So, remember how I got food poisoning on my honeymoon and puked a bunch. And then remember how I saw a little girl at IHOP hurl her guts out the same week. Well, the vomit didn't stop there! Waffles puked up a horrible quantity a few days ago (that's puke number three) and then, the worst one:
Last weekend Josh and Gibby asked me to babysit S. which I agreed to cause, you know, I adore her. She came over but didn't seem to want any dinner or anything and in fact eventually just went to lie down on the couch. I was cooking dinner for Paul and I and watching her through the kitchen pass through when all of a sudden I noticed that tears were streaming silently down her face (remember that she is autistic and non-verbal). I ran over and snuggled with her and she just kept looking at me with her sad, sad face and the tears making tracks down her cheeks. I brought her some juice and wiped her cheeks and she seemed okay so I went back to fixing dinner. A while later I noticed that she was moving her mouth around a lot and licking her lips, so I watched her for a minute and told Paul that I thought she might be wanting to throw up. I decided that I would go and get a garbage can and put it beside her so if we saw it happening at least we could contain it. Before I could even get back to her though, she was throwing up all over. I've got a whole lot of experience with children and even puking children, but this was bad. I ran over and sat her up and after a bit more throw up, her head lolled back and she turned blue. I've read many times in books about how people turn blue, but it really happens that way. I have never, ever been so scared in my life. I honestly thought she had died. I can't even describe how she looked. Her lips and the area under her eyes became dark blue and the rest of her face became sort of waxy. It was horrendous. I grabbed the back of her head and pushed it forward and she kind of shook from head to toe and vomited some more all over her hair and her hands. She didn't seem to be able to control herself in any way. After that she seemed to be okay and we realized, in retrospect, that she was probably choking on her own vomit so when I pushed her head forward she expelled what was bothering her, but oh gracious, it was the most scared I have ever been in my whole life. Later, Paul and I talked about it. I hadn't been sure if he had seen it too, but he had and was just as scared as I was. For the rest of the evening, I sat beside her and kept her leaning on me so she could sleep sitting up. Periodically she would open her eyes and just let out a wail of sadness, but was generally okay, I think. Josh and Gibby said that she was sick for another four days, poor girl.
Later, Paul told me that I had done so well and didn't panic or anything 'you should be a mom, Jenn', he said. 'Make it so!' I said.
2 comments:
Oh dear. That's a lot of puke in one week. That poor girl :( I can't imagine feeling like that and not being able to whine about not feeling good or anything. To suffer in silence :( :( I haven't had to deal with anything quite so dramatic but I remember pretty vividly Drew having stomach flu around New Years. It's one thing to feel that awful yourself and another to see someone you love so miserable and sad.
Jenn, I cried. I can't describe in actual words the feeling I have for your tenderness and concern for that little girl. It is one thing to care for a child who can indicate in any way, verbal or non-verbal, what the problem is -- but to care for someone who can't communicate to you -- God, you're a loving person. I'm so happy that Paul and you found each other. mom2
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