I have made this memor for my own use. I am not a doctor, so please consult a doctor before you are ill.
Packing Protective Clothes
I went away for a week to a conference centre. I did not pack panty liners, padded incontinence pads, or plastic knickers, nor throwaway panties.
When I got severe diarrhea, I regretted not having emergency panty liners and panties.
Back home I had a pack of three bulky
Always Discreet underwear. I had looked at it and thought, that's too bulky to carry on the offchance that I might need it.
Daytime
Luckily I had 95% polyester (and 5% elastane) clothes. When I got food down the front, they were not stained. So I knew my evening dresses and jacket were stain-repellent.
However, I made sure to wear protective underwear, day and night.
Staying Near Toilets
Since I was in a wheelchair and using the disabled/handicapped toilets, I knew which nearby toilet under the stairs had a washbasin near the toilet, and nobody else using it, so I was not holding up anybody else.
Not having any panty liners, I had to improvise using folded toilet paper.
I kept going to the toilet, whether or not I got a churning noise and cramps. I wanted everything inside to come out while I was in the bathroom and could deal with it.
Bedtime Bed Protection
At home, at bedtime, I would have placed a plastic sheeting under the lower sheet. If necessary, a bin liner across the top of the lower sheet.
Washable Underwear & Night Clothes
I would also have worn some kind of multi-layer underwear. And not my favourite, best night cotton night clothes, but something quick to wash. Synthetic fabric night dresses to repel stains.Thin and quick to dry. I wore black underwear rather than pale pink or cream colour.
I used a small towel to lie on. If it got contaminated, it was small enough to wash out quickly. Luckily, I was so ill that I stayed on the toilet for some time, until I had a lull.
I woke a couple of times in the night. I rushed to the bathroom.
I had to miss one evening lecture. And breakfast next day.
Causes of Vomiting and Diarrhea?
I phoned home. I had not wanted to worry my husband. But thought that when I was starting to recover, I should let him know.
He assumed I had been over-eating on holiday.
A friend of mine wondered whether I had suffered from stress, being out of bed, and in a wheelchair, the first time since I was struck down the the pain of a hairline crack in my spine.
Reporting Illnews
I hesitated to tell the conference reception. I was already a nuisance to them with the wheelchair.
However, after two days, I spoke to somebody who told me that she and three friends had all been ill, and had told reception.
So I went to reception. I told the girl on reception about my situation, and mentioned that four other guests also had symptoms.
I asked, "Did you know?"
"Yes, staff members had it, too."
I asked, "Could it have been food poisoning?"
"Defiitely not," she replied. "I ate the same as everybody else and I didn't get it."
Vomiting And Diarrhea Bowl
I made sure I had a glass of water.
Small Bowl
On holiday at the conference centre, I asked if they had a plastic bowl in case I felt sick in the night and could not get to the en suite bathroom in time.
I wanted something like my emergency sick bowl at home, a small former Xmas Pudding plastic bowl.
Large Pail
The only thing they could find me was a huge black pastic pail, one of several they had, I presume for mopping floor. This large size proved very useful. I was sick into it I was able to empty it down the toilet. Then wash it in the wet room flat walk in shower.
What To Eat Or Drink?
One friend advised me to drink peppermint tea. She said it was soothing. I really only wanted water. But I thought I needed some small additions to my intake of nutrients.
Food I Could Stomach
I was ill Saturday Night. No breakfast Sunday morning. Tiny lunch Sunday. No sauces on meat. Just cheddar cheese and salad.
For the rest of the conference, so sausage nor bacon from breakfast. Yogurt. Muesli. A little scrambled egg on toast. Not finishing the huge portions they generously served. Stop when feeling full.
Other people and websites suggested bland food, white fish and white rice and potato and white bread.
Some people warned, no dairy. Because dairy feeds the bad bugs and helps them to multiply while you are trying to reduce their number.
By the end of the fifth night I was much better. I was driven home without mishap. However, I had blood test scheduled for Friday. Should I go?
Would I infect others?
Would my bood test be a waste of time?
Would the stress of the blood test make me ill again?
Blood Tests After Illness
I looked it up on line. As far as I could tell, you could be leaving infections around for a fortnight. So not a good idea to go into the doctor's surgery. For the sake of other people.
Regarding myself, my poor health and blood tests, I understood from what I read that illness can affect blood test results. Something to do with white platelets.
So I postponed the appointment. No problem from the receptionist. No insisting that I should come in. Now that I was eating, what was safest to eat?
BRAT DIET
I also checked online dietery advice from sites which claim to be written by medical professionals. One recommended BRAT.
Banana.
Rice.
Apple Sauce
Toast.
My husband asked, why apple sauce, What's wrong with an apple. I supposed apple sauce is easier to sip.
The BRAT diet is not for long term, just a day when You are struck down, but ready to eat something and wondering what.
Useful Websites
https://www.nhs.uk/symptoms/diarrhoea-and-vomiting/
https://health.clevelandclinic.org/brat-diet
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