Oh my did I see enough poops to last me a life time during late October & most of November. It was predicted by Paul that we would get very ill at some point – a sort of Hong Kong (very unwelcoming!) initiation which happens to all newcomers!
Shortly after Ray's Mum passed away I began to feel rather ill - feverish and about 24 hours later the very frequent visits to the loo started. Typically this was during Ray's 1/2 terms, so the little opportunity we get to spend time together as a family was spent with me flat on my back...or hugging the toilet. Luckily though, Ray was on hand to look after Anthony and Amelie, along with lashings of help from Evonnie, Sari and June.
I was completely off food for about a week and only ate very plain small amounts of toast or rice. Hence after 2 weeks, all the girls we envious of me having lost about 10 kgs (bearing in mind still breastfeeding so extra energy being expending making milk for Anthony)! My jeans were literally falling off. Anyway, as soon as I was able I took to stuffing my face once again...just can't resist the lovely food out here!
Unfortunately Ray soon fell ill too...rather violently throwing up then sitting on the loo in quick succession, followed by three days of lying flat out in bed. At this point I really was at the mercy of everyone else's help since I wasn't better myself! I was just praying that Amelie and Anthony stayed clear of this horrible virus as I was in no fit state to look after them..luckily they did...but not for long!
Soon after I was feeling better and had resumed eating normally, Amelie came home from school saying that she wasn't hungry and had a pain in her tummy. She then went into the feverish state we had experienced, and about 12 hours later the explosion began. The only saving grace was that she was wearing a nappy...but it couldn't quite contain it all and when trying to remove her from her poo covered pajamas, we managed to smear it all over her so the poor thing ended up in the shower at 11 o'clock at night feeling dreadful and appalled at her current predicament.
Luckily the fever stopped, after a couple of days, but the tummy problems continued so she had a full week off school missing the school picnic and the school sportsday. It also proved quite comical when I tried to explain to Amelie's teacher why she was off. In Cantonese the same word said in a different tone means different things. Hence I kept saying that Amelie was "hungry" instead of the word for "diarrhea". I realised something wasn't right when the teacher kept saying give her a biscuit or an apple!
Anyway, Anthony, poor love, wasn't to be immune from the horrid initiation. I realised something wasn't quite right as he projectile vomited all over me and the bed 3 times. He had a few wicked nappies and lots of discomfort (coupled with teething!). Unfortunately one of the worst nappies occured when I had him in the wrap on my side - he was asleep there for well over an hour. As I unwrapped him, I realised something wasn't right. The disgust on onlookers faces (bearing in mind we were at a school fair!) was enough to say it all. Basically Anthony had poo all over his shorts where it had squelched out of his nappy, and consequently it was smeared all down my side! I wanted so much to run away or be teleported out of there, it was like a bad dream!
Anyway, enough about all this crap! Sorry had to be said! We are better now, and all happily enjoying the wonderful food out here again!
