I've talked a bit about the benefits of being an expat in India. Well, here's one of the down sides. Being sick in a foreign country while on your own kinda sucks.
Last Friday, I had the chills and my body ached. I couldn't imagine what was wrong, but instead of going out with the girls, I went to bed early. I woke up Saturday with stomach issues. Now being in India, I have had and have come to expect that from time to time you will get Delhi belly. It's pretty much a given. But I knew right away this was different. After a couple of hours, I decided it was time to get a medical opinion. Unfortunately, my family doc, my sister in law - was not available for a trans-contintental consultation.
So I called my insurance company. Yes, some things never change. Once I figured out what hospitals where participants, off I went. I have visited doctors in India before, but mostly friends of the family. This time I just went to a hospital. I walked to the receptionist and they registered me and made me an appointment immediately with a gastroenterologist - no need to see a general practitioner first. And, as soon as I paid, I could go see him. And the price, just 500 rupees.
I saw the doctor and he prescribed some antibiotics and other meds. As I went to the pharmacy, I felt myself getting lightheaded and had to sit for a few minutes. Now, I tend to think of myself as a pretty independent gal, but at that moment, I would have loved to have had someone there with me - just to hold my hand or keep me from fainting. Since that wasn't an option, I powered through.
I finally made it home and did nothing but sleep for the next two days. Ugh. I can't remember when I have ever felt so poorly. I made it to work for a bit on Monday - mostly because I was sick of my bed at that point and went back to the doctor yesterday to find out what was wrong.
Based on my symptoms (as described via email), my sister in law concluded that I had dysentery - oooh, well, that sound awful and third worldly. However, it turns out I have e-coli. I have no idea what strand, but whatever strand it is, it makes you want to do nothing but sleep and makes you feel just overall unwell.
I'm on the mend now - and hopefully will be fully recovered by Christmas. The thing about being ill is that even at home it isolates you - and here, where I am already isolated from loved ones, it is even more isolating. and while I don't normally see myself as a whiner when I'm ill, getting sick this close to the holidays, without loved ones just really sucked. Thanks for letting me whine.
Being sick is isolating for sure and independence does little to mediate that - even surrounded by family and friends this past week, I feel isolated, so I can't imagine how you feel. I can get half way there, so I get it and you are not whining. I think letting people know how you feel is a good thing, so even if you are whining, whine away. I learned in this round that I have to let people know what I need since they can't read my mind. If I was there I'd bring you soup ( or at least clear broth) and flowers, so picture them by your bed and know that pretty soon people will read your blog and even though they sren't there, they will be sending you good energy from half way around the world. I'm starting right now. Feel better. Nancy Young
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