Caring for the sick

I am a nurse. I have been very fortunate to have been able to care for the sick,for the last 30 years. Currently, here in the mid west, the influenza bug is here, in full bloom. The eye of a hurricane, of the world- wide pandemic, category 5, "Swine Flu" H1N1. People are scared. I've blogged before about the flu and recommended some basic common sense stuff that people could do;like hand washing, covering your month when you cough,eating a healthy diet , exercising, and getting a good night's sleep. Just some basic health advice for living as a human being on the planet earth. Now I am telling you what to do if you do get sick. Just basic common sense stuff. First, when your sick, you want someone to know, and know that someone cares. Empathy and caring that someone is hurting or suffering, goes along way. This comes from your heart. Deep down where healing takes place. Second, Stop. go to bed, you are sick and it's going to take a little time to get better. Bed rest goes along way. Thirdly, fluids, hydration,( chicken noodle soup),water basic H2O. get a glass of water and put next to the bed. take a table spoon and always drink some water even at the worst moment in your illness, even if it's like one or two table spoons of water, every 15 mins or so. Water goes along way. it doesn't necessarily have to be super dooper fruit berry juice that cost a hundred dollars a bottle. If any thing a little Gatorade might be helpful. Now I am not trying to be a smart alex or sarcastic, I really am trying to be helpful. when I was 9 years old the Hong Kong flu hit my family in California. everybody was full blown knocked down to bed rest for one full week.My Dad who was superman, a combat harden Korean war veteran was bed ridden. We all had to basically care for ourselves it was every man for himself.I remember my parents cared that all of us kids got better.I remember bed rest. I remember time and I remember fluids ( chicken noodle soup in particular),fluids.I am not a doctor and I don't play one on the computer. I am a nurse who cares for people that are sick. I know it's scary and it hurts. Remember someone cares. We will all get through this. I will be at the hospital if you need anything. Peace and Love Tim