nice celebration. She’ll have to have a special 21st! I hope your son is one of the lighter cases of glandular fever – I know that some do recover fairly quickly while others take much longer. It is the best time to have this as you suggest – he won’t be missing out on lots of friend activities and will have to rest!

    I am sorry about your health. I was an asthmatic as a child and had pneumonia several times through my childhood. However, while I always have ventolin with me, I essentially grew out of asthma in my late teens. I learnt in my 30s though that it can come back with a vengeance if I’m run down and get a virus. I’m hopeful though that, although I’m much older now, I’m not rundown. I was left instead with chronic eczema which is the bane of my existence, but fortunately not a COVID-19 risk! Anyhow, keep well and follow the doc’s orders!

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    • I am constantly grateful that I have never developed eczema as well. I know quite a few chronic asthmatics who have both. I had my first bout of pneumonia at 3 years old which is when they also discovered I was allergic to penicillin. I believe this to be one of my first memories, having an anaphylactic reaction to penicillin in the hospital. My aunt claims to this day I almost died. Consequently, I’m rather fascinated by memory and how childhood memories are either real or built from anecdotal evidence. One might think that I remember the incident from it being retold by my aunt, but she only talked to me about it a few years ago. I have had this memory for as long as I can recall.
      Anyway, waffling on! 😁
      I’m glad your asthma leaves you alone!

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  3. I agree with Christina, you do have a lot to worry about. What a pity that what should be a great year for your son has been compromised like this, I hope he recovers well.
    But re your feelings of guilt… stop that right now. Firstly, your doctor is absolutely right, and your family obviously needs you more than ever. And no matter how wonderful you are at your job, you are not indispensable, nobody is. (I say this as one who pressed on for two years after my doctor told me to retire because people begged me not to. Well guess what, they’re getting on just fine without me.)
    Look at it this way, if they need someone to do your job, it’s a job opportunity for someone else who needs a job.
    And the other thing is this: there are authors out there who are desperate for whatever publicity they can get. You and I and all the other bloggers are bringing readers and authors together with our reviews, and we are offering comfort and connection as well and that would be lost if you got sick. It is a huge contribution, valued by every person who reads your blog — and don’t forget, there are always lurkers who are shy about commenting but who are part of your online community too.
    Lisa x

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    • I have been using the time to throw myself into the blogging, reading more and creating the author talks series. It’s giving me a lot of satisfaction to be able to contribute this way.
      I’m one of those annoying people who can be struck down with a migraine and still feel guilty about not working. I have too much of my grandfather in me! However, as of late this afternoon, I am set up to work from home for term two. I’m feeling more positive now. About that at least. As to Brent and his illness, only time will tell.

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  5. You definitely have to prioritise your health! It might feel as though you are not helping now but by doing this, you’ll be able to return at full capacity rather than potentially getting very, very ill! I know it can feel difficult, but you have a genuine, very valid reason to be protecting yourself in times like this.

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    • I know! I would be out for so much longer if I got it.
      I feel a weight lifted though as I am now set up to work from home from the start of term two. We weren’t too sure if it was possible with servers and programs not compatible with remote working but I was the recipient of a laptop loaded and ready to go this afternoon. I am relieved and also glad. I can have both things now!

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  6. Take care of yourself, Theresa. Don’t take on too much. None of us has ever seen a pandemic like this nor imagined the impact it would have on our daily lives. You are right to be very cautious of your health. And hopefully your son will fully recover quickly. And never feel guilty about what is left undone. Or what you feel you should be doing. Best wishes to you and your family.

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  7. I was so sorry to read of all that you are going through. I agree with your doctor although i understand how you could feel guilty. You can compensate by working extra hard after this is over
    I hope that your son is resilient and that he will soon start to feel better. Know that those of us in the blogosphere are sending good thoughts your way.

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  8. Happy birthday to your daughter! It’s definitely been birthday season in your house!!
    You have to look after yourself, and be kind to yourself! Eventually we will all make it through this to the other side.

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