The Evil Stomach Bug Here is what it has all been about since Friday: Holding the bowl and holding back Lisetta's hair as she threw up, again and again. It was all bile or the water we were trying to keep in her to prevent dehydration, unless she threw up nothing at all. Making sure to be there with a washcloth when she was finished to wipe her mouth. Getting up every 15 minutes to give her 15 mL of pedialyte, hoping it wouldn't get thrown up. Rinsing out clothes and underwear that have diarrhea in them that was pushed out during retching. Seeing my normally active, enthusiastic children just lay there, not saying a word. Lisetta getting progressively darker under the eyes which were sinking into her skull as the dehydration worsened. Knowing that if she didn't turn the corner soon, we would be in the hospital. Looking at Lisetta's ribs this morning, as they stick through her now skinny torso. Wondering if her color will return soon to pink, as opposed to ashen gray. Nursing Andreas all night long, as much as he wanted, to prevent the dehydration I was seeing in his sister. Not seeing Azaya on Monday because I didn't want her to get it too. She is at her dad's. Feeling so relieved that no one threw up yesterday, just working on rehydrating Lisetta. My heart sinking when she woke up this morning, poured herself some cereal, water, and pedialyte, then throwing up the water. And then Andreas also threw up the breastmilk he had this morning. Trying to get people to cover my discussions today, because Mike is sick as well. Smelling my children, who didn't smell like diarrhea, but like the acid we have in the lab. Wondering again and again what to present at group meeting on Thursday, but not being able to focus at all, and then wasting the three hours I did have to work last night. Fearing, with every burp and gurgle of my belly that it was beginning for me, and that soon I would be as debilitated as Mike, and no one would be able to take care of any of us! Afraid to eat anything because would that taste good coming up again? Trying to make sure the housework was done because if I got sick too, no cleaning would be done. So far, I'm good to go. |