How do you cope when badly unwell as a single mum? with

[TotoroElla]

Just looking for any tips and advice.

I currently have Whooping cough. Just for context my GP sent me to hospital when I was diagnosed and they wanted to admit me but I had to get home to my DC. So I have it pretty bad. Awful coughing keeps me awake at night. Every time I go to get up the coughing starts and I am on the verge of fainting (have fainted a couple of times). Then I feel so wobbly walking. I'm so tired and weak and have an awful headache. So I'm really struggling. My DC are 16 and 12.

Complicating factor is 12yo probably caught whooping cough first but just had cold symptoms for a couple of weeks, pretty much ok now but not quite 100%. 16yo I think has it now, hoping he will not develop the cough but he has cold symptoms and very tired/headachy.

I feel so unwell I can't think straight. The house is going to shit. I've only managed to put a load of washing on everyday and hung it to dry a bit at a time. Nothing has been put away. Sink full of dishes. We haven't had dinner quite a bit. Just eating whatever is easy. Although I don't really have an appetite and DS has a reduced appetite. I've done a bit of tidying up but it's so hard when coughing and needing to lie down.

DS would usually do a lot more, but is sleeping lots which I want to encourage to help him recover and hopefully not get the cough. He's done a bit of washing up, wiped kitchen sides and has made food. Put bins out. I don't really want to ask too much of him as he's feeling so unwell. I'm scared of how long this illness is going to go on as it can last for many weeks. I have ordered some takeaways but can't afford too many.

Sorry, this is just a ramble. I don't know if it makes much sense. But any tips would be good.

You have my sympathy, it is desperate with a toddler to look after too.

Re: taxi - really, I didn't know that. I may have to use that. Not sure if DD would be up for it though as she is quite anxious.

I have survived these times a few times .

duvet on the sofa was my go too . Pillows to prop you up a bit .

i am with the freezer food , pot noodles , pizza . Pop in oven set alarm incase you fell asleep . Snacks around - fruit , yogurts so they can grab stuff , chuck a vitamin at them .

hope you are on the mend soon

I have a 12 year old with autism OP and he definitely needs looking after as well so I feel for you x

10 mins each sounds a good idea.

Thank you, that's kind of you to say.

Focus on easy meals /snacks and the bare essentials - laundry and washing dishes. Bins emptied once a day.

Tinned soup and bread, cheese on toast and fresh fruit etc.

If you can, frame it as a chance for some family film/TV time - after a bit of team work to get the essentials done.

Hope you recover quickly - and they sound like great kids. They’ll learn some life skills by the end of this!

You poor thing op. Whooping cough is awful. You must not be sleeping as it gets worse at night. I hate to say it but it is also known as the 100-day cough as it lingers on for so long. Better you know I suppose so that contingencies can be put in place but it’s very hard when you are ill enough to be admitted to hospital. Make sure you check in with the doctors op.

Wishing you well 💐

Any neighbours or friends (yours or DD's) who might help with the school run? I think a lot of people will help if they can in a situation like this.

It's really bloody hard, you will survive but it's tough going. I'm almost out the other end now (older teens) but it's been a grim 14yrs.
My standards had to plummet and I always had to make sure I had everything I needed in the house. Always had medication and food basics, plus ready meals in the freezer. When the dc's were little it was constant TV when I was ill.

I also had to do everything to not get ill in the first place. Really healthy lifestyle, took vits, fresh air, washed hands, never touched door handles, had my own hand towels etc.

I will have to try and find out. But I think most of her friends travel alone.

My DD told her friend that I have Whooping cough today and her mum has offered to take my DD out tomorrow afternoon which is very kind. Felt sorry for her stuck in with her energy coming back. She's actually been full of beans today! Which is lovely to see she has fully recovered but she is also harder work!!

I think I will try to at least have some basics kept aside.

I had Covid and long COVID and since then my health has gone to shit. I have an under-active thyroid, pernicious anemia and chronic low iron. I catch everything! I've really tried to build my health back up but still struggling.

This illness is scaring me more than anything else. It feels awful to be almost losing consciousness so frequently. When I walk my legs feel jerky and my arms too...not sure if I'm describing it right.