So I finally got sick on the race. I’m actually surprised it took this long, but when I get it, i get it. I got Dengue Fever to be exact.
For those of you who don’t know what it is, that’s ok, I don’t really either!
It’s a disease l contracted from a pesky little mosquito, probably in Cambodia.
It started with me having pain in my feet, hands and hips which I took as soreness from running. But over the course of the night every single part of my body hurt with aches and sharp pains in my fingers and feet. It was also accompanied with a high fever.
I went to the hospital right away in the morning where, because I was so dehydrated, they gave me an IV. They wouldn’t test for dengue, I was to sick. I came back the next day when symptoms didn’t get any better and I tested positive for that dang dengue. They admitted me right after that.
I didn’t think the hospital would be that bad, but having a fever of 102 and no AC is not very fun.
I spent a week in the hospital- at first, by myself and then my great squad leader, Liz, came to stay with me. It was a true blessing having her with me, I had some pretty rough nights when she was here.
The week at the hospital was a constant struggle of keeping my fever down, drinking enough fluids, trying to eat something even though I wasn’t hungry, keeping anything I ate inside, blood draws, constant IVs, keeping my blood pressure up and having my platelets come back up, and trying to sleep while sharing a room with 6 other beds.
I felt like a constant pin cushion, and at one point had an IV in each hand- I was double fisting actually…yupp I went there…
Being the token white girl in a Malaysian hospital was pretty interesting. At times I felt like an animal at a zoo, everyone would stare at me, kids, adults, everyone. But It wasn’t all bad, the nurses were pretty funny and really seemed to like me. They would take pictures with me and videos of me.
One of the other patients son was so nice to me, he would talk to me when I was bored, offered to get me things at the store and even spoon fed me lunch at one point. He was really sweet and was so helpful to me till I left.
I’m now out and feeling better, it could take a couple of months until I really am 100% better but I’m just really glad to be out of the hospital. Thank you for the prayers, they really helped and it meant so much to me knowing I had all of you thinking of me!
