Being sick in the tropics is no fun. I can attest to that first hand. I have had the worst possible ten days I could imagine. After several visits to the local clinic and seemingly thousands of tests, I have now received the official results that I do NOT have Dengue Fever. I am overjoyed at that news. Even though I have been exhibiting 9 out of the 10 signs of it. I never developed a rash, which was the only symptom not experienced.
I have been laid up in bed, unable to move, with fevers spiking over 100 F most days. And in this heat! Total malaise and no energy. Both night time and daytime sweats that soak through to the mattress. No appetite. I went for 3 days eating nothing but drank lots and lots of water. My bones hurt. And I mean hurt. (my hip thingee was not part of this) My joints ached. Nausea that wouldn't end but no vomiting. Intense migraine-like headaches. Sensitivity to the slightest sound. The multitude of motorscooters that pass by the house with no mufflers about drove me insane. Not to mention my neighbor who loves to play Reggaeton music at top volume. In general, a physical and emotional mess. Had I not had two excellent care givers at home with me, I probably would not be as well as I am at this point.
I'm mending. Probably at 80% capacity of my usual lazy self as I write this. I took the final pages and pages of blood and fecal work back to my doctor Tuesday morning. He gave me the pronouncement that I do not have Dengue and if it weren't for this whatever I have, I would be one of the healthiest people my age he has seen! That was good news anyway. Even my cholesterol is under control! He thinks I have (had?) a very bad viral infection and it will pass with rest and time. I sure hope so because I have a major vacation trip planned starting next week!
For anybody who gets sick here and needs to use the Clinica de Salud (Health Clinic), ask for the new doctor on staff, Dr. Marco del Rosario. He is fantastic, thorough and speaks English!
And for all of you who have been asking, my hip is pretty much back to normal. I think all the time spent in bed and not walking or doing anything more than occasionally groaning did it a world of good.
So, tomorrow I am going to tell you all about one of the tests. Brace yourselves!
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15 comments:
Geesh Wayne. I hope you get over whatever it is soon. 10 days of not feeling well is hell in any climate.
Ick, NOOOOOOOO!
My goodness .. so sorry to hear you have been so sick. But on the bright side . . you are 80% better. And you have been blogging everyday. I praise you for that. Don't know about that vacation next week tho. Feel 100% before you go. Take care my friend!
KW from Michigan
So sorry you are sick. Hurry up and get better.
Take care of yourself.
Glad your hip is feeling better.
You have had a rough couple of weeks, hopefully you will improve quickly.
Sorry you have been feeling so bad. I can't believe you still managed to blog through all your tribulations! Feel better soon.
Ok, enough of this being sick and in pain crap...wtf is going on, my friend? PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE take care of yourself and don't WORRY about posting anything for a while...take a REST, homie!
Glad to hear you're on the mend. Hopefully the other 20% willl come back quickly
Ann
Glad to hear you are getting better!! I have so many thoughts regarding your tests, but I'll hold the jokes until you tell us about them.
Oh honey, I am so glad it's not dengue. I know it doesn't make you feel any better, but dengue can be so dangerous and have longer lasting effects. I'm sad that you are feeling rotten, but glad that you are on the mend.
So, they call it the "dengue diet", please tell me you didn't lose too much weight, you would disappear! :)
Get some rest, lots of liquids and TLC!
OK. There were a couple of adjectives in your poost today that, when applied to your promise of telling us "about one of the tests," makes me wonder if we are about to start talking about your x-ray again. But, bring it on. I have the sensibilities of an 8-year old boy.
jackie, babs, kw, brenda, heather & jamqueen: thanks for the nice thoughts.
a healy: all I had to do was turn on my computer and publish the blog. They had all been pre-written and were just waiting for such an opportunity to get published.
cc: yeah, I'm so skinny now that I don't cast a shadow! Unless I turn sideways.
trixie and steve: yup, hold your jokes until tomorrow. I don't think you have a clue as to what I will be talking about. You're all gonna need the sensibilities of an 8 year old!
Well, I wish I could lose a couple here and there ...ever since I quit smoking, the 20 lbs. found their new home and stayed there.
Dengue fever is something I freak out about everytime I go to that latitude. Goin' to Belize in January, so the freak out continues.
Sounds like you've got that equine constitution, so I expect you'll do just fine.
Keep drinking things that come outta bottles.
Robert
OMG Wayne, I had no idea! I'm so glad you are on the mend though and that the worst is behind you. I am interested in the types of tests you took because I've read that Dengue will only show up at certain times in the illness, after 4 days of fever I think and then for only 4 more days. Something like that. What you describe certainly sounds like Dengue and I don't think everyone gets the rash. Oh well, take care of yourself and keep those mosquitoes off you and the boys anyway. Dengue comes in batches since the mosquitoes don't fly very far.
Wayne, I am so glad it wasn't dengue. Maybe it was the universe forcing you to stay off your hip? seeing how difficult it would be for someone as active as you, it had to be something strong. Now that your hip is mending, I hope the other problems clear up fast. So thin you don't cast a shadow, yikes! There was a country song where the cowboy was so thin he had to drink a beer so his pants would stay on, maybe that is what you need some Cheladas with friends!
Take care of yourself.
regards,
Theresa
I can only imagine how all that street noise would affect you when you're sick. When I stayed in the Colonias on my last visit, I couldn't believe how noisy it was! And my neighbor blasted music for hours one night!! It's aggravating when you're healthy...totally yuck when you're feeling bad! Hope you're on the mend and feeling better soon!
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