Huge step and hope for all! :) *slightly graphic

[ButtonsMom]

Hi all! I'm fairly new to the community and this is my first thread, although I've been severe-moderate Emet since I was 7yrs old, now 25. I wanted to share a breakthrough that happened to me this past weekend. Slightly GRAPHIC warning! Long story short- I went out for a night on the town with an old high school friend and her mother, who recently lost their father/husband to suicide (very sad). Both my friend and her mom drank way too much (trying to cope with the loss) and although I had a few drinks, I was nowhere near to point these two were by the end of the night. Afterwards, I walked them back to their hotel, and when my friend started crying about her father to her mom, it made her already very drunk mother- sick to her stomach. We were already in the hotel bathroom when she said she was going to be sick. I didn't have time to run, and with everything they had been dealing with, I didn't think my panicking would help. I simply swiftly moved away from the toilet and saw her get sick-AND I WAS FINE! I actually was feeling so proud of myself that I grabbed a washcloth and ran it under some cold water for her to put on her neck and HELD HER HAIR! Then I helped her to the bed and gave her the trash can and saw her get sick-AGAIN! No panic! I'm not sure if it was bc I was a little buzzed/drunk myself, or that their situation made me feel incredibly sad, or what, but it was HUGE for me! Usually, I would have run in the other direction and wouldnt have stopped until I reached home. (Seriously, one time when I was 11, I used a scooter to scoot as fast as possible 3 miles home when a friend got sick outside while playing) I know alcohol induced sickness is a little different, but I now feel very confident now to continue making steps of exposing myself others when they are sick and know that I'll be OK.

[nailbiter]

that is so awesome. Well done! That must feel like a real achievement. I think I was about 7 too. Remember nurse aiding in a resthome when in my teens and running away from a resident because she felt sick! The need to flee is unavoidable. That you stayed and helped is a big step.

[Dairyfreelife]

Good job! That's a huge accomplishment. I don't think I'm there yet at all, but I hope to be one day because I want to have children and I cannot run when they get sick and they will get sick, that's inevitable. Your future looks great and I hope it keeps getting better.

[Elski]

That's really good! I used to be scared of all vomiting but then was exposed lots due to my job (midwife) and over the years I've realised it's only really contagious/norovirus vomiting that scares me. Took me a long time to get to that realisation though but it sounds like you're slowly discovering something similar. Best of luck!

[ButtonsMom]

Thanks so much for all the support everyone! Elski, it gives me hope to hear that you're a midwife, as I plan on becoming a Physician Assistant (crazy that I love the medical field with this phobia). I can definitely see myself getting over the noncontagious sickness, but the other will be a challenge! Which is strange bc the last time I was sick, I experienced almost no anxiety at all. It's just usually the feeling leading up to it. I'm thinking of trying CBT soon.

[nailbiter]

ha..yes I always loved the medical field too despite same phobia. I decided I would steer well away from nursing and did PT. V impressive with other health professionals! esp midwife and paramedics!!

[joubes]

Great job! Who knows if the fact that you were buzzed helped you out, but don't let that take away any of the "GO ME!" factor.

...but I hope to be one day because I want to have children and I cannot run when they get sick and they will get sick, that's inevitable.

...and that's why I'm here.