I am a loyal employee, I do my job very well, I am always punctual and always willing to help pick up the slack from our ever short handed profession.

Yesterday I called in sick, because well I am sick.  Daily I am responsible to safely deliver 240 kids from home to school and back again.  Catchin cooties is a job hazard.  Happens to all of us due to exposure.  This is my 2nd bout of cooties this school year.  2 weeks after school started was the first time. <happens every year> We were so short handed that I went to work even when I knew I shouldn't have.  I was sick and miserable for 2 straight weeks. Ended up with Bronchitis and a hefty doctor and Rx bill to boot.  I attribute that to not getting enough sleep and my inability to take any type of medication to help my symptoms due to the nature of my job. 

So this time I decide to try a different approach.  I called off yesterday and doped myself up on anti-hystemines and attempted to sleep the day away. Good plan I thought.  Maybe I can avoid getting so sick this time. 

12:00 pm my phone rings waking me up, it is my dispatcher calling.  Asking me to come into work. Yep asking me to come to work.  Mind you I have been a walking coughing stuffy mess since Monday and she knew it. The desperation was obvious in the tone of her voice.  I hesitates for a good 45 seconds pondering the idea of actually going in. I can't believe I actually considered it!!  But then I said to myself "What the hell are you thinkin?"  I mustered up all my nerve and said No, I am sick and I don't feel I can preform my job safely at this time.  I did the right thing.  We are given sick leave for a reason.  To use when we are sick, right?

So why then did I feel guilty for my decision?  Shouldn't my loyalties lie with ME!!  Is it not my right to properly tend to my health and well-being?  I should have stayed home today as well.  I feel worse again because I can't take the meds to help manage the symtoms.  But as I paced the floor this morning after a restless night, I couldn't bring myself to pick up the phone and make that call.  It was easier just to suck it up and go to work.

Sometimes I just can't figure me out!!  lol