Thursday, July 9, 2009

Soup and swine flu

We’ve been in Swine Flu Quarantine this week, after H. and I came down with sore throats, fevers, sneezing, headaches and the usual aches and pains.
Poor H. had a really high temperature, so together with all her other symptoms, she qualified to be tested for Oink Oink flu.
She was terrified!
I was swabbed a couple of months ago, but the test was much quicker and easier back then.
Now guidelines have changed, and H. basically had to have her nose swabbed with a really long cotton bud. And it hurt. In fact, I'm surprised you didn't hear her screams from here!
To make things worst, the doctor needed two swabs. And because H. wriggled and squirmed – and managed to give the doctor a good kick in the crotch – she had to have three swabs done (one of them didn’t work).
In the end, she had to be wrapped in a blanket, me holding her on my lap and another staff member helping to hold her down, while the doctor did the test. It was horrible!
The results still aren’t in, but because she’s been tested and the doctor suspected piggy flu, we were ordered home and told to stay there. We’re not to come out until at least 48 hours after her temperature goes back to normal.
H. still had a fever last night, so I’m really hoping it will come down soon and we’ll be allowed out during the weekend.
Luckily, the day before we got sick, I’d taken the kids to the DVD store, and bought a stack of ex-rental, $5 DVDs for the holidays. So at least they’ve been able to watch a few movies they haven't seen before, and we’ve also loosened the computer time restrictions to help keep them occupied.
I’d also already done a massive grocery shop for the week. Which was great, because we’re not even supposed to answer the door if someone knocks, and any deliveries are to be left on the doorstep!
Anyway, as we’ve been ill, I’ve been making restorative soups in a bid to keep us as healthy as possible.
The other day, I made Felicity Moore’s chicken noodle soup from scratch. The kids wouldn’t come near it – they prefer the Continental cup-a-soup variety. But I enjoyed it, and even Husband pronounced it acceptable.
And last night, I tried NotQuiteNigella’s recipe for spinach and white bean soup. It was so quick and easy to make and is delicious. We didn’t have any chorizo in the house, so I used bacon bits instead.
Delicious.

Spotted earlier in the week, before swine flu quarantine ... a seafood display at our local fish and chippery
White bean and spinach soup

4 comments:

Unknown said...

Oooh, I love that photo of the fish!!!! :-)

So sorry to hear about H (and you!) not feeling well - you really seem to be having a run of it lately, don't you? And what a shame - the kids now can't join in those holiday camps you'd been planning, can they?

Really hope you both start feeling better soon.

That spinach & white bean soup looks delicious! I love making winter soups (ready-made dinner for several nights, plus usually so economical!) I might try the recipe sometime, although I'm not a huge fan of spinach...but husband is! :-)

Hsin-Yi

Unknown said...

Hello small humans,

I would love to shake your paws too and maybe when you are feeling better, we can meet up in a park for a play! :-)

Slobbers,
Honey the Great Dane

Unknown said...

Oh bummer about being sick again :( fingers cross you recover soon as we have heaps to do H...!! You gotta show me the sky tower you love so much when we get there!! Get better soon H and will see you in


5 DAYS...........

WOO HOOOOOOOOOOOO Some more Aussies invading NZ!!

Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella said...

I hope you guys are ok! Poor thing getting swabbed 3 times.

That fish photo is great! I'm so glad that you like the soup and great substitution with the bacon ;)

Fire and ice ...

You can take the Brissie girl out of New Zealand, but you can't take NZ out of the girl. Or something like that. What I mean is that al...