Lili's Graduation

Our gorgeous girl.

We were all so excited to see her walk in.  It takes a lot to get to this point and we're super, super proud of our Lili for her accomplishments.  The day itself is involved.  It was an all day event getting us all here and looking pretty.

We were there early in insure good seats.  It was stupid hot in here. The seats were tremendously uncomfortable.  I was a fidgety mess.  My french fries lunch eaten in the car enroute wanted out.  I left the auditorium a few times feeling sick but I really, really, really didn't want to miss seeing Lili walk across the stage. 

I did leave when it became crucial I not vomit in the stands.

And then I very dramatically made it all about me and fainted in the ladies washroom. For real.  

Such a drama queen.

This is the only picture I got of the family. Before my medical emergency time.

How's this for our only family picture that I told Jia to get so he's not even in it.

Lili was aware that I was missing before she walked and was quite upset.  She thought perhaps I had left to get Kai.  The rest of the family saw her walk and then all left which of course freaked Lili right out so she was crying and left wandering around outside looking for us.  I couldn't possibly feel any worse about this.

I asked a security guard if there was somewhere I could lay down.  Nope.  I said I'm fainting.  A woman near the bathroom asked if she should get help.  I said yes.  Then made it to the corner of the bathroom and sat on the floor as I fainted.  All very lady like and dignified.

I woke to a different security woman asking if I needed help.  Uh...I'm laying on a public washroom floor, sweating profusely and not really lucid.  So, yes, please.  

I did text Fei that I was on the floor.  She sent Jia.

I was sooooo relieved to see him.

Then a first aid attendant came.  He got me moved to the change room while security tried getting people to wait coming in.  Eric arrived and helped my lay on a bench.  Then he figured out how to lower the massage table they brought for me to lay on. Sigh.  Of course.

I HATE making a fuss.

I can NOT BELIEVE I missed the big moment and I'm ruining Lili's day.

A lot of bathroom trips, a lot of vomiting, profusely sweating while in a cold clamy sweat all while feeling like I'm burning up. And not totally coherent.  I ate a fruit roll up thinking sugars are too low.  First aid guy brought glucose tablets.  The shaking got better after that.  Fei was draping cold cloths on me, taking vitals and offering sips of water.

Gramma brought Lili to us around this point, I think.  She was so upset and worried.  We were all worried.  An ambulance was on the way.  911 was insisting they talk to me on the phone.  I was asking Eric for no hospital.  I know the drill and about all they can do is hydrate me and run tests to tell us all the things we already know.  I am complex and frankly most medical personnel are just not well versed in total colectomies. I answered questions and then Eric took over and insisted they turn around, I heard him repeat over and over we didn't want an ambulance.  Phew.  I have no sense of time.

There were security guards everywhere!!! They were in the audience racially profiling and asking people to show their tickets to be inside.  Wild.  I'm not aware of any incidents. By the number of security people it's clear the University was concerned and being very cautious.

Eric and Fei got the pictures.

So grateful for these.

To the right.

Love this!

Meanwhile Kai was with Mary and Charles having a great time, puppies, snacks and they rented Kung Fu Panda 4 for him.  

This is the moment.  Finally done.  So emotional.  Lili did not anticipate so many emotions coming up through the day and none of us could have predicted such a dramatic event.

I felt perfectly fine leading up to the episode.

From Facebook.

Also from Facebook.

Dinner afterwards.  Eric and the other four kids were there too.  No pictures.  I'm the picture taker.

I drove Mom and I home after a nap in Onyx's back seat.  I had eaten apple and cheese and the sugars were back up.  I was just really tired.  We both made it home.  I let Izzy out for a pee and made it up to bed to nap.  I didn't wake until Eric touched me, he was checking for breathing.  It was sort of shocking they made it in past four dogs and I didn't hear them.  I mean Kai is really loud coming in.  

Eric made me some cheesy scrambed eggs and sourdough toast.  Diabetic friendly.  I ate and then drank a ton of water.  I went down, gave Finn his meds and watched tv with Eric.  Fei and Jia went to 7-11 and got me a small slurpee.  Major treat and nothing has felt better than the cold slush on my throat that is sore from throwing up acid bile. 

I think I experienced a trifecta of things.  Chrones irritation at fries, colectomy issues causing a total meltdown of function and a sugar low all while overheated and likely dehydrated.  

Jia got this one.

We didn't get to enjoy the party afterwards.

Lili has lots of friends.  She was able to celebrate afterwards.  The grads are supposed to turn in their caps and gowns but they let Lili take hers home so we can get the iconic pictures with her parents.  Which we have to do early because Lili is back to Nanaimo tomorrow morning.  She is invited to the first nation's graduation then to the library to work on completing her last assignments from the Japan course and finally to a bbq potluck.  

We're camping tomorrow.  All that is left to do is buy and pack food. I scared Eric, he's likely going to be forcing food on me for a while and double checking that I ate.  Fair, but still annoying.  I am shocked at how fast things went south.