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You are here: Home / Fun Stuff / Pneumonia? How to Help and Be Helped

Pneumonia? How to Help and Be Helped

January 2, 2018 By Kerry 2 Comments

We often hear of people catching pneumonia. Sometimes the elderly even die from it. But the actual illness doesn’t seem overly scary to most of us. In fact, it’s somewhat common. But when YOU have pneumonia, it feels like a different story. For those who are sick with pneumonia or related illnesses, they need help–even if it’s just knowing you care.

Pneumonia Diagnosis and Help

This year, the day after Thanksgiving, I started coughing–a lot. I dutifully went to InstaCare, only to be told that I had bronchitis, it was viral, and nothing could be done for it. I was given a prescription for an inhaler and told to drink lots of water and get lots of rest.

So I returned home and continued to hack for another three weeks. I rested as much as I could, but I’m a stay-at-home mom to two boys. The youngest especially has lots of energy. Finally, I decided to see my regular doctor because I could hardly breathe without coughing.

She took one listen of my lungs and said, “It’s definitely pneumonia!” I was actually relieved because now I had an official reason to be wiped out and tired. She immediately prescribed strong antibiotics and put me on bed rest for seven days. I think I made it one day without having to get up a bazillion times to help my preschooler.

But my husband helped, when he was home from work, and my oldest son was a trooper too. I also did a second round of antibiotics. So eventually I did rest. And eventually I began to get better. With a month and a half of sickness during the holidays, I had time to ponder a lot.. Here are a few things I realized from my experience.

Do you have pneumonia? Or maybe you know someone who does. Here's how you can help and be helped. #pneumonia #illness #bronchitis

I’ve included a few affiliate links below for your reference. Should you choose to purchase items using one of my affiliate links, I make a small commission at no expense to you.

Key Points for Those Who Have Pneumonia

1. A pneumonia diagnosis doesn’t sound serious if you’re young. I’m not super young, but I’m not old either. So having pneumonia doesn’t sound like that big of a deal to others. I simply had to realize that. When it took me well over a month to begin to function well again, that amount of recovery time was really tough for some to understand. Everyone’s recovery is different. In fact, I’m still coughing as I write this. At first, I was mad that “pneumonia” wasn’t an obvious explanation. But the fact is, it’s common. We hear about it all the time. Yeah, people are concerned, but they aren’t super concerned. You’re young, you’ll get well. I finally had to realize that thought process and try not to feel so frustrated with some lack of concern.

2. People don’t know when you’re sick. Honestly, they don’t. I didn’t broadcast it on social media. I guess I thought that somehow people would talk to each other and that my neighbors would somehow know. Not many did. Even family who did know were busy during the season or lived too far away. But it didn’t mean that they didn’t think about me and hope for my well-being. It took me a while to understand and accept this as well.

3. Some people are truly nervous about getting sick too. I realized pretty quickly that as soon as some people did find out I had pneumonia it was like putting an archaic quarantine sign on my door. No one else wanted the germs. Though I’d been on antibiotics and was no longer contagious after a few days, my seal-barking cough didn’t sound very convincing. Sooooo I stayed home. I didn’t want to make others feel uncomfortable, and I was just super tired.

4. If you need help, you have to ask for it. I really, really didn’t want to bother anyone. And for the most part, I was doing ok. But I had to consider my son’s needs too. He wasn’t fine. He was bored, busy, and bouncing off the walls because it was Christmastime. So I really did have to ask my friends to take him for a few hours to play with their kids. He wasn’t sick, and he loved getting out.

Tips to Help Someone Who Has Pneumonia

1. Visits or texts are so kind. A few of my friends and family figured out I was sick and did something about it. While no one wanted my germs, they were at least nice enough to make sure I was on the mend. I so appreciated their thoughtfulness. I had cabin fever to the extreme and was feeling lonely and frustrated.

2. Help with kids is a godsend. I had a couple of friends who took my preschooler twice. I was desperately appreciative of their efforts. If I was bored, he was quadruple-bored. I could rest better, knowing he was doing something besides watching tv or playing on his ipad–default activities when I’m not able to supervise.

3. A meal can be like manna. One friend brought over a meal. Of course we had food in the house, and we can open cans and boxes with the best of them. But she brought over something home cooked, and I truly, truly appreciated the gesture. Plus, it was healthy food–just what my recovering body needed. Another friend dropped off assorted juices and vitamin water. So helpful! Other friends offered meals too, but I didn’t want or need meals in mass. For me, a meal or two was just right. I mostly liked knowing that they were willing to offer, though. Don’t cook? Just drop off a can of chicken noodle soup with a note. A bottle of OJ is a nice treat too.

4. If you’re close with the person, offer to help around the house. During the worst days of my illness, my house looked absolutely, terribly awful–truly a mess. I was not comfortable asking for anyone’s help unless they were blood related. Even then, I still dragged myself to the kitchen sink and washer/dryer. But that’s me and my pride. Others who are sick may welcome the household help.

5. Offer to loan books, DVDs, or magazines. I loved the BBC Sherlock Holmes series but am pretty sick of it now. I also watched every Disney, kid Christmas movie out there. I should have asked friends to loan me something new to watch. Same with the books. I’d read the good stuff in my house and couldn’t get to the library to search more good reads. Yeah, I know I could have downloaded something. But I’m a purist; I like books. Plus, I didn’t know what I wanted to watch or listen to. So suggesting a few favorites might have been a fun thing for me.

6. Offer to run errands.
One friend and kind neighbor picked up some contact lens solution for me at my eye doctor’s office. I was completely out and couldn’t wear my lenses. I’m legally blind without them. She graciously took care of the problem for me, and her husband drove my son to a before-school class. These individuals were total life savers for me.

Additional Ways to Help Fight Pneumonia

Healthy food. Since my body was trying to fight off infection, I needed and craved good, wholesome foods. Treats might be fun for the family, but I just wanted the healthy stuff.

Plenty of liquids. I sipped on a lot of hot liquids. Broth, lemon herbal tea with honey, and apple cider were favorites. This herbal tea and apple cider packets are readily available at grocery stores, or you can order them online. I added real honey to the tea and a little cinnamon and nutmeg to the cider to boost the flavor and antioxidants. I did not care for the sugar-free apple cider. I also enjoyed healthy smoothies and juices and tanked on ice water. You have to drink lots and lots of nonsoda liquids to get better.

Prescription meds. Over-the-counter meds do nothing to relieve pneumonia symptoms. Save yourself some grief and get a good cough syrup prescription and an inhaler from your doctor. Also, don’t forget the probiotics if you’re taking antibiotics. Ask your doctor or the pharmacist to recommend some. Not all are equally effective. My pharmacist recommends Florajen3.

Relieve symptoms with naturopathic options. Sleep with a humidifier, and add menthol or essential oils. I bought this inexpensive assortment of oils a few years ago and am still using them with great benefit. This is the humidifier I’ve used with my family for several years. It does a great job.

Get a heating pad. Also, when you cough a lot, you can tear muscles in your core. My doctor said that’s common. After a month of hard coughing, I wrenched muscles in my stomach and back, making each successive cough extra painful. I slept with a heating pad. Make sure you have one or ask someone to loan one to you. This heating pad is similar to the one I bought a few years ago. I like that it has several heat settings and turns off automatically after two hours. So I fall asleep using it with no worries.

Have you had pneumonia or a related illness? What helped you to recover?

Filed Under: Fun Stuff Tagged With: friends, illness, service

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Comments

  1. Nicole | The Professional Mom Project says

    January 3, 2018 at 4:18 pm

    I’ve had pneumonia twice and it is tough. For me rest and drinking lots of fluids (plus some major antibiotics) helped. I hope you’re on the mend!

    Reply
    • Kerry says

      January 3, 2018 at 6:27 pm

      I’m most definitely on the mend. I just hope that by writing about the experience I can help someone else who is going through it.

      Reply

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You and I bristle at those words, but it was very much a woman’s life in the era of the Ming Dynasty. 

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Don’t just trust anyone to recommend a book to y Don’t just trust anyone to recommend a book to you. 

I’ve been burned many times by recommendations in Facebook groups. 

Even when I specifically ask if the book contains profanity or explicit scenes, I’ve been reassured that it’s awesome … only to discover it’s full of ick. 

Many readers just don’t have a clean-reads mindset. They don’t notice the swearing, the inappropriate content. 

So what can you do?

My number one resource is my friends, my local book club. We have varying tastes, but they are usually spot on with their recommendations to me. 

I’m sharing this one by Lisa See as an example. It’s excellent and engaging. 

It’s not my first read about early Chinese women. But it’s my first one where the MC is a young woman studying to become a doctor when, according to Confucius, “An educated woman is a worthless woman.”

You and I bristle at those words, but it was very much a woman’s life in the era of the Ming Dynasty. 

The content is adult but is expressed in the polite Chinese manner. If you’re like me, you want to know the history but not feel as if you’re being subjected to pornography while learning. I’m halfway through the book and am pleased with the storytelling and tactful way history is shared. 

A new novel, Lady Tan’s Circle of Women is an excellent choice for your next book. 

#lisasee #bestsellingauthor #cleanreads #cleanread #cleanreadsbooks #mrsladywordsmith #historicalfiction #historicalfictionbooks #historicalfictionnovel #booksirecommend #bookstagram
The Opera Sisters, by Marianne Monson, is WWII his The Opera Sisters, by Marianne Monson, is WWII historical fiction based on the true story of Ida and Louise Cook. 

Have you read it too?
#cleanreadsbooks #cleanreads #cleanbooks #historicalfiction #historicalfictionbooks #basedonatruestory #wwⅱ #mrsladywordsmith
Who here works or has worked in education (any cap Who here works or has worked in education (any capacity)?

Let’s give you a shout out! 

Comment and tell us what you do or have done. ✏️

#educatorsofinstagram #teachersfollowteachers #teacherswhoread #teacherswhofollowteachers #teacherswhopray #mrsladywordsmith
School starts very soon, and I’m ready! 💜 @fa School starts very soon, and I’m ready! 💜 @family.lyceum 

#homeschoolteacher #homeschoolteachers #microschool #microschools #backtoschool #mentor #clearfieldutah #mrsladywordsmith
Another fun book club last night. Butterbeer had n Another fun book club last night. Butterbeer had nothing to do with the book we read, but most of the ladies wanted to try it. 

Cream soda
A hint of butter extract (1/4 to 1/2 tsp)
Caramel syrup (to taste)
Cream (to taste)
 
Mix. Sip to make sure you like the flavors. Adjust as needed. 

Top with Spray Whip and a drizzle of more caramel. 

Enjoy! 🪄
Don’t forget to clean your computer case (but no Don’t forget to clean your computer case (but not the screen) with this easy tip. 

I bet you already have the supplies at home. No need to buy anything special. 

Gold Like the Sun 🎶 @imsophielouise 

#backtoschooltips #computertips #writertips #mrsladywordsmith #computercleaning #oneminutetip #oneminutehacks
This is my favorite time of day. I hunker down wit This is my favorite time of day. I hunker down with a bit of good chocolate and a good read. 

This one I’m reading to see if it might be a good fit for my new job at @family.lyceum . 

Has anyone here read the series or do you have kids/grandkids who read them?

#utahtruffles #thevirginiamysteries #mrsladywordsmith #mysterybooksforkids #summerreading #summerreadingforkids
We had a very fun Harry Potter Music Camp 🎶at m We had a very fun Harry Potter Music Camp 🎶at my house the other day. Our homemade Butterbeer was a hit!

I teach piano lessons, but we took a break this summer. So it was good to get together for a couple of hours and learn through play. 

I made up several music-related games and the word search pictured here. I’ll be adding them to my Etsy shop. The word search is already there. 

Holler if you’d like links. 🪄

#harrypotter #harrypotterfan #harrypotterparty #musiccamp #harrypottermusic #summercamp #summercampsforkids #summercamps #mrsladywordsmith #pianostudents #butterbeer
BOOKS will EAT you UP! NEW at @barnesandnoble Wh BOOKS will EAT you UP! NEW at @barnesandnoble 

What’s a fun book you’ve found for your kids this summer? 

#bookstagram #childrensliterature #childrensbookstagram #funbooksforkids #funillustrations #booksforkids #barnesandnoble #mykidhasagoodmom #momswhoreadtotheirkids #mrsladywordsmith
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