Best Laid Plans

Last week, I had the chance to test some of my emergency preparedness when I was hit with the fun joys of food poisoning. If your emergency plans don’t encompass dealing with illness and injury, you may want to update your plans. Fact is, if you end up in a true emergency and sheltering for an extended time, you are going to have to deal with any number of illnesses as it is impossible not to share in those circumstances.

Now, I thought I had some pretty good preparations in place. In fact, I had just upped my anti-nausea (AN) and anti-diarrhea (AD) a month or two ago, and thought I was in pretty good shape overall. That turned out to be a touch optimistic.

Here are a few lessons learned that I will share for your planning use, and to remind me of what I need to do as well. Already taking steps, but…

First up, I generally don’t try to control things at first. It used to be that doctors would try to stop both ends as it were. However, it turns out that if the body is trying to purge things, there is a good reason for it and it is best to let it happen. The “plug them up” school may have done more harm than good it seems. The problem comes if the body doesn’t stop trying to purge and/or you (the patient) gets dehydrated.

Problem 1 for me was finding myself on the bathroom floor at one point, doing pinch tests to check for dehydration and checking other vitals to see if I did need to call an ambulance/help. However, when the body had signaled the urgent need to get to the bathroom now, now, now I did not think to grab my phone or do anything other than run, and my bedroom and the bathroom are at opposite ends of the basement. Not sure what to do about this, but do need to figure a plan for emergency communication.

Problem 2 was the bathroom itself. The landlord’s relatives who built it out did their usual high-quality job (cough, choke, wheeze) with the result that literally freezing air from outside was effectively being ducted down onto the floor — and me. Eight inches up from the floor, blissfully warm. On the floor, not so much. I did eventually manage to get back to my room and get a throw, but it really needed additional help. Was not surprised to have some respiratory issues the next day (and very cold feet and hands). Moving is an option, otherwise not much I can do about this one. Considering vacuum packing some throws and blankets and finding a way to store them in the bathroom, but…

Things That Worked 1: I always have solid, liquid tight wastebaskets in every room. Both in the bedroom and in the bathroom, this proved wise. Having them allows for emergency storage and transportation of liquids. In this case, I used them to catch and store what came out up top while sitting on the can. Was able later to empty them, clean, sterilize, and put them back to normal use. I use plastic grocery bags to line them as it makes getting trash out quickly an easy process.

Problem 3 is that I can’t find the flippin AD meds. Apparently I put the OTC and one prescription AD in a good safe place and not with all the other meds. I ended up using InstaCart to get some more delivered. BTW, would have been more impressed with them if they hadn’t left out the sports drink I ordered. I may try another service one day soon to see how they do, as a delivery service could be a good thing to include in preparedness planning. Didn’t need a lot on the AD, but did use it to taper things down later in the week.

Things That Worked 2: having a full-range of OTC items. In this case, having both antacids and anti-gas OTC agents has been very good and effective. In the case of food poisoning, having the anti-gas items is a big plus.

Things That Worked 3: During the time I could not get back to my room, I used a measuring cup from under the sink as a cup. It’s normally used to make saline and fill things. Rinsing the dust out got it clean [it’s kept clean normally, but the dust issue in that bathroom (mostly from the ceiling being another “quality” job) is incredible]. May look at a bagged cup and maybe putting a can of lemon-lime soda in there for emergencies. I will say it was very nice of the housemate to bring me down some bottles of water and ginger ale when he got home from work that next morning. The landlord just had a knee replacement and was not available to get down the stairs and help.

Problem 4 ties back to Problem 1 in that I really do need to be where people can get to me at need. When I move (more on that here soon) I really do need to be where there are good people around me and/or nearby. I’m not real thrilled with that on some levels, but I do have to recognize reality.

Things I Need To Add 1: I used to keep a couple of 2L bottles of a popular lemon-lime soft drink and of ginger ale around for illness. Not sure when I quit doing it, but need to add in some cans (longer storage) of same to my supplies. I also need to find some good powdered electrolytes (little sugar and no B vitamins) to keep on hand. Sugar and salt can make a good emergency solution, but having the better ingredients is the way to go if possible. Oh, no B vitamins because if you are flirting with dehydration you don’t want large amounts of B6 as B6 toxicity is no joke. When hydrated, it usually flushes out, but dehydration changes that equation.

Still recovering, but on the mend. Wanted to get an AAR down for my planning and to give you some food for thought for yours.

More soon. Be prepared and keep your family and friends close, and your things where you can find them in the dark.

Getting hit by lightning is not fun! If you would like to help me in my recovery efforts, which include moving once we have medical issues cleared up, feel free to hit the fundraiser at A New Life on GiveSendGo, use the options in the Tip Jar in the upper right, or drop me a line to discuss other methods. There is also the Amazon Wish List in the Bard’s Jar. It is thanks to your gifts and prayers that I am still going. Thank you.