Wednesday, January 19, 2011

BEING SICK. AND BEING A MOTHER. AT THE SAME TIME.


It's happened. I've been taken hostage and taken underground. I've fought it, but she's taken over. She's forced her hand. She's decided that she's not happy with the decisions I've been making and has had enough.

Since Saturday morning... no, since before Christmas last year, I've been sick. Nauseous. Shaky. Achy. Feeling old. Tired. No, exhausted.

And I've stopped. Not because I wanted to. Because I had to. She - my body - made me.

I've slept. How I've slept. Twelve to 15 hours every night. And then another 6-8 hours during the day. At least.

After asking my eldest son to be easy on his old mummy on Sunday morning, he exclaimed that I was "a young mummy still". (Would someone please saint my perfect child, please?)

I've stopped sleeping to eat. To have a bath. To brush my teeth. To read my kids a bedtime story. And then I crawl back into bed where I feel truly like I should be. Think: magnet stuck to a fridge. That's how good it feels.

This is new to me. Very new. I've never done this before.

And I've never done this before, either:
  1. Asked my husband to stay home from work to look after the lads while I slept.
  2. Accepted a very kind offer from my in-laws to look after the lads while I slept.
While I was lad-free, I also stayed awake long enough to visit my doctor.

"So what lurgy brings you here?" he asked.

"I don't know. Everything." I said, trying not to cry.

"Well, do you have the flu? Are you sick? Pregnant? Nauseous? Depressed?" He pressed after checking all my vital organs.

"I don't know. I'm just so tired." Tears flowing.

Perhaps I am a little depressed. I've been feeling blue about the floods. About Lori. About Agnes.

As a very good (and very wise) friend said to me today, "We all have times where depression creeps in, sometimes we think of it as something that cripples us and we lie in the fetal position in the dark, but that's not always true."

I'd like to think that perhaps I'm a little depressed because I'm so exhausted. Because I feel so sad for those who have lost their loved ones. Yep. That's it. And my bed is the drug I need to get better.

I really hoped to share with you some other more positive things I tried before she stopped me. But I promise a more inspiring positive post later. But for now, remember that you need to stop too. Or you'll be exhausted. Just like me.

Please share what you did new this week. Was it to have a hot bath every night (like me), or to spend more time with your partner? If it wasn't something relaxing, did you up the ante this week? All you have to do is follow a day in the life of us, blog about your new thing, and link up below (oh, and add this pretty button to the bottom of your post).

I promise I'll visit you when I can. But bed is calling me right this moment...

a day in the life of us 

21 comments:

  1. aww sweets big hugs ! wat a lovely husband you have looking after the boys take care and rest well xoxo

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  2. Oh lovely, you sleep as long as you need and get all the help that you need. It's been a very depressing time and it's so hard not to let it affect you. I'm glad you're seeking help and have some lovely people around you. Rest up, we'll be here when you're ready. xx

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  3. Our bodies are amazing at making us slow down when we tend to ignore the signs. Get all the rest you need and take care sweet one.
    x

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  4. Big huge hugs to you:) You went out of your way to make me, and I'm sure many other new bloggers, to feel welcome and appreciated in this blogging community. I'm sure this takes a lot of your time. But it's time for you now. Take all the time off you need, sleep all you need, and we will all be waiting for your return. Xx

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  5. It is a wonder anybody in the nation is awake after the awful month we've had as a country! Take all the time in the world to sleep, to work your way through this emotionally, physically and spiritually...we want you healthy. It's not easy being green and yellow sometimes! When you've recovered it may be someone elses turn to sleep....nigh night...sleep tight.

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  6. Thinking of you mate. You are so close yet I had no idea :( Please call if you need ANYTHING! You have my number. Much love xx

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  7. if it's any consolation, you still write well even in the throes of exhaustion. warm hugs from the philippines.

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  8. Oh honey, if you body is telling you to sleep you should do what it says. I have been feeling a bit like this myself in the last week, without the having a cold part. Hope you are feeling like your normal self soon ♥

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  9. Oh Kymmie! Take it easy and do what you have to do. I am glad you have sweet people around you who love you and bloggy friends here to give you love too :-) Good on you for recognizing you feel this way I tend to hid it when I do and need to be more open :-( xx

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  10. goodness! that amount of sleep sounds nothing short of incredible. i hope you start feeling better very soon.

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  11. Sorry to hear you're so under the weather. Rest up and take all offers of help that come your way. Hope you're feeling better soon. xx

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  12. I'm so glad you've got suportive people in your life that made this rest possible!! Glad you're listening to your body. Get better soon xxx

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  13. Hun how do I link my new thing to the bottom of your post like last week? Sorry i'm new around here:)
    Just when your ready, rest now!
    xx

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  14. Oh I hope a good rest makes you feel so much better! I 100% believe that being exhausted leads to feeling depressed or blue or just not being able to cope with all of lifes demands. Good luck with it and good on you for asking for a bit of help.
    Take Care
    Ex

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  15. Oh, I am overwhelmed by your love. Thank you for your kind, kind words. I love you all back. And I promise I will love you all on your blogs soon. As soon as I have another little nap... xx

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  16. In has been a very intense week for everyone.I am glad you are well supported .
    Rest is very important when we are emotionally and physically exhausted.
    Take care.

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  17. aw, i love you're blog and i'm glad you got some rest!

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  18. I read this post yesterday and today took a leaf out of your book. While Meerkat was asleep I put the other two in front of the TV and lay down on the couch for a nap of my own. When I woke the big girls had put one of their doonas over me and tucked a pillow under my head. So sweet I want to cry. There's so much love out there for mums - we need to slow down enough occasionally to really appreciate it.
    Thanks for your inspiration - I really hope you're feeling better and stronger again soon.
    xxxCate

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  19. I hope you start to feel better real soon x

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  20. Rest up and look after yourself. I know as mothers we easily put others needs in front of our own but if your body is telling you to slow down then you gotta listen. Hope you feel better soon!
    xo MODELmumma

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  21. Oh honey! I hope both your brain and your body are feeling better soon. There really has been a lot of sadness about the place, hasn't there? Slumber away the blues, I say! You will be the better for it. x

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Thank you for your thoughtful and positive words and taking the time to comment. Love Kymmie. xx