Retching.
[NB: This post doesn't improve much from that first word. You have been warned.]
I look at the clock: 12:23am. It must be my wife. I go to investigate. Yep, Brittany is poised over the toilet heaving. This continues all night. I wake to take my shower at 6am and find her curled in the bathtub... the only place she's been able to sleep all night.
I stay home and catch up on my RSS feeds. I don't feel like I have the energy to respond to many posts. There were even some really interesting ones. But I just couldn't do it. You'll find a couple of them in my Other Posts of Note.
By lunch I'm not feeling so well. But Brittany needs some electrolyte juice, so I'm off to the store with the two girls in tow. I have to take a break every few minutes to sit. Right before heading out. In the parking lot. I'm really not feeling hot.
I do not remember the last time I threw up. In fact, I'm pretty sure I never have. But standing in line to purchase some important fluids, I started to really question my stomach's next move.
"Thank you, Mr. Holzmann," the cashier says as she hands me my receipt. I force a smile and head for the door, trying to limit my movement while moving to where I can sit down and let my stomach settle.
I have the girls by either hand. The plastic bag hangs from my wrist. My stomach tightens.
'Oh no.' I turn around to keep the girls behind me as a few pieces of orange and a gallon of water spew forth. The older girl is fascinated.
"You just made orange come out of your mouth."
"Yes," I reply, between heaves. "This is what Brittany was doing all last night. It's what happens when you're sick."
Three more contractions. I'm trying not to bring attention to myself, and the other shoppers seem to be doing their best to ignore me.
I straighten up. I feel markedly better. I get home and take a nap while the girls do the same.
I awake at 5:30. The evening stretches before us. We need to find the strength to feed the girls and get them to bed. Thankfully they don't appear to have the bug yet.
That was my first working day of the year. How was yours?
Ever thrown up in the middle of a parking lot?
I hadn't. Until today.
~Luke Holzmann
Filmmaker, Writer, Surrogate Father
I think that counts, Judy. I'll give you points for that <smile>.
Brittany threw up again last night, but seems to be doing better. And I'm here at Sonlight, but plan to go to bed early. <smile>
~Luke
Does out the door of a moving car that's just come to a screeching halt count?!
Hope this passes quickly.
Thanks, Cherish, Lynn, Se7en and Mrs. C! We're feeling better. Hope to be 100% tomorrow.
That would have been a parking lot, Jana <smile>.
So far the girls still appear to be healthy. Thanks, Tammy!
Thanks for sharing that story, Heidi! Totally made my day <smile>.
~Luke
Stomach flu is one of the top 5 tortures, I think.
Just to cheer you up a little.... I purchased Mathtacular for my oldest son, but all 3 boys (3, 5, and 7) ended up LOVING it. They would sit and watch Justin for hours, especially the youngest two (go figure). I purchased the next 2 DVDs and decided to wrap them up as Christmas presents. {Big Grin} Christmas morning we went to the grandparents' house. My youngest was the first to open a gift. He *squealed* MATHTACULAR!!, hugged the DVD and told Dad he was ready to go home...
Ohhhh I hate being sick and having to do the meals and diapers anyway!! Hope you feel well soon!
Awww, sorry to hear you're sick...blech... We haven't had this kind of bug in quite awhile - thank goodness - and I tend to fight it with every ounce of my strength until finally it overcomes me...then I wonder why I didn't just throw up a whole lot sooner because of the relief it finally gave me. Blech. Praying you'll both recover before the two girls get it!
Blessings,
Tammy ~@~
You are right: Most people don't get to spend their first day back at work decorating the parking lot!!! You will be able to laugh about this in about five years time!!! The indignity of human life... Hope you all get better soon.
Sorry to hear about the parking lot thing. Hope you and your wife feel better soon. :)
I hope you two feel better soon, and that the girls to not get the bug !!
As to your question...
I have !! And let me tell you it is one of my better choices.
Thanksgiving last year my 20 year old daughter, my son and I were all sick with a stomach flu. Try the tree of us all in the bathroom together, for 2 days straight. I would have loved a parking lot.
I almost did the same one time. I was lucky.
I'm sorry you're not feeling well. I hope you get better soon.