One minute, I was watching the American Idol results show, the next I was watching everything I’ve eaten since Christmas Eve 1986 exit my body. My illness was sudden and startling.
I weakly announced I was going to bed. Everyone in the family agreed it was where I belonged. My leg bones ached, my abdomen clenched, my head did both. Every pore in my body wailed and I thought of her:
Mommy.
The chills arrived just in time for me to realize there was no way I’d be able to nurse Archie in that condition.
Evil Formula Company and their Evil Black Free and Loaded With All Things to Undermine the Purity and Sanctity of Breastfeeding Diaper Bag of Doom saved the day. I snipped open the plastic tag which held the zipper shut and found enough formula powder for 4-4oz. bottles. Boy, I was glad I wasn’t snooty and principled when the elderly hospital volunteer lady delivered it to my room the day Archie was born. I took the formula packets to my husband, croaking feed him. I slouched back to my bed and its covers to shiver through disturbing nightmares.
I felt like my abdomen housed a Volkswagon.
After three hours, I got out of bed and lurched downstairs to get a cup of ice. My husband was rocking in the recliner with Archie, who had just sucked down a bottle of Enfamil.
Archie looked serenely happy and content, more than he had been all day. Imagine a rosy-cheeked 6 week old, wide-eyed and cooing at a host of invisible angels. He had been fussy when I was on duty all day. In retrospect I feel it was because my body knew what was going to happen at 7:50pm MST. It was hoarding food and fluids. My milk supply seemed weak. He had been hungrier than I realized.
The Volkswagon slammed into reverse and backed over my heart.
Around 4:00am, I woke when I realized the Volkswagon had split in two, a la Herbie, and parked in my chest. The steering wheel was on the right side.
I mustered enough strength to nudge my husband into retrieving Archie for a quick feed. I wanted to make sure he got any antibodies my body was making. He nursed, but wasn’t exactly eager. Formula fills, and his tummy wasn’t in the market for me yet.
The happy news is that the illness vanished as quickly as it appeared. I have been trying to nurse as much as possible to reclaim anything my supply lost during those 19.5 hours.
The bad news is that my husband, Ryley, Sam, Joel, Beatrix, and Archie have hosted their own battles this week against the nasty virus. Archie was awake all night with a gurgly tummy and thick spit-up. Tommy and Aidan haven’t succumbed and I hope they won’t.
I hope you won’t, either.
Ugh…take good care of yourself…hope it passes quickly for everyone!!!
Llama Momma’s last blog post..balance
Glad you’re feeling better and able to take care of all your sickies! Are you glad you’re able to take care of them?!
Kristin’s last blog post..Manly Men
Oog. That plague hit our house about a month ago–I don’t remember ever having such a debilitating stomach flu. Glad you’re feeling better!
Minnesotamom’s last blog post..Flashback Friday 02.20.09
Oh, I’m sorry it hit you guys. Hopefully it won’t last too long for anyone.
beth – total mom haircut’s last blog post..Hop Scotch
Excellent post, but I’m sorry you had to write it!
Dorci’s last blog post..Testimony of a Former Mob Boss
Blech! That is just the worst! Apparently we hosted a relative of that nasty virus in our household a few weeks ago, each and every one of us. Here’s hoping that you are all back to good health soon!!
Love the recent pictures! Archie is just a doll and the pictures of his siblings gazing adoringly at him are too precious!
That formula stuff is a catch 22 isn’t it?
I had what you had, but collapsed into about an hour and a half, when I didn’t leave the toilet. My poor six week old monster got nursed as I was sitting there.
The blessing was, it was over within two hours AND my older child was off at preschool so didn’t have to witness it.
Goooodness. Bless your heart, as they say. Hope those who are well stay well.
Kimberly’s last blog post..Photo updates 1
Yikes! Poor you! Your poor family!
High fat foods help regain milk supplies… I managed to get my baby back on after a week and a half of separation so it’s doable. Try to get lots of rest, too!
Beck’s last blog post..Mantracker: The Musical
Oh, no! I’m so sorry you were so sick! I hope the rest of the family gets well soon or avoids it altogether. We’ve had a bit of that going on in our family, too.
Melanie’s last blog post..Day 52 of 365
Oh, yuck! We’ve had the ick, but not the intestinal sort, thank you Jesus. I loved your description of the Volkswagon.
Jenni’s last blog post..Metaphor Monday
Oh Gretchen, I’m so sorry! That was a very accurate description though. We have battled it for the past two weeks. It’s horrible. I hope that’s the end of it and that Tommy and Aidan are spared.
Heth’s last blog post..Follow Up
Please don’t breath toward the north! Glad everyone is feeling better.
nutmeg’s last blog post..All is well
I’m sorry you had to suffer, but that is some beautiful writing.
Do you think nausea leads to creativity?
Kelly @ Love Well’s last blog post..Dear Punxsutawney Phil
Erg. The stomach virus is the stuff of nightmares, especially when multiplied by the number of people in your family who may at any point be stricken after the first victim falls–or rather, hangs his or her head over the bucket.
Hope it missed Tommy and Aidan, and passed quickly for everyone else.