It feels good to be alive

A healthy person wants one thousand things. A sick person only wants one.

~ Unknown source

I know it sounds dramatic, but it feels good to be alive.

I have never been germ-phobic. When you grow up on an island with an outdoor toilet, no hot running water or a refrigerator, and limited access to medical care, to survive, you have to have healthy gut barriers. You develop a robust gut ecosystem, where good bugs help keep the bad bugs in check. 

So, when travelling to less developed countries, as others around me experience food poisoning symptoms, never have I been afflicted.

Early last week, when our very active and healthy three-year-old granddaughter started projectile vomiting and explosive diarrhea that left her sleeping most of the day and night, unable to eat or drink much, we were concerned.

Forty-eight hours later, her mother, who seldom gets infections, succumbed too. Now we were feeling vulnerable. A couple of days later Dad was afflicted. Then me. And now, my husband. 

We have all lost a lot of weight. I lost ten pounds and now weigh less than in high school.

Shortly after our granddaughter was afflicted, we learned that the school had a highly contagious outbreak of the stomach virus. A parent at the school who is an emergency room doctor reported that she had never seen so many throwing up in the emergency room. 

Respiratory viruses seem like a walk in the park compared to this. Because the virus lingers on surfaces for days, the laundry and cleaning were constant. Fortunately, there were always one or two of us who mustered the courage to get it done.

Unfortunately, on Father's Day, when I was either hugging the toilet or fast asleep throughout the day and night, it was our daughter, who had recovered, and my husband, who had to manage two toddlers and the needs of two sick people in the household. We have yet to celebrate the Father's in our family.

As our daughter reached out to friends and young families at other schools, she learned that whole families had become afflicted. One young mother had to manage her sickness and that of her two toddlers alone as her husband was away for work. That would have been tough. They, too, lost a lot of weight.

From Saturday night until yesterday morning, I spent much of my time in bed. I could not eat a thing. Even water could lead to projectile vomiting. 

When I finally felt hungry, uncharacteristically, all I craved was steak. Guess I needed to feed the muscle.

I am now happy to report that by the end of the day yesterday, I had done four loads of laundry, remade the bed, put away all the clothes, cleaned the bathroom and kitchen and started this blog. I am so grateful to feel healthy again.

Out of the mouths of babes

The greatest wisdom comes from children who are not afraid or weary of the world and its demands.

A fun story I must share was a video call from our granddaughter earlier this week. I had been at her home until Monday evening and had told her that I would go home to heal and then come back to see her at her school concert on Thursday morning. 

She said, "Nana, I had a nugget and a log in my poop today." She knew I would be thrilled when her poop was normal again. In bed, I found the energy to display as much excitement as I could to celebrate her renewed health. 

Then, I had to share some bad news. I said, "Sweetie, I cannot come to your school concert Thursday." 

Without missing a beat, she returned, "Well then I’m done talking to you, Nana" and hung up.

I couldn't help but smile at her ability to express her feelings.

Closing thoughts

Health is not valued till sickness comes.

~ Thomas Fuller

Although my husband is still not fully recovered, I feel like we have learned a ton from this experience and are better prepared to handle it in the future.

The unintentional prolonged fast rehabilitated my taste buds and sense of smell such that the simpler the food, the tastier it has become to me. Single-ingredient foods are all I have craved and managed to successfully digest.

Electrolyte drinks and the BRAT diet (bananas, rice, applesauce and toast) are prescribed for nausea and diarrhea. I could not stomach any flavoured drinks other than an old favourite - Earl Grey tea. Nor, could I eat bananas or toast. When your tongue feels like sandpaper, bananas and toast do not taste good. I managed to eat the better part of an apple yesterday and a couple of tablespoons of rice with steak and later, chicken.

Having purged all that was not serving me, I feel like I have a fresh start. The summer looks bright.

I will not be taking my health for granted anytime soon.