Conspiracy of the Cold.
I am so angry as I have just wasted a week. Plus I feel like I have been tossed from a moving train. I still don't feel all that great, but I am slowly trying to function on the normal side of life.
I am the kind of person whose body does not deal well with a simple cold. I become so ill I end up flat in bed and begin to imagine it will soon be time for me to board the boat to cross the River Styx.
I am angry because most places of employment harass or shame you into coming to work sick. "Oh, it's only a cold." This is especially shameful in hospitals where I work. Peers come in hacking and sneezing and soon the germs run the entire gamet of the place. The poor patients are the worse to suffer. I cannot imagine trying to recover from major surgery and fighting a cold given to you by a healthcare worker at the same time.
My biggest outburst of anger is directed toward the pharmaceutical companines who tight-fistedly dominate the healthcare field.
When I was in nursing school I read an interesting article that claimed there may very well be a cure for the common cold and the big drug companies purchased the patent and sealed it away. First I thought it was humerous. However, here's a thought. Go into a large chain drug store with a pad and pen and begin writting down every item that would not be on the shelves if there were no colds. I assure you that your fingers will cramp from writting before you have finished checking only two aisles.
The cold medications that are on those shelves do not work - not one of them. Also, some studies say that taking over the counter medications only prolong the duration of the cold.
Should I be angry ? Yes. And so should you. Science can conjure up a baby according to somebody's itemized specifications, yet we can not conquer the common cold. Come on, Folks.
3 comments:
Thom, I'm so glad you've recovered enough to be angry. So lad you're on the road to recovery and so glad to see you blogging again. Love you, and hi and love to the double D's
I think you should have stayed home another day or two. I totally believe in not taking your sickness to work. I remember when I took hepatitus to work - some of the worried ones went and got shots just to be on the safe side. And guilt? Don't even go there, not for a minute. You're better off to your patients when you are healthy, rested, and somewhat happy.
On the other hand, I've read that there are so many different viruses that cause colds that its impossible to find anything to cure them all. That's why as we grow older and develop antibodies to many of them we get fewer colds. Babies get like twenty a year, and people our age get one or two. I haven't had one for years. You work in a hospital where those little germs are running rampant. I know these are fighting words..........don't even bother to tell me I'm full of sh...t.
I'm so glad you're feeling better. I know you are miserable when you have a cold.
Post a Comment