At this moment, I am running a fever. My sinuses hurt, and I am completely exhausted.
These symptoms have been going on for about a week or so, with no signs of letting up. To some, this may sound like the start of a “flu bug”. For me, these health problems are part of my severe allergies and other chronic illnesses.
Most people catch a cold, feel a little bit sleepy and lethargic for a day or two, and then return back to full health. That is not my experience. Once I catch something, I have to fight to keep it from turning into a sinus infection or bronchitis. It is not unusual for me to be really sick for a week or more at a time (and for that to happen all over again after a couple of days of relatively “good” health.)
Most people would take a sick day if they felt like I do right now. I cannot do that. Freelance writers don’t get sick days. That may sound strange, since I work from home and am my own boss.
I don’t have to ask anyone’s permission to take a day off to rest. However, since freelancers are paid based on the projects that they complete, a sick day is not always an option. If I don’t get the work done – I don’t get paid.
Also, to be honest, taking a sick day to rest is not truly going to help me. What I am experiencing is not a cold or flu. It is symptoms related to my chronic illnesses. Sometimes, the symptoms can be managed, but there is no cure. This is not the first time I’ve been this sick, for this long (and it won’t be the last.)
I have a doctor’s appointment coming up that could, potentially, make my life easier “down the road”. So, there’s something to look forward to.
Taking a Sick Day is a post written by Jen Thorpe on Book of Jen and is not allowed to be copied to other sites.
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