Today is actually my first day back in the office. Late last week, I started feeling pretty crummy and ended up leaving work early. I just didn't feel like myself and wish I had stayed home. Well, turns out I had the flu! How could this be? I got the flu shot last November. It took me THREE visits to the health unit before I mustered up the courage to get it because I DO NOT like needles. All that and I still got the flu? I feel duped! I have gotten the shot 3 times and 2 out of those 3 times, I have gotten the flu.
And yeah yeah...the media is reporting that "this is the first year they were so off with the predicted strain of virus." Ah huh...whatever! I am SERIOUSLY considering NOT getting it ever again. And if we do go for #3, I intend to plan my pregnancy around flu season to avoid taking it. Yes, it is THAT serious!
Anyways, my sweet baby girl JOE got it from me :-(. On Friday evening, she started coughing and had a runny nose and by Saturday night she had a 102.5 degree temperature. Needless to say, that scared us! So off to the pediatrician we went on Sunday. So thankful that her pediatrician has Sunday hours. Anyways, her temperature was down to 99.9 when we got there. Yay!!! It was going in the right direction. She tested positive for Flu A. My OB put me on Tamiflu and JOE's pediatrician put her on the same. Different doses of course.
For the record, that thing tastes NASTY!!! It took A LOT of energy just to get JOE to take it. Mary Poppins had no clue what she was saying when she said "just a spoon full of sugar makes the medicine go down!" We bribed with skittles (JOE's favorite candy) and M&Ms and none of them helped.
Here's my baby girl finally getting some much needed rest in my arms. I wasn't feeling well but having her cuddle up to me gave me reassurance that we'll be OK.
I have been seriously craving my mom's cooking and different Nigerian dishes but I don't have anyone close by to make any of these dishes for me so oftentimes, it has to wait until I can make them.
On Sunday, when I started gaining a little more strength, I decided to make some Egusi soup. It is a Nigerian soup made with greens of your choice (I used spinach), ground melon seeds, assorted meats and spices.
The soup was a hit! JOE loved it and said "hmmm...yummy in my tummy" while rubbing her tummy. She definitely inherited her mom's Nigerian taste buds :-).
Here's a bowl of JOE's soup. I couldn't eat anything because I am still heavily congested so I had cream of chicken soup for dinner. My taste buds are still off and I can't smell or taste much. J even had to taste this soup because I didn't know what additional spices it might need.
After almost 5-days of dreading it, I had to do JOE's hair. I didn't want to wash her hair during the height of her being sick so I waited until last night to do it. It was a tangled mess and took over an hour after co-washing to detangle it. YIKES! I was so tired afterwards, this was all I could do before calling it a day.
My baby is FINALLY starting to feel better. She is playing and jumping and eating more. I love seeing her back to her almost normal self. Now that annoying pesky cough just needs to go go go away!
The OK thing about having the flu is the weight loss. By Monday, I had lost 6-lbs since my last OB appointment (last Monday) and by yesterday, I had lost 2 more! Who knew I could lose 8-lbs in a little over a week? As of today, I am now at a deficit of 2-lbs for pregnancy weight gain. I am not too too concerned. I still have about 10-weeks to gain some of it back :-). Not complaining though. I figured the less I put on, the less I have to take off. And my OB says I am measuring right on track so no worries there.
Anyways, I had this as my meal of the day yesterday. This is a traditional Nigerian meal. It is Eba and Egusi. Eba is ground cassava prepared with hot water. I feel like I am making progress as far as eating more. I'll take that.
My after lunch entertainment was my little baby girl playing the xylophone and piano she received for Christmas. Notice how she even combined singing with her performance? Yup...a girl of many talents. Enjoy!
January has been a bit of a trying month but I am also thankful for so many other blessings. For one, the month of February will usher me into a new job (more on that later) and I am looking forward to enjoying the last few months of my pregnancy.
For those in the Northeast US, hope you're staying warm and safe. For everyone, have a fabulous week!
FWIW. I have never had a flu shot and haven't had the flu since I was 14. I just don't trust them.
ReplyDeleteExactly what I mean! My theory (I know, me and conspiracy theories) is that the makers of Tamiflu decided this was the year to up their profits. I am definitely NOT getting it again next year. This is some bull. I hadn't felt this sick since I was in college and that was YEARS ago.
DeleteCute video! :) I have never had the flu shot and in my 30 years I can only remember once and a possible second time getting the flu. I agree with your sentiments...lol!
ReplyDeleteI also came down with the flu. And I got to witness this historic snowfall from my bed. We got around 3 feet of snow and we've been out of school for 2 days. Happy to see that you're feeling better and love the pics of JOE.
ReplyDeleteAwwww bless hope you guys are better in no time! Aj and I had the flu jab as well and although we haven't had the flu, I've had a number of cold symptoms! Not great but considering hubby had the flu its a good thing Aj & I didn't get it! Lets pray it stays that way! I think for me my consolation is it's passing on the vaccine to the unborn baby as well so it'd help in those early days when they could still be vulnerable - at least that's what i keep telling myself!
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you and Joe are feeling better. I haven't had the flu in years, but I remember being miserable for days when it hit me. I loved the video of Joe singing and playing your instruments. That was too cute... :)
ReplyDeleteGlad you are all feeling better! There's nothing like traditional meals...glad you enjoyed yours!!
ReplyDeleteHey J,
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear that you guys were not feeling well. Man, there is so much flu going around it's crazy. I am glad you are on the mend. Take good care of you and JOE