It was Tuesday night, around 7:00pm. My mom and sister left the house to meet my dad at Hannah’s Christmas musical. I didn’t go because I felt sick. I didn’t feel terrible, but I felt sick enough to stay home. I helped/watched my mom curl Han’s hair.
8:00pm: the phone rings. It’s my older brother calling from his apartment 2 hours away from my house. Strange. He never calls. I picked up the phone.
*
Me: Hello?
Brother: (sounding strange and sick) Allie. How are ya?
Me: Um good, how are you?
Brother: Not so good.
Me: Billy, what is wrong? (At this point my heart was sinking. I thought he was in a car accident)
Brother:I think I have food poisioni- (then.. silence)
Me:Food poisioning? Billy you need to go to the hospital right NOW.
Brother: [Silence.]
Me: Billy? Hello?
Brother: I’m too tired. (Crying noises)
*
Oh gosh. At this point I started to get scared.
My brother lives in an apartment with college students a few minutes off of campus at Penn State. I told him to get someone in his apartment to take him to the hospital right away.
Then I remembered… everyone left campus for the holiday break. He was alone in his apartment, 2 hours away.
I tired to call my mom and dad but they didn’t pick up their phones because they were at my little sister’s Christmas musical. I made my brother stay on the phone with me until 8:30. I asked him what his symptoms were (vomiting and diarrhea) and what he thought cause the sickness (a work luncheon-crab cakes).
I told him that people die from food poisoning because of dehydration. He said he was just too exhausted from puking and having diarrhea to drive himself to the hospital. I asked him if he had drank anything since he began getting sick at 5pm and he said no. I immediately told him to drink Gatorade or water. He promised to drink fluids and hung up the phone.
He couldn’t keep water or Gatorade down so he called 911 and was taken to the hospital where received 2 bags of fluid, 3 shots of anti-nausea medicine, and 2 prescriptions. It turned out that he had a GI virus that has been going around. Eventually he recovered enough to take a taxi home to go back to sleep.
*
What a scare. I thought of a few things after this whole ordeal:
1.I was feeling awfully guilty for not going to my sister’s Christmas musical because I didn’t feel well. I feel as if God had me at home for a reason.
2. Only hours before my brother called, I was shopping for a Christmas gift for him. While he was talking to me I honestly started to worry if I would still even have a brother by Christmas. (Dramatic? Probably.. but I was afraid)
3. Feeling that afraid made me realize that life isn’t meant to be taken for granted and that it can change in moments.
*
Give your family a hug today… you never know what can happen.
Love you, big brother! ❤
Living My Full Life 
I can imagine how scary that was! So happy he is okay!
That is so scary! I’m glad to hear he is okay! That is so good that you were home at that time–God knew!
Wow Allie. I would not know what to do. You are a fantastic person and so inspirational. I’m glad to know your brother is okay.
Wow thats so scary! It’s amazing how God kept you home for your brother’s sake, He is so awesome!
Hope he has a speedy recovery, I can’t imagine how horrible that nausea must’ve felt
I’m glad your brother is feeling better (and I hope you feel better soon too!). The pic of you and him is super cute, hehe.
I know you what you mean about being scared of things like that. It’s so scary what people can die from- I read a week or so ago that some people died from contaminated water in their neti pots and it scares me because I use mine a lot! I’d freak out if I got sicker after using it (even though that could happen whether the water was contaminated or not). Definitely sounds like you did the right thing by getting your bro to go to the hospital, dudes can be so stubborn about that too.
Glad you convinced him to go! It’s tough not being close by in situtations like that.
Wow, Allie! I am glad everything turned out well for your brother! I can’t even imagine what I would have done! I am glad you took charge and remained a level head for your brother!
So glad to hear he’s ok! You were right to worry – thank god you were there to encourage him to get help.
Hope you both are feeling better today!!
Oh honey, thank goodness he’s okay and I believe too that God was using you to help him! You are an amazing lady!
Allie you did the right thing – what an awesome sister you are! I am so glad he is doing well!!
I glanced your newest post and came to this post. Gosh my heart was pounding while reading. Yes, it’s so scary you can’t think it’s *just* food poisoning. I remember when my brother was sick in Thailand… he lives there and he got dengue fever. People die from it and I remembered that I was so scared – he lives there alone and we’re so far away. I’m so happy to hear that your brother is okay, Allie.
Oh, terrible! There are some bad rotoviruses out there. Glad he got your advice and that God could use you that way.
Oh my gosh Allie! I’m so relieved to hear your brother is okay. Yes, there is definitely higher work involved so that you could be there for him! And as scary as that was, what an important reminder for around the holidays. I hope people read this and go hug the ones they love.