chains

well... yesterday i was struck by the stomach flu. at first i assumed it was something else, because i haven't been in direct contact with anyone who's had a stomach bug. but eventually, after i threw up a few times, there was no denying that i'd been hit by a virus. it was fairly sudden, except the night before my tummy wasn't feeling so good.

b was very good about it, and took care of éamon really well. that kid didn't even noticed that i was out of commission. as i was barfing my guts out, he was giggling away with brendan on the living room floor. we were supposed to be helping with clean up at special meals, so instead b went on his own and we called ben and meg to see if one of them could come be with éamon while i lay in bed. that worked out very well. b was only gone an hour, and ben did a good job as éamon's very first babysitter.

i don't know about you, but i've noticed that every stomach flu is different, and it takes some time to figure each case out. after my third barf, i'd figured out that it was triggered by me moving. i'd lie still for quite a while and think i was feeling back to normal, but then i'd change positions or get up and end up throwing up. so by 10:00 i'd developed a plan where i'd just stay still for the rest of the night. except, i'd slide myself up into a sitting position to feed the baby. this, of course, would mean brendan would have to bring me the baby. and for the most part, nursing worked out just fine. i kept my torso still for the next 5 hours (moving my arms and legs to get more comfortable) and eventually, that seemed to do the trick, because i didn't throw up again.

i can't remember when i had a virus like this last. in recent years, vomiting has been triggered by things other than an illness. i swear, i've barfed more this year than the last 10 (maybe 15) years combined. morning sickness, cough-barfing, childbirth barfing, and now this. at least with a virus, it provides some relief and i feel temporarily better.

i'm definitely still recovering. my stomach is still not 100% and i still feel weak. the house is kind chaotic (partly because i'm crocheting éamon a christmas stocking, and my yarn is scattered all over the floor in the den), and i feel guilty about just sitting on my ass all day. but i suppose there's no other way of getting over the stomach flu than waiting it out.

let them see you through
all the hard things we've all gotta do.