A Week Away

The next time anyone tells me they have mono, I will be far more sympathetic.

I had no idea how debilitating this virus really is; I missed the last five days of school, because I did not have the physical energy to stand up for more than 30 seconds. Now, on doctor-prescribed steroids, I can stand up, but doing much else is pretty difficult. I am at school, attempting to teach, but I am struggling to make it through what would typically be one of my easiest days ever.

People have made many comments today after my long absence, and it has been interesting to hear them. Most people are kind and at least pretend to be sympathetic, but some people do not have an empathetic bone in their bodies. (Apologies for the clichés - I blame the mono.) If someone has been absent, missed work, been gone for awhile, and it is clear that they have been sick, they may not find it funny if you ask how their vacation was and continue to make light of their situation every time you see them. Maybe I'm just overly sensitive, because I still feel horrible and am trying to do the right thing by going to work anyway, but I feel like if you can't say anything nice, you shouldn't say anything at all. (See above apology.)

To wrap up my rant and to reiterate my initial sentiments, while I would have at least pretended to be sympathetic before, I have a whole new understanding for people who have to deal with something debilitating over a long period of time. I know with mono there is an end eventually, so I really empathize with people who struggle with things like fibromyalgia. And that is what I hope to focus on; not the insensitive comments of others towards me, but thinking about how I can help those who don't have an end in sight.