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Original poster

Feel like death (cold/flu), have to fly home from a funeral tomorrow

45 replies

flipperdoda · 04/10/2022 03:43

Literally just need sympathy and a response from anyone awake!

Grandma's funeral yesterday. I have the cold from hell - blocked up, thumping head, occasional earache, throat is swollen and achy and cough-y, I (clearly) can barely sleep. Genuinely feel so generally ill/exhausted that I feel nauseous. Managed most of yesterday with breaks in bed.

I have to get up in 2 hours, drive a hire car 1.5hours, return it, check in for flight, find some sort of food as a coeliac sufferer in an airport (frankly, always miserable even if feeling 100%), fly home (within UK so not terrible) then thankfully I live near the airport.

I am glad I came to support my parent but fucking hell I feel awful right now and wish I was at home. The worst thing is I know I'll make it home etc etc but I'm still going to feel like shit warmed up for a few days!

I have cold and flu medication, and ibuprofen, and cough sweets. I'm dosed up to my eyeballs during the day.

To top it off my period started totally unexpectedly last night and I have a condition meaning it's generally heavy and painful.

Please indulge a woman feeling very sorry for herself right now!

OP posts:
Original poster
flipperdoda · 04/10/2022 03:44

Well, I suppose technically I'm flying today not tomorrow given that it's nearly 4am!

Think I'm trying to pretend I'll get some sleep...

OP posts:
BasiliskStare · 04/10/2022 03:55

@flipperdoda 😦Consider yourself indulged - that sounds rubbish all round and no point pretending not. Just count the hours and get home and under the duvet - but when this has passed you will be glad you got through it it to support your parent ( & so will they ) Ah - I shall think of you and all best . Keep up all the dosages and concentrate on getting home . All very best to you flipper , Basilisk x

Original poster
flipperdoda · 04/10/2022 04:01

So grateful for your response! I'm staying with family and they're all asleep (I hope I haven't woken them with coughing and blowing my nose anyway) so feeling pretty alone in being awake despite that obviously not being true. Thank you. It is just rubbish isn't it!

I should be home in about 8-9 hours, which is doable. Miserable - but doable.

My parent was very grateful I came, which helps make up for the rotten-ness!

Thanks again for responding. I know I should try and rest, but having been awake since 2am hearing from someone is better than rest!

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Original poster
flipperdoda · 04/10/2022 04:37

I've had a cereal bar, trying to drink water, and found somewhere that can feed me a (hopefully safe) gf breakfast in the airport later. I can always try and sleep on the plane...

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CuriousMama · 04/10/2022 04:46

That's awful you poor love. Will you be able to take time off when home?
Dose yourself up in vitamins and as nutritious food as possible. Lots of fluids to help with the mucus.
Is there anyone who can help care for you at home?

CalmingRoseQuartz · 04/10/2022 04:48

Oh, you poor love.
No wonder you feel so rough. That's one hell of a lot to be battling, on all fronts.

Sorry for the loss of your Grandmother Flowers

You should feel really proud of yourself for getting through all this in spite of such challenging circumstances.
I send you a virtual soothing hot water bottle, and hope that the journey home goes as smoothly and quickly as possible. x

Original poster
flipperdoda · 04/10/2022 04:51

I am on annual leave today and at this rate am expecting to be off sick at least on Wednesday so yes to taking time off. No kids (despite being on here!) and yes a partner at home who will look after me (he's just at the tail end of this bug so will also be 100% sympathetic, he felt so sorry for me that I had to travel with it!). Space to put a spare mattress down in a separate room too so we can sleep separately to reduce disturbances (for him) and guilt/trying to stay quiet (for me). It'll be a lot better once home. Just feels like a minefield getting there - if I had much choice in the matter I really wouldn't try to drive on this lack of sleep [grimace]

Fluids is a funny one, I generally drink tons of water every day but it's making me feel sick so having to force it down!

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Original poster
flipperdoda · 04/10/2022 04:52

Grimace clearly isn't a thing, I meant this!😬

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BasiliskStare · 04/10/2022 04:54

@flipperdoda - make sure you drive safely to the airport even if you annoy people by driving too slowly . I would say take a taxi if that is affordable if you can get the hire car picked up. But whatever - keep safe & once you are at the airport if you can get gf breakfast and a kip on the plane so much to the good. I do think that sometimes there are rubbish episodes on one's life but they do not last for ever. Once you get home and cosy you will feel a great deal better . & how lovely your parent was grateful. You may ( just may ) laugh about this episode in time ) Not today & maybe not tomorrow. but perhaps in the not too distant future. I shall think of you and Let me know when you are safely home 💐

BCBird · 04/10/2022 04:54

Big virtual hand hold. It awful when you are unwell, top that off with the funeral, responsibility of driving, the journey and bereavement, well what an awful catalogue of events. It lonely when everyone is asleep and you are awake. I hope you are soon home lounging in a hot bath, with a cup of tea and a family sized gluten free chocolate bar. I'm.gluten free myself. Ooh and soon to be in fluffy pjs. Take care

Original poster
flipperdoda · 04/10/2022 04:54

Thank you, virtual hot water bottle is a good idea! Hoping the flight will be on time as it's a morning one (unlike the one out which was delayed).

I am sad but I wasn't very close to my grandparent so I'm sort of relieved I don't have the crushing grief I might have if it was someone closer. Naturally, I then feel guilty for that! Bonkers eh.

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lemmein · 04/10/2022 04:58

Aw op, that sounds like a really shitty day you've got ahead of you - poor thing 😕 I remember a few years ago being in Gran Canaria and on the last day I got a UTI and felt really poorly. Waiting around all day for the flight made me want to cry (infact I did - several times!) so I get ya; it's really shit when you just want your own bed.

I hope it all goes smoothly and isn't as bad as you're anticipating. Do you think you'll be safe to drive?

Really feel for ya - so sorry for your loss Flowers

Original poster
flipperdoda · 04/10/2022 04:58

Thank you both! Yes I suspect this will be a story one day. I have to drive, there's unfortunately no way around it. I will be safe, and if I need to have a break I'll have a break. I'm just knackered!

A hot bath sounds pretty glorious right now, as do fluffy PJs.

I was due to set off at 6 but I think I'm going to go earlier, half 5 or so - can't go too early as need the car rental place to open but I'd rather get the drive done and dusted (and likely with less traffic) even if it means sitting in an airport for much longer than necessary.

OP posts:
CalmingRoseQuartz · 04/10/2022 04:59

If you have access to your relative's freezer compartment, might sucking some crushed ice cubes be an alternative way to hydrate?

Original poster
flipperdoda · 04/10/2022 05:01

I'll be safe to drive - easy route, shouldn't be too much traffic, I'll have tonnes of spare time so can stop if needed, and I can focus if needed for a bit - managed a funeral, burial, and wake yesterday! - I just crash (sleep wise, not car wise!) after. If I had any concerns about safety I would be madly figuring something else out - it's more of a "if anyone else could drive I 100% would not be doing this, but I can and will because I need to"

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Panticus · 04/10/2022 05:03

You poor thing, that sounds miserable. Not to try scare you but the last time I flew with a bad head cold the ear pain on the descent was excruciating. Take some gum and pop some decongestants before you fly.

Original poster
flipperdoda · 04/10/2022 05:06

Yup, ear pain is one of my main dreads! Wasn't great on the way out but not as bad as yours sounds! Don't worry it was already in my mind 🤣 can't stand gum but I do have haribo... And the cold and flu tabs have decongestant stuff in them, I think. Just took some in preparation for getting up soon, they should kick in in the car.

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BasiliskStare · 04/10/2022 05:07

Drive safely & let us all know when you get home. I am old enough to have flown on a non com pressurised plane. With ear ache. Boiled sweets are your friend - they used to hand them out. I suspect similar to @Panticus 's idea of gum.

BasiliskStare · 04/10/2022 05:09

@flipperdoda If you don't like gum then boiled sweets or Haribo may work - similar sort of thing - Ach - if only we could follow you on FlightRadar - it is like a hand hold in the sky - I used to do this with DS.

Original poster
flipperdoda · 04/10/2022 05:11

Oooof non pressurised plane and earache sounds like a horrendous combination!

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Original poster
flipperdoda · 04/10/2022 05:12

I feel like I've got a group of supportive strangers holding my hand already, thank you!! So lovely to be able to get support from people who are awake.

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CuriousMama · 04/10/2022 05:16

Yes we're here for you 💐🙏
I had one of those horrendous colds earlier in the year. I hope it clears soon as it's dreadful. You're doing well being able to drive.
Tell us when you're safely tucked up in bed.

Original poster
flipperdoda · 04/10/2022 05:20

Thank you, I'd forgotten how rotten a "basic" common cold can make you feel!

It's funny - in some ways all I want is to be tucked up in bed, but I've been tucked up in bed (albeit not my own) since 2am unable to sleep and wanting to be up out of bed! Every time I fully lie down my nose ruins any hope of rest.

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BasiliskStare · 04/10/2022 05:27

I don't know if this will make you feel better or not but I once read an anecdote about the difference between a cold and flue. If you have a cold and you saw a £20 note on the opposite pavement you might go over and pick it up. If you have flue and you saw a £50 note on the pavement in front of you , you would not be bothered to bend down and pick it up. Not sure how that helps you @flipperdoda but hope it affords you a smile. & yes just a basic cold can make you feel wretched , more than you would think , All best to you x

Whiskeypowers · 04/10/2022 05:30

Lemsip max is your friend in this situation
safe travels