I MAY have snatch the odd 10-15 minute doze between spewing episodes…and it’s still hitting me when Margaret gets up.

Some of my cousins who I haven’t seen in ages are meant to be coming for lunch today…Margaret’s going to be away looking after Freya and picking (sister-in-law) Les at the station in Stirling later and had prepared some soup and stuff for me to entertain my guests.

There’s no way I’m gonna be in any fit state to do/speak/see anyone by lunch time so Margaret calls John and explains. I’m gutted I’m gonna miss them. Margaret was also gonna call off the babysitting but really, there’s no point in her wasting a day watching me spew…there’s nothing she can do.

I realise if I battle the need to spew every time it comes I can, on occasion hold it back…and the less chance I give of the spewing/wrenching becoming an ongoing spasm the better. As a result I manage to go an hour or so between actually spewing. Margaret calls at lunchtime to see how I am. She’s waiting at the station for Les. I explain not much change…but shortly free hanging up the phone I have an uncontrollable spew and wishing seconds feel a lot better. Not right, of course, but a helluva lot better.

I manage a few sips of water and sleep ‘til 5pm! My insides are tender but I haven’t felt – or been sick – and I feel 80/90% ‘normal’.

I get up and have some rehydration stuff Margaret picked up at the chemist while she and Les have gin and tonics…Betty pops in to buy some merch as gifts for some folks she’s meeting for dinner and I hit the shower. Good to get 24-hours-worth of spew and stuff out my beard!

I had prepared pizza dough for to night but that was clearly off the cards, so Margaret picked up some steak and cooks dinner. I have a small portion, eat it slowly and enjoy it. Amazing how calm, settled and comfortable I feel. No beer, wine, whisky…no over indulgence in anything. Just great to be feeling fine again.