by Ashley
This weekend I came down with some type of terrible illness. Not sure if it’s the flu or what? Saturday I was totally fine. Sunday I started to feel weak and achy. By Sunday night, I had a fever of 102 and I was burning up (but also freezing cold). I could barely move, my head was pounding, and I was so dizzy and disoriented from the fever that I couldn’t even think coherently. I kept “passing out” (for lack of a better term) on the living room couch while the kids – bless their hearts – did their best to play quietly and entertain themselves.
I went to sleep at the same time as the girls (8pm), but just tossed and turned all night long. By morning, I woke up totally soaked – I’d sweated right through my pajamas.
This is my first time to be sick totally solo. It sucks.
Thankfully, the girls’ dad and I are still working amicably together. I texted him that I wasn’t doing well Sunday afternoon and he offered to help, if needed. By middle-of-the-night when it was clear I was NOT going to be able to just “sleep it off” I texted that things had gotten worse. He replied that he’d come get the girls for a few hours during the day today (until he has to go to work this afternoon). It’s only a few hours reprieve, but that’s better than nothing. Thankful for an amicable co-parenting relationship.
That being said, we’ve also had lots of talks about moving forward with the legal separation. I’m not going to comment on it much more while things are still “ongoing”, but I’ll definitely give answers and explanations once things have been agreed to and become legal. My mom thinks it’s the stress of all this “stuff” that has caused my illness. I don’t know. It’s already flu season so it’s hard to tell if I was exposed to something or if my immune system is down due to stress, etc.
Either way – it’s a pretty crappy way to start the Fall Break week! The girls are off school all week and we’d had all kinds of fun free things planned. We had a playdate today (which I had to cancel), another one tomorrow (that I’m hoping we’ll still be able to make). We have plans to go to the library, the Desert Museum (we have a family membership that was gifted by my mom), parks, etc. The weather has FINALLY started to cool down here, so we’re excited to get outside. You know…when I can actually stand again. Ugh!
Wish me a speedy recovery! Luckily, I’d gone grocery shopping on Saturday before the sickness hit, so I’m stocked up on food. Last night (when I was seriously near-death-status), I just heated up a frozen pizza for the girls for dinner. Tonight, I’m hopeful I can rally enough to throw some stuff in the Crock Pot to make soup or stew for dinner. Being sick is the pits. Being sick as a single parent is even worse. Again – so grateful that the kids’ dad is able to help a bit!
I hope you all have a healthy start to the work week!
Hi, I’m Ashley! Arizonan on paper, Texan at heart. Lover of running, blogging, and all things cheeeeese. Freshly 40, married mother of two, working in academia. Trying to finally (finally!) pay off that ridiculous 6-digit student loan debt!
I used to think the worst was when your kids were sick. Nope, it’s when YOU’RE sick and they’re well. I’m glad your husband/ex was there for you all.
Hope that you feel better soon.
When I was getting divorced I got sick a couple of times – it was pretty rough.
It must be a rite of passage for the newly separated. I got an awful illness the first weeks of separation. Had to call my old neighbour to drive to the chemist and get me nausea pills. You make it through. And the kids are old enough to cope. Dissapointed on your behalf that your ex didn’t step up as soon as you got sick, but hope you get rest for the time he does spend with the kids.
This just breaks my heart.
I hesitated to chime in on the “no activities” post, can’t remember if I did or not, but the reality is that you need to find good folks to rely on besides your H. It can be neighbors, your friends, your girls’ friends … but over time, gradually, you will need to replace your primary support system (your H).
I am an American expat living in France. My four kids are now adults, but we shared the joys and pains with other expats. Watching each other’s kids, pets, etc. Most of the “local” had their own parents/siblings. So we all created our own support system.
Again, this would have been my ONLY argument for getting your girls into an activity, so that you could ideally meet other like-minded or single parents.
NOTHING wrong with taking this time off, but it’s a great way to meet other people in a comparable boat.
As always, all the best to you.