Now for the quick update--it's NOT a tapeworm!
Sunday, Monday and yesterday morning were awful. Nothing was staying in my body and after 5 days of no rest and plenty of dehydration, I was scared. I finally succumbed and went to see the Doctor yesterday. As I mentioned, I was taking some antibiotics, but I was only getting worse. Now I know why.
After doing some blood work, they determined that my illness was viral and not bacterial. Therefore, as the doctor put it, taking antibiotics with a virus is like "throwing kerosene on a fire." Each time I took the antibiotic, I was decreasing the chances that the bacteria in my body would be able to resist them. So, I immediately stopped the antibiotics and guess what? My body started to calm down a little. Plus, during the last couple of days I was also trying to eat because I knew I needed calories. That was also a mistake. Any form of food was just stoking the fire.
For the next few days, I'm on what is called the BRATT diet. First of all, yesterday all I was able to eat (drink) was broth, water, gatorade and other clear liquids (not vodka, damn it!). It's amazing because I haven't had much of an appetite since Friday, but when someone tells me that I'm not allowed to eat, suddenly I could chew the leg off of a skunk I'm so hungry!
The BRATT diet starts today--Bananas, Rice, Applesauce, Toast, Tea....mmmmmmmm Yes, I'm two years old. Tomorrow, I get to add chicken soup. I know you're jealous.
Oh yeah--training is also out for the next couple of days. Believe me, I haven't had the energy or even the inclination to attempt a real workout. In fact, today I may get really crazy and go for a walk!! I'm ok with it, but know that I'm just really weak right now. That makes me a little nervous, but I should be able to get out there next week and hit a couple of short quality workouts. As Greyhound said, "the hay is in the barn." Hell, this forced taper was probably the best thing for me. I just wish it didn't rob me of much-needed nutrients and muscle mass two weeks before I need all of the nutrients and muscle mass I can get.
Oh yeah--I'm 5lbs down from Friday. Of course, most of it is as a result of dehydration, but I can't deny that it was fun seeing that number on the scale as temporary as it may be!
Again--thank you for hanging with me! I'm getting better and my attitude is still so incredibly positive. Believe me, I've been doing a lot of mental training!
10 comments:
I hope you feel better soon. I bet you're right and this taper will be a really good thing for you and you will feel so fresh race day.
I'm so glad it's not a tapeworm!!! I'm also glad you are feeling better.
Hi Carrie,
It's a taper worm (haha). I am sending my positive energy your way right now. I am so excited to do Ironman with you and you have inspired me so much. Your a strong, amazing chica and I know you will be tough as nails lickety split!
Take care, kd
Sooo glad you feel better!!
Glad you're feeling better!!! i thik I might have caught a lesser version of what you had. I had to puke in a shoebox on the way home from spin last night. yuck.
I like the taperworm idea. Glad to see you're on the mend.
sooooo glad to hear that you are on the up and up!!!
just remember not to push it too much. you're still going to kick ass at IMAZ!!! no worries there!
Yes, get that sick stuff out of the way now, then rock 'n roll on race day! Desiree Ficker's got nothing on you! You are a great inspiration to all of us wannabe ironmen!
OMG, Carrie, I'm so sorry to hear you've been so ill! Glad you've figured out what it is. You've still got plenty of time to get back to 100%. When things like that happen to me, I often view it as my body's or someone's way of telling me to take a break. Sometimes it's the only way ;-)
just relax and get better. Plenty of time to come back from it and the rest might be very helpful
Good luck!!!
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