Sep 29 2009
this is where I’ve been…home
So if you’re wondering where I’ve been and why I’ve been misssing from work. Well, believe it or not, I got hit with HFMD. Yep, that’s Hand Foot Mouth Disease, the thing they say only kids under the age of ten largely get. So what am I doing with it?!!!
My daughter caught it first and so we kept her home and away from others, but I guess since all reports say adults are very unlikley to get it, I did not think much about it. Then I got the fever, then a few spots appeared and then my throat got really painful and some ulcers developed in my mouth. Yep, my super young genes had kicked in and got me sick! My friends have been teasing me saying – at least the bug still thinks you are young!
But it’s taught me an important lesson in humility. Don’t underestimate something just because it rarely happens to you. I can think of the many times I’ve shrugged something off simply because I thought…well, there is only a 10% chance I’ll get it. Or when H1N1 was really spreading and at times I told myself, it’s okay, no need to wear a mask. It is exactly during those moments when we let our guard down that things do happen. And this is especially so with medically related things. Viruses do not take a break, they do not go on vacation and for some reason, they know exactly when to strike.
So now when you head to the doctor and he’s wearing a mask and if the clinic you enter asks that you wear a mask too, don’t shrug it off. It just might a difference after all.
That being said, the little one is back at school and I can’t wait to get back to work. It feels like my life has been put on hold and things are just hanging in limbo. For the kind of guy I am, sitting around, doing nothing is hard…it’s very hard!
Get well soon!
“Hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) is a human syndrome caused by intestinal viruses of the Picornaviridae family. The most common strains causing HFMD are Coxsackie A virus and Enterovirus 71 (EV71).
HFMD usually affects infants and children, and is quite common. It is moderately contagious and is spread through direct contact with the mucus, saliva, or feces of an infected person. It typically occurs in small epidemics in nursery schools or kindergartens, usually during the summer and autumn months. The usual incubation period is 3–7 days.
It is extremely uncommon in adults; however, still a possibility.” (Wikipedia)
Isn’t it nice thinking that you’re still young? I bet that during your sick-time you’ve received lots of love and encouragement.
The virus will give up soon.
Hi Steve, I watch ptm every weekday morning and this is the first time that I’m visiting your blog. Now I know why you were gone for quite awhile.. I was actually thinking, ‘wow these presenters have so many days of annual leave!’ Glad to have you back because your chemistry with Suzanne and Jennifer is very delightful.
Stay healthy!