Over one week last month, the Chocolate family (save Drake, somehow!) got hit with the stomach bug. It was as bad as it sounded and it ended up with a trip to the ER for little Juliet. This is the short time line that took us from fully functioning to near death.
A typical day. It was Mr. Chocolate’s birthday and MLK day so we had a lovely day off for everyone. After dinner, we had our wonderful Cold Stone Creamery coffee cake (Mr Chocolate’s favorite cake) and I put the kids to bed. I got on with my evening of chores, mindless Internet, and TV. At close to midnight, right before I was headed to bed, I heard a lot of coughing coming from Juliet’s bedroom. I decided to go in and check on her, and as soon as I opened the door, without even turning on the light, I knew something was wrong. The smell of the room hit me immediately and when I turned on the lights, I found Juliet sitting in her rocking chair rocking and coughing covered in what I can only imagine is what an exorcism would look like. Her hair, clothes, bed, face, everything was covered in what else — brown thanks to the chocolate cake from earlier. I was so shocked she hadn’t made any noise or come out to tell me she had been sick.
I called Mr Chocolate to help me and hurried Juliet into the bath while Mr. Chocolate tackled the clean up of the sheets and her room. Juliet, for what it’s worth, was in fine spirits and happy to be awake and to be with Mr. Chocolate and me. After she was cleaned up we let her sit downstairs and watch TV with Mr. Chocolate while she waited for her lovey to be cleaned. She puked a few more times in the interim and eventually ended up coming to bed with us. For the rest of the night, I monitored her or rushed her off to the bathroom to throw up. At one point the bed sheets got it and needless to say, no one got any rest whatsoever.
On Tuesday morning I rushed Drake off to school as quickly as I could get him out the door and spent most of the day trying to keep Juliet happy with her tablet and isolated in our bedroom so as not to get Fiona sick too. Juliet had thrown up at around 8 AM right after Drake left and then managed to fall asleep for a short amount of time. By the time Drake had come from school she had finally been throw up free and I allowed her to eat some crackers and a banana and have some water. I was praying we were finally seeing the back end of this thing (oh how naive I was). Juliet seemed in better spirits after eating and by bed time went right into her own room to sleep. I checked on her a few times after she went to sleep and right before I went to bed, and all seemed fine and I was happy to get some rest finally.
On Wednesday, Juliet had been throw up free for 24 hours but I decided to let her stay at home one more day since she ended up sleeping later than usual that morning and I thought it better to not wake her. I kept her mostly away from Fiona that day and allowed her to eat some waffles, cereal without milk, and a few blueberries. She was doing fine and seeming more like herself, that that night I decided to take her to dance class instead of skipping. Everything was fine at dance until 5 minutes before class ended when suddenly Juliet was escorted out by her teacher who said she had thrown up a little in class. There was a little stain on Juliet’s dance outfit so we headed home. Since her teacher said it wasn’t much, I figured maybe it was just a fluke since Juliet has a light gag reflex in general, and that perhaps it was just the excitement of class.
When we got home Juliet had fallen asleep in her car seat so I let Drake and Fiona in the house and was talking to Mr. Chocolate for a few minutes with the garage door open when I heard Juliet from the car. By the time I got there she was in an all out puke fest covering herself and her car seat. It was another nightmare as Mr Chocolate and I tried to get everything clean and take care of Juliet, while simultaneously trying to make sure Fiona and Drake didnt get close or touch anything and dinner was burning on the stove. I was so shocked that Juliet had been fine for 24 hours only to have the monster re-surge on us with such vengeance.
After we got Juliet off to bed and dinner on the table for everyone, the second worst thing happened… I started to feel unwell. I had not eaten anything for dinner because of the chaos, but I knew something was wrong. After putting the kids to bed I spent the night in a weary, wary state. It was a horrible combo of dizziness and queasiness and around 11, I succumbed to the idea my body was starving. I had a small bowl of chicken noodle soup, went to bed and around midnight I woke up and the rest is history. I was in and out of the bathroom for hours and I can’t even describe the pain and horror that went down in there. After my third of fourth trip to the bathroom, I told Mr. Chocolate I was on death’s door. I asked if he could stay home the next day because I wasn’t going to make it, but he wasn’t sure since he didn’t have any plans in for a substitute teacher. A short while later it was decided for sure when he ran to the bathroom puking his guts out too. On and off that night Mr. Chocolate and I took turns hugging the toilet. Neither of us slept, we were both in cold sweats, and we both knew we would die tomorrow having to take care of the kids. We racked our brains to think of anyone we could ask to come help us out, but of course my in laws were on their annul month trip in Florida and my mother was on a business trip. We were out of luck.
On Thursday morning I almost died getting out of bed to get Drake to school. I threw him out the door as fast as I could and then went back to bed. I was so scared about what to do when the baby woke up. I had been up all night and had not heard any sick signs from her yet, but I wouldn’t be able to keep her away from me as I could with Drake. I also couldn’t even stand up, so how was I going to take care of her and Juliet. Mr Chocolate wasn’t in any better shape himself. When I was finally able to get up again and get to the baby, she had also thrown up a little in her bed ending the need for isolating at least. Both Juliet and Fiona had much better energy that day than either Mr. Chocolate and I did despite also being sick.
Mr. Chocolate and I basically took turns dying on the couch downstairs with the girls while the other got to sleep upstairs. My wonderful friend called me and when she heard about our plight brought over some supplies and dinner (soup for the sickies, mac and Cheese for Drake) so we didn’t have to worry about preparing a meal for Drake in our state. The best part of the whole day was when the baby went down for her nap and the whole family got to sleep for a blissful 2 hours before I had to get to the bus stop for Drake.
In all this time Juliet had taken a small turn for the worse. She couldn’t keep much down and would vomit up even liquids. -After her small incident of throwing up in the morning, Fiona had seemed to bounce back and I gave her a small bottle of milk which she kept down fine. I called the doctor and was told Juliet needed to go to the ER for fluid replenishment. Mr Chocolate and I both wanted to die right there as neither of us was in the shape to drive. We debated getting an ambulance before calling our BIL to see if he could come drive us. He did of course and it was off to the ER for Juliet.
Despite her illness, Juliet’s spirits were high and she was excited about this exciting trip with her uncle and me. Once there she was less happy about the blood draws, face mask, and IV. It was a long day, about 4 hours at the ER, and I had a hard time sitting up the whole time feeling the way I did. Juliet watched her videos on my phone and was happy about the apple juice. The doctor said her blood work came back great but the fluids seemed like a good idea because of her size and the amount she threw up overall. When we finally got home at 11pm, Juliet went right to bed and I collapsed too.
Friday Drake was still miraculously healthy and everyone seemed to be on the mend at last. Mr Chocolate took the day off to recover and the fluids really made a difference in Juliet as she finally remained throw up free that day. She was able to eat small amounts and keep it down and Fiona seemed to be fine too. I was starting to get back with it and thought maybe we were finally out of the woods (famous last words). That night at midnight I was woken up by Fiona over the monitor coughing. Walking in her room was not as bad as Juliet, but here we were again at midnight with sheets and a baby to clean. Mr Chocolate ended up staying up with her til 4 AM, as apparently she was wide awake and happy after her bath.
I woke up the next day to a still healthy Drake who went to Chinese school and my mom’s house after to get out of the house and a finally recovered Juliet it seemed. Fiona’s midnight throw up was indeed the last time in the house and by Sunday everyone seemed to finally be improved or fully recovered at last. Drake miraculously dodged the bullet that massacred the rest of us and Juliet got a cool story to share at school on Monday about her ER trip. I spent the better half of the rest of the week scrubbing and disinfecting what felt like every inch of the house. his was a living nightmare and one I pray we never have again, as well as one I doubt we will ever forget.
grapefruit / 4455 posts
That sounds nightmarish. Kudos to you & Mr. Chocolate for getting through it while both sick!! Yikes!
grapefruit / 4361 posts
I’m a longtime reader and poster on HB and while I’m sorry your family experienced so much vomit, your overuse of the words dying, die, death, and massacre really throws me off. None of what you described was close to death, at all, and I feel like it’s honestly kind of disrespectful to families with terminal or very risky illnesses to equate your experience to theirs by using those words so often.
I know it’s scary to have to go to the ER, especially for a child, and I’m sorry you had to go through that.
apricot / 490 posts
PSA – regular household disenfectant does not kill the norovirus which is what sounds like you had. Need to use this or a bleach solution. https://jet.com/product/detail/bf4fac2e4eaa4d08af88913ff3343da4?jcmp=pla:ggl:gen_jd_home_garden_a3:household_supplies_household_cleaning_supplies_household_cleaning_products_a3_top:na:PLA_344689620_23655926820_pla-342099203437:na:na:na:2&code=PLA15&gclid=CJX7l4b9ptICFUpMDQodgfUCkQ
pomelo / 5220 posts
Wow this sounds absolutely horrible. I am so sorry you went through this. I can’t even imagine trying to care for three kids while so sick and having DH be down for the count too. Glad you are feeling better!
pomelo / 5084 posts
@DesertDreams88: I thought the *exact* same thing. “Fully functioning to near death?” Come on. Distasteful at the very least.
wonderful pomelo / 30692 posts
@DesertDreams88: I completely agree.
This sounds like the run of the mill norovirus. It sucks that you had to go to the ER for fluids, but none of this sounds nearly as bad as you are describing.
We’ve had to go to the ER so many times (dehydration, asthma, anaphylaxis) and have done three hospital stays, and never once would I have said my kids were “near death” or “dying.”
olive / 59 posts
Oh my goodness. Yuck. Stupid norovirus. Last time I had it was when I was 7 months pregnant and first the 2 year old had it (and had it BAD), and then about 12 hours later, my husband and I started throwing up within about 5 minutes of each other. I ended up losing about 20 pounds (remember I was 7 months pregnant…) but we all ended up okay. Ugh. No fun at all.
guest
I agree with Tea, need to use bleach or a hydrogen peroxide cleaner.
Also, its not uncommon for little ones to throw again even after been throw up free for 24 hours. I keep mine home until they have been vomit free for 48 hours and are eating normally. The entire dance class Juliet threw up at is now probably living your nightmare at their house.
I also keep Zofran in my medicine cabinet to survive the dreaded pukes – EVERY YEAR.
grape / 78 posts
@DesertDreams88: I also agree, for what it’s worth. Maybe edit in some alternative words?
guest
Although your experience sounds horrific, I also agree with DesertDream88. I’m glad that you’re all feeling better though
blogger / cherry / 174 posts
The stomach flu is such a nightmare to deal with! I had a similar situation with my kiddos. I could barely handle cleaning them up, before I was off and getting sick again…it was awful. So glad you guys are feeling better and back in action!
clementine / 874 posts
Ugh, what an awful experience! If it was norovirus, you have my full sympathies. We had a week-long church camp that got put into quarantine by the Health Department after an outbreak of norovirus. I dodged the bullet like Drake did, but had to stay in quarantine for a few days till they were sure we were all clear. The health department actually advised us to cancel church so sensitive populations like younger kids and the elderly didn’t get exposed.
Annnnd maybe I’m not as sensitive as previous commenters, but this is clearly a piece of prose and I think you’re allowed to convey how awful it was however you want. Honestly, I think it adds a little humor to the piece as it is obviously an overstatement. I especially liked the exorcism bit as I feel the same way cleaning up after my toddler throws up
apricot / 490 posts
@Lauen (guest) good advice! I also think its worth noting that it is suggested you do not prepare foods for 2 weeks for those who were not infected. Like, no bringing in baked goods for the bake fair! That’s how pervasive this little virus is. Now, I just need to figure out to stock up on zofran.
grapefruit / 4187 posts
We had terrible norovirus twice this winter and it was awful. I think it’s hard for those of us who don’t know you personally to understand if you are exaggerating when you say “dying” and “near death” and I also thought it was in poor taste considering how wide swept the virus was this year and there are other families battling life threatening diseases who would give their left arm for stomach flu.
guest
Agree with @dessertdreams88. At the very least unnecessary hyperbole and over dramatic and really off putting and insensitive. Also can’t believe that you sent your daughter to dance. Yikes!
pear / 1547 posts
@Adira: anaphylaxis is actually near death (or at the very least life threatening, appropriate use!). Yikes! Allergies are scary things. Sorry you’re an ER pro.
wonderful pomelo / 30692 posts
@MenagerieMama: Agree that it’s life threatening and it was definitely scary! But I didn’t feel like he got so bad that he was actually near death. And thankfully we live very close to the hospital!
guest
First of all, I’m so sorry that you had to go through this. It sounds like a dreadful experience, save for Drake who lucked out!
I’m really surprised by the amount of negative comments on this post, which seem to me to amount to mom-shaming or writer-shaming. This is a person who is openly sharing her experience and she doesn’t deserve to be berated.
guest
I agree with Rachel. What’s with all these judgmental comments? Regardless of whether or not you agree with her choice of the words “death” and “dying”, did you really need to post a comment about it? And to criticize her for taking her daughter to dance after a day of being symptom free seems just mean. Hindsight is 20/20. I thought HB was more supportive than this.
guest
@Rachel – thank you! This post is clearly written as an exaggeration, with humor.
I was at the doctor yesterday for a check-up and heard from the nurses and doctor that the norovirus has been everywhere this year. Yikes – glad you all are now in the clear, Mrs. Chocolate.
clementine / 948 posts
Agreed w Rachel (guest). What’s with all of the mom shaming? Clearly she was just using hyperbole.
guest
Our family had norovirus last winter, including our toddler, and it was SO HARD! And we had family in town to help! I can’t imagine how you guys did it without any help. I remember literally crawling up the steps to give my mother pumped milk for the baby.
I think the attacks on your “phrasing” were unnecessary, and I agree with Rachel that you don’t deserve to be berated. You and your family were in serious physical pain, and you were trying to express what that felt like you to. Just because norovirus is common doesn’t belittle that. I wouldn’t wish it on anyone!
pomelo / 5621 posts
Glad you are all better, sounds like a terrible few days at your house.
There has been a lot of that going around here this winter but luckily (knock on wood) it has skipped our house.
Why is it that kids have to save the majority of their puking to the middle of the night?
guest
@ Kennedy (guest), I was not trying to mom-shame her for taking her daughter to dance class. I was trying to provide a PSA for those who may not be aware, including Ms. Chocolate. Next time she or someone reading this article gets Norovirus they should stay home for at least 48 hours after vomiting has stopped. I wish the mom of the daughter who brought Norovirus to my kids daycare knew that before she exposed the entire school.
guest
@Ms. Chocolate – I always enjoy your posts and hope you weren’t offended by my agreeing with desertdreams88.
It was in no way to make you feel bad, but as a mom whose preemie baby was in intensive care for quite a while, and didn’t know if she would get to bring her home, all the dying talk was a trigger for me – hence my comment
Based on your past posts, I am pretty certain that you didn’t intend this one to be a trigger for some of your readers.
apricot / 317 posts
As someone who has a long time functional stomach problem, and who has a standing prescription for Zofran (which usually works), I too object to the wording here. Stomach problems ARE awful, but a quick ER run for fluids isn’t even close to death’s door. Every time DS2 has a routine visit to our children’s hospital, I become reacquainted with what that phrase really means for so many families. Hyperbole or not, it isn’t funny.
grapefruit / 4187 posts
@lauren (guest) I’m so glad you posted that about staying home for 48 hours! This is an issue I take personally because it is the main reason my son can’t attend daycare anymore. He was getting sick so frequently as a direct result of other parents blatantly bringing in sick kids or not giving them enough time at home to recover. The OP is a mom of 2 so it’s surprising she doesn’t already know better. I was even surprised she kept sending her son to school considering how contagious this virus is.
persimmon / 1281 posts
I’ve always been taught we shouldn’t judge someone’s feelings. Dramatic or not. I know there’s been a couple times I’ve felt like I was dying while sick and I would have punched someone if they told me to stop exaggerating. What you went through sounds awful and while I’m sure other families go through much worse, there’s no denying this sounds terrible. Glad you all are feeling better!!!
blogger / kiwi / 588 posts
I am glad to hear that you all are feeling better. It sucks when the whole family gets sick with something.
wonderful pomelo / 30692 posts
I don’t think the posters here (myself included) were trying to mom-shame, but raise awareness. Our community has members who have actually lost children, so this type of post seems really insensitive to those members as well as guests. Plus a number of parents have children with chronic illnesses that experience numerous ER visits, hospital stays, and other scares. I realize for Mrs. Chocolate that this was a pretty traumatic event and the first ER trip can be very scary, but now she, and hopefully others, realize that this type of dire language can come across as offensive to others.
grapefruit / 4361 posts
Exactly, @Adira:. I wasn’t trying to mom-shame or berate someone, but to cause some reflection. Hellobee has many serious stories of acute illnesses or serious hospitalization so I re-read and re-read the post to figure out if I had missed something. When I realized it was exaggeration, I felt taken aback and upset that I thought someone was actually dying.
papaya / 10343 posts
Sorry about the awful week. Next time noro takes a run through your house maybe see if your ped can prescribe you some zofran. We all got noro at the same time 2 years ago and the ER gave it to us and it was a MIRACLE. Totally stopped the puking.
grapefruit / 4278 posts
@Adira: @DesertDreams88: You’ve never been terribly ill and said “OMG, I’m dying!” Knowing full well, that you would recover just fine.
grapefruit / 4361 posts
@kiddosc: once, maybe, but not 7 times. And not on a forum that regularly talks about serious childhood hospitalizations. Maybe my background as a writing teacher makes me picky, but I believe in being careful about word choice. Like I said, I re-read and re-read the post to figure out if I had missed something.
fully functioning to near death.
we both knew we would die tomorrow
I almost died getting out of bed
Mr Chocolate and I both wanted to die right there
I told Mr. Chocolate I was on death’s door.
Mr. Chocolate and I basically took turns dying on the couch
dodged the bullet that massacred the rest of us
wonderful pomelo / 30692 posts
@kiddosc: Sure, of course! But saying it to my husband in relative privacy is completely different than saying it on a public forum where people actually HAVE had children die. It’s about knowing your audience. It’s perfectly fine to exaggerate to my immediate family about health issues because our experiences allow for that. It’s not as fine to exaggerate to a group of people who’s experiences may find your words offensive.
I mean, imagine that you’re a parent who’s actually experienced something so horrific as your child being hospitalized and then dying (or even being close to death). And then you read a blog post that starts off with “This is the short time line that took us from fully functioning to near death.” I imagine you’d catch your breath, feel like your heart is in your throat, and be taken back to that time in your own life where your child went from fully functioning to near death (and possibly actual death). And then you read further only to discover that these people just had a stomach bug. Sure, stomach bugs suck, but it’s not nearly the dire situation the blogger is making it out to be.
grapefruit / 4278 posts
@Adira: Not ever having been in that situation, I won’t pretend to know how I would react. I could imagine how it would be triggering, but I wouldn’t expect others to censor their writing or necessarily even be aware how a common hyperbole would effect me. I think this was obvious exaggeration to drive home a point and an attempt at humor. I think the critique on her writing is a little overblown in this situation. We’ll have to agree to disagree.
wonderful pomelo / 30692 posts
@kiddosc: I mean, it is what it is. Multiple people found the dire language in this post offensive. Others did not. Bloggers can either take that input into consideration in future posts to determine whether what they are writing might be offensive, or they can choose not to. Certainly if you don’t care about offending people, ignore the comments! But be aware that similar posts may elicit similar responses.
guest
As someone who has had a child who was near death, I did not find the post offensive in the least. I read the title and was worried about what I’d find in the post. After realizing Mrs. Chocolate was talking about a stomach bug, I breathed a sigh of relief for her and her family. Even with having gone through what I did with my older daughter, I can appreciate someone else’s hyperbole and humor.
We cannot expect bloggers to account for everyone’s personal feelings, they are putting their thoughts out there for us to read. If Mrs. Chocolate had to censor her writing, it wouldn’t be representative of who she is and how she writes.