When you sign up for The World Race during pandemic and it’s not cancelled you just keep flowing & go with it. I never put to many eggs in one basket. Even though nothing makes since. Today marks our 3 weeks here in Medellin Colombia.
Last week was the hardest for sure. Covid snuck, close lined and almost took me out. All of sudden I was extremely fatigue & short of breathe. Things I have been always able to do for myself became overwhelming & filled w a never ending coughing fit. I found it difficult to eat and drink. I found myself just lying there. My chest was heavy and full of phlegm. Every accessory muscle in my chest abdomen and back was sore. I started myself on a zpack & albuterol inhaler. I could feel the consolidation taking over my lungs and a left lower lobe pneumonia. I improved some but wasn’t moving much air.
My teammates, AIM& CR staff became concerned and I was mandated to the hospital. They took me to the the local American Emergency Room & my blood pressure was low oxygen saturation 90-92% and dehydrated. I was sent home w supportive medicine: cough medicine with Codeine, rehydration packets and albuterol inhaler. The doctor thought I was viral but admitted I was pretty junky. I was told to stop the antibiotic but I didn’t. I had blown thruough an entire albuterol inhaler in 2 days. The next day realized I was in full asthma exacerbation/attack and started a inhaled corticosteroids inhaler which immensely helped my breathing instantaneous.
I have to say I am thankful for a lot of things. I’m thankful for praying saints from around the world, loyal family, friends & the church praying my healing. Prayer does truly change everything. The hug donation of medicine that was donated from Camai Community Health Center in Naknek Alaska. Being able to access basic life saving medicines & inhalers with no barriers quickly changed my course instantly . I am also thankful for all the unique medical experiences, education & mentorship along the way. Working rural and bush medicine I have been stretched and learned out of the box ways to get things done. I’m truly thankful for my life and It flashed quickly before me.
As Covid & quarantine resolves, my teammates & myself are left with little to no symptoms, high spirits and more connected. My pneumonia resolved, asthma is 100% controlled. More importantly I have a new perspective & outlook on life.
