As those of you who know me personally already know, I’ve been out of commission for the past month or so with a debilitating case of mono. For the first time in my freelance writing career, I had to approach clients and say, “I’m too sick to work.” Because I carried my workaholic tendencies over to my freelance life, I’ve always praised myself for doing whatever it takes to get a job done. I’ve stayed up all night to meet deadlines, I’ve worked through periods of vomiting, and I’ve hired on additional help when necessary. To make those phone calls and compose those emails to clients saying my doctor ordered me to bed rest for an undetermined period of time made me sick to my stomach. I write and blog primarily for lawyers; in most cases, these are people with strict deadlines, frequent last-minute emergencies and above-average demands for excellence. How would they react to my “Sorry, but I’ve got to take care of myself for I’m not sure how long” proclamation?
One client let me go. The others (surprisingly) did whatever they had to do to accommodate me, because they wanted me back. I honestly dreaded checking in each week and having to tell these people I still wasn’t capable of coming back (since I still couldn’t sit up for more than half an hour, even in bed with my laptop). But it was a nice ego-boost to know that for the most part my clients value me and didn’t want to lose me. And last Friday, when I composed that email saying I’d be able to return to work this week, it was nice to be greeted by so many “welcome back“s rather than my anticipated “sorry we’ve replaced you“s.
Going back to work has been the truly hard part.
Since most of the work I do involves staying on top of the latest news and pleadings (legal papers) filed in cases related to the practices of the attorneys I write/blog for, I subscribe to a LOT of email lists to stay on top of fun stuff like product/drug/food recalls and new corporate bankruptcies filed. Facing an inbox of 9,000 emails (not including the spam folder) was a bit overwhelming. Going back to review what other writers and bloggers had covered in my absence took a while. Getting caught up on everything else, I finally had to admit to myself, wouldn’t be possible.
I’m trying not to stress myself out too much because while sick I also quit smoking, and I’m trying hard not to go back. In case that wasn’t incentive enough, my doctor has told me that mono can come back if you push yourself too hard. So, I’m trying to drop my OCD-like perfectionism tendencies as much as I can and just do my best, but it’s daunting.
Hopefully I’ll be back in the swing of things soon.
{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
Amy,I’m glad that you are feeling better,just take it easy for a while OK,you don’t want to over do it and get sick again.I know some of what you went through.I had a conditin call Paracarditis(fluid in the heart sac.That keep me in the hospital a month and a half,and the doctors wanted me to stay longer.As it was they banned me from working for an other two months than only part time after that for a year.
Thanks, Mike. I’m glad my time-out wasn’t for anything so serious. I got tested for various things — lymphoma, etc — and was terrified they would find something more serious. How have you been?
So glad you’re back, Amy, and that you finally see you’re a true and valuable asset to your clients! You are also very important to the writing/online community and I know so many will be thrilled to have you back! We’ve missed you, girl! Just pretend you’re a turtle (you love critters, right?) and take your wee little time with EVERYTHING. There’s no races. Here’s to improved health, no return of sickness, and lots of strength to resist smoking.
Blessings,
Michele
Thanks, Michele. Hope all is well with you.
Welcome back, Amy!
I had mono when I was a teenager, so I know how first hand how much it takes out of you. I remember being very weak, and like you, I couldn’t hold my head up long. The doctor told my mom my Spleen (I don’t think I spelled that right) was also affected, and that if I hit it the wrong way, it would kill me instantly; that was very scary! The doctor wanted to hospitalize me, but mom and dad didn’t have insurance back then, so they took me home and I mostly stayed in bed. I loved missing over a month of school, but my brother made sure to deliver my tons of homework, which I was too sick to do at the time. Every since having mono, the doctors watch me closely when I get strep throat. Strep throat is what started it the first time. I’ve been lucky though, I only had it that one time, and I sure hope it never returns.
Anyway, you take care and don’t work too hard. I’ll be praying for you.
Blessings,
Misti Sandefur
Thanks, Misti. Mono is definitely no fun. My spleen is still enlarged. It actually hurt for a while. Never even knew what a spleen did before this whole ordeal. I also still have some bumpy lymph nodes. Those really freaked me out at first!! Thanks for stopping by, and thanks for the prayers.
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