I try to be as honest as possible when it comes to juggling work and family life. Often times I hear that I shouldn’t share so much information because it might have the potential to come back and bite me in the rear. I look at it this way. I can’t be the only person struggling with things sometimes so I share with all of you in the hopes that you can relate, take a deep breath and know that you are not alone…which leads me to this post.

Two weeks ago I had been preparing for my trip to Los Angeles for the Hispanicize Conference but along with that I had the ins and outs of my everyday life – taking care of Shaunsito, housecleaning, and of course work. Typically I have a hard time shutting down for a little bit to relax and catch up on rest – I am always on the go! I think during my twenties I was able to pull it all off and then go out with the girls for dinner, drinks, and clubbing. But alas, as my doctor so nicely put it, I am older now. I can’t continue at the rate I’m going without taking a break every now and then. Unfortunately, I realized this a little too late.

I wrapped up last week with a consulting interview, back-to-back yard sales, and wrapping up last minute things for the upcoming trip. Not to mention that I had taken that week to quit drinking caffeine AND lose a few pounds! So I guess in combination with all that I was already doing on a regular basis I really should’ve known what was coming next. But as we all know hindsight is 20/20. ¿Qué no? Had I only taken it down a notch things may have played out a bit differently. I began feeling strange the Sunday night before my trip and I couldn’t quite figure out what was wrong. At first I thought it was morning sickness – no comments from the peanut gallery – and then my mind went to the flu. I started worrying that if I was indeed sick then the Hispanicize Conference wasn’t going to be in the cards for me. I crossed my fingers, tried to shake off the icky feeling and went to bed. When I awoke Monday morning I was in such a rush to feed Shaunsito and get him ready to go to my in-laws that I neglected to eat breakfast myself. You would think that even after I did a post on how breakfast was important I wouldn’t have skipped it. Yes, I’m a hard lesson learner.

With the added guilt from the night before that – thanks to my hubby, The Gringo Papi, for questioning why I was getting on a conference call instead of putting Shaunsito to bed for the last time before I left for 4 days – I decided to take my son on a quick trip to the mall to buy him a special gift. After popping into a few stores and paying a visit to the Easter Bunny we headed to my in-laws. I could feel that achiness and nausea kicking in again. And by the time we reached the house I started to feel emotional as well. I kept thinking, what is wrong with me?

After saying a tearful goodbye to Shaunsito I climbed back into my car and headed back to the mall to go shopping, then a trip to the hair salon, and lastly to my optometrist appointment to get my new glasses. Soon as I entered the mall I felt like I was going to pass out but I kept on going because I knew I still had so much to do. After I stopped at New York & Company I knew something wasn’t right. A woman passed by me and the smell of her perfume made me violently ill. Again I thought I was either preggers or had the flu. With that icky feeling back I realized I had yet to eat anything all day and by this point it was around 1:30pm. I decided to drag myself to the food court to eat something before I truly did pass out. Once I ate I started to feel less nauseous but every bone in my body ached, right down to my toes. I had to finally call my hubby to come meet me at the optometrist because I was so fearful that I would not make it much further. Once there I realized I was in pretty bad shape and had a complete meltdown.

Right there in front of everyone I started to cry. Yowza! I had no idea what was going on with me or my hormones which only made it worse. After much prodding my hubby felt my forehead and told me for the millionth time that I did not seem to be running a fever. Then why the heck was I the only person that was freezing their butt off in almost 80 degree weather? And why were the lights and sounds making me feel like I was going to hurl? I had no earthly idea why I was not only feeling sick but was an emotional mess on top of it. So we paid a visit to Urgent Care where the doctor ruled out the flu and pregnancy. After chatting a bit she decided it was actually exhaustion/fatigue that was my issue. Yes, true shocker. If I hadn’t been so darn tired I would’ve laughed out loud when she told me to take a break every so often and get some rest. And then the tears came again. I couldn’t stop them from flowing. I asked her again if she was sure I wasn’t preggers, I mean seriously what was up with all the crying? Anyhow, she sent me home with a prescription for rest and made me promise to follow up with my regular doctor if there were any more incidents like this. So once I got home I didn’t even put my pajamas but instead climbed into bed, fully clothed, and wrapped myself in 3 blankets. All I remember is my hubby making me some Thera-flu, just in case, setting my alarm and darkness.

So when I woke up this morning I felt better but not 100%. I still felt achy but at least now I’m able to function. And as I began typing this on my flight to Los Angeles the passenger sitting next to me was munching on M&M’s - the smell bothering me but did not have me reaching for the barf bag! I still can’t believe that I let this happen to my body and I’m still perplexed that all these crazy symptoms could possibly be exhaustion related. I didn’t feel that tired but when it hit, it hit full force. I guess the lesson here is not to underestimate rest and nutrition. Take care of your body and be good to yourself. Lord knows you don’t want to end up having a mami meltdown like me. And try to remember that if you don’t take the time to think of what is in the best interest for your life and health just remember that it affects your family as well. I want to be around a long time for my husband and son so this mami will start to take more naps from now on…well maybe after this post!

*Update: Paid a visit to my regular physician who confirmed I wasn’t pregnant OR crazy but after some blood work confirmed that it was iron deficiency anemia. My iron levels were dangerously low but I’m doing much better now. A little iron goes a long way!

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