0400 – My alarm goes off to wake me up for work. Press snooze and roll over.
0405 – I get a phone call from work saying our census has dropped to 10 patients and would I like to stay home today? I think that I should probably go to work to save up my time for David’s surgery, but I am physically incapable of refusing at that hour. I agree to stay home.
0408 – I suddenly realize my entire GI tract is churning. I can’t sleep. Spend the next two hours in the bathroom with fluid (and other things) coming out both ends.
0615 – I finally can lie down in bed again without having to jump right back up. Fall asleep.
1030 – David comes in to check on me and I realize I should get up. I hug a blanket around me and walk out to the living room. My stomach is still off and my head hurts. I sit on the couch and talk to David while Oliver tries to sit in my lap and eat my hands.
1100 – I make a bowl of oatmeal because I need to eat to take another dose of metformin (aka the evil cause of my gastrointestinal difficulties). I stare at it for awhile. I get two bites down, and swallow two Excedrin since I can’t tolerate coffee. The metformin is not happening yet.
1130 – Screw this, I get back in bed.
1200 – I remember I have prescription anti-nausea meds! Total score. I consider taking Phenergan which might put me to sleep for awhile, a not unappealing prospect, but settle on Zofran since it’s stronger. Get back in bed.
1240 – I catch up on my Words With Friends games.
1245 – I do some Bible reading.
1300 – I get out of bed, eat my cold oatmeal, and return some emails.
1345 – Begrudgingly take my metformin.
1350 – Settle in to watch The Young Victoria and cross stitch.
1540 – Movie ends, and praise God I feel like eating something! Applesauce, tortilla chips, and hummus.
1550 – Put on Arrested Development season 1, disc 1. Didn’t know Michael Cera was in this. Huh. He bothers me.
1830 – Visit from my mom. I realize I am still in my pajamas, haven’t showered, and don’t intend to. Oh, well.
1845 – Disc 1 of Arrested Development ends. I relinquish control of the TV and David puts on the Texans game. I watch it with him even though it’s only the preseason because I am the ultimate in lazy.
1945 – I can’t put off eating anymore. A bowl of cereal it is, and I go ahead and take my second metformin. Hoping the nausea stays away so I can make it to work tomorrow.
2115 – Have an intense text conversation with a coworker about one of our patients and our chances of getting called off work again.
2130 – I’ve had enough of football, so I brush my teeth, get in bed with Cleo, and read some of Gilead.
2200 – My stomach has been churning for a little while, so I take another Zofran, turn out the lights, and try to sleep. I am successful.
From Erin:
Ugh. I’ve heard from a lot of people that Metformin is just terrible at first. I hope it gets better for you soon!
From Kyla Roma:
Oh yikes! A lazy day is always fun, but not when you’re so sick! I hope the medication stops doing this to you soon. Feel better! <3
From Amber:
My husband is a nurse and is always hoping for that low census call, but it never comes! Mostly he gets the 4 AM calls asking him to pick up a shift! What type of unit do you work in?
From kapachino:
We usually never get called off; they’ll just float us to another floor instead. But recently some of us have had terrible experiences on other floors, so our manager is being nice to us. I work on a hematology/oncology floor. So cool your husband’s a nurse too!
From Amber:
Believe it or not, he got called off the DAY after this comment, for I think the first time ever! You must be good luck. ;)
From Emily Jane:
Hurrah for prescription antinauseants, but boo-urns to you being so sick :( I hope you feel better soon!
From Nora:
Sometimes I wish I could be called off work! That would make me much happier during the week.
I hope that the stomatch situation rights itself soon for you! I hate it when my stomach is acting up; so uncomfortable.
From steph anne:
Well I’m glad you didn’t have to go to work so you could rest and feel better. I hope you’re feeling better by now?
From Liz:
Blah! I am on Metformin as well and it totally messes with my gastro system too.
Glad you got the day off though!