The dilemma that comes with being ill.....

As most of you know, I got a heavy dose of the cold (for the second time) just after Christmas which then developed into a chest infection that started ripping me to bits on the 30th December. I was really struggling at work on the 30th, but then luckily our new Finance Director came and told us all to go home early for new year (he has worked his way up from the shop floor, and so far is proving himself to be one of the best FD's we have seen in decades, anyway, I digress...); after a quick shopping trip to get some medicines I went home and proceeded to shiver, sweat and cough my way from there, getting gradually worse daily until yesterday.

Me, a Scotsman, and NO alcohol at New Year!! Worse still, I was in bed by 10! Criminal.

Yesterday, I started to feel a wee bit better or at least in the earlier part of the day I did, but then slowly deteriorated back to a coughing spluttering mess by the evening. And so to the dilemma that faces us all at times like these. I put in another rough night last night (if I can get the right semi-upright angle over to my right, I can stop my chest rattling and I can get to sleep, but move and its done for), so I have called in sick today.

Now, I HATE taking time off work - really, really HATE it, so I have been willing myself to get a bit better whilst drinking tea by the litre with a view to getting back to work tomorrow. I have just had a nice hot bath (there is only me and the dog in the house, so it was a good time for a bit of loud music and a nice bath ) and truthfully, the bloomin' thing has knackered me. Any wee bit of energy I had has just evaporated, and I am once again a spluttering, light-headed wreck.

So, returning to work tomorrow is now not looking all that likely, but more annoyingly I am now wondering if I am going to be fit to go back this week! Seriously, if this is the thing that Her Majesty has had, then no wonder she hasn't been seen for a fortnight, this is one nasty blighter.

This prospect does not sit well with me, but I have family members telling me that I would be better to accept that I am not going back this week and get properly better before returning.

So, what is the best policy with things like this - is my usual policy of getting back to normal, preferably yesterday, flawed? Would I actually recover quicker if I just accepted this and lay down to it for a while?

 

Aye, fair point @"M" - I got this from a colleague, and being a manager I should know better.... I am just a stubborn old git.

 

Aye, perhaps if I had taken time off in December when I had the first bout of cold, I wouldn't be where I am. I have deteriorated again toward the evening, so tomorrow is definitely out of the game, and the remainder of the week is very doubtful now too.

And just to cap things off, our TiVo box died on its backside last night and Virgin can't get an engineer out until next Tuesday.

 

When any of my staff were sick they always tried to come into work so that I could make the decision for them. They said that they didn't feel like skivers if I sent them home instead of them making the decision.

 

Thanks guys - after having yet another session of coughing my lungs up yesterday evening, I decided to call it quits and emailed the gang at work to tell them I won't be in. Bless them, they have been lovely as usual, and have all replied wishing me well.

I think things are improving - the pain has moved from the left side of my chest to the right side now, and I am not coughing as frequently, and when I do less crud is coming away, so fingers crossed.......

@shiney - in all the years I have been working, I have never had anyone have a word about my attendance, let alone anything more formal. However, when I do end up off sick, I still feel really guilty - no idea why to be honest, because there is never any pressure from my work.

 

Thanks @silu

I have the odd moment of bravery, but then I learn otherwise. I almost contemplated a wee drive to pick Mrs C up from work yesterday, but one fit of coughing myself dizzy reminded me what a stupid idea that was. I shall restrict my moments of ambition to indoors - got a couple of drawers that need tidying for a start.....

Hope you get better soon

 

Aye, sitting at the PC is about as strenuous as it gets.

 

Probably caught down in London!

Wish you better