March 5, 2010

Don't Speak

For six days I was at a loss for words.
Not by choice, mind you.

I arrived home from the States with a mild cold but was feeling much better after just a few days of sleeping in my own bed. Then some hateful germs found their way into my body and it all went downhill from there.

Last Thursday started out as a very exciting day. I left early that morning for Béziers to pick up my citizenship dossier from the sous-préfecture, complete with a letter from M. le Président, the words to la Marseillaise and an acte de naissance that would allow me to apply for both a carte d'identité and a French passport.
The meeting went smoothly and afterward I wandered around the city, window shopping and running a few errands before seeing friends for lunch.

The dry cough and headache began halfway through my savory chèvre and honey crêpe and continued for the next 24 hours until I was able to see the doctor. Diagnosis: bronchitis and a sinus infection.
lovely

The Pharmacie sent me home with a bag of goodies and the days of stubbornly accepting the fact that yes, you are sick so just deal with it already, began.


For five days I slept, wandered around the house in yoga pants and slippers, watched two seasons of the wickedly funny series Weeds, drank copious amounts of tea and juice, took my medication and guzzled cough syrup, then slept some more.

Then suddenly my appetite came back.
I still couldn't speak without fits of coughing, but I was hungry! Tuesday I whipped up a batch of spicy Thai Fried Rice for lunch and Wednesday I tried this recipe for Duck Breasts with le Puy Lentils. I even baked some focaccia bread one day.

I am officially on the mend! Finally. Pin It

10 comments:

Cherrye at My Bella Vita said...

Ewe! I've had that mess since mid-January! It. Won't. Go. Away! I'll feel better for a few days, then back to coughing, sore throat, earache. :-(

I hope your healing sticks!!

Bon chance (is that right??) :-)

Sue said...

Poor you! I hope you get better soon - being hungry is a good sign :-) I normally revert to a hot toddy when ill like you(even it it doesn't cure you it makes you feel cosy and sleepy). Take Care

spacedlaw said...

Welcome back in the world of the living (and eating).

Nanette said...

Glad to hear you're on the mend and feeling better xx

Mardi Michels said...

Congrats on your citizenship! Feel better soon!

The Beaver said...

Loulou

Get well soon and congratulations on becoming une "Française". Did they serve you a glass of bubbly?

At the consulate, we were served a galss of bubbly with petits fours :-)

Amanda said...

My son gave me his cold; not fun! Nyquil helps. Maintenant c'est officiel, vous etes francaise. Yeah!

Michelle | Bleeding Espresso said...

Yay! Glad you're feeling better, and I do apologize for inadvertently leaving you off the links; you know I love you <3

SavoringTime in the Kitchen said...

Quelle domage!

I'm so glad you are feeling better! I've gotten sick after long flights too. Not fun!

Jennifer said...

Cherrye
It's been a bad year! This was my first cold/flu, but it was bad.
I hope yours goes away and stays away.

sue
Never been a fan of hot toddies, but I'm sure they are a great, if temporary, cure.
Codeine infused cough syrup was my friend. :)

spacedlaw
Thank you! It's nice to be back!

nanette
Merci ma belle

Mardi
Thank you! I feel great now. Finally!

Beaver
No, they didn't give me champagne - I thought they would. Of course, it was 9:30 in the morning, so that may have been the reason she didn't break out the bubbly!

Nadege
Oui, je suis française!
Hope you feel better soon.

Michelle
Grazie bella! :)

STK
Airplanes are the worst germ factories, aren't they? Oh well! Doesn't stop me from traveling...just try to take care of myself and take my vitamins.