How to Deal with a Sick Husband

When your husband is sick, he likely isn't the greatest company to have around. But you married him in sickness and in health, so you have to deal with that too. It goes beyond supplying his basic needs. We all deserve nurturing when we're sick. There are many things you can do to keep from going crazy and still take good care of your sick husband. Read on to learn more.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

1. Feel empathy for your sick husband. Remember how it feels when you're sick. You have no energy and just want to be coddled. Your husband deserves that too.
2. Look through your medicine cabinets, refrigerator and kitchen cupboards. Note what medications and food you have that's appropriate for a sick person. Make a list including things like chicken soup ingredients, crackers, cough and cold medicine and pain relievers.
3. Keep fluids on hand. Give him a glass of water every couple of hours. Make herbal tea once or twice a day. A sports drink with electrolytes is appropriate when he's feeling better and needs a boost of energy to see him through to recovery.
4. Prepare meals that go easy on the stomach and provide nourishment for the sick. Chicken soup with vegetables and matzoh balls isn't called "Jewish penicillin" for nothing. The cooked vegetables are easy to digest and their vitamins and minerals remain in the soup. Chicken is a great source of protein.
5. Leave the cordless by his bedside. When he's feeling better, encourage him to reach out to the friends he never has time to talk to.
6. Make sure the TV is at his feet and place the remote control where he can easily reach it. Buy magazines on topics he loves like cars and sports but avoid giving him the paper, even if he asks. It's not easy to recover when you're reading about the world's woes.
7. Get the kids involved. Make them look after your sick husband while you go next door for a cup of coffee and a talk. It's the only way to keep your sanity.

Tips & Warnings

• Resist your sick husband's pleas for pizza, ribs and burgers even when he's recovering.
• Make sure he calls his mother so she doesn't nag you.