stormkeeper_lovedoris

 
Every 2 years, my company has a huge convention in Orlando, which we call Worldwide. It's intense. I usually have to leave on a Sunday and return Friday, and it's not an easy event for introverts who are homebodies. Two years ago, the event was cancelled due to COVID but this year's event is on, and I'm here in Orlando. Of course I was a bit nervous for many reasons:

- this was my first plane trip in 2 years, 3 months
- and my first work trip in even longer (since my last plane trip was for something fun, not work-related)
- I decided to wear a mask at all times when not inside my hotel room. I knew most folks would not do the same, and I was right. Maybe 10% of people here are wearing masks.
- and of course all the usual....this is a lot for an introvert, I miss Doris, miss being at home

But of course let's not forget that I've worked in corporate America for 26 years, have taken countless business trips, and pretty much always been fine. (Except for that time in Las Vegas about 18 years ago when I stayed at the icky Circus Circus. And about 10 years ago I did get a stomach bug at Worldwide which led to lots of vomiting and the runs on the final 2 days of convention).

Today's Day 4 - Wednesday. I left the house at 5am on Sunday, returning Friday.

Days 1-3 were fine! I tapped into my energy best I could and was upbeat and positive with coworkers. I slept just fine. I did skip out of the evening events, which my boss understood (since I wanted to get my mask off after having it on all day). But I am calling them a win. My boss even paid me a nice compliment. (Someone else was talking about her husband being an introvert and bringing him here, and I said I was too, and Lisa my boss said that I do a great job with it)

But late last night I had loose stools. (Should I put a TW for gross on here?) Today I was supposed to start staffing the booth at 12:30 but had to ask my coworkers to cover for me since I still have the runs. Thank goodness I have no other symptoms and I feel fine. A bit tired, but that's expected (didn't sleep a full 8 hours like usual the past 4 nights, plus you know introvert). I spoke to Doris and she agreed that unless I start feeling worse, let's just keep taking Pepto and not do anything else right now.

Sucks having to ask my coworkers to cover my shift. But I've been needing the bathroom like every 30 minutes, and that's just not possible from the convention floor.

Doris and Ann and I think the stomach issues I'm having are probably due to the combination of my period being due literally any minute now, and the stress/travel/wearing a mask all day/eating restaurant food, all that stuff. 

Crossing my fingers that it doesn't get worse, and taking a minute to be grateful that the first 3 days were good, and that I got people like Doris and Ann who I can reach out to.