This weekend was one of those times.
And, it is not over.
Look, I am not one to complain too much but as I write this, my stomach continues to churn, cramp and burn.
I want the misery to end.
It may sound like a lot of whining and ridiculous amounts of exaggeration, but take it from a girl who is used to pain and misery, this is hell.
I had heard of this Norovirus in relation to cruise ships (aka, floating petri dishes) and something about miserable passengers at sea, swaying back…and forth…with the waves, wanting to jump overboard to end their torment.
I get it now.
I wanted to jump over-board from my son’s bedroom window and let the Earth swallow me whole (Happy Earth Day, yay, me). I have been hiding in his room ( he’s at College) since this wretchedness began on Sunday, to reduce the spreading of this violent and eager to multiply, parasite.
My daughter was the first victim. We spent all Saturday evening tending to her as waves of misery took control of her tiny body. She had nothing left in her. Dehydrated and weak. By Monday morning, she looked half human half vampire with no trace of fluids in her body.
Then, it was my turn. Unlike The Messiah, my last supper was consumed on Easter. A friend brought over some ham and potatoes, bless her soul (and hope for her sanity that she doesn’t get it.)
I did not know it was possible for even my eyelids to hurt. My stomach was an inferno, I had difficulty breathing, and the nausea consumed my every pore. Chills, sweats, dizziness, violent heaves, fainting episodes, body aches and more nausea.
Our neighbors had warned us. They had barely survived the virus and had pleaded that we not to go near them. We didn’t. It didn’t matter.
My poor husband is now cursed with this and what’s worse is that I can barely help him. I am still weak and cannot keep anything down, including my RA meds which I desperately need to function and the gross blue Gatorade my daughter got me.
He has a fever and I am supposed to stay away because I need to avoid fevers on account of having no spleen. Sigh. We are all sleeping in separate bedrooms and trying to weather the storm on our own. My daughter can help now, thank goodness.
It is day 3 and my body is still rejecting it all.
Tomorrow, I will call the doctor if my symptoms have not improved.
They say misery loves company, so I thought I would turn to my internet friends (who are the only people I can’t infect), to keep me company. I appreciate you listening to me as I lay here alone praying that this thing leaves our home for good.
My advice to you all, is to wash your hands 24/7 for the rest of your lives and beyond. Even in the afterlife, you should continue to wash your hands.
And pray.
Maria,
Did you survive???
Are you alive ???
Have never had this virus but have experienced other “cruise ship maladies”. Will never again go there and do that again !!! Hope this finds you well.
Paul
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Hello Paul! I survived but barely. It was brutal. I’ve been on a cruise and didn’t have a problem but I am no longer too excited about the idea. Hope you are well. 🙂
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You poor thing. This is one of my personal life mottos. Never go on a cruise ship! Never! I hope you are feeling better now.
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Ugh! E-sending chicken broth and rapid recovery wishes!
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Thanks, Julia! I am still eating plenty of chicken broth and soup, it’s really the only thing that I want. Your E-broth was delish, not too salty! 🙂
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My whole family had this about two years ago. It really is the worst! My poor sister had it hit her when she was on a flight. Hope you are feeling better this week. We’ve all been fighting colds and flus here. 😦
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Ay! I can’t imagine having this while on a flight. The poor thing! I hope you are all feeling better. I’m looking forward to getting back to my food loving self! 🙂
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Oh, Maria!!!!! I hope you feel better!
I wonder if that’s what’s going around here. I had stomach cramps as well, but nothing like what you have experienced! I hope you feel better. Can you drink water or lemon lime drinks?
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Glad your stomach cramps were short-lived! Phew! I’m getting there, slowly but surely – I hope! It’s so NOT LIKE ME to not be hungry. I LIVE for food – usually. Right now I don’t crave it, dream about it or think about. This has never happened! 🙂 I’ll take it for a little bit but then I need to get back to gorging!
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Bless your heart! I’ll bet you’re either feeling better or dead by the time you see this comment. Sounds like what would happen if you had a tail and got it stuck in a roller coaster to hang over the side and get slung against the rails while it zooms up and down with kids screaming and barfing all around you. Hope it passes soon.
Just a tip . . . You don’t want to drink colored Gatorade. Just in case. Whatever is in it stains the carpet something fierce when it’s barfed up.
Many prayers for your swift recovery. 🙂
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Ah, Piper! Thanks for the laugh and well wishes! 🙂 I’m happy to report that I am not dead but boy, I’m still trying to recover. My immune system couldn’t handle this virus and I’m still weak, low potassium, low platelets, etc! Craziness! I am hoping to feel stronger this week. 🙂
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I had that wretched sickness a few months bac, and I never get sick. It was horrible. I wouldn’t wish it on anyone. Funny, I have gone on many cruises and never got sick. It’s riding the subways here in NYC that we get sick from. Feel better!
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Until you’ve had something like it you just don’t get it! Glad you survived. I’m not quite myself yet and I’m still in shock of the power of this thing! It’s kind of scary what it did to my already compromised immune system! LOL on riding the subways being worse than cruises. I’ve been on a cruise and I was totally fine! I have to admit that if someone invited me on a paid cruise vacation next week, I may not take them up on it just on the risk of getting this again! 🙂
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Oh my Gosh Maria….praying that you’re on the recovery from this vile sickness!! We’ve been hearing a lot about this virus although your the first person we know, (even if by way of computer) who has caught it. I (Mathair) have been throwing up the past 3 days but mine is a local stomach flu! I hope your on the mends now and please make sure to drink plenty of fluids so as not to dehydrate!! Much luv & hugs sent to you with lots of virtual chicken soup!! 😉 ❤
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Slurp…slurp…Thank you for that delicious hot chicken soup! It was just what I needed. 🙂 I’m getting there. The doc gave me a mega dose of Steroids so I should be jumping more that Tiger any day now! I hope you are better too! 🙂
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Oh my gosh this sounds horrible! I’m praying that by the time you read this that you are feeling better!
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Hello there and thanks for visiting. This was a tough post to visit, though. I hope it didn’t make you run away for good! 🙂 Your prayers were answered in that I am better, not quite right yet, but better! Gracias! 🙂
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Noroviruses are NASTY. I seem to remember one sweeping our local SF/fantasy/gaming con… thankfully, that was not a year I was in attendance.
(The sickies that were passed at the con last February were MUCH more benign.)
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You know that WE know pain and misery and that we can withstand more than many, so I know you believe me when I say this was horrid. Don’t wish it on ANYONE EVER! Enjoy your weekend! 🙂
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Claro que sí y igualmente.
My day started out very odd– dreaming of diving into a pool, but realizing that I roll-dived straight out of bed. Crash!
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Oh no! That’s awful and just what you don’t need. I’m sending over my very funny Spanish doctor to cheer you up x
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🙂 I’ll take the funny Spanish doctor anytime! 🙂
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BE GONE VIRUS! 😦
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I like your magic spell! 🙂
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Oh Maria, I’m so sorry to read this, please get well soon, you and your family. What an awful virus 😦 Praying for you all… xx
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My daughter is ok now. My husband and I are still crawling around with no energy and upset stomachs. I see the light though, it’s shining closer and closer! I mean the good light, not the tunnel light. 🙂
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Sorry, Maria. I hope you’re back on your feet soon. Viruses like that are the worst.
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I’m getting there, slowly. This thing is badass to the max. 🙂
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Boo. Kick its ass!
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So sorry to hear about your stomach. It is the worst.
The only thing good about stomach flu is weight loss. I had it three times in 1984 and lost 20 pounds! I changed my lifestyle too.
I would drink Pedialyte instead of Gatorade. That drink is soooooo dehydrating! It has a ton of crap in it. It used to give me dry mouth while playing tennis matches.
Hang in there girl!!!!
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Gracias, Susie! You know how much I love to eat! It’s been 4 days, it’s a record for me. I don’t even go 4 hours without food! Looking forward to getting myself back. Sorry I missed your party. 🙂
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What about Gatorade mixed half-strength? That’s what I remember a nursing student recommending.
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Oh Maria, I’m so sorry to hear you’re dealing with this! 😦
Since misery loves company, please enjoy my trip to hell during the Thanksgiving timeframe: http://myyearofsweat.wordpress.com/2013/12/02/week-47-workout-summary/. (You don’t have to read my workout summary, just the preamble that shares my stomach maladies… 🙂 Enjoy.
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Thanks for sharing your misery, Nancy! It made me feel better and not alone! 🙂 Worst. Virus. Ever. is right!
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Feel better soon!
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Ugh! You poor thing.
My family went through this in 2011 and it was one for the history books…if you aren’t too nauseous and want to read our tale……
http://funnysister.wordpress.com/2012/12/21/the-tale-of-the-family-pa-flu-za/
Hope you are all feeling better SOON!
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I loved your description of your family experience. WOW! Sounds about right. It’s horrendous, isn’t it? I hope I can joke some more about my experience at a later date. Thanks for the laughs! 🙂
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I hope that morning has brought some relief for you and Mr Brickhouse. What a miserable way to spend way to spend time in bed. I hope you are on the road to recovery soon
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Thanks, Pam. I wish I could come up with a poem to describe the misery! 🙂 Someone described it to me as being impregnated by Satan himself. My sentiments, exactly. I am hoping today is a better day! Gracias!
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As if you don’t have enough health issues to deal with…you poor thing, Maria. I’ll keep you in my prayers for a speedy recovery for your entire household. Ugh, I haven’t had a bug like that in years…thankfully. Take care of yourself! xo
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Thanks, Jill. It was a much different Easter than I expected. I am glad my daughter and husband are better. The jury is still out on me, hopefully today will be the day! I hope you had a nice weekend (I’m so out of sorts in terms of time), I can’t believe it’s Wednesday already! Thanks for the prayers, amiga! xo
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My liking this is in no way a like or even a support of the norovirus. It is actually an anti-like of it and a total support of you! Hope you’re feeling better soon!
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I appreciate that, Kerry. I may have some enemies out there that enjoyed pressing the LIKE button, but I know you are not one. 🙂 I have never gone this long without eating. Today is day 4. Usually I am an eating machine. We’ll see what today brings.
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Oh no
I’m so sorry to hear that you are sick! UGH! I will wash my hands double-step tomorrow, in your honor!
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Forget pretending to have Anthrax, this virus will do you in! Thanks, Aussa!
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I’m so so sorry you havé been sick, sorry the family has it. I would put on a hazmat suit and come take care of you if I lived closer.
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Oh honey, I would never make you do that. No hazmat is safe enough and you’ve had your share of misery! But I appreciate the thought! 🙂
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So sorry chica! I really hope you all feel better soon. My sister in law has it too and she is miserable
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Oh, poor sister-in-law!! I don’t wish this on ANYONE EVER!!! It figures, everyone else in the family is recovering and I’m on day 4. I will try to eat something today and see what happens. Thanks for your well wishes! 🙂
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😉
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Scott saw the picture of that dead zombie and asked “what the hell are you reading?!”
I’m so sorry 😦 If we lived closer I would come in with a face mask and gloves to hold your hair back. I’m virtually holding your hair….
Feel better! Grape gatorade is better.
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Ha, the dead zombie pic doesn’t even do it justice! Oh, Julie. WOW. Thank you for holding my hair back, I appreciate it. Day 4, I am hoping to be able to keep something down. I’m drinking the red Gatorade now. Thanks, amiga.
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Ugh poor thing. Hope it passes ASAP.
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Oh, it’s “passing” alright, right through me! I am praying for a “Niagra Falls”- free day. Thanks 🙂
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OMG. Feel better! I hope this bug passes quickly and you get some peace. It sucks being sick. Vent away! Wish I could bring you some saltines and soup. *hands you a tissue* 😦
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Thanks, Jess. It’s been an…interesting Easter weekend. Ok, it has sucked big time. There, I feel better. Thanks for letting me vent! 🙂
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Well, you certainly still have your sense of humor in tact. Feel better!
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Thank you! So sweet of you to comment. You gotta keep laughing, right?
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Ay ay ay! I hope you all get over this junk soon!
Prayers and best wishes!
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Gracias, amigo. No es bueno. Es MUY malo!!!
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I HATED to hit the damn “like” button, as I surely don’t like your misery, but you must remain popular at all costs! Besides, I DO like your writing. The picture made me nauseous though. Just sayin’.
Get better soon please.
P
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Thank you, Patti! I forgive you for hitting the Like button, anything for the stats… 🙂 All you can do is laugh or cry and I already cried, so laughing was next on my list. Thanks so much for stopping by and I promise this virus will not reach you for commenting. 🙂
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🙂
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I clicked Like because no one in your house is dead. I’ve read about these horrible cruise-ship miseries. It’s one of the reasons I won’t go on the ships out of Charleston. Ick. I hope you all feel better REALLY QUICK.
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Good point, Andra. No one is dead, though that would have been a better alternative. Wow. Never in my life. I can’t wait for it to be a distant memory. 🙂
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Crap.
We’re here for you to rant at.
Just remember, despite it seeming like eternity, it will pass soon enough.
Just remember to keep taking fluids so you don’t dehydrate.
Hang in there, Brickhouse!
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*Crap…is right! I’m hanging in there, it’s taking longer than I hoped. Thanks for the well wishes.
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