Sick as a Dog

It is only to be expected that your body can only take so much while traveling. My body however, has a harder time than most what ever it is battling. Im sure that I am bound to get what ever is around me, possibly carrying bugs in my system as long as possible and win every contest of how sick can you get... but still recover proudly and positively. 

This past week was a hard one for me. I believe I had another bout of what is most likely Malaria. Creeping up on me slowly with a soar throat, congestion and chest pain. Just when I thought I was recovering from the common cold the dreadful fever took me over. Hot, cold and chills all over in the heat and humidity of the Thailand summer felt like it would never end. Sick at my stomach and quickly becoming frail, my positive attitude of thinking it would all be over before I know it was dwindling. It was on and off for just over four days, when I took the dreaded trip to the Chiang Rai hospital. Surprisingly it was a great experience compared to what it could have been. The staff spoke minimal english but were productive and thorough. It was a newer clean facility and they ran a far more efficient process than any hospital I’ve been to in the U.S. 

I also had an amazing support group all around me. Shelley is a great care taker but also knows to give a bit of space. Wendy kept the positive loving vibes alive all the time and also kept a close eye on me. Many others provided their support in every way they knew how. 

I wasn’t connected to the internet most of the time, but in hopes to not worry my family from afar I didn’t tell them how sick I was until I felt I had to. After the 4th day of not breaking the fever, I was really wondering how much more I could take before I considered more serious repercussions. Chatting with my mom briefly I knew I worried her and scared her even more that I was worried as well. Finally Skyping my parents, knowing that they just needed to see me, I couldn’t keep myself composed, all I could do is cry. No words needed to be exchanged, I was miserable and there was noting in the world anyone could do. With in the next day I started to see the upside. My fever was down and I was able to keep a cracker or two in my stomach. I took the better part of the next 3 days to finish recovering, sleeping well and eating as much as I could to regain my strength. Luckily fruit is on every corner of Thailand and I indulged in as much pineapple, watermelon, papaya, mango, tangerines and dragon fruit as possible.   

Thinking of all the different places this could have happened on my tour of the world this was a great location with great care and the best people. Hopefully that is it for me and random illnesses.