Vacation is Over
January 26th, 2008 
UPDATE: So this is Heather’s hand taken this morning. After Heather couldn’t keep down anything, including water or a clear sports drink, we sought medical help and were directed to the local hospital. Heather got a 2-liter I.V. (two 1-liter bags), a shot of Demerol and a shot of an anti-nausea med. She immediately felt better, but I don’t think they gave her enough of the anti-nausea meds because she is still feeling horrible. After the 5 hour ER trip, I forced Heather to sleep, I loaded up and got out of California. I’m killing time before Coco’s last outing of the day and thought I’d post a quick update on Heather based on the email and Twitter traffic. We’ll be home tomorrow. And I couldn’t be happier.
One of the reasons I pushed to get out today:
Yeah. Super. o
Tags: health, life is kicking my ass, vacation
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January 27th, 2008 at 12:01 am
Best wishes on getting through this. Thoughts are with you.
January 27th, 2008 at 12:05 am
drive safely.
January 27th, 2008 at 12:29 am
Thanks for the update. Thinking of you guys. Have a safe trip home
January 27th, 2008 at 12:58 am
I’m sending good wishes across the continent to y’all. I hope the drive home is as quick and uneventful as it can be.
(I can’t imagine that roadtrip with ONE dog, let alone TWO and a child and illness.)
January 27th, 2008 at 2:12 am
Hopeful wishes that your trip home is quick and uneventful and that Heather stays okay. I know you watch her like a hawk (she says so) re her health, so she’s in good hands. Drive carefully with your princesses.
January 27th, 2008 at 2:38 am
Yes, thanks for the update. Glad it’s nothing to-to. You’re a man among men, Jon Armstrong. Drive safely.
January 27th, 2008 at 2:46 am
Thank you SO MUCH for the update, Jon. I was getting ready to call all the local hospitals (I’m in SD) and show up in person with a support crew to help out.
Yes, we out here in “The Internet” DO tend to panic, but it’s only out of love.
Drive safely, indeed…
January 27th, 2008 at 4:41 am
Yes, yes, we do panic. I’ve been in an absolute panic since I discovered this pic. Get well, Armstrongs, in every way possible. My thoughts are with you.
January 27th, 2008 at 5:08 am
Jon, Thanks for the Update. Drive safely and I hope the trip home is less eventful then this trip has been. I hope everyone gets feeling better quickly. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
January 27th, 2008 at 7:07 am
your lucks seems abotu as awesome as ours. I hope you all make iot home safe and feel better soon!
January 27th, 2008 at 7:20 am
anything you need - just call. We’ll be up a canyon most of the day with the kids’ ski lessons, but one of us can drive down if you need anything. I CAN’T believe I thought that was YOUR hand - I guess because you said you were sick first. Hang in there.
January 27th, 2008 at 7:55 am
Good luck. I was so worried about y’all, that I told all my friends at dinner about your ordeal. I think they are a little concerned about me now. Glad you are homeward bound.
January 27th, 2008 at 8:14 am
Lordy, Jon. I’ve been in your situation more than once, and I know how nerve-wracking and horrible it is. Thanks for letting all the blurbodoocery addicts know what’s going on, and as everyone else has said before - drive safely and we’re all thinking of you. Sorry that you guys had to have your vacation end like mine tend to.
January 27th, 2008 at 8:15 am
I bet she has that stomach virus that’s around. I had this, my 1yo had this and 7 of our neighbors had it! In the last 2 weeks. I called pediatrician and she said everyone has this. We didn’t go to ER, but just kept an empty stomach (easier for me than 1yo) and we were over it in a couple of days. Bad and too much vomit for anyone’s taste, but it’s short-lived.
January 27th, 2008 at 8:26 am
Wishing all of you a safe trip back. Sending healing thoughts to all of the Armstrongs.
January 27th, 2008 at 8:33 am
Hope you all have a safe trip and that Heather starts feeling better soon.
January 27th, 2008 at 8:33 am
so glad to hear that heather’s on the mend! Hope the whole fam is recovering from your various illnesses and that you guys never ever take another vacation again. at least not like this one.
January 27th, 2008 at 8:47 am
You know, I’m really thinking you guys should just not go to California anymore. There are nice beaches other places.
Being sick sucks, but there is a lot to be said for being miserable in the comfort and privacy of your own home.
Drive safely, and I hope you all get healthy quick. (Maybe Leta and Chuck and Coco can go visit their Grandmas so Mommy and Daddy can rest?)
January 27th, 2008 at 9:27 am
The only thing worse than being miserably sick is being miserably sick and away from home. Godspeed and get well soon.
January 27th, 2008 at 9:31 am
Safe travels home, Jon.. What a crappy vacation. There really is no place like home, ehh? :o)
I’ll be saying a “traveling prayer” for you!
Ps.. Thanks for the twitter updates.
January 27th, 2008 at 10:09 am
Best wishes to you & yours, Jon. Thank you for the update - I was worried.
January 27th, 2008 at 10:22 am
Thanks for the update. Was worried for all of you. Bummer that vacation was such a bust. Drive carefully and feel better!
January 27th, 2008 at 10:28 am
Yes, you were smart to leave SD when you did. The rain and wind hit hard here last night. You got out ahead of it, because it’s probably chasing you now. Have a safe trip the rest of the way home. Everyone will feel much better once they’re in their own beds.
January 27th, 2008 at 10:32 am
Demerol! The good stuff! In all seriousness — I’ve been a lurker until now — I was in the same ER boat this weekend [in SD, no less], so I absolutely commiserate. Glad you’re on your way home. Take care.
January 27th, 2008 at 10:40 am
Gah. I’m so sorry this trip provided neither the warmth, nor the rest and relaxation you were seeking. Wishing all a speedy recovery and safe travels home.
January 27th, 2008 at 10:43 am
Sorry this had to turn out this way. Here’s to you all arriving safely and Heather recovering quickly.
January 27th, 2008 at 11:13 am
It sucks so much when you get sick on vacation. Hope you are all home safely and tucked into your own beds. As Dorothy said, there’s no place like home– even when there is 10 feet of snow on the ground.
January 27th, 2008 at 12:25 pm
So glad you updated, I had been worrying about you all. I was excited to hear you were going to be in my area and hoped you would have a good time while on vacation. Hope Heather feels better and good luck on your travels home, my thoughts are with you.
January 27th, 2008 at 12:34 pm
Sending good thoughts and hopefully sunnier weather…
January 27th, 2008 at 12:38 pm
I’m glad she’s going to be okay, and thanks for the update Jon! Drive safe!
January 27th, 2008 at 1:42 pm
Hope you’re all feeling better soon.
January 27th, 2008 at 2:29 pm
At least there was a good few days and I’m thrilled that it isn’t anything much more serious than dehydration. Get home safe - we love you guys.
January 27th, 2008 at 3:01 pm
My goodness, Jon…best wishes to all of you, and safe travels. Hope Heather feels better ASAP, and that the two of you get an actual relaxing vacation soon. You deserve it.
January 27th, 2008 at 4:01 pm
Oh shit. sorry to hear that. Hope your trip goes smoothly.
January 27th, 2008 at 4:25 pm
Was it a virus or food poisoning or did they say? I hope she feels better really soon.
I don’t know if you have this item in the States, but Gravol suppositories can work wonders (if the pill version isn’t staying down). The drug makes you sleepy, too. It’s actually designed for motion sickness (travel). I’m pretty sure you don’t need a prescription.
Ginger is good for the belly as well (sailors use it to prevent motion sickness). Flat gingerale is good!
Anyway, when all this is over, your family should take an extended break. Maybe here. Sure, it costs anywhere from $500 to $1200 a night, but YOU’RE WORTH IT.
January 27th, 2008 at 5:29 pm
Yeah, there has been a stomach bug floating around the east and gulf coasts too. Friends of mine, and children in the day care my mom works at were all puking for a few days. Another friend of mine was flying back from building homes in Alabama, where she and 4 other people started projectile vomiting ON THE PLANE. They were such a wreck that airline employees brought them wheelchairs once they landed. Eek. Hope you guys make it home without any more road blocks. Safe trip.
January 27th, 2008 at 6:00 pm
Best wishes for a speedy, safe, uneventful trip home for you guys. What a crazy vacation, and not crazy in a “no-pants” kind of way. So unfortunate. Hang in there, and hope you both feel like rockstars again soon.
January 27th, 2008 at 6:25 pm
I hope that there is a special place in hell for Noroviruses, these guys spread by promoting “explosive expulsions”. Nothing make you enjoy your home more than being sick when away from home. Hopefully the return to your usual surrounding will help you to appreciate it more as winter finally goes on its way out.
January 27th, 2008 at 6:48 pm
Jon,
I got sick like that in Scotland of all places - a virus that was making the rounds. It took a while for me to get my strength back and there is nothing harder than being sick anywhere other than in your own home. All of you rest up and take good care of yourselves.
January 27th, 2008 at 6:48 pm
Shit.
Y’all got the so cal sodamnsickicantf’nbeliebeit!!!!germ/virius that is going around.
I can comiserate.
I have been sick (and trying to maintain a NEW job) since November 15, 2007. WTF?
I am a relatively healthy person. Suffering with depression and anxiety for almost 40 years. (since puberty)
BUT dont catch virius’s or colds… often.
AND I love you and heather’s posts ’cause it helps. I asked for help 30 years ago and got nothin. I kept asking. I finally got a doc to help when undergoing cancer therapy. I have drs now that listen and help with the meds I needs.
Your wife aka Dooce.com has saved my daughter.
Really. Daughter won’t take advice from me… but when dooce says it, and has survived, she listens and is seeking help.
I understand from your point of view, things are tough.
I am cognisint enough, ocassionally to get it.
My husband of 32 years is a saint.
He has 3 daughters, only 1 unstable daughter and 1 unstable wife.
Thank you hamiltons for being an inspiration for recovery and maintance
of mental health.
wish us luck. and pray for us in the car.
Rebecca
January 27th, 2008 at 9:02 pm
i hope you got out ok. i live east of la and we haven’t had this kind of storm in years. best wishes for you and your family.
you are in my thoughts.
btw it’s crayon not crown:)
January 27th, 2008 at 9:20 pm
Been following on Twitter and worried. Thank you for updating and please drive safe!
January 27th, 2008 at 11:13 pm
damn what a bad week to be on vacation. i’m crossing my fingers that everyone is feeling better.
January 27th, 2008 at 11:22 pm
That’s a scary pic. Thanks for the update, hope you are both feeling better. Sending your whole family healthy vibes and well wishes.
January 28th, 2008 at 6:15 am
whoa, that pic scared me. all my best to the hamilton family…
January 28th, 2008 at 7:34 am
oh crap you guys… I hope you are feeling better Heather. That is no way to spend a vacation .. I am so sorry :(.
January 28th, 2008 at 8:25 am
Oh my God! I hope you’re both feeling better now - not a great thing to happen on vacation but at least you got help quickly. Love to you all xx
January 28th, 2008 at 9:55 am
so sorry the trip didn’t go as planned - hope you’re home safe soon
January 28th, 2008 at 10:13 am
Sorry the vacation ended up being so horrible. Hope you all feel better soon!
January 28th, 2008 at 10:15 am
Jon, let me know if you need us to bring over a casserole or something.
January 28th, 2008 at 10:37 am
G_d speed. Hope you all feel better soon.
January 28th, 2008 at 11:37 am
Good vibes to the Armstrong family! Utah will welcome you home with snowy arms.
January 28th, 2008 at 12:11 pm
If I wasn’t such a germ-a-phob, I give you all a big hug and kiss.
Safe travels and settled tummies for all.
January 28th, 2008 at 12:46 pm
Hope the next trip fairs better! My hubby and I got sick over the holidays so we basically just wrote it off as just a bad memory. =)
January 28th, 2008 at 1:46 pm
Good thinking to outrun the storm…Would hate to have a new “Donner Party”
January 28th, 2008 at 1:49 pm
Been there, done that…including the middle of the night ER trip with two preschoolers in tow! Here’s to a speedy recovery for all of you and a safe trip home!!!!
January 28th, 2008 at 1:52 pm
In England we just had a stomach bug like this going around: 100,000 people a week were coming down with it and flooded all the hospitals. So while it might not be so great now, at least when Heather’s better she’ll be able to take some comfort in knowing she wasn’t alone in this one!!
January 28th, 2008 at 2:16 pm
Sorry to hear you had such a sucky time in San Diego! At least you got a little beach time, but it’s been raining nonstop since you left anyway. Hope you’re both feeling better soon!
January 28th, 2008 at 4:37 pm
You guys really do seem to have the worst luck with vacations and getting sick and what not. Take care of yourselves!
January 29th, 2008 at 7:32 am
I visited LA for the first time last week/weekend, and of course it was raining and cold the entire time. I feel your pain.
January 29th, 2008 at 11:56 am
So glad to hear the whole family is safe and home. I’m a huge fan of you and Heather, and I’m so sorry to hear how bad your vacation was. There truly is nothing worse than being sick and away from home - I once had the worst case of parasites/food poisoning on a tropical vacation and just wanted to die, so I know how it is. I hope things are on the upswing for all of you, and that Leta, Chuck and Coco can cheer you up!
January 29th, 2008 at 3:43 pm
ugh.
been there. NOT fun. hope all is well now.