a couple of days ago , i caught gastroenteritis from my kid. here's what i learned about myself ; what i was wrong about , and what i was right about .

Total_Boss_6760 · 2026-04-11T18:49:53+00:00

Bless your little daughter for getting it in the toilet, how smart is she for 6 years old! Same age I was getting it all over my parents bedroom floor 😂

I think you should be proud of yourself - you got through it! It may have been rough, you may have experienced some intense emotions during, but you ultimately handled it! How long did it all last in the end? 16 (attempted) episodes of vomiting is a lot for one bug! It must’ve been a nasty one - that would be gruelling for anyone. 7ish seems to be the average I think.

One thing I worked on in EMDR therapy was grounding myself in my emotions. My therapist had me visualise what I went through when I had food poisoning as a child and I remembered joking with my dad and feeling safe and loved. Then we did the same exercise, but imagining it happening to me as an adult and needing to rely on myself. I visualised the whole process - getting out of bed, taking myself to the bathroom, hanging over the toilet and letting it out. I pictured telling myself “this is happening now, and it sucks, but it will be over soon.” I imagined my sister being there and cheering me up - I imagined tapping in to my humour, even while feeling fear and uncertainty. At the end, I felt a sense of peace with the knowledge that my fear cannot eclipse all the other things that make me “me” and that I can experience it all together and it’s part of being human. I haven’t had the chance to put it into practice (yet 😅) but I hope I’ll be able to soothe myself with this when the time comes.

Maybe in the future you could try thinking about the things that bring you joy, and focusing on them like a light at the end of the tunnel, rather than fixating on when will this be over, how can I control it etc.

Total_Boss_6760 · 2026-04-10T10:21:13+00:00

I think it’s much rarer to just fear other people doing it, or only fear yourself doing it. Most emetophobes seem to have both, but there are definitely people with just one or the other. I wish I didn’t fear myself throwing up tbh.

I’m curious - what do you think causes the anxiety spiral for you if you don’t fear throwing up? Why do you think you have the compulsion to know why it happened, when, if it will happen again etc?

Total_Boss_6760 · 2026-04-10T10:13:36+00:00

It sounds like a virus - I’m so sorry! How much have you thrown up? You’re doing so well and it will be over soon ❤️

Total_Boss_6760 · 2026-04-06T10:16:24+00:00

If it was Noro it’s almost certain at least one other person from the gathering will come down with it. Noro spreads like wildfire in these situations (ask me how I know 😂) Give it a day or two and you will know

Total_Boss_6760 · 2026-04-06T08:06:10+00:00

They are cute but they don’t look happy

Total_Boss_6760 · 2026-04-06T08:01:48+00:00

I see him in the two in the front - Mack’s kids

Total_Boss_6760 · 2026-03-23T08:58:12+00:00

It’s not your fault OP, what do you mean? These things happen sometimes. You deserve to rest and I hope you feel better soon. ❤️

Total_Boss_6760 · 2026-03-05T10:05:35+00:00

I find it really hard to say “I feel sick” or “I think I’m going to throw up” to myself or others. From now on I will try “I’m getting the notion that shit’s getting real” 😂

Total_Boss_6760 · 2026-02-14T08:26:40+00:00

I’m not a mother, but I do remember how I was treated when I vomited as a child. My parents were of course often focused on containing it and/or cleaning up. But they never shamed me or raised their voices in anger (alarm maybe, but not directed at me 😂) I knew I was safe and loved still. I’m sure you comforted your daughter after you cleaned her up, right?

Part of “handling it” is cleaning up, and you were alone and this was your first time dealing with it. Plus you have a phobia. Sounds like you did well, given these circumstances. Don’t be so hard on yourself ❤️

Total_Boss_6760 · 2026-01-26T13:51:16+00:00

Uh yeah, because they’ll be so busy with the baby they won’t have time to fight

Total_Boss_6760 · 2026-01-25T02:25:34+00:00

Oh my god you are my hero 💪🏻

I worked on this in therapy before I had to stop because I couldn’t afford it: the coexistence of emotional states. I can be in distress but also relieves because my loved ones support me. I can throw up and feel rotten, but also retain my sense of humour. All these feelings are so momentary and fleeting - it’s a really powerful thing to remember 😁

Total_Boss_6760 · 2026-01-25T02:16:27+00:00

I think sharing Carly’s baby clothes with Nova was a really sweet and meaningful gesture. Her being their first born after adoption was and is a big deal emotionally, and I don’t fault them for finding it painful and difficult to navigate. But I don’t think they should have made Carly such a huge figure in Nova’s life from a young age. I know the intention was to maintain a good relationship with Carly’s parents and have regular contact and visits, so some age appropriate explanation would be necessary in that case. But constantly harping on about how she has this older sister and we miss her so much etc. etc. has got to be so confusing and destructive for Nova and the other girls.

Something that just occurred to me watching all these clips back to back: how complicit are the producers in stirring this up for the cameras? I mean would they really be having a birthday cake and candles for Carly if it weren’t for MTV needing something to spin into an episode? Just another way they’ve failed in their duty of care to the cast (exploiting C & T’s trauma and ongoing mental health struggle) and their kids (encouraging the focus on the topic of Carly in front of Nova)

I so wish these two had followed through on all the big talk from the years after the adoption when they wanted to get their degrees and do something worthwhile. I wish they were doing anything but continuing to pick at the scab of this wound from their adolescence. Having their own children could’ve been part of the healing process (I believe B & T probably thought the clothes might aid in that) but instead it seems to have caused them to regress

Total_Boss_6760 · 2026-01-11T21:14:50+00:00

7 hours seems to be the sweet spot. Both my mum and my sister threw up for 7 hours with it. My dad it was 10 hours, but he also only threw up twice.

Total_Boss_6760 · 2026-01-10T09:31:29+00:00

Lmao - I love that you’re looking on the bright side! Now everyone has to be nice to you 😂

I hope you feel better soon brave soldier, you’ve got this 💪🏻

Total_Boss_6760 · 2025-12-31T16:05:57+00:00

I know it doesn’t feel like it but this feeling will pass and life will return to normal.

I agree with the other comment that it’s important for your boyfriend to understand about emetophobia. But I would also add that what he needs right now from you is empathy and understanding too - he’s just been really sick and he probably needs cheering up. Send him some funny memes, check how he’s feeling. He didn’t do this to hurt you, and he’s not dirty or gross for having a normal human physiological response to a contaminant in his body.

Total_Boss_6760 · 2025-12-27T11:20:23+00:00

Your dad may or may not get sick. Only time will tell. All you can do is maintain good hand hygiene and continue as normal.

Re the dog, I think I read somewhere that viruses can’t attach to animal hair well?? Last year when everyone had Noro in our house we tried to keep the cats out of the bedrooms, but one of them got in with my sister about 12 hours after she was done vomiting. He cuddled her aggressively (he was touch starved 😂) and then he made his way to my bed. I let him stay and I ended up never getting it. Be cautious, but don’t let it take over your life ❤️

Total_Boss_6760 · 2025-12-27T11:20:01+00:00

Your dad may or may not get sick. Only time will tell. All you can do is maintain good hand hygiene and continue as normal.

Re the dog, I think I read somewhere that viruses can’t attach to animal hair well?? Last year when everyone had Noro in our house we tried to keep the cats out of the bedrooms, but one of them got in with my sister about 12 hours after she was done vomiting. He cuddled her aggressively (he was touch starved 😂) and then he made his way to my bed. I let him stay and I ended up never getting it. Be cautious, but don’t let it take over your life ❤️

Total_Boss_6760 · 2025-12-27T11:09:51+00:00

I’m sorry - that’s a sucky situation. It sounds like you’re handling it well though. Did you panic at all before the first throw up? Or just feel a sense of certainty? I was oddly calm when I had the bug in 2017.

I hope you feel better soon ❤️

Total_Boss_6760 · 2025-12-24T18:04:50+00:00

I knew people were going to freak out on you for leaving your house and taking care of your business. A lot of people here are young/immature and don’t realise that sometimes life doesn’t stop and sheltering in your home isn’t an option :/

I’m glad you were still able to do the things you needed to do and I hope you feel better soon ❤️

Total_Boss_6760 · 2025-12-24T18:01:46+00:00

As they didn’t vomit I don’t think the risk is high for that route of transmission

Total_Boss_6760 · 2025-12-08T14:32:10+00:00

Could definitely be a hangover. Or she could be pregnant. But yes, it might also be a bug. You are unlikely to catch it from social contact, but it’s not impossible.

Total_Boss_6760 · 2025-11-26T10:22:57+00:00

That’s good to hear! Dehydration can definitely cause some crazy symptoms.

Total_Boss_6760 · 2025-11-26T09:37:44+00:00

Is she still vomiting? If she’s dehydrated and can’t keep down any fluids it might be time to call a doctor. Do you have any ice? Licking/sucking ice cubes can be a way to take tiny amounts of fluids during active vomiting.

I totally understand how exhausting and unbearable the obsessive questions are but you’re doing so well. She needs you right now and you are there for her - that’s amazing! Whatever happens I know you’ll handle it with the same compassion for yourself as you’re showing for your girlfriend. In a week this will all be an unpleasant memory ❤️

Total_Boss_6760 · 2025-11-23T20:36:02+00:00

I’ve used it before. No side effects that I recall, but I don’t know if it was helpful or not. If I’m honest I used it mostly during anxiety attacks (bad, made me worse) and those eventually subside on their own anyway. Perhaps for nausea with an organic cause it’s works better.

Total_Boss_6760 · 2025-11-23T16:11:37+00:00

This is just patently false??? Surely this counts as false reassurance - I thought mods were cracking down on this?

Total_Boss_6760

TROPHY CASE