"Curveballs Galore" by Elena Goodrow

in the midst of chaos, you know you will always find… more chaos.

I recently wrote a post regarding some of my recent gastrointestinal issues. My endoscopy and colonoscopy are scheduled for next week, so I’m hoping some answers are around the corner. I already had a trip to the ER last month because of my abdominal pain, but I had some more curveballs come my way a couple weeks ago.

I woke up at 4 am experiencing the most intense pain I had ever felt. I could not breathe, I couldn’t speak, I could barely open my eyes. Every bone in my body was telling me something was VERY wrong. Then the puking began a couple hours later.

I have been dealing with varying types of abdominal pain for a long while now, but this pain was new. It was all encompassing. I felt it everywhere. Between that and vomiting six times in 30 minutes, we realized another trip to the ER was in store. My girlfriend drove me (luckily I didn’t vomit in her car) and my parents met us there. I was very fortunate to be met by an amazing team of people. They ran lots and lots of tests, did a chest x-ray, a CT scan, later an MRI too, and helped manage my pain. After many hours we discovered, I had norovirus.

On top of all my other issues, turns out it’s just a new illness that’s harming me this time. Of course… after all life is just one curveball after another.

Due to my pain barely responding to medications, they decided to admit me overnight for observation. My pain finally started to calm down. We got my symptoms under control. I was sent home with instructions to follow a strict “BRAT” diet (bananas, rice, apple sauce, and toast) as I’m sure some of you are familiar with.

Norovirus was HORRIBLE, highly recommend not getting that one. As individuals living with CF, we have to deal with so much on a daily basis. So when another illness gets added to the mix, like it always does, it feels daunting to contend with. My family and girlfriend helped me rest and recover, and miraculously they did not catch the virus. We also doused the whole house in bleach, so that may have helped.

We all know the feeling of a curveball straight to the gut, but life goes on! Somehow, someway, we find ways to keep fighting. I’m looking ahead and hoping for answers down the road.