To run out of sympathy

[PickedaPumpkin]

We’re on day 9 of DP’s flu. He has been properly ill, temperature, coughing, pain, I don’t doubt it. He’s been to the doctors - keep taking fluids and painkillers. He’s been in bed for most of the time, but moves to the sofa when DS2 (9 months) goes to bed in our room. DS1 (7) has a temperature today. He’s coughing in the living room, DP coughing in the bedroom. DS2 and I have just been out for more supplies - everyday there’s been a list of things DP would like to try, but he’s barely eaten any of it, because something somewhere is wrong with it (he’s always like this with food).

So straight off a hectic half-term, I’ve been looking after DP, as well as DC, and trying to work when I can (self-employed). Four hours sleep last night and I think I’m just about done. I am probably being tired and unreasonable but I don’t think I have any sympathy left!

It’s not unusual to not eat with proper flu, the old rhyme was “ starve a fever (flu) feed a cold”. Flu does spread as well, so no surprise your son is showing symptoms. All you can do is just keep going, look after everyone, including yourself, but proper flu is awful, that’s why folks have vaccines. Doesn’t prevent it, but it does help. Child care, work and illness are a big stress, all you can do is try and work together. Keep going, it’s all you can do. Prioritise things, dump non essential tasks.

I’ve got flu currently it’s really horrific. DH has been running around this morning doing all the ferrying of kids back and forth to clubs and only disturbed me to bring me tea and toast and more medication. I know you’re probably just tired OP but try and remember he’s not doing it on purpose (provided he does the same for you when it’s the other way around). Hope he recovers very soon and you get some rest too.

Hope you feel better soon @DillyDallySal !
I know, I’ve never seen him so ill. I think it’s just because the communication is so minimal and to the point, 9 days of being grunted at, and now coughing in stereo, my head feels like it’s about to explode! 🤯

you should start taking zinc and vit d and c supplements and using first defense nasal spray. It will increase your chances of not getting ill with it

Make sure to get the flu jab every year, I have a reminder for October to start looking into booking it otherwise I get a terrible flu every year. Sorry you’re going through this!

Thanks @PickedaPumpkin hope your DH is better very soon too.

No I feel you. DH has health conditions which mean he gets ill easily and it's severe and lasts for ages. He's had a terrible cold that's gone yo his chest and he's been hacking away for several nights.

I'm knackered. But not ill so I keep going.

Oh my goodness! He’s bought himself a stethoscope! It’s just been delivered 😂

If you get the flu, will he wait on you while you stay in bed for 9 days and do all the childcare and cooking? If he would reciprocate, you are probably being a bit unreasonable. If he wouldn't, you wouldn't be unreasonable to be resentful as well as exhausted.

I have full sympathy for flu and similar, I once had pleurisy and pneumonia and it wrecked my health for a year. Happened at university and had to repeat the third year as I’d been so poorly.

But this is fairly insane, it’s definitely falling into ‘man is ill, stop all the clocks’ territory. He just needs to rest, this sort of thing will just cause stress and he’ll take longer to recover. It’s tough for you op, I hope he’s equally good to you and the children when you’re very poorly.

OP if you catch this flu will you be given the same treatment and allowed to rest and recover?

You say he sends you with a list and I'm just worried you're unintentionally burning the candle at both ends as you may end up ill but you also won't have had the chance to rest up or prepare.