I hate being sick.

Like many of you, I was attacked by the nasty flu bug. Unfortunately for me though, I never got the chance to get over it. The expected five days turned into a week, and now two. After hacking up a rainbow and a lung, I decided to brave Heath Services to hopefully find out what was going on. Yup, I have, or should I say had, the flu.

The ironic thing: I work with Community Outreach as a Flubuster — a person who goes into the community to vaccinate people — I should have known better. I should have gotten vaccinated. I should have read the emails instead of deleting them, read the posters instead of walking past them. I should have taken the time to get the shot.

Then after battling the flu for a week, I was diagnosed with Pneumonia. I have been sick before, but it has never really affected my lungs. There is no feeling that can compare to the terror that pulsates through your body when you cannot grab your breath to walk to the bathroom, or find the air to speak.

My first couple of days in quarantine were extremely miserable. I was in and out of the ER and doctor's office and scared to death. I didn't really move too much from my bed except to go to the restroom and to Health Services. And I really didn't want to move either.

It was extremely lonely.

I never had a television in my room, I was never in my dorm room enough to really sit and watch it. I tried to read and color to keep myself entertained. However, after only two days of sitting and staring at the wall, I realized I was not St. Clare of Assisi and I broke down and had my friends get me a small TV. And the next day, there was cable. And it was good.

My friends always joked that all Health Services can offer regarding medical care are popsicles. But I am thankful because lucky for me, the popsicles are buddy pops — you know, the ones with two sticks you break and share with a buddy? Those popsicles gave me an excuse not only to venture out of my room, but also share some time and popsicle goodness with a friend.

It amazes me how people have come to visit me during this whole ordeal. And, I thank them. My friends did everything from smuggling dining hall food to helping me find my remote. Some even offered to vaccuum my floor and iron my pajamas stating, "Hey, what are friends for?"

So, now a few weeks later I am still sick and counting off the days until I can go home for Thanksgiving. I am ready. I long for my own bed and I crave my dad's special campbell's soup. I want my mommy.

You might recognize my name as the person who begs people not to smoke, and not to eat saccharin and sorbitol. Yeah, even us health freaks get sick. And, I am afraid that all of the ginseng and echinacea will not cure me. I just need more time, more prescriptions — and hopefully, more popsicles.

Oh yes, and if you haven't been vaccinated yet, please do so. Being sick is no fun. Especially if you don't have a TV.

• Be nice to me, I'm sick.