What's the sickest you've ever been?
For me, I'm going to have to probably say having strep throat. There haven't been many times in my life where I yearned for the sweet touch of death's hand, but that might be one of those times. I rarely get a fever these days, and the astounding bomb-in-my-brain fever that comes with strep is cruel and 100% dibilitating. I think the hottest i got to was 104. I think it was so bad because i've forgotten how awful fevers are. And maybe because i'm a wuss. But anyway... Along with the fever, there's the raw, swollen and nearly closed-up throat where swallowing your spit brings tears to your eyes. Can't say that's fun. So that's definitely a contender.
The other is what i call "the night of 49 times." 49 times of puking, that is. I got violently ill one night after spending many hours at the pool. i was up all night long heaving. one heave after another, and calculated that if i had gotten up 7 separate times and heaved 7 heaves each time, that's 49 heaves altogether. (i know, that's some complicated math) That sucked. I thought i was going insane. No one likes to be sick at night. You're all alone, no one to take care of you, and nothing to distract you. So all you do is lie awake and wait for the inevitable bout to boil and rise forth again..and again..and again. And it's not even rewarding puking. After the 20th time or so you just have nothing left. I really feel bad for my body when I throw up. It's just not supposed to do that and yet it has to and my organs and ribs are like, what the hey? they let me know how mad they are the next day when i can't move, cough, or barely breathe without feeling the pain.
But, you know, those are pretty common ailments so I'd have to say i've had pretty good health in my time. I've had no surgeries, no hospital stays. So mostly i just like to complain. But let's hear yours, and don't hold back. What was it like? (Amy, it's your time to shine!)
7 comments:
A couple of years ago I came down with a mysterious illness. I thought I had some food poisoning. I got a fever every evening, had horrible bowel cramps (if you've never experienced those, thank your lucky stars), and food was pretty much going right through me. This went on over the course of several weeks. When I finally went to a doctor, I weighed 118 lbs. Anyway, to make a long story slightly less long, they finally figured out that I have Crohn's disease. But I've been perfectly healthy since then, so enough with the violin music in the background.
Hmmm, first let me say Jen, I am sorry you have been so sick. That really sucks! Hope you get feeling better in the morning and back to your fun "New York life". Second, this question has a few answers, but I'll have to say my most recent bout with bacterial meningitis would have my vote. It was like I was lying in a fiery inferno (temp of 104) while someone was using a jack hammer on my brain while I was wearing a neck brace (my neck was so stiff), and sharp pains all down my back . Also blurred/double vision and puking (hopelessly aiming for the bowl). It was the worst I've ever felt and it really felt like I was dying a slow painful death. Luckily I was rushed to the ER just as I lost consciousness and they saved my life. So, as I look down my list of 2...no, 3 pages of random sicknesses that was the worst!
Well do I recall Jen's "night of 49 heaves," thought both she and I would like to forget it.
The sickest I've ever been...let's see...I dunno. But, I can say that I've on occasion wished for death because of cramps. Then the ibuprofen kicked in. Blessed, blessed ibuprofen.
I'm actually not at all sick.. i'm just thinking about being sick. why? i do not know...
Amy, pshh... bacterial meningitis? Puh-lease. I THREW UP.
Of course I am totally kidding. That sounds beyond awful. I can't even imagine. I, too, am glad they rushed you to the ER and saved your life. :P Please stop scaring us. We don't like it, you know? Good story though, and excellent description. I almost felt the jackhammer.
Well, those of you who have given birth can relate I'm sure, but did your epidural stop working on one side of your body? So, I could still feel the contractions in my lower back and stomach AND I was throwing up! (It almost hit my mother-in-law)I pushed for 3 hours and then tore AND they cut me so my 8 pound baby could fit. Beat that Jen! ;)
I think the most embarassing thing was having a catheter and when your water breaks and leaks out when you laugh or just randomly, so uncomfortable! There, did that scare anyone?
Well, I definitely cannot say I've experienced that. However, some points:
1- I'm not sure if childbirth pain and whatnot would be considered being "sick" (although you did include throwing up) and therefore...
2- if you ARE calling it that, are you calling your child a disease?
Just something to think about.
;)
YES Jen, my baby could be considered a parasite that had to be removed from my body. (but don't tell him that)
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