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Thursday, February 10, 2011

Still Sick

I went to bed at 8 last night and slept until 6:30 this morning, which was needed, but I still don't feel much better today. In fact, this morning, I also added "pukey" to my list of symptoms, which isn't all that uncommon for me with a cold. Maybe I unconsciously swallow my boogers? I don't know. What was extra un-fun about the barfisode this morning is that Norah smashed my head with the toilet lid while I was hanging my head in the toilet. Not cool, kid.

Anyhoo, I decided after puking up breakfast that I was gonna take today off work too. So, after dropping Norah off ay daycare at noon, I came home and slept for a few hours, and now I'm feeling significantly better.

I am feeling guilty, though, about missing work and cancelling my classes. I know, logically, that my students are pleased-as-peas to have class cancelled, and I know that I have sick days, which are meant to be used for sickness, and that the extra rest is helpful in helping me kick this virus, but I can't help myself: When I don't go to work due to illness, I always suffer a bit of guilt. Like, maybe I should have summoned up some inner-strength and suffered through it and just gone to work.

Anybody else ever feel this way? Or do you feel completely guilt-free staying home from work when you're ill?

19 comments:

Marlene said...

Glad you were able to get some sleep and are starting to feel human again!

I do tend to feel guilty when I stay home sick... and yet I don't have an issue when I use a *cough cough* "sick day" for other reasons. Hmmm...

Shellyrm ~ just a country runner said...

Everyone is sick! Hubbs, you, T(Racing with Babes), LBM. I hope I am spared! I rarely stay home when I am sick but do when the kids are.

Feel better soon.

L said...

I feel guilty when I stay home sick too...then I try to compensate by doing a ton around the house, checking emails, etc. Which does not help the feeling icky... vicious cycle!

Julie D said...

No! Don't be like me showing up sick to work. Although I'm pretty sure my contagious phase is over, my coughing is probably annoying the whole lot here. But I don't get any sick days and am the only report to my boss, so I have to be a trooper, right?

Rest up... and you're right -- students LOVE having class canceled (as being one myself)!

Sara McCarty said...

Taking a sick day when you really are miserably sick is the worst. I always feel guilty about it and like I'm letting everyone down for not being tougher. Hope you get to feeling better soon!

lifestudent said...

That blows :( We were always discouraged from canceling class and had to try to get someone else to sit in and sub. Either to try to teach our lesson plan (since its within the dept, its usually an easy reach for anyone) or to just show a movie, or do some sort of activity. I think its a waste of the students time to have some sort of day like that, and know that I have always been personally thrilled (as a student) to have a class canceled. So while you are sick, your students dont mind all that much ;)

justme said...

back when i was in the corporate world i don't believe i ever took a sick day without feeling guilty ?? even if i was sick as a dog

TNTcoach Ken said...

Ewwwwwwwwwww booger girl! Get well.

runner26 said...

Oh no! Feel better! It's the worst not to be able to take anything to feel better. What about benedryl? Would that be ok to take?

As for feeling guilty about staying home sick..i never really used to feel bad about leaving the little ones with a sub, but I did occasionally have some guilty feelings if I wasn't totally sick. Right now I'm feeling really bad about leaving them for my upcoming maternity leave. It seems to get worse as the date draws nearer. But I know they will be fine and life will go on. At least your students are older.

Running 365 said...

Obviously, it's to your students' benefit to soak up every bit of your amazing wisdom you can graciously bestow upon them, but obviously, they are too young and ignorant to know they are being cheated when class is cancelled. (I personally will probably stay that ignorant my whole life long because I actually cheered aloud when a workshop I was supposed to attend this week was cancelled.)

Rest up, get better, and don't worry about it! They'll always be there when you get back. You and your students will be refreshed after a break!

Charbelle said...

I'm so sorry you're sick :( Really sleeping is the best medicine!! I hope you feel better soon!!!

Alice said...

I always feel bad too but I'm learning that when it comes to being pregnant my baby has to take priority. I've been sick since Saturday and took Monday off. I'm still feeling horrible so will go to work tomorrow and call my doctor and leave work to see him and if he says I'm to go home, I will. I kinda hope he does because then I can do so guilt free.

ihaverun said...

I don't work outside my home and I still feel guilty when I get sick. Guess we need to give ourselves a break =)

And love that she slammed the toilet on your head. Only because it makes me feel a little better about feeling beat up by the end of the day so often. Who knew two little girls under the age of five could be so rough and tough!?!

N.D. said...

I feel the same way like I should toughen up! But you are doing the right thing and resting!

clm said...

I always feel guilty when I stay home sick, either:

a) I should have toughed it out and went to work, or

b) I should really save my sick days in case my kids are sick so I can stay home with them.

We are too hard on ourselves! I'm sure your co-workers and others appreciate you staying home and keeping the germs locked up, so enjoy the extra rest time!

Erin said...

It's good you took a sick day and yes, I feel guilty when I take them too. Life goes on. Remember your health and sanity are more important than your students who probably enjoyed the extra time to themselves.

d.a.r. said...

I feel guilty when I ask to leave for an hour to go to the dentist. Asking for any amount of vacation practically gives me hives. Then again, my employers are not exactly the most understanding people and think that I should live at the office. That + my Catholic guilt that I am so good at makes taking any time off work incredibly difficult.

Hope you start feeling better.

Corrina said...

I usually have to save my sick days for when my kids are sick! Luckily I haven't been too sick the past few years. However-I always try to avoid spreading germs. I figure it's a gift to my co-workers if I am sick, instead of spreading my illness :)

Agate Lake Girl said...

I never minded stayed home when I worked in corporate, but as a teacher I always hate not going in. It's not really guilt, just the desire to not have to prepare sub plans. At least you don't have to worry about that!

P.S. Sorry to hear that you were sick. I was behind on blogs this week.