Hello.

 

Hi, I'm Annie.

Mother of 3,
spouse to G,
writer of things,
former batgirl,
sister,
daughter,
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and American
living in Australia.

Basic Joy = my attempt to document all of this life stuff, stubbornly looking for the joy in dailiness. 

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Mama, Ph.D.: Women Write About Motherhood and Academic LifeMountains Beyond Mountains: The Quest of Dr. Paul Farmer, a Man Who Would Cure the WorldThe Sweetness at the Bottom of the PieThe Island: A NovelThe PassageSecret Spaces of Childhood

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« Missive to the past | Main | I'm leaving...on a jet plane »
Friday
Feb152008

What I got for Valentines Day...

Ours has been a sick house off and on for the last month. Greg had strep, Lauren had strep, and then three days ago Maddy came down with a fever/cough combination gomboo. Through it all I have stayed healthy, practically bathing in purell and vitamins. I think I forgot to knock on wood.

On the drive to the airport yesterday I started feeling a little tickle in my throat. I'm sure it's just allergies, I whispered to myself unconvincingly. The headache started as I sat waiting in the airport for my flight. Maybe I'm just hungry, the delusional voice said. So I bought a chicken caesar salad to take on the plane with me.

By the time I got on the plane and buckled in, I had the uncontrollable need to cough. I will not be that annoying person on the plane I promised myself. You know, the one that everyone glares at for bringing their coughing germs to the shared air space. Instead I took a sudafed and spent the next 6 hours clearing my throat a lot.

About halfway into the flight I got sick. Really sick, the kind of sick you don't want ever be, but especially on a plane. The salad wasn't sitting with me well. I made...I don't know...12 trips to the lovely airplane loo. Now, I usually have a strong stomach. I'll feel queasy but not more than that. The last time I did that was 10 years ago. I have even spent an entire pregnancy without needing to do that.

My prayers in the claustrophobic bathrooms sounded like this: please help me to feel better. Or at least a little bit. Help me not to throw up on any passengers. And if I do, let them be really really understanding and compassionate. Please let me stay in the loo even if the fasten seat belt sign goes on. I will never take health for granted again.

At one point I asked one of the flight attendants for a bag to take to my seat just in case and she gave me a big white garbage bag! (Whatever happened to those cute little bags that used to be in the pocket on the back of the seat?)

We finally landed & I found Greg in the airport, who had landed just five minutes before me. He took good care of me & I'm feeling much better this morning. Things are looking up.

I'd just like to send my apologies out to the passengers of flight 411 last night. I'm so sorry. And happy valentines day, from me to you. Ah, the gift that keeps on giving.

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Reader Comments (8)

That's the kind of Valentine's gift you don't want to pass on. Glad you are feeling better.

02.15.2008 | Unregistered CommenterEmy5

well, half of that sounds fun! Hopefully you're past the worst of it and can enjoy your weekend!

02.15.2008 | Unregistered Commenterallysha

That's too awful to be real!

(At least you can recuperate kid-lessly!)

02.15.2008 | Unregistered CommenterJessica

Oh man. Sick traveling is the worst. They probably all thought you were some party sorority girl workin' off your valentine's hangover?! Enjoy the rest of your trip.

02.15.2008 | Unregistered Commentergab

OH that is awful. I had a similar plane experience and hope to never repeat it. Get better soon so you can have fun!

02.15.2008 | Unregistered CommenterBridget

Well, not to point this out, but if you went an ENTIRE pregnancy without doing THAT, then I think you're overdue, friend.

I am sorry for you though. That sounds just miserable. You CAN'T be sick on your vacation! How will that sit with the ex-gf? You must get well and be your best self.

02.16.2008 | Unregistered CommenterChristie

We just flew over 2 and 1/2 hours with four boys, and I kept thinking, oh what if one of us gets sick. On the way back we were put right in front of the toilets. I found you from Sties, love your posts.

02.20.2008 | Unregistered CommenterKristin

Oh oh, good luck getting well. I always think sick wouldn't really be that bad (who wouldn't enjoy a day in bed) and then it happens, and like you I remember not to take advantage of my health again. Here's to you.

02.20.2008 | Unregistered CommenterEmily

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