Twins.

No, not Minnesota. And no, we're not expecting two...unless one is totally hiding behind the other. Heh.

I've been home sick the past few days with the flu...or at least flu-like symptoms. I started working nights on Sunday, had a super rough case that I'm still not emotionally or mentally over yet, felt exhausted...and then lo and behold, after my next shift, I had a whopper of sore throat, congestion, headache, felt warm and had myalgias. After talking to the OB, and being totally freaked out (with the serious threat of swine flu among pregnant women, they're treating everyone with symptoms), I was started on Tamiflu and told not to go to work until I was "better" - whatever that means.

As a resident, it goes against the grain to just stay home from work. It seems decadent...or too indulgent...or lazy. And if one does have to stay home, even if it's for the sake of others (like patients), it's usually only for the shortest time possible -- like a day. The OB, however, pressed upon me that I need to stay home, not only for myself, my patients, other ppl I work with, but for Jelly Bean as well. And that I shouldn't go back to nights, since going back too early would just prolong the illness. Sigh. So I've been home for 2, and soon 3, shifts. While I know that in the real world, it's the sensible thing to do, guilt continues to consume me, since I know that other residents are having to pick up the slack. I feel like a bad person because I got sick. Blah.

Anyway, so I get a call from my niece, S (the 4 year old), who also happens to be sick. S loves to do what I do, like what I like, eat what I eat, etc. She likes to say that we're "twins" because of those similarities. So when she calls, she tells me excitedly that she and I are even the same in getting sick together. After the initial excitement, she asks if I'm ok, if JB's ok...and we compare notes in terms drinking lots of water and honey tea, eating soup, etc. Then come her final thoughts on the matter, paraphrased:

S: Komo, we're REALLY twins. But you know, there are some twins who actually live together, wear the same clothes, look the same and so they're really REALLY twins. Someday, can we live together so we can be close like real twins too?
Me: Yes, someday, I would love to live close to you so we could be together whenever we wanted.
S: Yes!! Then I can take care of Jelly Bean too. *silence* You have to come to my house! *more silence* I miss you, Komo.
Me: I miss you too, S. I love you!
S: I love you, too. *again, silence*
Me: Ok, go drink some more ggool mool (honey tea).
S: You too! Bye!

*Sigh* If this is what being an aunt is like, how will I ever survive being a mother?!