It Feels Like My Family Has Been Constantly Sick This Holiday Season, And I’m Sick Of It

I type this as I wait yet again for another Doctor’s checkup. These last three months, our small family of four has been to several teleconsultations, ER visits, outpatient laboratory visits, and face-to-face doctor consultations. Every week, one or two of us are either sniffling with colds, coughing their lungs out, or down with a fever. And my tired AF mama ass is at a loss as to what is up with the number of respiratory illnesses this year.

The viruses are whack

My husband, I, and our two kids seem to be cycling through fevers and viruses week after week.

My four-year-old preschooler missed her field trip and almost two weeks of school because of an adenovirus which later developed into pneumonia. The good thing was, she did not need hospitalization as aside from recurring fever for almost five days, she retained her appetite and was in generally good spirits. She was able to return to school in time for their assessments and class Christmas party.

My eldest middle schooler, on the other hand, proved to be the toughest among us. She weathered our fevers and coughs and was able to attend school up to their last school day this year. However, she also succumbed to a fever on the first day of her holiday break.

My husband had a fever for a day but has been dealing with coughs and colds for a few weeks. For the most part, he’s still able to do his regular tasks and take care of us.

For my part, I was down with a fever for a week and was diagnosed with pneumonia along with my youngest daughter. I had a hard time dealing with the bone-wracking coughs that lasted for weeks. Then, I had to wait for my x-rays to clear up to feel comfortable going maskless at home with the kids. I had to take two rounds of antibiotics and missed all work-related activities and Christmas parties because my pulmonologist told me to “lie low” given the rise in COVID and walking pneumonia cases.

Bottomline, it feels that our family has been constantly sick, and we’re mighty tired of it. While other families are out shopping for gifts and Christmas clothes, we’re ordering and having medicines delivered. While other families are having get-togethers, we’re coaxing our kids to eat more and drink said medicines. While other families are packing for their holiday vacations, I’m praying that my family gets well enough to spend Christmas together without reaching for the thermometer or nebulizer.

An appeal

If I sound angry, it’s because I definitely am. We consult doctors, we drink medicines, and we take the necessary precautions whenever we feel unwell. We refrain from going out when the kids are coughing. Yet, it sometimes feels that we are one of the few who still do so, considering that it’s commonplace to hear kids and adults alike sneezing or coughing in public places, without masks at that.

So, here’s an appeal from a very tired mom who has been through a number of illnesses within the family. I know we have heard these reminders countless times during the pandemic, but considering the state we are in right now, we need to be reminded of these yet again.

Stay home if you or your kids feel unwell. Seriously, going to the malls or joining get-togethers when you or your child has a fever is a NO. Stay in bed, consult your doctor, and drink medicines.

Wear masks. Yes, masks are not required anymore in most public places but considering the rising number of cases of COVID and walking pneumonia, masks are still one of the ways we can keep our families safe from infections.

Know when to say NO and don’t feel guilty about it. Yes, holidays are best spent with friends and loved ones, but it’s also best spent without any coughs, sneezes, or infections. So say NO when you don’t feel well enough to join the festivities. Say NO when you don’t feel safe enough in the situation (ie you know someone in the group has a fever).

Sick during the Holidays

If we’re on the same boat of feeling unwell during the coming holiday season and you feel bad about it, don’t. If you’re still missing Christmas gifts, there’s still time to order from Lazada or Shopee and if not, then you can always make up for it on your loved ones’ birthdays. If you can’t make it to the get-togethers, it’s understandable to reschedule to a time when your family is better and traffic is not so bad.

This is the best time to remember what is truly important for Christmas–the fact that we’re with the ones we love in sickness and in health, as cliché as it may sound. So be well and stay well to you and your family, mama. Know that you are not alone in this crazy, virus-loaded Holiday.