And so it began..

It all started with a kiss…just kidding. I am not sure what started it all, but my life dramatically changed once I got the news (oh that sounds far too dramatic for this post…before you continue I feel like I need a disclaimer about that).

Oh the joys of having blood drawn.

A week before Thanksgiving when I really started feeling ill, it wasn’t until December 5th that I got my official diagnosis, MONO. Since that diagnosis my immune system has been in overdrive, but I will get to that later in this post (I have a whole lot of catching up to do!)

So the night before my race I laid out my stuff, but I just didn’t feel well. It was just a general blah feeling. I was achy, for no reason. My neck had been achy for about a week. I wasn’t sleeping well, but I hadn’t given it a second thought. I never read into my aches and pains. I always just assume its cause I am overworked.

Thanksgiving day I ran my last run before growing ill. I ran it with some of my teammates from high school. It was a pretty good race given I didn’t sleep a wink the night before, I felt exhausted from head to toe, I had not done any speed work since my return to running from being injured (at the end of September), and I had mono (which I was unaware of at the time!) After my race I immediately puked (gross…right?) and I just could not get rid of that sick feeling.  Throughout the entire day I just had no appetite and no energy. If you know anything about me, NO APPETITE is strange!

Me and the other three girls who ran with me that day! (See right).

Later that day I pulled myself together went to my Aunts house for the feast.  My younger cousins came over and I played on the floor, ran around, crawled, jumped, you name it. Usually I can do all that on top of running with NO PROBLEMS, but I just felt incredibly fatigued while also having a constant pain in my neck. That night I noticed lymph node swelling and decided off to the doctor I go!

I got a indefinite diagnosis and an antibiotic (that I had an allergic reaction to) and ended up back at the doctor four days later. Got blood tests and an anti-inflammatory and found out I had mono. About a week later I traveled across state to stay with my parents for the holidays (winter break, wooooo). I was so tired, visibly fatigued, depressed I couldn’t exercise, and spent my days laying around.

At least I had a pretty tree to look at while I sulked in my sickness? Right?

I felt like I hit rock bottom. It could not get any worse. I was incredibly sick and incredibly bummed. My whole lifestyle just halted and suddenly I was not that busy student. I wasn’t working, going to class, running, cleaning. I wasn’t me. I just had to remember it would get better.

I hung out with a few friends and came down with a bad cold. It took me a week to shake it, then I came down with another. That persisted for another week. Then I lost my voice. I had laryngitis for 9 days and tons of chest congestion and guess what, New Years Eve my butt was back at the doctor.  Got put on a nasal spray, two weeks of an antibiotic, and mucinex.

My little home remedy to congestion. Lemon and honey green tea with you guessed it, lemon, honey…oh and mint leaves! You didn’t see that one coming did you?

Here I am a week later and I still can’t shake the exhaustion, neck pain, and drainage.  I even have a stomach bug now. I am just wondering, what could be next?! Thankfully I got a flu shot, or I would probably have that too!! This has been a long and bumpy road, but I am just itching to get back to running. 

One night, I really was feeling low and then the next morning I get a text from my best friend telling me to take a look out on my porch. She had went out her way for me and let me tell you, I cried a few tears of joy. She is just the sweetest, most selfless young women I have ever met. Despite all the stress in her life she made time and effort to make me feel better and for that I am infinitely thankful (getting teared up just thinking about it).

Speaking of good deeds…Santa (my mother), left me some surprises when I wasn’t feeling too hot. She had a cold and a sinus infection herself, yet she put her needs aside to help me. It is just unbelievable how selfless some people are. I honestly think had it not been for some of those people the past two months, I’d still be extremely ill.

It was a bittersweet situation, and still is, I had to withdraw from the marathon I was going to run (but I am still fundraising for team NCCS and you can donate by clicking here). I had to cease strenuous exercise in its entirety, and I had to lay around. NON-STOP. Now that doesn’t sound too great when I put it that way, but just wait!

I got to see my friends, which I never do when I am in town. I usually work my break away, run when I am free, and sleep when I’m not doing either of those things. Without running and working I had time for movie nights and hanging out. Though I was extremely exhausted, it was nice to catch up.

I was forced to lay around during the holidays and thus more time with my family! I was forced to lay around during one of the coldest winters on record in this area, and thus not get in that winter running rut. I was forced to get off my diet during a time of goodies, so I indulged for once. I was forced to do many things I would not have choose to do otherwise and many of these things were refreshing. 

Just a few of the goodies I may or may not have (most definitely) stuffed in my face from time to time.

In addition, I was forced to take it easy simultaneously with my winter break. It was a huge blessing in disguise. I am always on the go and finally I got to set up post and put my feet up. I can’t remember the last time I was able to do that. All these things resulting as an effect of being sick ended up going from negatives to postives. This winter break was going to be horrible (in my mind), but surprisingly it was one of the most satisfying ones I can remember.

Speaking of winter break, it coincides with winter —who would have thought? If you aren’t from the midwest, you should be aware, winter is a very cold and snowy time. The weather is not exactly the most pleasant conditions for training. I get out there 6 days a week (given good health) and tough it out. This winter; however, I get an actual excuse to stay inside…without the guilt of simply skipping a run (though I still feel guilty…)

That is about a foot of snow outside and a windchill of -33…so not running in that doesn’t exactly hurt my feelings.

Had this all happened during Spring semester when I lacked the time to rest and the weather was beautiful, you better believe I’d still be very, very ill (plus I wouldn’t have my momma to take care of me).

Not related to what I am talking about, but look how pretty it was! 

Though I don’t want to wish sickness on anyone, I’ve learned a lot about myself and coping through of all this. For one, I am not invincible. My immune system is just a mess right now. I have also learned to seek out the good in a not so great situation. Sure I have a lot to learn and I am still bitter, but overall, it was strangely refreshing. I am ALWAYS on the go, and for two months I have been forced to focus on ME. I’ve learned, I really don’t do much of that on a day-to-day basis and that my readers, is A PROBLEM.

My little brother and I prior to attending the annual family Christmas Eve party. I know I don’t look sick there, but trust me, putting make-up on was a grueling task. Who would have thought?

So through all of this the holidays came. They were tiring (that’s the theme of this post…so redundant, but exhaustion and mono go hand in hand). I baked for hours and it was rough! I helped clean and decorate. I just pushed myself too much…and then the day after Christmas I had a fever and no voice. GO FIGURE. Nonetheless, the holidays were very enjoyable.

Santa was super good to me, too good actually. I received more gifts than I could have imagined. Not only did I receive gifts, but then there were joint gifts that my family gifted my boyfriend and I.  There are two gift bags and a crock pot not pictured here, and that was only from my parents…err…uhm…Santa. 

My boyfriends parents bought me something I would never buy myself unless I found it clearanced and then had a coupon (I am a super-duper bargain hunter, all my running clothes are at least 80% off).

I also finally received my prize that I won from a giveaway from Blisters and Black Toenails. That was a Christmas present in itself and I am super excited to try out the products I received. I am super-mega excited that the shoelaces I won also match the hat my boyfriend’s parents (practically in-laws) gifted me. Eeeeek. Now I just need to get well so I can use everything!!

Dang, that was a mouth full. I have been missing in action for quite a while now so this was just a regurgitation of my life. In my mind I felt it was necessary in order to appropriately proceed on with my blogging. If you are still reading, pat yourself on the back, take a deep breath, and prepare yourself because I am not done yet!

So now that I am getting closer to being well, I am throwing around training plans. It’s very hard. I am pretty much starting from scratch. I am pleased that despite some indulgences, I have lost weight ( I mentally counted my calories even though I tried not to). I am tempted to draft up a rough one week fitness test type plan. I would record my workouts, how I feel, heart rate, and soreness. At the end of the week I was thinking I would have a better idea of how to proceed as far as a long term plan goes. IF YOU HAVE ANY ADVICE FEEL FREE TO SHARE…please!!!

Until then its time for my hometown to thaw out because I have a feeling if I go outside right now, I am going to look a whole lot like my furry friend here.

I feel so bad for the poor thing. I let him out to go potty and he just turned around and stared at the front door like “you want me to do my business out here?”

Just a few days remain of my Christmas break and I am just trying to relax as much as possible before returning to my apartment. I am not looking forward to checking back into reality (well I am, but at the same time is 20 too young to retire?) I have had it too nice. Time to hit the ground running (well, not literally yet). This coming Monday I return to classes and work. I’ll be working 16 hours a week, going to class 17 hours a week, and trying to gauge whether or not I am well enough to workout on top of it all.

Oh the struggle. I think the worst thing about returning to school is the one mile walk in the cold I will have to make to and from class everyday. With all the money I have had to spend lately…I really need to return to work.