Susan's Place Transgender Resources

Hi everyone.  I used to find " man flu funny". Now that I have to deal with it I'm not laughing. My dad has the flu and we are into day 2 of it. I suggested he lay on the sofa because it would be easier if he needed something. No, he didn't want to do that. He wanted to lay in his bed and watch TV and said that he would probably just sleep anyway.
Yeah, fat chance of that!  He said he would just text me if he needed something. He wasn't kidding. He must have texted me 100 times yesterday and he's got a good start on this morning. Yesterday when I asked him what he wanted for lunch he said just a can of soup. Ok, he totally knows I never use canned soup and that we never have it on hand. So I told him I would make some chicken soup and he said he would rather have tomato. Fine. I made him tomato soup. After he ate it he said tomato soup always made him crave grilled cheese. He could have told me that before but ok. I made him grilled cheese. He texted me a million times wanting his laptop, asking if the mail had come yet, wanting a milkshake because his throat hurt, wanting me to bring up his phone charger, he ran out of tissues and asking if the heat was on because he had the chills. Instead of asking for all those things at once or even 2 at a time he managed to space them out so I was running up and down the stairs all day. He has a million books so I suggested he read one. I thought it might occupy him. But he said he didn't feel like reading.  About 10 last night he said his nose hurt from blowing it so much and asked if we had any of those tissues with lotion. He knew we didn't or I would already given him them.  So I went out and got some for him.

So this morning I was cooking breakfast for Tyler and I asked him what he wanted. He said he didn't feel like eating. I asked him if he was sure and he said yes he was sure. So about 45 minutes later, right after I had cleaned up the kitchen he said he thought he could handle some toast. Then he said if there were any scrambled eggs left he could eat some. Really?? Any left? With Tyler around he knows We don't usually ever have left overs. Especially breakfast left overs. So the toast he thought he could manage to choke down turned into scrambled eggs, bacon and toast. If he doesn't get better in the next day or so I worry about my hair because Im going to tear it all out!

I realize he's sick and that he can't help being annoying but I don't understand why it happens. My dad is totally not one to want to be waited on. Not usually anyway.  What is it about being sick that turns men into such babies? Tyler always acts like a big baby when he's sick but I'm surprised my dad is. Evidently the man flu strikes men of all ages.

Your dad isn't going to want to get well after all that pampering and waiting hand and foot.

Seriously, people pay good money for that kind of service!  :D

https://www.mnn.com/health/fitness-well-being/stories/man-flu-real-so-give-men-your-life-break

HAH!  Just kidding, I've had man-flu, I know what it is  ;D

I'm feeling jealous LOL  I've been down sick all week but I live alone so no-one to pamper or wait on me

But then again I wouldn't have it anyway, wouldn't want to put that on anyone

*Goes back to snacking on her cranberry/orange relish*

Quote from: Faith on December 15, 2017, 12:42:56 PM
https://www.mnn.com/health/fitness-well-being/stories/man-flu-real-so-give-men-your-life-break

HAH!  Just kidding, I've had man-flu, I know what it is  ;D

That was an interesting article. But like article said,  even if he's sick he doesn't have to be so whiney about it. My dad isn't the whiney type but I guess that's another symptom of man flu. I really hope my brother doesn't catch it. If they were both sick I would need a rubber room.

Quote from: Faith on December 15, 2017, 12:42:56 PM
https://www.mnn.com/health/fitness-well-being/stories/man-flu-real-so-give-men-your-life-break

HAH!  Just kidding, I've had man-flu, I know what it is  ;D

The article says that
"The higher the testosterone, the slower and weaker the immune response."

A study found that in past centuries, Korean eunuchs lived on average 14 to 19 years longer than whole men.  Another study of a Kansas institution (where the staff seem to have been a bit knife-happy) found that: "... the castrated inmates on average lived 13.6 years longer than the intact ones (55.7 vs 69.3 years). What's more, the earlier you were castrated, the longer you lived." (Quoted from gizmodo dot com.)

There's the answer, Julia!  If you have any spare T-blockers, you could slip them to your father and brother in their coffee!  Not only will they be less demanding, they'll be healthier and live longer.  By the time they find out, they'll probably thank you. ;D

Have a bag packed for Australia, though, just in case they're ungrateful.

Julia... Be thankful. I lost my parents when I was 30 and I never got a chance to take care of them. I did once give my Dad, CPR while waiting for the ambulance. I was 13. I know sometimes parents can be a strain and mine were no exception. When you get older you will appreciate the day you wasted taking care of Dad. Especially because he has been such a good ally in your transition and has stood behind you your whole life.

Julie, just think of all the stuff your dad does for you. That should be plenty of overcompensation for your taking care of him.
Speaking of illness: the only time in the last 15 years that I got sick, was just a few days after a flu shot.

I do remember everything my dad does for me and there were plenty of times he took care of me when I was sick. I don't mind taking care of him. I do get annoyed at times but I would never tell him that or act annoyed with him. I'm sure he gets annoyed with me sometimes.

You have written many times about how much you love and appreciate your dad, Julia.  I know that you were just letting off steam with your inimitable humour.

Turn off your phone and tell him all his texts ran the battery down.

HEY!!!! I represent that annoying population that when sick gets annoying!!!! I become a baby everything pains me and I can't get up to do things either. Watch what you say....I am watching you here, lol. I will readily admit my faults, I would work on this but, I am not really sick often enough to work on it. So annoying I am.

Some people did some studies in the last few years that suggested guys do just have worse immune systems and lower pain thresholds.

If I'm feeling sick it's hard to get me to do anything. I only get sick like once every four years or something ridiculous but when I do I always think I'm gonna die and will just sleep (or drink and sleep if it's really bad) it away. The house could be on fire - I don't care.