Oh crap!

[shiva]

Okay.. I am trying hard to stay logical and not panic, but I am not doing a very good job at it right now and I need people to help me put this whole situation into perspective.

My daughter's best friend's mom called this morning telling me that they would not be picking Jade up for school (as they usually do) because her little girl (who had spent all afternoon Friday- all night and all day into the evening on Saturday with us at our home) was sick. I was the stupid one who asked what was wrong with her and she told me that her daughter had started vomiting after she left my home on Saturday night and continued to vomit through Sunday. I guess that part is done, but she's got a high fever. Okay... She debated whether or not to tell me, but wanted to know if any of us had been sick and also thought I should have a heads up for Jade. Okay... So, the emet in me wanted to stop the world right there. Stay home in my safe place, keep Jade home in my safe place and worry for the next few days, but I managed to get her to school and myself to work.

So, of course I have all of the basic emet questions going through my head. Was she contagious at my home if she starting vomiting 20 min after leaving my home? Since she was with us all weekend are we all going to get sick? What will I do if my daughter needs me in the middle of the night since my husband works nights and I will be alone? How long is the typical incubation period? How long should I worry? Should I worry at all?

I keep trying to remind myself that the last time Jade was sick, my little sister cleaned it all up and took care of her and she never got sick. It's like on one hand I feel like the chances are small and then I read about how contagious it is and how quickly it spreads and I can't imagine how everyone doesn't get it.

The girl's mom thinks that she was more succeptable because she is allergic to our cats and was pretty sick (coughing, sneezing, runny nose) the whole time she was over and also they didn't get much sleep- so these things weakened her immune system.

So... This girl is also supposed to go trick-or-treating with us tomorrow if she's better and I just don't know how I will handle that. I am a nervous wreck and I hate myself for being a nervous wreck. None of these feelings are helping and none help me to feel better. I feel angry and anxious. I don't want to be like this anymore.

So please give me some feedback on how worried you would be if you were me. Or, experiences about when you worried and it was for nothing. Or even tell me that even if my daughter, husband and I all start puking our guts out that it's a good form of desensitization and I will survive it- it won't be the end of the world. Anything. Just talk to me about this because I am losing my mind.

[surfjunkie]

Hi Shiva~

I can truly say that I know exactly how you are feeling right now. I can relate to every thought and question going through your head. I would be doing the same thing in your shoes right now. So, since I am of rational thinking now, let's see if I can help you think through all of this. [img]smileys/smilies_02.gif[/img]

Yes, she was at your house before she was sick. From all that Alvin and Sage have said, since she wasn't actually v* or having d* while she was there, you are most likely "safe". IF she did happen to spread some germs while there, from what Alvin and Sage say, incubation is 24-48 hours. That means that by tonight, you will be past the 48 hour mark. IF you do happen to get the bug, there is no saying that it was a sv*, or it might be a weaker version, or that your bodies wouldn't all react differently than hers. Chances are good that you are careful about sanitizing and keeping germs to a minimum, it won't be as bad as you think.

As for the trick-or-treating, just remind the mom that symptom free for 24 hours is rule of thumb. And, since it is outside, germs are less likely to spread.

I can remember a time that a girl came to babysit our kids while I was at work. She came in the morning and told me that she felt awful, had been v* all night, but didn't want to leave us without a babysitter. WHAT?! Anyway, I had no choice at that moment but to leave and head to work. I hurried up, though, and begged my dad to go over and "relieve" her. When he got their, she was on the couch and feeling worse. I think that she prob. had d* while she was here. I was a freaking mess for days. But, amazingly enough, none of us got it. So, it is possible!!!!!

We are supposed to have 2 families (total of 7 kids) over tonight for dinner and trick-or-treating. I think that I might call them all and double check to make sure that everyone is healthy. YUCK!

By the way, I am not far away, really, if you need to get together for a break and a breather...I wouldn't mind meeting you halfway for some R and R...mentally.

Hang in there and try really hard to keep your mind going in the rational direction. Try really hard not to worry until there is something to worry about.....

And like my mom always says to me........."What is the worst that can happen?" I'm thinking that you are probably thinking like me...the whole family would get it. But, even so, if by some very slim chance, you all got it, it would be over in a few days and you would come out of it ok. You are a strong and smart woman. You can beat it, no matter the outcome.

[shiva]

Thank you so much, Julie. I am trying to remain calm, but it's hard- that is for sure. Maybe I will become so frustrated with this emet that I will finally decide to work harder to get myself over this stuff.

[rubysoho120]

Well unless she went poop at your house and didnt wash your hands good,
i would say there arent many changes of getting anything from her...ick
im sorry this happened to you. i hope you family is safe.

[shiva]

Just an update. It's been over 60 hours since she left our home and so far-so good. I guess as much as I try to live by Alvin's advice and expertise, I have an experience in the back of my mind that in no way exposure could have occured like he states and this makes me nervous because this experience is what made my emet so strong.

So, I keep trying to tell myself that exposure could have happened differently than I believe it did and try to remind myself of Alvin's advice. And that is where I am at right now.

I am also trying to live by my own advice of 'having to face my fear to conquer it'. So, we shall see what happens. Whatever the case, I am working hard to stay rational and not give in too much to my what if's. We'll see how that goes.

[sheri-baby]

okay sounds like you guys are in the clear.....sucks going through that, huh?.....i really wish you the best, it sounds like your on theway to conquering this fear....i'm always wondering if facingthe fear is really the answer....it seems to have worked for some people....i wonder if getting a really bad sv with violent vomiting would get us over this, or make us worse....i mean even non-emts would probably be freaked...i don't know...we need to at least get to the point in our life where sv's are just a part of life and if we get sick we will deal


take care[img]smileys/smilies_01.gif[/img]

[silver]

Gosh Shiva, I know and fully understand what you mean right now. On one hand you rationalize and think to yourself, I will be ok no matter what happens and I will get through it, etc. and on the other your fear kicks in and you think OMG! I won't be able to handle it! How will I get through it! etc. I think that you and your family will be just fine. Kids puke for sooo many different reasons, not just a sv*. Hang in there, it seems like you are keeping a good attitude about it too. Congrats on how far you have come!