to not went to spend another Xmas being treated like a bloody leper!

[Undercovasanta]

EVERY single Xmas I get a really bad cold, which without fail appears a day or two before Xmas day. I wake up this morning absolutely full up with cold, and have spent the last few hours coughing and spluttering around the house, still trying to do the festive things I promised my DD we'd do (biscuit making, present packing etc).

I know there's nothing I can do about the fact that I have a bad cold, and I fully plan to spend the whole of Xmas downing honey and lemon and sudafed. BUT every year I have the same problem with the family get togethers.

We meet up with extended family on 26th, 27th and 28th Dec. All seperate 'parties' that are organised by my parents (2 or them) and my FIL (1 of them).

Now I kind of have to go to the parties (and I WANT to go). But my mum always insists on ringing everyone else whos coming to tell them I have a cold. And then tells me its probably best if I don't sit to close to anyone, especially the older people. My FIL always treats me like I have the dreaded lurgy, and keeps exclaiming loudly that I'm not to breathe over him! I spend the whole of Xmas cowering in the corner. I'm surprised noone actually hangs an 'unclean' sign on me!

I am so fed up with having a bloody cold every Xmas (I'm sure its cos I get run down due to rushing around trying to do everything). But I am EVEN more fed up with being made to feel like a leper by my close family. Its only a cold FFS!

AIBU to not want to be treated like a leper? Can't people just accept that people have colds in the winter!

YABU especially this year, everybody will wonder if you have the flu or not (they probably did the last years too). The old people can be very knock down by a cold, and you should understand why they have to be warned (they might have some treatments or other diseases that required isolement from potential infection). My grand mother used to have a chronic leucemia and we had to stay away if we had a cold.
Why not buying one of those prevention mask, not very pretty but at least people will find it easier to sit next to you?
I understand you feel rubbish, and the fact that it comes every year is a PITA. At least it will be gone for NY parties you can enjoy those...
Good luck and merry Xmas

How strange that you get it every year.

I don't know, I think people are overreacting about it and that must be annoying but you do have to be careful re oldies and colds because it can be worse for them.

Mamaloco - do you really think you should wear a prevention mask for a cold!?

IMLH - yes it is wierd. Just remembered though that 2 years ago I didn't have a cold, but my Dsis did. The same leper situation happened to her!

BTW, just rang my mum to tell her about my cold and her first words were 'oh god what are we going to do about the parties - how awkward!'.

She didn't really ask how I was feeling or sympathise that I am looking after DCs, and trying to keep in the festive spirit anyway!!

I wouldn't tell her next year - just turn up with a cold and deny it when anyone asks if you have one.

There was an article in the paper yesterday about a poor woman who was ill every Christmas for years. It turned out that she is allergic to Christmas trees.

Just a thought. A severe allergic rhinitis can be worse than a really bad cold, with identical symptoms.

Do you think you could be allergic to something that you are only exposed to a couple of days before Christmas?

I agree don't tell them.

Next year get yourself dosed up with vitamins and see if that helps with keeping it at bay.

ROFL @ rocking up looking like michael jackon tribute act in face mask

And thinking about it I'm not sure that one of those would make people feel more comfortable. They would assume she had something like TB, and/or was certifiably insane

PMSL re. Michael Jackson tribute act.
I think you're right ISNT. It would just make people run for the hills. I am thinking about just hanging a sign round my neck and ringing a bell like they did during the plague.

Spoke to my mum again this evening. She said she had not yet informed anyone of my terrible illness cold so as not to worry them! She has still to ask me how I am feeling and to sympathise with me in anyway. Grr!

hahahahahahahaha at the mask
Such a great christmas look

I hope mamaloco was joking

Tell them you don't have a cold, it's just withdrawal from the cracky cocaine and the herro-weene. That'll shut 'em up.

Lol, dd has a cough and a bit of a cold and we had decided not to tell in-laws in case they uninvited us. They popped round tonight and she did one of those "snot everywhere" sneezes so the cat is out of the bag. We still have our invite though.

Perhaps I could hermetically (sp) seal myself into a large santa sack, and sit behind the Xmas tree for the duration. That would probably please everyone. Alternatively I could go for a 'no room at the inn' style lurk outside the window.

BTW at incorrect spelling in thread title!

Why dont you take some flu remedy thingies. They will stop you sneezing and spluttering long enough for a party. Then you can go home after and be ill.

I don't know if you are being unreasonable or not as I don't know you.
My DSS gets a cold or stomach bug about every 4-6 weeks. However, I have NO sympathy for him as he refuses to eat any fruit or vegetables. He is 18 years old.
He is always coughing and spluttering and I find it a complete pain in the arse.
When it comes to health, you have to take some responsibility.

If you get a cold EVERY Christmas, it's time to talk to your doctor about it.

Take some cold/flu medicine that will mask your symptoms for a few hours. Don't attend any functions longer than that because you obviously need some rest.

In the future, NEVER EVER mention your illness ahead of time. You can always cancel at the last minute if you're truly too ill to attend.