JabberJuls

**Short Version: I Got the Flu.
Symptoms: High Fevers, chills, body aches, severe abdominal pain, diarrhea, headache, and dizziness at times. All symptoms lasted 3-days. Only severe abdominal pain, diarrhea, and headache still on…this is my 4th day.
What helped me: Requesting Prayer from prayer chain of friends, lots of prayer from me too, Tylenol every 4-hours till fevers were gone, lots of water and gatorade as thirsted for (which ended up being 1 gallon and 1/4 gallon of gatorade over 3-days the rest water), baths, Vaseline Petroleum Jelly (a must to protect the rectum from pain), lots of rest as possible, ate: crackers, bread, noodles, soft potatoes, and soup works. Oatmeal seemed to not bother my stomach too much today (4th day).

***Whole Story:
Well, I apparently could not escape the flu this year. It hit me on Mother’s Day. Around 6:30amish, I woke up with aching bones all over the body. My first thought was, “Oh My Old Age is kicking in already…get the Tylenol.” I naturally was in denial that I had the flu, I had too much to do for Mother’s Day to be sick. So took some Tylenol and the achy bones feeling subsided. By the time we got to Russ’s Mom’s to celebrate, the tylenol started wearing off and chills started to happen even with Tylenol 2nd dose. Uhoh…told Russ we better get home so no one gets whatever this is. By the time we got home, I was running a full blown fever around 102.7 or so. Everything I ate that day, went right thru me.You got it…major stomach pain and the Craps. I felt overly thirsty and just completely exhausted.

Russ came to my rescue, keeping a water cup and cup of gatorade at my bedside at all times. Oh my Gosh, water the way he made it for me never tasted so good in my life. He laughs when I tell him that and chuckles, “I just put ice in it.” Well, heck it made the world of difference.

***Gotta Share A Home Remedy That Works***
I know talking about diarrhea is so gross to some people, but when you get it you need to know this! I fell IN LOVE with Vaseline petroleum jelly. Why you might wonder ~ because it’s Magic! All you need is a tiny fingertip of it, spread it around the bowel exiting point and waaaalaaaa. You are protected for the days duration of diarrhea! No skin burning or irratation after you do this. Don’t laugh–try it Well, it was a heaven sent gift for me and I have to share it.

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Fought the high fevers into Monday which they were now holding at the 103.7 level. Feeling miserable, all you can do is rest and drink fluids. I sent out a quick email from my iphone to my prayerchain friends letting them know to pray for me to get well quickly. I did a lot of praying as I rested too. Later in the day, I was able to eat some.  At some point within those days, I was able to eat a piece of bread, a few crackers, a half cup of noodles, and some stick pretzels, but no matter what I ate it would just come right back out the other end within 5 minutes of eating it. So, as you could imagine not enjoying the major childbearing-labor-like pains, I didn’t eat very often. ¯\(º_o)/¯ would you?
OK, Tuesday my fever broke. I had sweat thru all my clothing, bedsheets, etc. Without the fever, I started feeling better and of course want to rush my speedy recovery, so I start doing up the laundry and moving around some. Luckily I got the laundry into the washer at the least before intense major cramping & you know took over. So after dealing with all that, I gave up and went back to bed. I kept praying Russ wouldn’t get this at the same time. Out of precaution, he went and got extra gatorades and soups to have on hand just in case. By the end of the evening, I started to get a little chilled again, as if a fever was trying to come back. Tylenol knocked that bad boy out quick. Of course, you know and I know the Lord was helping me out there. Was able to keep most fluid down without causing stomache pain, unlike before, which made me really happy.

Today, I woke up feeling pretty good. Have the diarrhea, but no headache. Was able to keep down oatmeal for breakfast, no stomach trauma for over 30 minutes. Pain was minor compared to past days. Was craving veggies so Had a small cup size salad with basil balsamic vinaigrette on it. Oh my goodness did my taste buds go crazy…tasted so awesome I can still taste the basil on my tongue. To my amazement, i lasted 20 minutes and miniscual stomach trauma at that point.  But still fighting the bathroom battle most the day. Guess that’s a good thing for me…get all that yuck out of me. Can’t believe there is so much.

Anyway, It’s around 4:30pm ish, and I’m still feeling pretty chipper, not moving around too much to avoid disturbing the stomach still. Over all looking better..

So… I’m thankful.

Thank you Lord for helping me through this. Lord willing all symptoms will be gone before court on Friday. Please keep Russ in prayer that the he will stay healthy too.