Good day gone bad...graphic

[charzysbebe]

Well, today was supposed to be good. My hubby and I both just got paid, and we had plans to go shopping at a few stores. Hubby brought me home a bouquet of roses, and all was going good.


We went to Walmart so the kids could pick out some school clothes, etc. After we were there for a while, my 2 girls went shopping in the clothing section, hubby went to the mens, and I went looking for a couple of new shirts for work. Well, all was going well...until this lady (or older teenager) vomited all over the floor. I mean, out of the blue...."Blah!" I heard it and saw it. She was with another lady and a little girl in the cart. I was probably about 7-8 feet behind them. I freaked out, and turned my cart around and walked over to my hubby. I told him what had happened, and then I went to tell my girls. I told all of them not to walk in that area. I wanted to leave right then and there. I looked over at the other lady that was with the girl that vomited, and she was quickly walking herself and the cart over to a different isle, as if they didn't want anyone to know that they were the ones involved. As they quickly walked away, the girl that vomited was wiping her mouth with her hands.


Now get this, these people stayed in the store and shopped like nothing ever happened. Then I saw more of "it" in a different isle not long after. Then they still kept on shopping!!!!! HOW RUDE AND NASTY IS THAT!!??[img]smileys/smilies_11.gif[/img]


I wasfreaking. I wanted to get out. I told my hubby I was done shopping and I wanted to leave, only to hear him say loudly, "GET OVER IT..GEEESUS!" I was crushed. No one understood my terror. I felt like every square inch of that store was contaminated with some stomach bug.


So not long after that, we were looking for the girls so we could leave. We we found them, one of them had to go to the bathroom!!!! [img]smileys/smilies_07.gif[/img]I told her "no, this bathroom is really nasty"....but she insisted that she had to pee BAD! So she went. I am scared that the lady that vomited went in there and got her germs all over. What if my daughter touched the germs??? EEEEEEEK!! Do you think I was far enough from the lady that vomited to not worry about catching anything??


My day was shot to hell after that incident. I am still mentally paralyzed. I keep replaying the scene back in my head, wondering if I was too close to her. The sound scared me, and especially the visual. ICK!!!


You know, if I were at the other end of the store at the time, I would have never known about it, and probably walked where she did "it". Wrong place at the wrong time I guess. What a day shot to hell....especially after having a few bad days lately with stress from kids and work. Not good. Can someone give me a few words of advice? [img]smileys/smilies_12.gif[/img]Thanks, Charlotte

[yenn]

Stores are usually air conditioned aren't they?This would get rid of any germ particles I think.And surely if she had an sv she wouldn't have been well enough to keep on shopping after she v*. Perhaps she just a very rude person with morning sickness or some such. Maybe she was drunk (which could explain the just walking away like it hadn't happened?)

[peachfeet]

Ugh, I hate it when that happens!


You know, when I get sick (God forbid) the last thing I want to do is shop in Wal*Mart. What sense is it to walk around, contaminating everyone and messing up isles with sick? Very discourteous for other shopper's. Despite that I doubt she had a virus - for one, stomach flu's really bring you to your knees. I haven't met anyone who would have one, then go about their business and errands like nothing is happening. They're usually bed-ridden; this teenager or whoever sounds like they're ill from many other different circumstances. Perhaps a bit of food poisoning? The aftermath of a hang-over? After all, yesterday was Friday and many people take that opportunity to party and cherish time off work with a few hundred beers.


Many possibilities. I wouldn't worry too much about it.

[SimplyMe]

I agree that it probably isn't anything contagious or she wouldnt' feel up to shopping and since she was either an adult or older teen she is old enough to stay home if she was ill. That said ... YUCK! What a disgusting thing to do! I'm sorry but the lady w/ her should have found someone to clean it up and left the store that is so nasty! I really can't believe people just puke in a store and walk on like nothing happened! I mean it's one thing for it to happen once, accidents happen, but tokeep on in the store and that you saw more in another isle is unbelievable! SHEESH! Anyhow I'm sorry you had to go thru that. I wouldnt' worry about the bathrooms their, apparently this person prefers the isles. Edited by: SimplyMe

[Jenneh]

yuck... what a gross experience... and to think she carried on shopping and did it a bit later on as well... mank.


i suppose she may have been so pissed that she didn't really know wht she was doing... therefore carried on shopping despite puking all over the place... normal people wudnt just carry on wud they?!?! lol............ and yenn has already said that.. oh well i'll say it again! lol


as for ur husbands reaction..... since when have men been so keen in shopping that they wudnt jump at the chance of leaving?!.. surely even a non-emetophobe may want to get out of a shop covered in v* anyway. so u werent necessarily even being irrational!


ugh. anyway. tke care of urself... i hope those mental images go away soon.


Jen xxxx

[stella9]

First of all, don't worry about your daughter picking up germs in the
bathroom from the V*** lady, because the V*** lady chooses to puke in
the store isles instead of using the bathroom. Okay so the first
'bout came on suddenly, but the second one?



What on earth is wrong with this woman? No offense, but there is
nothing so amazing in Walmart that someone has to shop when they are
sick. I could write some mean rebuttals to my own question, but I
think I'll save them for myself. I feel my blood boiling as write
this.



Stella

[chicajojobe]

Well it certainly sounds like she was probably either pregnant or
drunk. Who would have the energy to go shopping while sick? Although,
then again, who would keep doing so after throwing up?



As the other people have said, she apparently wasn't in the mood to
even try to find a bathroom (or even a trashcan) to be sick in so no
need to assume she was sick in there.



I'm sorry about your husband's reaction. That sucks doesn't it? Family
members who are supportive and understanding, except when they don't
want to be then it's "get over it!"

As Jenneh said, I'm sure that a lot of non-emets even would want to cut
their shopping trip short after witnessing someone throw up in the
middle of the store.

[shiva]

Wow.. What a crappy experience. I am sorry that it is ruining your day like this. I cannot believe some people. That woman is obviously messed up somehow, but I would definitely agree that she was not contagious. I have never seen anyone with a stomach virus up and about even in the house much. They are usually dizzy or light headed or have a headache or are just very tired. No one sick like that (in their right mind would go out shopping at WalMart.


I know that it sucks when these things happen and I am sure that your hubby's reaction doesn't help matters much. I think he may have felt different had he seen what you saw? It's kinda different just hearing about it, yes? And, I don't think you have to worry about your daughter going to the bathroom. I am sure you had her wash her hands when you all got home. Things will be fine. I hope your weekend gets better and you can enjoy yourself a little.

[charzysbebe]

Thanks so much you all for your support. Atleast I can come here and know that everyone here knows what I went through. I am still a bit grumpy from that traumatic event last night. In fact, I can't get happy at all. It's almost like, if I get happy, then something will happen to me. Almost like I am afraid to be happy since that happened? Wierd.


Anyways, the visual isn't as clear as it was last night, so that is good. Yesterday's experience will be embedded in my memory forever now. I just hate being an emet. Anyone else would care less about some woman vomiting in the store....they would just shrug it off and go on about their day. [img]smileys/smilies_06.gif[/img]


Right after that episode last night, I was trembling and shaking horribly. I felt the walls closing in on me. I WANTED OUT!!! What a nightmare it was. I will never go into that store ever again! EVER!!!


You have all helped me by reassuring me that is was probably not a bug that she had. You are right...she had to have been "messed up" somehow. The lady she was with totally looked like she was on something!


Thanks again you guys! [img]smileys/smilies_04.gif[/img]You are all life savers! Charlotte

[sheri-baby]

Charlotte, just wanted to let you know I am exactly like you, except I think I am worse. I was in WalMart yesterday and I am so bad that we were in the pet supply section and there was one of those yellow cones that say "caution wet" and i'm sure that someone threw up even though there was no "evidence" I quickly told my hubby and kid's "we don't need that" and quickly left the area. It's true a normal person wouldn't even think twice, but my freaked out mind had me positive someone was ill and the virus was in the store, I just wanted to leave and the worst part about it is the thinking about all day, it just plain sucks!!!!! Life is so short and we spend almost all our waking time obsessed with these thought's. Seems ridiculous, doesn't it? At least we have each other to understand how our minds work, and we are not alone. It's probably easy for me to say but you shouldn't let that experience stop you from going there again, what are the odds that could happen again? These things happen a lot i'm sure, it's just being in the wrong place at the wrong time, ya know. What would we do without WalMart?[img]smileys/smilies_03.gif[/img]. Take care, Sheri

[jesskali]

It never ceases to amaze me of the things that occur in Wal-Mart! LOL! Don't get me wrong, though, I usually have to make 1-2 trips per month there myself.

I cannot believe that anyone would do such a thing, especially an adult! I could understand if a child *v*, but it looks like someone would have at least cleaned it up. Can you imagine the poor store clerk who stumbled upon it? I agree that she probably didn't have a sv. Wal-Mart is the last place I would want to be if I were that sick.

I'm so sorry this happened to you. I know it had to be an awful experience for you.

Jess

[2jo2]

OMG, to walk away like they didn't do it!?!?!? What in the hell is wrong with people???? I'm so sorry you had to be there at that time and see that. I know what you mean where you want to get out, and feel that everything is contaminated, and being crushed by your husband's comments. Yuck yuck yuck.

[charzysbebe]

Gees guys... as if I thought I could get over the Walmart incident! I was at work tonight (I am a loss prevention officer at JC Penneys) and we had the biggest sale of the year tonight. Well, as I finished locking up the emergency exits and headed down to the office, a manager stopped me and asked, "Can you see if you can find one of the cleaning people on your tv monitors?....a little girl threw up". EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEK!!!! ! What the hell???? Is the puke week or what???


GRAPHIC*****


Well, needless to say, I started trembling and went to look on the monitorsfind the janitor. (he couldn't be paged because he speaks no English) I wasn't even looking for the janitor...I was looking for the puke!!!! How crazy is that??? In fact, I called the manager that asked me to do that for her, and asked her where this little girl puked at. (she must have thought I wascrazy)She told me, and then I saw it on the survellience camera. ICK!! Wierd thing?? The vomit looked JUST like the vomit from Walmart. Crazy huh?? (not that I take note of what it looks like...lol) I never did find the janitor, so I saw a manager come along and mop it up. [img]smileys/smilies_11.gif[/img]It was soooooooooo nasty!!! They couldn't mop it all, so they had to get a broom and sweep up the big stuff, then a janitor finally came and finished mopping it. My night was sort of ruined. I was wondering how in the hell a manager (who didn't have to mop it) would go over and get a mop and a bucket and just start cleaning it up. Some other guy that worked in that department started helping her and got a broom and swept it into a box. Neither of them cared about germs. They both touched their faces afterwards. Wow, I wish I didn't care like that.


Anyways, I know I am babbling on now, but I find it wierd that in 2 days time, I have seen more than enough vomit. ICK!!


I want to thank you all again for your support. It's times like this, I can be confident that I will get lots of support from people who truly understand. Thanks all!!! [img]smileys/smilies_01.gif[/img] Charlotte

[sage]

My grandpa always used to say that bad things happen in bunches (not necessarily "threes", so don't worry). It DOES seem like sh** can just pile up on ya sometimes, though. Sometimes I declare, "what the hell is wrong with the universe this week?" I've had one of those weeks - nothing to do with puke, just one of those weeks.


I'd say your worst problem right now is your husband. How uncaring! You need to sit and have a talk with him, hunny...about how his comment made you feel...about how serious the phobia is...about what it's like for you to be you and live in your shoes....help him to understand your reality. You poor thing!


Surely next week will be infinitely better!

[tcsarah]

Oh no, what an horrendousfew days you've had! Sometimes it does feel like we are haunted by v*ing people! I would have been mortified too seeing thegirl in Walmart being ill, and I too would have kept replaying the scene over and over and over... Why do we torture ourselves? I think I remember every incidence since I was a kid that someone was ill in front of me in graphic detail! And it beggars belief how anyone can just walk round a shop v*ing like it's an everyday occurence. How utterly selfish not to have done anything about cleaning it up aswell. I too think the girl must have been drunk.


I was having a nice day out shopping with my friend on Saturday and needed to go to the cash machine. I stood in the queue and when I got to the front there was the biggest pile of you-know-what right next to where you have to stand. Everyone else had just used the machine no bother but I just turned to my friend and told him I could not stick around. It so disturbed me. I shot up the nearest allyway grossing out only to discover another pile! My stomach is turning now just thinking about it. I probably won't be able to use that cash machine again! Satuday or Sunday in town is always a minefield after the drunks have been around the night before. It's so disgusting. The thing is episodes like that (and it's one hundred times worse if you actually see somebody doing the dreaded deed) ruin the whole day. I totally understand how you feel, Charlotte.


On the whole my fiance is supportive when it comes to my emet, but as v* doesn't bother him in the least he doesn'treally understand and does have times where he can be rather belittling about it. He has said, in the past things like, "Oh don't be so silly" or asks why I keep thinking about it when it bothers me so much. Unless you suffer from a phobia yourself you can't really understand. That's why it's so good to be able to come to places like this and share our experiences with fellow sufferers.


Tracey x

[chicajojobe]

It made me laugh in that ironic sort of way the thing you described
about your manager cleaning up the sick. Too us something like that is
so amazing, but to them the thought is just that they don't feel like
waiting around for the someone on the cleaning crew to be found and
then wait for them to get over there to clean it up so they just do it
themsevles.



I don't think you helped yourself very much by searching out the v* on
the cameras and then watching them clean it up but I understand why you
did. It's like watching a car wreak, you don't want to see it but
somehow you can't look away.



Like sage said, bad things do tend to pile up. They're usually just
coincidences but it seems like the universe is just against you.

[sillygirl]

When I worked on the roller coaser in Disney World, we often had times when someone v*d and an employee just cleaned it up. We had custodial people that worked in the park, but sometimes if it was right in the way (like on one of the trains or in the line) we couldn't wait for the custodial people to get there. Everytime it happened I prayed that they wouldn't ask me - and they never did! I don't know what I would have done if I had to clean it up. When my dog got sick last week, my husband cleaned up the majority of it, and I tried to clean up the rest with the carpet cleaner. I couldn't do it - I had to have my husband finish it up. Luckily, he is very understanding about my phobia!!