wow Adam, what a powerful story, but your ways of avoidance (which we all do) to the actual night you had. I am so sorry you were sick. clearly the food was bad. but I commend you for accepting it.

I have also been emet for decades and abotu 10 years ago ate something dicey and woke up at like 3am, yucky d and a few dry heaves with v (not full amount, I fought it back). it was nasty. but I felt semi cured for a while. now I am still emet, but mainly bc I have a kid and so I feel like it is ALL AROUND me. it is encouraging that you felt better about it because you (a) anticipated it, (b) prepared for it and (c) accepted it. I think that is honestly the key. the control, or rather, giving up the control.

welcome and I hope you stay on the board, even just as a support to others.