For the past couple of weeks I have been down with the worst flu I have ever experienced in my life. Two weeks ago today I woke up with a scratchy throat and headache, and have been going through a hellish cycle of flu symptoms ever since.
After seeing so many other people sick across my social circles in the last week or so, I looked up the current news on this year's flu...
"We are into what would classically be described as a flu epidemic," Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases
I have to say, it's times like these that I am incredibly happy that I work from home and have such a flexible schedule. And particularly grateful for passive income, which means I can rest up and get well without any concern of financial fallout...
I've been making it a point to take it easy, which doesn't come easy for me -lol. I've probably watched more movies in the last two weeks while curled up on the couch... than I've watched in the entire last year!
The first week I powered through, but just took frequent breaks and rested more than usual. By the second week I was over it. I decided it was time to just embrace the fact that I had the flu and curl up with a fleece blanket like a normal person. 😛
Honestly, I didn't expect it to last this long. And I'm STILL sick.
"The type of flu that is going around is called H3N2, which is often linked to more serious disease, compared with some other flu varieties.
People may get more complications from this particular strain of H3N2, "which may make them ill for a longer period of time," Dr. Michael Jhung, medical epidemiologist in the influenza division at the CDC.
Symptoms typically last up to seven days for a normal infection, he said.
On top of being miserable with the actual Flu symptoms, I've been taking over the counter medications pretty much around the clock for the last couple of weeks - which have their own side effects. (I'm avoiding the doctor's office unless it turns into something more serious, but so far it's just been all viral.)
Obviously being sick, feeling worn down, and being loopy on cold meds has not made for good "brainstorming" as the New Year got underway. I decided to put all that on hold until I can think straight. But I also discovered it's really challenging just to put together a simple blog post that actually makes sense. LOL.
No worries. The world won't come to an end if I unplug when I need to, and take the time to get back to my usual self. And thank goodness - because I've enjoyed quite a bit of "totally unplugged" time over the past couple of weeks! 😉
Like I said before, I'm really glad I can do that without any stress. I can't imagine being unable to work a full day for two straight weeks and still having a "job" - not in the last real job that I had, anyway. Which was 1996 I believe. Wow - time flies.
Being sick is the reason I missed the BlogWorld / New Media Expo event last week. Fortunately, through their New Media Expo University (which is totally free to join), I was able to watch all of the Keynote sessions from home. That was nice!
My assistant Angie did attend, but sadly she came home with the flu and is now sick as well. I suppose that's to be expected at such a large gathering with the flu as rampant in the U.S. as it is right now. (Get Well Soon, Angie!!)
Angie helps me with a number of things, including managing my email. We're both on limited hours right now so replies may be a bit slower than usual. If you're waiting to hear back on something, just know we'll get to each message as we can. 🙂
I'm feeling a bit better today, but I'm still taking it easy. I plan to take another unplugged weekend with lots of rest, and get on the other side of this nasty virus.
Meanwhile, I've been jotting down ideas in Evernote as they come to me - to be brainstormed or implemented later when I'm feeling up to it. And when I do feel up to working a bit, I find micro-tasking and focusing only on highest priority tasks has kept things at least moving forward.
It's time like these I find I really can manage my business in very few hours per week when I need to! Which is really nice...
Starting my online business and consistently growing it to what it is today is the best investment I've ever made in myself. If you haven't quite reached your idea of success, or your ideal lifestyle yet... keep working at it every single day. It's SO worth it.
Best,
p.s. Right before I realized I was going to be taken down by this crazy flu, I extended a special offer for Hands-On Help With Your Online Business. It was only meant to be available for a week, but I didn't get around to setting up the follow-up and cut-off date... so it's still open. I'll deal with that next week when (hopefully) my head is clear again. But in the meantime, it's still open for you if you'd like to join us and make this the year you finally achieve your business & lifestyle goals! 😉
source for quotes: US Flu Season, CNN
About Lynn Terry
I have to agree. I haven't caught the flu so far this year (fingers crossed!), but any time I or the kids get sick, it's such a relief to be able to take the time I need, and work only when it's convenient. There have been a few times where I can't imagine how I would have coped if I'd had to deal with an employer on top of everything else.
Don't even get me started on what I've saved on daycare. It took a while to get to where things really paid off, but now I mostly outearn my husband, which I call pretty good.
Hope you get to feeling better soon, Lynn.
I'm just starting to feel better after about 3 weeks being "laid up" with this flu that's going around. I don't get sick that often, but this one took me out! Usually, if I get sick, it's usually right around when the GOOD weather starts to get here. Normally don't get sick in BAD weather. LOL
Hi Lynn,
Sure hope you, and Angie feel much better very soon. This flu bug sounds quite dreadful.
As you said, sometimes one must just give in, and in this case it does seem the only way out is through.
The Internet is not going anywhere any time soon. 😉
We'll all still be here when you get back on your feet. 😀
Take care,
Karen D.
Hi Lynn, hope and pray you are on your way to strong recovery. I had a double wollap this holiday season. I just moved to TX and got the flu along with something called cedar fever. Both of them put me on my tush in my bed for 3 weeks... finally, with the help of some mega antibiotics, I am almost back to normal but feel really weak and struggle to get through the work day. Thanks for this post. makes me feel like I am not alone... lol Mike S.
Thanks Lynn! It is not fun being sick. I'm hoping mine doesn't last long, we have travel coming up. Get better soon!
I'm also very thankful to be able to work at home and take some downtime to get better. Had a great time at New Media Expo/Blog World and looking forward to listening to all the replays.
Hope you feel better soon, Lynn. Curling up with a fleece blankie is good any day, but especially nice when you're not feeling good.
Take care!
Sure am glad I got the high strength flu shot this year. Dearly Beloved got the regular shot and is going into her third week of misery. I have a few aches and pais, but not much more.
Old Geezers Rock!
Hang in there Lynn. One unfortunate downside of-- shall we say-- progressing-- through life is that it takes longer to shake these darn viruses that come around every year. I was trashed out with the flu last year for a good month or so.
I caught the stream of Leo Laporte's New Media Expo keynote, too. The guy is like a walking guidebook to podcasting success. He's got a great finger on the pulse of the future there. Once the generation growing up on YouTube reach adulthood, the old fashioned TV networks are going to start paying much closer attention.
Whenever I get sick (or I need to take care of a sick husband, as I have been for the past 2 weeks), I am so thankful that I work from home. Like you, I cannot imagine that I would be able to take the time off I need and keep a job.
I hope that resting this weekend will be what you need to heal. Good luck!
I've admired how you've continued the brainstorming hours while having the flu. I certainly look forward to that time, especially since I haven't been able to get out much with my husband ill.
Sorry to hear that Angie is ill, too. If you read this, Angie, get better soon!
Shawn
Lynn,
Getting sick with the flu is horrible! I've been lucky so far this year to avoid it. But, most people I know around me have had it. The body pains are the worst.
Get better!
Oh no Lynn me too! I woke up one day and BAM there it was - and so bad it made me realize I've never really had the real flu.
I started crawling out of it and now feel bad again. Ugh. Loved the Nyquil pic. I take it at night and have it knock me out because I think sleep is the best Rx we can have. My doc put me on Tamiflu and steroids which helped but they must have left my body already now that I'm weak again.
Bet Angie got it on the plane ride. 🙁 Hope she feels better too!
I'm also very grateful that I work from home. Imagine having one of those icky bosses who chides you for being out - or not getting paid because you're so sick. Shudder!
I took a flu shot in October and still caught this crap at the first of December. I was about over it , went to California for Christmas where it was raining and freezing cold everyday.(So much for sunny Cali) and got it again. I still can't shake the cough and it's the middle of January.
The only way I have been able to sleep all night is by taking NyQuil. The other more expensive medicines did't do much for me.
Hang in there and good luck with getting rid of this crap!
Best wishes to you and to your assistant for a quick recovery.
Lynn,
This particular flu that's going around seems to be particularly nasty and long-lasting. I'm so sorry it's hit you so hard. You're doing the right thing, though - rest and ride it out. Feel better soon!
Sue Painter
I hope you feel better soon Lynn! I had the flu last year and 2009 and I'm praying I don't get it again this year. I definitely know the feeling. Drink a nice cup of peppermint tea with some lemon and honey.
I have avoided the flu so far. I have a secret formula that works great. We will see if it works through another flu season.
I hope you will get better soon, Lynn. Fortunately you are not a staff or a worker who must work in an office or so. You are a blogger who works at home and can manage your own schedule. This is one of the advantages of working at home that we can manage our time when we are ill we can have a rest at anytime we want. So have enough rest, drink more fresh water and eat a lot then you will recover from your flu.
Amazingly our household has avoided the flu thus far.... I need to go knock on some wood!
I've noticed if I open Facebook that 90% of my news feed is people saying they're still sick, so you're definitely not alone in flu land.
Hope everyone is feeling better soon!!!
I feel your pain, Lynn. I hope you feel better soon. I have also never been this sick for this long. And I'm flying to San Diego tomorrow to record a TV show about sex & marriage. Oh yay. Praying I don't come off like a dope!
Thank you all so much for your kind words and get well wishes! I so enjoyed a quiet weekend unplugged and clocked out! 😉 I feel TONS better today, better than I have in weeks even. Still have some mild symptoms, but nothing like it was last week. Yay!
Now I'm finally ready to kick off this New Year. 😀
I have never gotten a Flu vaccine and I probably never will. People get sick its just apart of life! The main thing is to have comforts when you are sick and tried!
"Can't Smell"
Oh no, she's gone smell blind!
LOL! 😀
Hope you're feeling better, Lynn! I had that flu right after Thanksgiving. The day after Thanksgiving, actually, and was out of town visiting my son. It was all I could do to get on the plane back from Atlanta. I had a fever for 7 straight days and was 'this close' to going to the hospital if the fever didn't break. It took me about a month to fully get my energy and motivation back. I rarely get sick, so this took me for a loop.
Get well soon. These days catching a flu or minor cold and headache are common problems faced by almost everyone. A slightest change in weather also creates a lot of health related problems. And directly or indirectly, our work has to suffer. A heavy head cannot generate ideas for writing content.
I agree, and thank you! I'm MUCH better. What a flu, though! Geez. I'm still dealing with a bit of post-flu fatigue, but so glad to have that one behind me. 😛