I just realized I should have added some info about what exactly my body
is doing, since this is supposed to be a record of sorts. If you’re
nauseated by graphic detail about bodily functions, please feel free to
skip this entry.

I had decided to go on a 24-hour water-only fast because it’s a good way
to cleanse yourself of toxins. I slept most of the 24 hours (from 4 pm
to almost 9 pm, then from midnight to 7:30, then 8:30 to noon), so it
was not too difficult to subsist until 12:45. I broke my fast with a
small handful of cashews and half a bag of pea crisps since my stomach
was a bit jumpy.

Today, after breaking my fast, my bowels were incredibly active. All
day I’ve been passing what look like gallstones, but after examination,
I suspect they were actually undigested cashew bits. My stools were soft
and full of fiber, then they got more and more watery until they looked
like mush or gruel. Beginning in the late afternoon or evening, I
started vomiting a lot. It was mostly bile, along with what I ate. My
rice crisps came up, as did the bread and water. Jell-O came up too. I
vomited nearly one full 1.5 liter bottle of water over a period of
several hours. Now I’m having one or two sips of water every 15 minutes
or so. Only one came back up, though a few almost did. Sigh. Hurry up
and have this end…

Yesterday I had a tamale and half an avocado midmorning and my body
declared open rebellion 20 minutes later. The tamale was vegan and I’ve
had it just fine before. The date of expiry was today, so it shoulda
been okay. My stomach just roiled and when I went to the restroom, small
pieces of soft waste, orange in color, shot out. I also vomited my
recent snack and a lot of bile. My stomach didn’t calm down for a bit.
It seemed to after awhile, so I had lunch – a small handful of cashews,
a salad with lettuce and vegan dressing, and a bit of vegan chocolate
mousse. I got very dizzy within 20 minutes. I told my boss I would have
to leave soon. I left another 45 minutes later after I wrapped things
up. By this time, I had a very upset stomach, severe dizziness, achy
joints, and general weakness. Thank goodness for public transit! I was
picked up at the other end and taken home. I stayed home today and I
will stay home tomorrow. I can’t hold down liquids or food. Had bread
and sugar for the first time today. I was scheduled to add one food
today and I’d already decided on wheat. It often helps my stomach, but
not today. I tried Jell-O because it is very soothing. I’m hoping I can
hold down sips of water and go to sleep soon.
The supreme irony is twofold – I did this to get well. And yesterday was
a full staff lunch, where they provided a great-looking Italian meal. So
of course my food choices occasioned comment. I explained about the
detox, telling them how I wanted to not be so sick and all that. And
bam, I get sick in the middle of lunch and spend the next two days home!
I can’t help but chuckle and groan when I think about it!