Immune system? Not so much

As a quick follow-up to yesterday, I wanted to post something written by a friend and former resident of mine. She’s very talented. I do believe that someday soon we’ll be seeing her name on book covers.

From “On dropping out — and growing up” by Sarah Mogin:

In high school, your stars will shine for pretty much anything. You hold an excess of passion, throwing it this way and that as you test different options.

I think becoming an adult means learning to focus that passion, finding those one or two things that give life to your stars.

Fortunately I found my passion, and hopefully all of you have (or will) too. I’m still working on the focus part, though. On making those stars really shine…

# # #

In other news: Today I am wearing a fleece and a scarf INSIDE my house. I will be having chicken noodle soup for lunch. And my poor dog keeps putting his head on my lap and giving me sad eyes because he can’t understand why we didn’t have our usual playtime outside in the 30-degree weather.

Well, pup, it’s because I’m sick. How you like them sad eyes?

I think this wouldn’t bother me so much if (a) I hadn’t been sick just three weeks ago, and (b) it wasn’t my birthday on Friday.

My symptoms are a sore throat and a runny nose, and this morning I was so light-headed I thought I was going to pass out at my desk. I took a nap instead. Riley cuddled with me, which I think means he forgives me for not playing today.

Anyway, I’m wondering what y’all, great Internet that I love, would recommend to make me feel better. Any good home remedies out there? What do you do to pass the time and help you forget you’re sick?


12 responses to “Immune system? Not so much”

  1. Mary Avatar

    For the sore throat: gargle warm salt water. I know it sounds weird, but it will probably help. It will kill any bacteria hanging out in your throat, and it should help with the soreness.

    (I don’t think you ever had braces, but that was one of the things I was told to do when my teeth hurt.)

    Also, tea with honey. Possibly throat lozenges.

    For the runny nose: boil some water and pour it into a bowl. Throw a towel over your head and breathe in as much steam through your nose as you can. It won’t work long term, but it should help clear your sinuses for a little while.

    If you’re not morally opposed to it, Mucinex D is the best decongestant I’ve ever used.

    I hope you’re feeling better soon!

  2. Kristan Avatar

    Yeeeah, my dad told me about the salt water thing before, and I’ve done it, and I hate it, lol, so I was trying to avoid that… My boss suggested a teaspoon of honey with lemon juice instead, so I did that and it works temporarily. Certainly doesn’t feel as horrible as the salt water! :P

    I don’t even know what a lozenge is…

    Why would I be morally opposed to Mucinex D??

    Thanks for the suggestions!

  3. Diane Avatar

    Yeah, right when I got back to Houston I got sick (sore throat, runny nose). Sudafed dried up the runny nose pretty quickly, and lemon with tons of lemon helped my throat a little. Although, I think anything warm made it feel good. Cantonese people (or just my mom) drink warm Coke with lemon.

  4. Kristan Avatar

    Coke, eh? I know that’s good for tummies… Sudafed! I was trying to think of the name of that last night and couldn’t. Thanks!

  5. phhhst Avatar

    Airborn, soup, tea….
    Lots of rest and vitamin C

    phhhst’s last blog post..Wordless Wednesday #8

  6. Kristan Avatar

    Oh yeah, I LOVE Airborne, but I was out when this thing started to hit me. :(

  7. Kristan Avatar

    I hate you.

    But yeah, haha, if trans-Atlantic mail is the same as it was two years ago, it’ll be an xmas present instead. :P

    I’m not feeling any worse today, so I think drinking a lot of fluids and just trying to “rest” (even if I’m not technically sleeping) has been helpful. Thanks!

  8. Kristan Avatar

    Oh yeah, I forgot you were in Houston!!

    Nooo, I think b/c it’s multi-line (like a lot of spam) it’s just getting filtered incorrectly. Thanks for letting me know. You weren’t the only one in there.

  9. Aisha Avatar

    Bahaha it’s like 80 degrees here :P

    Drink lots and lots of water, sleep as much as you can, sweat as much as you can. I could mail you a pill of stopcold for your birthday if you want hehe (although by the time it gets there you might be better).

  10. Aisha Avatar

    No I’m in Houston I can mail before I leave Tuesday if I was smart and brought a pill or 2 with me.

    I just commented on your mad lib post, are you screening those? cuz it didn’t show up yet

  11. Mary Avatar

    You don’t like taking medicine, last I heard. Or maybe that was someone else…

    A lozenge is basically a cough drop :) Medicated hard candy, in other words. They’re not good for much more than temporary relief, but you can carry them around with you.

  12. Kristan Avatar

    Eh, I used to not like taking medicine. Then I realized that I was just being silly and stubborn. If I need to take medicine, I will. If I don’t, I won’t.

    AH! I’ve had those before!