Day 14: 9/27/12 - One of the worst days ever

I really like traveling alone. I enjoy the me time and don't really get lonely or crabby. This day was different. This day was one where I would have paid millions to be able to be teleported back to my parents' place and be under their love and care. All that makes me happy about it is that it is now the next day and I am writing about it after the worst is over.

I woke up early this day, without an alarm, which, if you know me, is very very unusual for me. I quickly realized why. My stomach and intestines had raged a war. Let's just say for the next 5 hours I was in the bathroom at least every 20 minutes, expelling everything in my body, including 2 sips of water and even "nothing" when I hadn't ingested anything. Let me tell you, there is not a much more miserable feeling that that, and I didn't even have the energy to cry.

I reached out to my friend in London who had had something similar recently and she not only told me what OTC meds she took but was kind enough to call the concierge at my hotel who was then able to go get them. I tried those and they didn't work either.

After the 6th or 7th hour straight of this I decided I needed to see a doctor. Luckily the concierge (who I HAVE to write a thank you note to) was able to call one who came to my room in an hour or so and spoke some English. This guy was my savior. He gave me two injections to stop everything and the prescribed a bunch of meds to help on an ongoing basis (both of which I have taken multiple times over the last 24 hours). He said I had some gastroenteritis but that I wasn't too badly dehydrated and that I didn't need to go to the hospital (thank God). Also, he had to give me the injections in my vein (he had to mix it with some of my blood?) and I have to say, this guy was so skilled at that, more than most of the phlebotomists I have ever been to. I wish he was my doctor in the US!

After he left I basically slept for the next 16-18 hours only getting up to print my boarding pass, pack and expel everything in my body only 2 or 3 more times (that is progress my friends!). By the time midnight rolled around I was feeling about 50 percent better and knew I would be able to continue on to Capri but holy moly, that was awful. Like one of the worst days I have ever had. I'm so glad it is over.