Pam Warnke's Blog

I’ve had my share of sickness this past week.  As a person who is usually not superstitious, I’m knocking on wood that this is it for me for the flu season.  It started with a warm feeling that turned to a prickle that escalated to a full-blown assault of my senses; coughing, sneezing, headache, runny nose.  Just typing it makes me reach for the Kleenex.  While I tell viewers about the H1N1 virus on a daily basis lately, I didn’t think that I’d be assessing my symptoms to figure out if that’s what I’m sick with, but that’s what I’ve been doing the past week from the confines of my home that seemed like a cage some days. 

Which leads me to the guilt that comes with sickness:  I know it’s in everyone’s best interest for a sick person to stay away, but, for me, it’s not that easy to rationalize.  I’m always busy with something, there’s always a To-Do list to go with another To-Do list.  Forcing me to slow down takes effort.  Being relaxed while I’m slowed takes even more effort, especially when I know others have to adjust their busy lives and schedules to pick up my slack. 

After several days of private suffering, I decided I was ready to take myself to the walk-in.  The planner that I am, I called ahead.  The receptionist kindly told me there was a 2 hour wait there, mostly people with H1N1 symptoms.  The question became is it worth it to sit in a waiting room with all the sick people, when there’s a chance I don’t have H1N1.  The answer for me, however ill advised, was no. 

So here I am, back at my desk, catching up on a week’s worth of work and blogging to you.  I feel better.  Not 100 percent, but better.  Good luck to you this flu season.