Moving along despite obstacles...

If there's anything that running as well as being chronically ill has taught me, it's to roll with the punches.  It all started last Thursday while at work.  Maybe even before that.  I've been so busy I've barely had time to breathe.  Okay, we'll say it started with Hurricane Sandy leaving our office's main server under water. Lord only know why Buffalo's server is in Staten Island.  Thankfully, I was able to get some work done at home by remotely connecting to a server in California.  Teleworking.  I never cared for the practice, but it was a forced trial and I actually kind of liked it.

Last Wednesday I was without a car.  It was leaking transmission fluid, so I worked from home again.  I was sort of in a panic because I needed transportation to my Girls on the Run practice.  I was going to throw a "Good Luck" party for the girls the last session before the race.  I didn't have my car back, so my mom had to pick me up and drop me off at the school with awards, cookie cake, fruit, and apple cider.  The party was a lot of fun and I think the girls really appreciated it.

On Thursday I was finally back at the office.  With about an hour to go, I suddenly felt like I was going to pass out.  My throat started to hurt.  I barely made it to the end of the day.  Nate picked me up at UB South Campus Station.  I knew without a doubt I was sick, and screwed.

I had an appointment with an orthopedic surgeon  on Friday at 8 a.m.  Then shopping to do for the Niagara University President's Ball.  Did I mention that by this point I knew I needed a new car?  Between Thursday and Friday I pumped myself with all sorts of cold/flu remedies, medications and supplements.  It was nuts.   I think the best news I got on Friday was that I had arthritis in my knee, but would be okay to run the Buffalo Marathon in May.

Saturday was race day for the girls and then off  to the Seneca Niagara Casino for the Ball.  Perhaps it was my being overly optimistic, or perhaps sheer stupidity... I honestly thought my cold was gone.  I was in Tonawanda for the race at 8:45 and got home around 1:00.  I took a short nap.  Nate woke me up at 1:30 and said we should leave around 3 to be at the casino by 4:00.  Okay, well, in my mind I was no longer sick.  The picture below does not depict the glass of Pino Noir the size of my head, followed by a whiskey sour I consumed.  Other than the fact that I'm sticking my head out like a giraffe, this is a pretty good picture of us!

Niagara University President's Ball 2012

I was informed after my beverage choices, that I probably shouldn't have anything else to drink.  Hindsight is always 20/20.  I actually shouldn't have had anything to drink, period.  My cold/flu was not gone.  In fact, it was so much worse the next morning.  We were supposed to meet Nate's boss and his wife for breakfast, but I felt like a train wreck.  We went straight home, and I slept all day.  Thankfully I had off for Veteran's Day, but it wasn't enough recovery time.  I bit the bullet and went to work through Thursday, but the reality sank in about my poor car.  I had to get a new one immediately.

Wednesday evening Nate took me out to look for a new car. He was exhausted and I was still sick... but we did it.  Last night, I took home a beautiful 3013 Hyundai Elantra.  We got home just in time for the Bills game.  I took some Theraflu and went to bed.  

My new car

 I woke up this morning with absolutely no voice.  In fact, the harder I try to talk, the more I can't!  I wasn't entirely sure what the car situation would be, so I was all set up to Telework.  I had to make a few phone calls.  All answered with the same response, "Nicole???  Don't talk!"  And my favorite, "You sound like Mickey Mouse." I called it quits at 2:30 and went to pick up my knee brace.  Now, despite the fact that I called yesterday to inquire about picking it up today, the office was closed.

I'm sure there's a lesson in all this rambling.  Maybe it's simply that life keeps moving forward whether you want it to or not.  Perhaps it's don't confuse masking cold symptoms with actually being better.  I guess in reality, I believe it's the realization that people can be more capable than they think they are when executing major commitments is a necessity, even if life seems to be working against us.  And most importantly, we all need to express gratitude to those who help us along the way.