RENEE

As I repeatedly vomited into the toilet, I battled to keep my breathing under control.

This morning, I woke with a pounding headache and a parched tongue. My throat was like sandpaper, and my skin was clammy. I'd taken a long hot shower, eaten breakfast, and was about to start getting dressed when I realized I was feeling worse than ever. I felt lightheaded, and a wave of nausea came over me like an unexpected storm.

From then on, everything went downhill. I'd run to the bathroom in ...