cat defending me while being attacked

I've been having really bad all day sickness. I didn't want to keep getting up to go throw up so I brought a bucket in my room. I started throwing up and dry heaving. My cat freaked out and thought I was either dying or being attacked. She went crazy and started pulling my shirt. I tried petting her so she sees it's okay and she wasn't having it. She started scratching the door for help and meowing loud! She was never so protective over me. After I finished I payed down and she came and payed right next to me.