That night we went to church. Caleb was excited to go, but I literally had to drag Brian and Ryne along. I was really bothered by this... They know how important it is to me. It would be nice, if they took an interest every once in a while, even just for my sake. I was kind of put off by it. I never try to make them go, so it's not like I ask a lot. I grew up going to church by myself (started in 3rd grade), and it would be nice to, just once, have some support. Anyway, after all the kicking and screaming, it was a nice service. The service ended w/ all of us lighting our candles and getting into a circle around the inside of the church, with the lights off, and sang Silent Night. It was truly beautiful.
Christmas morning, I woke up about 4 or so, feeling really nauseous. I couldn't understand why. I'd had a smoothie for dinner, so I didn't think it could be that. I hadn't had any alcohol or anything, so I just thought it would pass. I was hoping it was just a weird heartburn or something. I laid there real still, trying to make it go away. Probably just before 5, it hit....I kept from the bed to go the 6' to the bathroom, and I didn't make it. Let me tell you something, the bathroom scene from "Bridesmaids" had nothing on what happened to me. I'm sure there's a lot of funny material there (inc. from today), but I still feel to lousy to make any jokes about it. After continual vomiting, etc., and when nothing else could come out, I called the nurse. As I knew she would, she sent my fat ass to the E.R. I was there about 5 hours or so. It certainly wasn't pleasant. The kids were none to happy to have their Christmas interrupted as so..... I had Brian take them out to eat, while I was at the E.R. Anyway, meds and I.V.'s and I was out of there. I came home, drugged up, went to sleep, and was asleep for the most part, until 8:30 this morning. I would only wake up for this nasty fucking headache that I've had since this all went down. It won't go away.... I went back to sleep for a bit this morning, and then I told the boys that Daddy and I would open our gifts. To be honest, it's all kind of a blur. I was a bit out of it. I know I got some really lovely stuff, but I really need to take a look again tomorrow to appreciate it. I do know that I got a box full of OR/WA stuff, and that really touched my heart. My friend Jo sent me some glasses from Portland Brewing Co. (our fave place), a framed picture of Haystack rock, and a nice big jar of sand from Seaside. There may have been other things in there, but I can't remember now. Truly cool, though.
Anyway, today I feel better (there was no way to feel worse). I still have a wicked headache, that's yet to stop, and my stomach is an absolute mess. I guess what I take from all of this, is had I taken better care of myself beforehand, the chances of catching the stomach virus would've been much less. I know that poor diet is the number one contributor to illness. I also find it fitting that, when leaving the hospital the R.N. told me not to have any caffeine or dairy for a few days. Look, it's not like they say, no fruits or veggies. Lesson learned. Now, I just need to hold onto this lesson.
I hope you're Christmas went better than mine. I really hope you were surrounded by the ones you love.
Much love,
Jen