Need a handhold- the gastro bug from hell at the worst possible time

[Wherezmejumper]

I am spiralling and need someone to talk me down.

DH has been ill for days with the most horrendous gastro bug. He got so dehydrated he ended up in hospital and although he's home now he's still really sick. He's not well enough to care for himself properly, let alone the kids. He is very weak and wobbly on his feet and still having to make frequent trips to the bathroom. I've never seen him this unwell.
Now DS (6) has now started with vomiting, diarrhoea and stomsch pain in the night and Autistic DS (11) is having a full on panic attack because he heard him being sick, was already super anxious about his Dad being sick and is petrified of being ill himself as he has emetophobia. He's also struggling because our household routine has been completely messed up with everything going on. I know it will be a major battle to get him to school today. They all need me and I can't be in three places at once.

I also feel really rough, I can't face food at all.
I am worried that it's only a matter of time before I'm struck down and having to look after everyone else whilst ill myself. The timing could not be worse, I've just been given a big promotion at work, it's a really busy time and am now having to take time off already. I'm supposed to be giving a big presentation tomorrow.

I haven't eaten a meal, showered or slept for longer than an hour and a half in the last 72 hours, the house looks like it's been burgled and I know I need to pull myself together but I just want to cry.

If you start getting sick, your DH will have to step up even whilst not 100% tbh.
would try to get an order that includes plain carbs (bread, crisps (ready salted)) and dioralyte or supermarket equivalent. It’s dreadful stuff but really does help a lot.
also any ready meals you know are safe for the children do not worry about nutritional content right now. Also plenty of soap and if you need them new hand towels (I would suggest paper towels, but you can’t risk someone disposing of them in the toilet & blocking the pipes!)
your eldest may escape it sometimes goes like that. If you start vomiting your work will cope. Try to plan as much as possible tho. Good luck! And many, many sympathies

Thank you. If DH was just not 100% he would absolutely step up without hesitation. He's usually a just get on with it sort of person when it comes to illness but this bug has wiped him out like nothing I've ever seen. I'm worried that if he pushes himself he'll end up back in hospital.
Online grocery order is a good idea, thank you.

Oh OP, you sound broken. Out of your list it's easiest to fix the fact that you haven't showered. Have a hot shower and a sugary drink at very least, then lie down and rest your body even if you can't sleep. Can you face a meal replacement drink like Huel sipped slowly?

The house will wait. Not a priority. Online order is a very good idea.

As for the 11 year old, if you can assign them a separate toilet, that's the best way to stop it spreading. Otherwise a quick bleach of the toilet and bleach spray of contact points after someone ill has used it. Make sure people are putting toilet lid down before flushing. Separate hand towels is crucial. Take toothbrushes out of the bathroom. School probably the safest place for him as it's distant from all of you!

Everything seems worse because you're physically exhausted. Work will understand. I'm sure your previous record will go in your favour as well. Every family has been struck down by a stomach bug at an awful time. It will be okay.

Since I last posted I've had stomach cramps and diarrhoea. No vomiting so far, the fact I haven't had a meal since Saturday may work in my favour I suppose.

As for the 11 year old, if you can assign them a separate toilet, that's the best way to stop it spreading

Was hoping to do this but we have 2 toilets and someone has already been ill in both of them this morning, there was no other option.

I so feel for you. At times like this you have to surrender to it and realise that there's nothing you can do. Work will have to understand. Everyone has been through this sort of sickness at some point and nobody would begrudge you time off, they'll all be glad you aren't bringing it in. I find it actually easier cancelling for things like this because there's literally no option, you can't struggle through a presentation with a gastro bug! So call work and then forget that.

As a parent to an autistic child, that's harder. Have you got anyone who can take him and collect from school? My son is similar in that he fears illness but once he catches it he does tough it out quite well, so you may fine anticipating is the worst part. Also if he catches it you can then stop stressing about infection control or cooking meals/ doing school runs!

Forget the house. You can only do what you can do and you'll all get through it together. We're all here for company!

Order some diaoralite or similar on Amazon if you can

Oh OP, how literally shit!

The multiple stomach bugs my kids have brought home, I have only ever had diarrhoea and never vomiting. I am holding out all hope you can get through it as quickly as you can and that you husband pulls his weight now he’s out the other side already

You're right, no point worrying about work when there's literally nothing I can do. I've messaged my Boss who sent me a really lovely message back and told me not to worry about the presentation as it can be rearranged.

I've text my Mum and she's going to take eldest to school and pick him up today so that's one less thing to worry about.

Thank you.
Honestly, DH is very much one who pulls his weight normally. The thing is he's not "out the other side" at all, he's still feverish, dizzy and back and forth to the bathroom constantly. The Hospital doc told me to monitor him closely and make sure he rests and gets lots of fluids or he'll end up back in. I will certainly try but can only do what I can do. Desperately hoping he turns a corner today for all our sakes.

Oh god I feel your pain. Our whole family got struck down last year with noro and it was hell. Id rather die than go through that again!
Take care xx

Teaco Whoosh is brilliant. I just had flu - you can place an order and it arrives in about 40 minutes, just an extra £2.99 for delivery. Really saved the day when I was needing to order juices, soups, recovery food, loo roll etc.

That's a good tip, thank you. I've never used them before. Have ordered lots of bland carb based foods, all the loo roll and anti-bac everything!

How's it going @Wherezmejumper ?