We’ll be taking a break from our scheduled post on my pre-teen date angst to discuss “the ick.” I have the ick. It seems to be going around. If you wonder if you have it- you can take this short test.
Sitting next to you there is:
- a spread of over the counter medications that is larger than most pharmacies
- a sculpture created entirely from used crusty tissues
- your first draft of your last will and testament just in case
- all the above
When you start coughing:
- you have difficulty stopping
- people near you move away as if you were a leper
- chunks of your own lung fly out
- all the above
When you wake up in the morning:
- you feel as if you were run over by a vehicle
- you feel as if you were run over by a large truck
- you feel as if you the truck backed up and ran over you again repeatedly, then the driver got out and kicked the thin limp form that was left
- all the above
Your nose:
- is red and chapped from blowing it repeatedly
- produces a fluid that is similar to glue
- leaks enough snot to drown small children or animals
- all the above
After waking from a nap you:
- still feel tired
- wonder if you can get up
- feel it would be a good time to take another nap
- all the above
If you answered “4” to most of these questions I regret to inform you- you have the ick. It isn’t clear yet if there is a cure. It is touch and go at the moment.
What do you do to make yourself feel better when you are sick?
I don’t have the ick, but I so feel for you that I am willing to fake that I have the ick. *cough*
I am a baby when I’m sick. Either that or really grouchy. Fortunately my family understands and opts to baby me, rather than risk my inner grouch emerging. Lots of time under the covers, resting, is the best cure for me.
*hack*
Get better soon!
Poor you! Get better soon. Or at least start making a portfolio for your sculptures. You just never know what will be the next big thing.
Oh, poor Eileen! There’s definitely something going around. I think I had it in December (we call that “Patient X”), so I’m really hoping it doesn’t wallop me again.
Feel better!
Sounds like someone didn’t get a flu shot. (In a country with taxpayer funded medical care, that sounds like somone passed up a freebe that they shouldn’t have.) Your mom and I will keep you in our prayers. (At least as long as you are around — Sounds like you got it and got it GOOD!!)
My sympathy as well, Eileen, but I’m also sharing a tea recipe that should make you feel better:
Ginger Lemon Tea
Ingredients — 4 lemons; one fresh ginger root; orange juice.
Directions — Squeeze the lemon juice into a large pot, add about 8 cups of water and about 4-5 Tablespoons diced ginger. Bring to a boil, lower heat and simmer with the lid half on for approximately 45 minutes. Turn off the heat, add a cup of orange juice and enough sugar to keep your lips from puckering (perhaps 1/4 cup — add a little at a time and keep testing it). Also, you can adjust any of these amounts to taste, including more orange juice and more or less ginger. Keep it in the fridge and microwave a fresh cup throughout the day.
What do I do when I have The Ick?
1. Eat everything I can get my hands on (got to keep my strength up)
2. Sleep as often as possible (got to get my rest)
3. Take long hot baths (got to keep the goo from crusting up inside head)
4. Repeat previous steps in rapid succession
The ginger tea is AMAZING. The rest of you should jot that down. For the record I did get my flu shot. Ahem And yes it was covered.
When I have the ick, esp. with cough, my remedy of choice is a honey/lemon/whiskey tea…. right before bed (heavy on the whiskey). It might not make you feel all that much better, but for a while you don’t care.
Ooooh, Eileen, I feel so bad for you. The ick is just the worst, isn’t it? Use Kleenex with lotion in it, eat tubs of ice cream, and get daily massages. None of them will make the ick finish its business and move on quicker, but life will be much nicer while it’s visiting.
Take care of yourself, girl! 🙂
Aw, Eileen. Get better, soon. (and keep the ick on your side of the country)
Do what judy said only hold the honey/lemon and go for the whiskey.
Massages…yup!
Sleep…double yup!
Get better soon.
Oh, you summed it up so well. One other recommendation: Rooibos tea, which has zillions of antioxidants (not that I actually completely understand what those are) and no caffeine, so napping schedules need not be tampered with…
So sorry you have this damnable flu, Eileen. My daughter had it this week and I’ve been battling the enemy with every weapon at my disposal. I find copious amounts of vitamin C do the trick, but once you’ve got it, the only thing is to ride it out with flu tea. I get mine at the local health food store. Certain herbs do help ease the pain. At least it’s an excuse to read in bed.
The ick is icky. My little one has been sick all week with it and now that she’s getting better, I seem to be catching it. Larramie’s tea sounds amazing. I think I’ll have to cook up a batch. Hope you’re feeling better, Eileen!
I have the ick too, and I hate to say that it is a multi-day extravaganza of all you listed in the post … going on about eight days for me. However, today I finally feel somewhat normal again. And, yep, I got the flu shot too.