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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Pissed off - I am ill on Christmas day, again

54 replies

FlemCandango · 25/12/2023 08:23

It has happened so often that it is a joke or a cliché.

I am in bed coughing my guts up, feeling like crap. I have postponed Xmas dinner to tomorrow to give me a chance to recover. Over the years I have had mastitis, then various chest infections on or around Christmas.

This year I was fighting the idea "it's just a cold" but I started this hacking painful cough yesterday and I couldn't do anything remotely active without an accompanying coughing fit. No one wants that person to prepare their Christmas dinner. No one else has the level of cooking skills to do it without me involved. The in laws have been put off for the day, dh slept on the sofa bless him.

I am hacked off and my throat hurts and I want to be hungry (currently no appetite) and I really enjoy my roast (veggie style). Ugh, I hope everyone else is feeling fighting fit this morning. Merry ruddy Christmas

On the plus side the kids (3 aged 15 to 19) have been lovely. Braving the shops, making dinner, making the gingerbread house tidying up. They are super stars. Dh also very supportive. But I am tired of this.

OP posts:
Floralsofa · 25/12/2023 08:25

DH had similar, was better for two days and then as of 5am this morning has norovirus. You have my sympathies, it's rubbish.

seenisambol · 25/12/2023 08:26

I'm the same as you. Was in bed all day yesterday as I felt so awful and was really hoping I'd wake up magically fine today. No luck. My WhatsApp is already filling up with photos of everyone's lovely Christmas mornings and I can't even face getting out of bed😞

FuzzyPuffling · 25/12/2023 08:35

Me too. I'm 6 days in and still awful. All festivities cancelled- it's as much as I can do to totter out of bed to the loo.

Love to all fellow sufferers.

drowningintinsel · 25/12/2023 08:37

I am also poorly. Not confined to bed but under the weather. No appetite and can't taste anything! It's horrible and happens every Christmas to me! I
Hope you get some rest. That will help you recover quicker!

sorrynotathome · 25/12/2023 08:40

I think it's a bit like teachers who get ill every school holiday. You work yourself into the ground through the pre-Christmas madness to get everything done, then as soon as you relax (or contemplate relaxing), your body realises that it's time to succumb to every germ available. Hope you feel better soon - more lemsip and alcohol should help.

Original poster
FlemCandango · 25/12/2023 08:42

You all have my sympathies. It is a horrible time to be ill. I will ignore social media. Currently trying to work out when to do gift opening and looking forward to my breakfast of cold & flu tablets with a glass of water and lemon and ginger tea. So festive

OP posts:
FatherDickByrne · 25/12/2023 08:45

Teacher here. Got a migraine yesterday morning and another in the middle of the night (they usually come after I finally relax). So that’s Christmas buggered then 🙄

Hopingforno2in2024 · 25/12/2023 08:48

I got ill 1 week and 6 days ago and am still feeling pants. Am well enough to be up and about but feeling very miserable.

sparepantsandtoothbrush · 25/12/2023 08:48

No one else has the level of cooking skills to do it without me involved

Your DH and your 19 year old can't cook a roast??

I hope you feel better soon though. Being unwell on Christmas day is the worst!

IKnowAPlace · 25/12/2023 08:49

I'll join your club - had a breakfast of lemsip after about three hours of sleep. Hope I can face a shower after a nap!

Take it easy 💐

nevertrustanyoneagain · 25/12/2023 08:55

I have a uti. The worst seasonal affective disorder bout and fibro bout I have ever had. Major surgery in a few weeks. Lost a crown from my mouth. Sod off Christmas

Musiclover234 · 25/12/2023 09:10

I work in a hospital. Proper flu is doing the rounds atm so it could explain while you feel so bad. Rest. Get well soon

Icepop79 · 25/12/2023 09:11

Same. It’s become a standing joke that I’ll get ill at Christmas. Sure enough, felt gritty yesterday and the hacking cough started overnight.

Original poster
FlemCandango · 25/12/2023 09:14

nevertrustanyoneagain · 25/12/2023 08:55

I have a uti. The worst seasonal affective disorder bout and fibro bout I have ever had. Major surgery in a few weeks. Lost a crown from my mouth. Sod off Christmas

Lordy you poor thing. I hope you are being looked after and that your crown is replaced soon and your surgery goes as well as possible. You have far too much to deal with.

I am resorting to a steamy bath to try loosen up my cough. I was working full time until 21st and definitely fell over the finish line. It has been a hell of a year. Not a teacher in a charity working with people in crisis, line management is the real test of my sanity though and it has been challenging. So not surprised I am vulnerable to any opportunistic virus

On the cooking front DH has many wonderful qualities but cooking is not one, 19 yo is good at cooking the 3 or 4 things he will eat (Autistic), and did a grand job making pizzas from scratch for everyone but will be no good with food he won't touch. His Christmas dinner is a pizza he makes himself, that is fine by me. So everyone is helping to their own capacity. I don't want Christmas dinner till I can taste it.

OP posts:
Hospitalshmospital · 25/12/2023 09:19

I'll join. Been on antibiotics for the past 4 weeks, in hospital for 4 days with colitis. Finally beginning to feel better then 2 days ago got the worst d&v bug I've ever had. Not capable of doing anything for Christmas & also not wanting anyone else to catch this. Thankfully dc are in their 20s & more than capable of fending for themselves. Hope everyone has the best day they possibly can, rest up & let everyone else do the work 💐

SecondHandFurniture · 25/12/2023 09:19

Normally I have a chest infection or flu but this year it's DH. He came down for DS to open presents then promptly fainted, so I'm now sitting on the floor with DS in a pile of wrapping paper and wondering if we should sack off dinner til tomorrow and cancel visiting family for New Year. Merry Bloody Christmas.

RedSnail · 25/12/2023 09:23

It’s chopping some veg up and putting it in the oven / a pan, not master chef. Don’t make the rest of your family miss out on their roast because you’re ill. Talk them through it. Videocall them from your bed if they need help. If kids are 15-19 they need to learn to cook and I’m sure they’ll be proud of themselves for stepping up. Have another roast for new year when you’re better.

testedorgan · 25/12/2023 09:24

I started getting sick yesterday and now feeling terrible today. It's typical - I haven't been sick since spring! I was sick last Christmas too. Trying to stick a smile on but feeling very sorry for myself.

Hope you're feeling better soon OP.

Seeline · 25/12/2023 09:38

I'll join too. Had a bad back for about a month and that has upset my knee now. So prepping for Christmas has been hard in terms of shopping and housework.
Last couple of days I've had a tight chest and a niggling cough. Woken up this morning feeling rough with no voice at all. Luckily my DH is very capable and can sort most of it. But worried about the 2 mid-80s grannies coming, but don't think there's much alternative at this stage.
The uni-age kids are going to have to step up and do stuff. Amazes me they can completely look after themselves during term time and as soon as they come for the holidays they seem to forget how to do anything domestic.

Hope everyone feels better soon.

Original poster
FlemCandango · 25/12/2023 09:41

RedSnail · 25/12/2023 09:23

It’s chopping some veg up and putting it in the oven / a pan, not master chef. Don’t make the rest of your family miss out on their roast because you’re ill. Talk them through it. Videocall them from your bed if they need help. If kids are 15-19 they need to learn to cook and I’m sure they’ll be proud of themselves for stepping up. Have another roast for new year when you’re better.

Ha thank you for that, cheered me up. But no will not be happening. 2 autistic teens, one with ADHD lots of anxiety about change. This is not the time to throw them into some kitchen challenges. I have some complex recipes so not a simple thing (mushroom wellington is quite tricky) waiting a day or two is way preferable for me and them. We will do all we can today and what we can't do, will wait till later in the week.

They are stepping up and making things they are familiar with.

OP posts:
Lampzade · 25/12/2023 09:44

FlemCandango · 25/12/2023 08:23

It has happened so often that it is a joke or a cliché.

I am in bed coughing my guts up, feeling like crap. I have postponed Xmas dinner to tomorrow to give me a chance to recover. Over the years I have had mastitis, then various chest infections on or around Christmas.

This year I was fighting the idea "it's just a cold" but I started this hacking painful cough yesterday and I couldn't do anything remotely active without an accompanying coughing fit. No one wants that person to prepare their Christmas dinner. No one else has the level of cooking skills to do it without me involved. The in laws have been put off for the day, dh slept on the sofa bless him.

I am hacked off and my throat hurts and I want to be hungry (currently no appetite) and I really enjoy my roast (veggie style). Ugh, I hope everyone else is feeling fighting fit this morning. Merry ruddy Christmas

On the plus side the kids (3 aged 15 to 19) have been lovely. Braving the shops, making dinner, making the gingerbread house tidying up. They are super stars. Dh also very supportive. But I am tired of this.

I sympathise. I have COVID and feel bloody awful.

Thejackrussellsrule · 25/12/2023 09:57

Same here, I've coughed so much that I'm sick of listening to me!

Fortunately, DH made a call on Saturday and told mum and dad we wouldn't be able to host, it's taken the pressure right off.

Currently sat in bed with a cup of tea, a bix if chocolate fingers and 2 Jack Russells!

I have a vague plan to chuck the turkey in the oven later, fortunately I did a bit of pre-prepping, so not much else to do.

Thinking of cheese, biscuits and alcohol at lunchtime.

Turmerictolly · 25/12/2023 10:00

Sympathies to all. I have a bad back made worse from a long journey over the past few days. I can barely stand and am in a lot of pain. I've taken painkillers and am waiting for them to kick in to take the edge off. Why does it happen at Christmas!

intergalacticplanetary · 25/12/2023 10:16

Food poisoning here from a meal out last night. Spent all night hugging the toilet bowl. Luckily it's only me feeling like shit and kids are fine. Feeling sorry for myself though 😭

Hope everyone else feels better soon 🤗

MegBusset · 25/12/2023 10:24

I’m in bed with noro too! Luckily DC are teens so unlikely to be too bothered by delaying everything for a day or two. Sympathy to everyone feeling ill, rest up as much as you can!