Hi Team!
I DID IT!!! I survived going back to work today. Sort of. (sort of survived and sort of went back to work!) I went back for only my pm shift. And my brain would not engage. I had to do the month end paperwork that I would have completed and turned in Monday morning had I been there. I spent my entire pm shift doing nothing but the paperwork that normally takes 20 minutes and tallying the fundraiser. 53 items were sold in our fundraiser. The paperwork should have taken 1/2 hour, at the VERY most. I spent 4 hours on those two small tasks and then stayed an hour after work to finish it. I guess I wasn't quite ready to go back. On the way home from work I realized why the paperwork had been so hard.
I was listening to my favorite song, "It's Not My Time" by 3 Doors Down while I was driving home. Not ony was driving difficult, the song creeped me out! It was like the words didn't go with the music, like the timing was off. My brain could not handle it at all! It was very weird. No wonder I couldn't handle the paperwork!
I can sleep in tomorrow. I am going to work, but again only for the pm shift. And I won't have to go to a meeting first like I did today. And I won't have ANY paperwork to do. It is a good thing I have such an AWESOME staff!! They really held things together today, and while I was gone too.
Coach Alex became Doc. Alex for a time today. After chatting with me this morning about how I was doing, she called me back to tell me that althought he weather looked pretty ominous outside, the wind was warm. She prescribed a "big, hot, handsome..." (I thought she might say fireman LOL -just kidding)"...cup of tea" to take outside and sit on the porch with and take in some air. I took a nice hot cup of tea and a big hot handsome hubby with me instead! HEAVEN!!! It was wonderful! Thanks DOC!
I took Pete to work with me today. He went in service at about noon and just went out of service at 9:15 tonight (five min. ago). He logged in 4,115 steps! Not too bad for someone who spent most of the afternoon doing paperwork! Good job Pete! Thanks for behaving today.
I have had my two quarts of fluids today, mostly in the form of tea. I did not purposely exercise, because I am still recovering but I am looking forward to when I can get back into my routine. I miss it. ME! I MISS exercising!! Can you BELIEVE it? I can't! I am AMAZED!
On another positive note, the boss and I talked and I AM taking my vacation as planned! YAY ME! God is SO good!
I'll write at you again tomorrow!
Stay Safe!
Hotflash out.
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Report From Ladder Company 40 -Day 52
Hi Team!
Well, I am officially on the mend. I feel about 85% human. I no longer wish that somebody would run me over with the tiller, (though I am still a little disappointed that nobody stepped up when I needed it!)
I am still pretty weak and my chest still burns sometimes. THere is still some congestion but no coughing, sneezing, runny nose or fever so I am going to go to work this afternoon. (Today is really day 53- I am posting a day late again).
Thanks to those of you who sent encouragement and prayed for me. Please keep my son in your prayers as he is still a VERY sick boy. We spent most of day 52 fighting fire -the fire that was his fever of 103.6!
As of 10:30 last night his fever was down and it has stayed down since, Thank God! Mr. Hotflash is staying home with him this afternoon so I can work a few hours.
I have to say, my blog supporters and all my "family" from the Crusty Old Jakes have really sustained me and kept me going through all of this. They have been very supportive and kept me surrounded in comic relief. It is the best medicine I know. In fact I have my son watching Jerry Lewis in The Disorderly Orderly right now. :D
I will try to post Day 53 (which is really today) before I go to bed tonight.
Until later,
Stay well and stay safe!
Hotflash out
Well, I am officially on the mend. I feel about 85% human. I no longer wish that somebody would run me over with the tiller, (though I am still a little disappointed that nobody stepped up when I needed it!)
I am still pretty weak and my chest still burns sometimes. THere is still some congestion but no coughing, sneezing, runny nose or fever so I am going to go to work this afternoon. (Today is really day 53- I am posting a day late again).
Thanks to those of you who sent encouragement and prayed for me. Please keep my son in your prayers as he is still a VERY sick boy. We spent most of day 52 fighting fire -the fire that was his fever of 103.6!
As of 10:30 last night his fever was down and it has stayed down since, Thank God! Mr. Hotflash is staying home with him this afternoon so I can work a few hours.
I have to say, my blog supporters and all my "family" from the Crusty Old Jakes have really sustained me and kept me going through all of this. They have been very supportive and kept me surrounded in comic relief. It is the best medicine I know. In fact I have my son watching Jerry Lewis in The Disorderly Orderly right now. :D
I will try to post Day 53 (which is really today) before I go to bed tonight.
Until later,
Stay well and stay safe!
Hotflash out
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Report From Ladder Company 40 -Day 51
Hi Team!
I didn't really feel like the ! but I am putting it there anyway. Sorry I didn't post this yesterday. I felt too crappy. This swine flu is a strange beast. For a while you think you're going to die. Then you're afraid you won't. Then you start to feel better and think you might live. Then you feel crappy again and wish someone would put you out of your misery and the cycle starts over again. At least that is how it has been for me, and for my son. My mom said that was what it was like for her too. Frankly, I'm ready to be done with it.
The good part is that during each cycle of feeling better, I have felt better than the previous cycle of feeling better. That sounds kind of confusing as I read it out loud. I don't know how else to put it though. I really want to go back to work. Tomorrow! I don't know if I can, but I don't really have the time off to take and I'm not coughing any more. I have been fever free for at least 12 hours now. By the time I would have to report to work it would be over 24. I work splits so maybe I will try to convince my boss to let me try the afternoon shift tomorrow and see how I feel.
One frustrating thing is that with my son so sick as well, I am not getting as much rest as I need. We are both sleeping in the living room. He didn't sleep much at all last night because he was coughing so much and had so much phlegm. That in turn kept me up. I got about 3 hours of sleep last night. It is a good thing I slept half of the day! I am kind of worried about going back to work and leaving him alone to take care of himself. He is a big boy (almost 17) but he is a SICK boy. At least it would only be a few hours at a time and both my mom and my mother-in-law live within about a mile of my home. As I write this I can hear Coach Alex saying "God is ABLE!" Yes. He is. Okay, it's in His hands.
Well, not much else to report. Pete is enjoying his vacation and keeping his distance. Might as well keep his distance. He hasn't been doing a very good job of keeping mine! LOL Serously, I think he's eager to get back to work too.
I guess I'll keep pushing the chicken broth and tea and keep trying to get some sleep. Until later,
Stay safe and stay well!
Hotflash out.
I didn't really feel like the ! but I am putting it there anyway. Sorry I didn't post this yesterday. I felt too crappy. This swine flu is a strange beast. For a while you think you're going to die. Then you're afraid you won't. Then you start to feel better and think you might live. Then you feel crappy again and wish someone would put you out of your misery and the cycle starts over again. At least that is how it has been for me, and for my son. My mom said that was what it was like for her too. Frankly, I'm ready to be done with it.
The good part is that during each cycle of feeling better, I have felt better than the previous cycle of feeling better. That sounds kind of confusing as I read it out loud. I don't know how else to put it though. I really want to go back to work. Tomorrow! I don't know if I can, but I don't really have the time off to take and I'm not coughing any more. I have been fever free for at least 12 hours now. By the time I would have to report to work it would be over 24. I work splits so maybe I will try to convince my boss to let me try the afternoon shift tomorrow and see how I feel.
One frustrating thing is that with my son so sick as well, I am not getting as much rest as I need. We are both sleeping in the living room. He didn't sleep much at all last night because he was coughing so much and had so much phlegm. That in turn kept me up. I got about 3 hours of sleep last night. It is a good thing I slept half of the day! I am kind of worried about going back to work and leaving him alone to take care of himself. He is a big boy (almost 17) but he is a SICK boy. At least it would only be a few hours at a time and both my mom and my mother-in-law live within about a mile of my home. As I write this I can hear Coach Alex saying "God is ABLE!" Yes. He is. Okay, it's in His hands.
Well, not much else to report. Pete is enjoying his vacation and keeping his distance. Might as well keep his distance. He hasn't been doing a very good job of keeping mine! LOL Serously, I think he's eager to get back to work too.
I guess I'll keep pushing the chicken broth and tea and keep trying to get some sleep. Until later,
Stay safe and stay well!
Hotflash out.
Monday, November 2, 2009
Report From Ladder Company 40 -Day 50
Hi Team!
(Look the ! is back.)
I feel a little bit human, at the moment. The fever is at bay thanks to motrin. I went to the doc today and he agreed that the pigs have landed. He took a swab to be sure, but it doesn't really matter> Either way I feel like death warmed over. (and chilled, then warmed, then chilled...) Glad to be getting it out of the way now, though. I leave for Washougal in a week. Sadly, my vacation and sick time are all rolled into one measly package and being sick means my pay in June will be cut because I am salaried. I don't have the time to take vacation this month and to be sick. I built in a little leeway but with the time off I have to take for quizzing there isn't much slack. SIGH I don't care. I am NOT giving up my trip. I want to play with a firehose! Oh yeah, and see my brother and his fam, my sister, my grandpa, my neice and grandnewphew, OMSI and make a trip to Powells Books, and whatever other trouble I can get into while I am there.
Well, obviously, I have been too sick to exercise. In fact I have been told in no uncertain terms from both the Doc and Doctor Mom not to push myself AT ALL. I am ordered to lots of chicken soup and lots of sleep. Also I've been ordered off work for 3-5 days and never to take guifenisin again! (SUPRISE) Now due to allergies and strange and scary reactions I am extremely limited on antibiotics, painkillers and cough medicines that I can safely take. I had just better develop the super power of extreme immunity to pain and infections.
Pete is enjoying a leisurely vacation.
I have had 10 12 ounce cups of tea today. I have slept off and on all day. That's all I have to report.
Thanks for reading and thanks for encouraging me.
Stay Safe.
Hotflash still down and out.
(Look the ! is back.)
I feel a little bit human, at the moment. The fever is at bay thanks to motrin. I went to the doc today and he agreed that the pigs have landed. He took a swab to be sure, but it doesn't really matter> Either way I feel like death warmed over. (and chilled, then warmed, then chilled...) Glad to be getting it out of the way now, though. I leave for Washougal in a week. Sadly, my vacation and sick time are all rolled into one measly package and being sick means my pay in June will be cut because I am salaried. I don't have the time to take vacation this month and to be sick. I built in a little leeway but with the time off I have to take for quizzing there isn't much slack. SIGH I don't care. I am NOT giving up my trip. I want to play with a firehose! Oh yeah, and see my brother and his fam, my sister, my grandpa, my neice and grandnewphew, OMSI and make a trip to Powells Books, and whatever other trouble I can get into while I am there.
Well, obviously, I have been too sick to exercise. In fact I have been told in no uncertain terms from both the Doc and Doctor Mom not to push myself AT ALL. I am ordered to lots of chicken soup and lots of sleep. Also I've been ordered off work for 3-5 days and never to take guifenisin again! (SUPRISE) Now due to allergies and strange and scary reactions I am extremely limited on antibiotics, painkillers and cough medicines that I can safely take. I had just better develop the super power of extreme immunity to pain and infections.
Pete is enjoying a leisurely vacation.
I have had 10 12 ounce cups of tea today. I have slept off and on all day. That's all I have to report.
Thanks for reading and thanks for encouraging me.
Stay Safe.
Hotflash still down and out.
Sunday, November 1, 2009
Report From Ladder Company 40 -Day 49
Hi Team...
First, a warm welcome to PS911dispatcher! I am very happy you have joined my team!
That said:
The bad news is I'm not dead yet. The worse news is I am afraid I won't die. Even worse, I know people who drive fire trucks and even they won't drive over me and put me out of everyobody's misery! Help a sister out, would ya?! A tiller ought to do the trick. If not you could always go around the block and give it another whirl. Or maybe I could dig in and burrow myself under an emergency fire shelter in a forest fire. It might help me get warm. God knows nothing else is working; silk long john tops and bottoms, comforter, thermal blanket, hat on my head, tube sock stuffed with dry rice and heated up behind my neck, body heat from the weiner dog in my lap and a cup of hot tea. Hell, just set me on fire!
I told pete to take a flying leap today. He took the hint and will probably be back in a few days, if nobody runs me over with the tiller.
I've been doped up on motrin, sudafed and I have tried guifenisin (generic version of mucinex) because my cough isn't producing anything, but that sh*# gives me heart attack like symptoms sometimes. A half hour after taking it I had an episode with tightness in the chest, some shortness of breath, pain in my left arm and left jaw, pain in my back and nausea/stomach pain. It is scary as hell. It went away after five minutes. I was home alone and almost called 911. I know I should have, but that is another story. I think the tiller would be less uncomfortable! This has happened before but does not happen every time I take the stuff. Needless to say I am not really eager to take it but I don't know how else to feel better once that effect wears off.
I have been pushing the fluids though. Lots of hot tea. Some water. I ate some today too. A couple of pieces of pizza, a cupcake, whatever I could find. Nothing tasted good or felt good after I ate it. Not real hungry now, even though Brian fixed one of my favorites, corned beef and cabbage. Sigh. Right now when I think about that all I can think is "ICK!"
Okay, so if you haven't figured it out, Hotflash doesn't *do* sick very well.
Hotflash down!
ps stay safe! And well! Wash your hands often! Don't touch any public surfaces if you can help it! Use sanitizer when you have to touch things and cannot wash! Get your immunizations! Avoid public gatherings as much as possible! Don't touch your face, eyes, nose or mouth! Get enough sleep! (yeah, don't remind me!) Drink plenty of fluids! Eat well! Pray for health! See how well it worked for me?
First, a warm welcome to PS911dispatcher! I am very happy you have joined my team!
That said:
The bad news is I'm not dead yet. The worse news is I am afraid I won't die. Even worse, I know people who drive fire trucks and even they won't drive over me and put me out of everyobody's misery! Help a sister out, would ya?! A tiller ought to do the trick. If not you could always go around the block and give it another whirl. Or maybe I could dig in and burrow myself under an emergency fire shelter in a forest fire. It might help me get warm. God knows nothing else is working; silk long john tops and bottoms, comforter, thermal blanket, hat on my head, tube sock stuffed with dry rice and heated up behind my neck, body heat from the weiner dog in my lap and a cup of hot tea. Hell, just set me on fire!
I told pete to take a flying leap today. He took the hint and will probably be back in a few days, if nobody runs me over with the tiller.
I've been doped up on motrin, sudafed and I have tried guifenisin (generic version of mucinex) because my cough isn't producing anything, but that sh*# gives me heart attack like symptoms sometimes. A half hour after taking it I had an episode with tightness in the chest, some shortness of breath, pain in my left arm and left jaw, pain in my back and nausea/stomach pain. It is scary as hell. It went away after five minutes. I was home alone and almost called 911. I know I should have, but that is another story. I think the tiller would be less uncomfortable! This has happened before but does not happen every time I take the stuff. Needless to say I am not really eager to take it but I don't know how else to feel better once that effect wears off.
I have been pushing the fluids though. Lots of hot tea. Some water. I ate some today too. A couple of pieces of pizza, a cupcake, whatever I could find. Nothing tasted good or felt good after I ate it. Not real hungry now, even though Brian fixed one of my favorites, corned beef and cabbage. Sigh. Right now when I think about that all I can think is "ICK!"
Okay, so if you haven't figured it out, Hotflash doesn't *do* sick very well.
Hotflash down!
ps stay safe! And well! Wash your hands often! Don't touch any public surfaces if you can help it! Use sanitizer when you have to touch things and cannot wash! Get your immunizations! Avoid public gatherings as much as possible! Don't touch your face, eyes, nose or mouth! Get enough sleep! (yeah, don't remind me!) Drink plenty of fluids! Eat well! Pray for health! See how well it worked for me?
Report From Ladder Company 40 -Day 49
Hi Team.
(Notice no exclamation point?)
(I am posting for yesterday, technically).
It's official. I'm Sick @_@
I had my flu shot two weeks ago, but have not been able to get the H1N1 vaccination as I am unable to locate any place that has any in stock!
I had a tickle all day that would not go away and I felt tired. (I am posting for yesterday, technically). I had a pretty low key day. I wasn't feeling sick, just tired with an annoying tickle so I spent several hours painting pottery at my favorite studio. I've been working on two little cows in turnout gear. I intend to have them drilled and make salt and pepper shakers out of them. I find painting to be very relaxing so it was kind of therapeutic for me.
When I came home from that I took a little nap and then it was off to the harvest carnival at church where I promised to work the craft booth. I took hot tea with honey with me to try and calm the tickle. A little cough was starting to develop and an occasional burning sensation in the chest. I made it through the two hour shift and came home. By bed time I was feeling pretty lousy. The sinuses were getting plugged and the achiness of stuffed sinuses was becoming more apparent.
I've been taking vitamin C, pushing my fluids and getting extra rest, but I fear the creeping crud has caught up with me. I think I will go crawl back in bed now.
Stay safe, stay well, get your immunizations!!
Hotflash down and out!
(Notice no exclamation point?)
(I am posting for yesterday, technically).
It's official. I'm Sick @_@
I had my flu shot two weeks ago, but have not been able to get the H1N1 vaccination as I am unable to locate any place that has any in stock!
I had a tickle all day that would not go away and I felt tired. (I am posting for yesterday, technically). I had a pretty low key day. I wasn't feeling sick, just tired with an annoying tickle so I spent several hours painting pottery at my favorite studio. I've been working on two little cows in turnout gear. I intend to have them drilled and make salt and pepper shakers out of them. I find painting to be very relaxing so it was kind of therapeutic for me.
When I came home from that I took a little nap and then it was off to the harvest carnival at church where I promised to work the craft booth. I took hot tea with honey with me to try and calm the tickle. A little cough was starting to develop and an occasional burning sensation in the chest. I made it through the two hour shift and came home. By bed time I was feeling pretty lousy. The sinuses were getting plugged and the achiness of stuffed sinuses was becoming more apparent.
I've been taking vitamin C, pushing my fluids and getting extra rest, but I fear the creeping crud has caught up with me. I think I will go crawl back in bed now.
Stay safe, stay well, get your immunizations!!
Hotflash down and out!
Friday, October 30, 2009
Report From Ladder Company 40 -Day 48
Hi Team!
Man am I tired tonight! This week was kind of strange. Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday each felt like the day after when it really was. (Mon felt like Tue, etc.) I was really worried about Friday coming and it feeling like Saturday and still having to go to work. Fortunately, by Thursday it felt like Thursday. Today however, was such a busy day that I am completely exhausted.
Pete was good today. He logged 17,559 steps! And I'm feeling it too!
It was a good day but crazy with the Halloween party my boss made me put on for the kids. (I am not a big fan of Halloween). I especially hate having parties of this nature when the kids come to me already on sugar highs from their class parties. In any case, we had the party anyway and I didn't sit more than 10 minutes of my entire shift. I was setting up activities, serving food or cleaning up from the food or activities the entire shift. A very fun time was had by all, however, so it was well worth it.
You might be proud of me today for my bravery. For the party, I dressed up. Of course, as a firefighter. I bought a cheap dollar store fire hat and embellished it with black tape, a halloween ribbon chin strap and a station assignment (8). Then after looking everywhere for black eyeshadow that didn't shimmer, I found some at Walmart. I smeared it all over my face so that it looked like soot. I was supposed to wear a real Lakewood Fire Department badge that one of my kids was given by his father when he was promoted. He had agreed to loan it to me and had permission from his dad, but after having it in his hand to bring to me this morning, he somehow managed to leave it behind when he left home. I wore a homemade badge from our fire prevention week instead. But that isn't the brave part. When I was leaving work tonight, the school that we rent space from for our before and after school program was hosting a Trunk or Treat event. I did not know that the fire department would be attending but when I saw them there I got very brave. In my very silly looking outfit I approached them and asked to have my picture taken with them. I told them my bro is a ff and that I hope to be some day. They laughed at my outfit and offered the two ff's that they deemed to be the most good looking to pose with me. It wasn't until I got the camera home and uploaded my photo that I saw that one of the firefighters had his hands up over me in the photo! Characters! They were very nice and I thanked them. It was a silly thing, but it was not easy for me to do. Here's proof!
I drank LOTS of fluids today and I am not cold today. I don't know what was up yesterday but I am feeling much better! Thanks to those of you who have sent me your well wishes!
Well, I am off to check in with my crusty old jake friends!
Take care, stay safe and I'll write again soon!
Hotflash out.
Man am I tired tonight! This week was kind of strange. Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday each felt like the day after when it really was. (Mon felt like Tue, etc.) I was really worried about Friday coming and it feeling like Saturday and still having to go to work. Fortunately, by Thursday it felt like Thursday. Today however, was such a busy day that I am completely exhausted.
Pete was good today. He logged 17,559 steps! And I'm feeling it too!
It was a good day but crazy with the Halloween party my boss made me put on for the kids. (I am not a big fan of Halloween). I especially hate having parties of this nature when the kids come to me already on sugar highs from their class parties. In any case, we had the party anyway and I didn't sit more than 10 minutes of my entire shift. I was setting up activities, serving food or cleaning up from the food or activities the entire shift. A very fun time was had by all, however, so it was well worth it.
You might be proud of me today for my bravery. For the party, I dressed up. Of course, as a firefighter. I bought a cheap dollar store fire hat and embellished it with black tape, a halloween ribbon chin strap and a station assignment (8). Then after looking everywhere for black eyeshadow that didn't shimmer, I found some at Walmart. I smeared it all over my face so that it looked like soot. I was supposed to wear a real Lakewood Fire Department badge that one of my kids was given by his father when he was promoted. He had agreed to loan it to me and had permission from his dad, but after having it in his hand to bring to me this morning, he somehow managed to leave it behind when he left home. I wore a homemade badge from our fire prevention week instead. But that isn't the brave part. When I was leaving work tonight, the school that we rent space from for our before and after school program was hosting a Trunk or Treat event. I did not know that the fire department would be attending but when I saw them there I got very brave. In my very silly looking outfit I approached them and asked to have my picture taken with them. I told them my bro is a ff and that I hope to be some day. They laughed at my outfit and offered the two ff's that they deemed to be the most good looking to pose with me. It wasn't until I got the camera home and uploaded my photo that I saw that one of the firefighters had his hands up over me in the photo! Characters! They were very nice and I thanked them. It was a silly thing, but it was not easy for me to do. Here's proof!
I drank LOTS of fluids today and I am not cold today. I don't know what was up yesterday but I am feeling much better! Thanks to those of you who have sent me your well wishes!
Well, I am off to check in with my crusty old jake friends!
Take care, stay safe and I'll write again soon!
Hotflash out.
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