Charleston has been experiencing some pretty bi-polar weather lately. One day it's sunny high of mid 70's, then the next two days are full of clouds, rain, and a high of 50 degree weather. Since the weather can't make up it's mind a lot of people around our area, especially on campus, have been getting sick. Keven, just so happened to fall victim to weather's nasty spell.
Keven was sick for about a week, and it all started when it barely snowed here one night, causing it to get below freezing after we fell asleep. I had a big week ahead for me in school, I had a lab practical, quizzes, homework, and two tests. So this was no time for myself to feel sick, however, when your spouse is sick it's another task to add to the pile. For the first day (Sunday), he pretty much just laid around and tried to get a lot of rest. That did not do the trick going into the week. When I woke up Monday and rolled over to wake Keven up and felt his back really warm, and instantly I thought "oh no, he might have a fever". So I convinced him to get out of bed and try to shower to see if maybe he was just warm from the covers. Now, if you have ever been sick you know how crummy you feel and how you yearn for someone to take care of you, like your mom, roommate, or significant other. Thankfully, Keven had a pretty good care taker all week (not like I'm bragging or anything). Here are a few tips I've learned about taking care of someone you love, even when you may not want to.
1. Make sure they get some rest
There are two kinds of people when you get sick. One type are those who as soon as they have a sore throat immediately think they are sick and need to stay home to get better (when a cough drop, or hot tea could be the answer). Then there are those that want to fight through and don't want the illness to take them away from their schedule (aka Keven). I made sure Keven didn't go to any of our classes on Monday, (which is hard on him because we have quizzes everyday in English and his micro class takes A L O T of notes).
2. Think of how you would want to be cared for
It's easy to get wrapped up with what all you have to do in the mornings, and the easy option may just be to tell them to lay in bed or help themself around for what they need, just so you can make it on time. We don't have a tv in our bedroom, so I set up our ironing board at the foot of our bed, and brought in 4 DVD's I thought he would enjoy while not feeling well. (He chose The Little Rascals, and then home alone--good picks!)
3. Make sure they eat
That morning I was literally running around trying to make him hot tea and toast, and catering to whatever I could get him before I left for 4 hours (enter dramatic tone here). Even though he only ate half a piece a toast, that was still enough for his stomach to hold in order for him to take some Tylenol. (Not a good idea to take medicine on an empty stomach, especially if you are sick).
4. Sick come first, healthy come second
To me it didn't matter that I didn't get dressed or ready until 9:45 AM for my 10:00 AM class, or that I missed breakfast that morning (which if you know me, is a huge deal, I have to have something on my stomach before I start my day. If I don't, it could result in me passing out. Luckily, I packed a cup of Sunny D to have something in my system). While trying to study for my practical that evening, Keven said he still wasn't feeling well and thought he had a temperature. Well, since we didn't have a thermometer or anything besides Tylenol sinus, I told him I would go pick up a few things (at 10:30 pm might I add). I quickly went to Walmart and got a thermometer, covers, NyQuil, Advil, and a heating pad (his neck was tense). Then after getting him situated, again, I was able to finally continue studying sometime around midnight.
5. Patience, patience, and more patience
If your "patient" is sick for less than 24 hours, you have it made! However, if you are my "patient", you are sick for 8 days (all with different symptoms--who doesn't love a guessing game? not...). Constantly remind yourself that they are feeling worse than you, and are depending on you to get them through this mess. I understand after the __ day that you are sick of asking what they would want to eat, or if they don't answer you because their throat or head is hurting, TRUST ME. But, push through and make sure they are taken care of as best as you can, and then continue with your work, studies, and chores.
6. Reschedule items if needed
I tried to make sure I could get Keven well enough for a test he had later that week, and also for when he worked. However, Tuesday evening did not give any good indication that he would be able to work 8 hours, on his feet and talking to customers. I convinced him to call the night before so they would have plenty of time to find someone to cover his shift. So if your "patient" has any appointments (other than a doctor's), work shifts, or plans, logically think if it is best that they still partake in any one of those, or help them to see why they should reschedule any of them.
I have learned after taking care of Keven for a week that I am not ready for kids! I can only imagine trying to take care of all of us, and what it would be like if 1 gets it and spreads it to the rest of us! (Not looking forward to that) Very thankful I was able to take care of an adult, who if he needed to, could do some things on his own while sick.
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