Monday, February 09, 2009

An Unexpected Benefit of Senior Living: a Clean Carpet

I've always enjoyed relatively good health (arthritic knees excepted), so I never stopped to think about sudden illness and its consequences. Well, suddenly yesterday morning, my digestive system rebelled with some kind of intestinal virus (said to be going around), and I was sick, sick, sick. Of course I've had what we used to call the "stomach flu" before, but it was never this bad. My stomach rejected everything put into it the day before and anything I tried to eat or drink yesterday. Nothing stayed down, nothing. I was weak and miserable all day, and I couldn't move more than a few feet away from a bathroom. I never left my apartment.

After a fairly good night's sleep, I felt a bit better. I thought my stomach was completely empty. Then it happened: whaever was stored in my system decided to come out very quickly, and I didn't make it to the bathroom in time. The result was a badly stained beige carpet, brand new, of course.

Imagine my dismay! This had never happened to me before, and in my pristine highrise apartment, it seemed to be a disaster. That's when a major benefit of living at The Clare appeared: Thelma, the head housekeeper, promptly came in to survey the situation and brought Maurice, with his carpet cleaning machine, in. He said that no stain ever defeated him, and I now believe him. The carpet looks fine, and my embarrassment is fading.

Had something like this happened in my condo, I would have had to wait a long time for outside professional cleaning. It wouldn't have been cheap, either. I'm beginning to appreciate The Clare and the services it offers more and more! As for my health, I'm still weak, but I've managed to retain a glass of orange juice, half a piece of toast, and a scrambled egg. So far, so good. Now to try a bowl of soup for lunch!

2 comments:

Barb Davis said...

I'm so glad you're feeling better. My son and his wife had the same "bug" last week.

One Woman's Journey - a journal being written from Woodhaven - her cottage in the woods. said...

Continued get well wishes sent your way. I have truly guarded myself since I had surgery 2 weeks ago and finally beginning to feel like myself. Take care of yourself and all the extras are wonderful in your new life.