August 9th

Friday, August 9, 2013

I went to the hospital today. I called medical in Addis Ababa and they called Almaz (homestay coordinator). She picked me up and said we were going to the hospital, because she didn’t like how they did things at the clinic last week (when I went). So the hospital is interesting. It was crowded with people and the compound is huge. Luckily one of the host fathers works at the hospital (I think he’s a doctor, but I’m not sure) and he helped Almaz and I get where we needed to go. So the first doctor I spoke with asked me what was wrong and questions relating to why I was there. Oh by the way I had to go because I am having diarrhea, as many know I went last week to the clinic because I had diarrhea for five days. So my call to medical this morning went something like this.

Dr.: Chaye how are you feeling? When did the diarrhea begin this time?

Me: I was feeling fine with maybe some diarrhea every other day this past week, but it started consistently yesterday.

Dr.: I think the medicine you took last week helped with your problem, but you now have something else. I will have someone call you and come take you to the hospital.

Me: okay.

Then the PC doctor asked me a few other questions. Back to the hospital, this time around I not only had to give a stool sample, but I had blood drawn. The lady who took by blood really hurt and left a decent bruise. When she poked me I started bleeding over the needle, so nothing was going into the tube, because it was coming out of my skin. Finally after pumping the shot thing she got some blood to flow. It was painful and I didn’t even get a Band-Aid even though I was still bleeding. Almaz took me back to the PC Office to do my business with the stool sample. Back that the hospital, my labs were being done. I’m not exactly sure what I have, I read the stool prescription paper thing and the lab tech circled ova/parasite, I know it doesn’t sound good. I don’t remember what the blood work prescription thing said, because I couldn’t read it. So as far as I know I have a parasite, sounds horrible I know, luckily I have medicine to get rid of it. One of the main reasons I called medical is because last night I had a hard time sleeping. Every time I rolled on my side, my stomach would cramp up and I would be in massive pain. So I had to sleep on my back or I’d be in pain.

No worries for those of you who may be freaking out about me being sick. I am in good hands with PC doctors, which I will see in a couple days.

I also have something on my big toe near my toenail. When I described it to the PC doctor he said it sounds like an infection, but no worries he told me what to do and like I mentioned I will see him in a couple days to confirm what it is. The sore, which looks sort of like a blood blister with puss, is only painful at certain times.

I know this post sounds horrible, but people please realize I am in a country where people get sick all the time. This won’t be the last time I have to go to the hospital or the last time I have to take medicine. This is just the beginning of the next two years of my life. Just keep me in your prayers, my safety and health. If you have any concerns or anything, comment, FB, or email me.