The Flu

Or, as Matt calls it "the Death" entered our house this week and took me down hard, but I am happy to say that I fought back and won the battle! I caught a norovirus and it ravaged me for 48 torturous hours. Even now- 3 days after the last time I threw up I am still reeling from the after shocks. I am hoping that by writing about it I can put it behind me and move forward with my life- my precious, healthy, nonbarfing life. I think I have PTSD :)

It all started on Monday night. I wasn't feeling right when I came home from work. Andy, Matt, and I were going about our routine when the chills started in, by bathtime I called a time out and jumped into bed. I piled on as many comforters as I could find in the house and wondered what in the world was happening to me. I even googled my symptoms, which only increased my anxiety- I have Typhoid fever? I would soon find out what life had in store for me...

Matt left for DC at 6am. I hadn't opened my eyes yet, but I already knew that it wasn't going to be a good day. The fever was still there. I called in sick, but I still had to get Andy to daycare before I could jump back into bed without giving my illness away. What if they don't take him because they know that I am sick?? Should I call Matt and tell him to come home? I was panicked. I could barely stand, but I got dressed as if I was really going to work and managed to get Andy ready for the day. In the parking lot of the daycare I pinched my cheeks about 40 times and rolled in there with the baby. I could barely speak and the nausea had started to set in- I remember hitting myself afterwards, because I repeated what I said to the girls at the day care a couple of times for no reason. But they took him. He was safe. I could go home and jump into bed. Hallelujah!

I slept for most of the morning and then the floodgates opened. In between visits to the bathroom I watched the clock tick closer to five o'clock. What am I going to do with Andy? Should I go to the hospital? What if he gets it? He won't be able to survive this!!! Should I make Matt come home? Should I call family for help? I can't infect anyone. Andy's only chance of not getting this virus is if I keep nursing him. What will he get from me if I have no fluid left in my body? Keep drinking... Hopefully this will only be a 24 hour bug. I can do this!

That night Andy watched me smile at him while I picked my head up out of the toilet as if it was fun! Poor kid.

The good news is that Andy has managed to stay healthy and I am feeling better. Matt finally came home on Thursday night and took control of everything. He asked to come home many times while he was away, but I wouldn't let him for fear of him catching it too. The house is back in order (at least back to normal) and I am feeling better every day.

I also consider myself to be extremely lucky that I only had to feel bad for a couple of days. I know that there are a lot of people out there with children that don't feel very good everyday. It feels really bad to feel like you aren't there even though you are standing right in front of them. Thank goodness he isn't walking yet.