January 11, 2004

Mini update

Thanks to everyone who expressed concern and sent their good wishes. My condition is still unstable - good at times, very low at others. I thought I'd climbed the ladder towards recovery yesterday, but I slipped a few rungs last night.

I'm in a tolerable state right now. So I thought I'd best write something while I can.

I'm suffering from a viral infection of the stomach. Caught probably on the Northwest flight from Tokyo to Detroit (it began with a fever mid-flight). The stomach activity didn't begin till I returned from my fiction workshop on Tuesday evening, the day I touched down in Ann Arbor.

I'm frightened of what I consume now. Anything wrong could push me back down the ladder again. I've been following a list of allowed foods that the doctor gave me. I think the hard-boiled egg set me back. I daren't even try Chicken Noodle soup today, in case it's got oil or fats, even though I have been craving for it. Lunch today is two pieces of white bread, boiled carrots (no seasoning at all) and tinned peaches. Beverages - Gatorade and hot water. American doctors are fond of prescribing Gatorade to replace nutrients and electrolytes lost during diarrhoea. My meal is making me gag from its lack of flavor. Oh, to be well again. And to be in good weather - as you can see, the weather pixie on the left is all bundled up. She's smiling. I'm not, though.

They say a gunshot wound to the stomach is one of the most painful ways to die. I say anything that affects the stomach leaves the sufferer struggling and begging for release.

Posted by Monoceros at January 11, 2004 2:49 AM
Comments

Vanny....
i wonder if peppermint tea or anything of the like might be of some help....

i have had bad stomach upsets before...they do drain all the energy off and leave one feeling quite helpless...oh dear... i hope you have friends living close by...

make a hot water bottle and place it on your tummy....and curl up in bed.

hope you will feel better soon!

Posted by: tiggie at January 10, 2004 7:09 PM

i know exactly what you mean Vanny. My stomach was in exactly the same state as yours on Tuesday. However, the only consolation for me was that it lasted for only a day while yours seems to be taking rather long to go away.

Yes, you really don't feel like eating anything at all. Anything with oil or fats just gets protests from the stomach!

Hope the bug goes away soon!

Posted by: joan at January 10, 2004 9:11 PM

lemme know if you need someone to make a gatorade run for you.

Posted by: noob at January 11, 2004 10:05 PM

May and Joan: thanks for the support, girls. Doing my best. Slowly pulling together. It's slow and hard work though. Lonely too.

Noob: Thanks =) Will let you know. By the time I'm through with this infection, I'll be Gatorade-d out!

Posted by: Van Heng at January 12, 2004 9:12 PM

:-( :-( :-(

Know what you mean about things that affect the stomach. Hope your doctor has prescribed you something to get your strength back and resupply your electrolytes...?

At the very (very very) least, I'm happy to see your illness hasn't affected your ability to write beautifully.

Get well soon!

Posted by: Adrian at January 12, 2004 9:52 PM

Adrian, thanks but I've only got Gatorade to rely on for energy and electrolytes! That's the only thing apart from pain and diarrhoea medicine that the doctor prescribed.

But the worst is over. I just need more food now! I've been eating the dullest and most unappetizing stuff ever! No wonder I'm still weak.

Posted by: Van Heng at January 14, 2004 6:06 PM

Vannie, are you still ill? OH no!! will be praying for you.. hope you get better soon.

Posted by: oh-no bunny at January 15, 2004 6:27 AM