I hadn’t planned on blogging this weekend. I had thought I’d come back Monday with a cutesy “it all went well, and they’re married” post, but it seems that further developments require me to share the story with you prematurely. At least if someone laughs at the situation, then I can feel like there’s some good from it!
So, last night after the rehearsal, I got ready for bed late. Two of my Seattle cousins were sharing a hotel room with me, and I was doing my best to be quiet as I finished packing and showering while they slept. As I lay under the covers, I felt unusually tense. I assumed it was stress and/or the bed, but I found out otherwise shortly.
About an hour later, I woke up extremely hot. I took measures to be cooler (including sitting on the cold toilet seat!), and was eventually able to cool off enough to get back to sleep. Which lasted about 30 minutes.
At which time I knew I had an imminent date with that cold toilet, but didn’t quite make it.
Is now the time where I should say you might not want to read this if you’re queasy? Or is it too late?
Yes, in the hotel room that I was sharing with the cousins I haven’t seen in 3 years, I threw up on the floor. It’s a bad habit of mine; not making it to the bathroom (not that I throw up often).
At that point, I knew something was up. I knew the tenseness and hot flashes I was feeling were not stress, but something far yuckier.
Not having any reasonable medicine, I woke up my cousins to ask if they did (they did not). I found out later that they weren’t able to go back to sleep right away…I felt so bad! I don’t want others to be miserable simply because I am.
Then I went down to my parents’ room and cried for help. That’s what parents are for, right? My dad was able to find a 24-hour gas station in this 2,500-person town, and bought me a bottle of Pepto. The color of which I promptly saw in the toilet bowl several more times in the middle of the night.
Scared to go back to bed, I slept on the recliner in my parents’ room. I was able to sleep for about 45-minute stretches in between bathroom runs, so I certainly didn’t get much sleep.
When it was time for me to start getting ready to go to the church (5:30 AM), we knew we had a real problem on our hands. I hoped it would have gone away, so that I wouldn’t even have to tell the bride, Amanda. Unfortunately, there was no hiding it from her.
As an aside, Riley and Amanda were both incredibly gracious to me, carrying more for my health than my ability to participate. She even texted me on their wedding evening to check in on me! I’m so happy to be able to officially call her my sister.
So I went to church late (7 AM), with just enough time to get my hair and makeup done before picture. I had one more bathroom run, but thanks to some medicine from my nurse aunt and her warning to eat and drink NOTHING, that was the last of it (I hope I didn’t jinx it…I’m not in the clear, yet)!
I was feeling better by pictures, and was able to fully participate. But, as the time drug on and the drowsiness of the medicine started to kick in, it was obvious to all that I wasn’t all right (I’ve heard I was anything from pale or gray to green from various sources). Thanks to some fast acting, I was made to lay down on a back pew until it was time for me again. Without those naps between pictures and the wedding, I wouldn’t have made it!
Praise God, I was able to stick out the wedding, and look normal while doing it. It was funny how many people whispered “Are you sure you’re okay?” to me as I walked down the aisle to take my place as maid of honor. I actually think my sickness kept me for tearing up as I likely otherwise would have. About 5 minutes from the end, I knew that I was on my last legs, but I made it…and promptly took a 2-hour nap during the reception. At this point I was able to slowly introduce water back into my system, of which I was very grateful.
I also slept through the clean-up (I promise that I didn’t fake it to get out of work!) before we made the hour-and-a-half ride back to my parents house. I’m thankful to be in some borrowed pajamas and resting with the TV to distract me (I have a hard time concentrating on reading at the moment). I hope to take a nice bath shortly and hope into bed. Here’s hoping for a must-needed good night’s sleep!
And that’s how NOT to spend your brother’s wedding.