Some of you might remember that last year, I had to drink on Tisha B’Av, although I was able to avoid eating. I had an emergency surgery days before, and my Rav told me that at the first sign of weakness, I was required to eat and/or drink.
I needed water to take my medication during the day, and I was told I must drink it. Luckily, the pain killers knocked me out, and I avoided needing to eat. I did not sit on the floor, though – the Rav said I was considered a choleh, and especially considering that it was a hernia surgery, I was unable to sit on the floor. I sat on a regular bench in the shul.
It felt weird doing all these things. I know that it was a mitzva for me to do them, but it still felt wrong.