The past couple of weeks have been crazy. God never ceases to surprise me right when I think I have all my plans and everything figured out. Let me tell you what I mean…
So it all began in Athens, Greece as I was traveling with Jessica and Kim. We made plans to visit a plethora of European countries before heading to meet the rest of the World Racers in Split, Croatia. However, while in Athens I found a bump on my head that I thought was odd because I totally did not remember hitting it anywhere. Thinking it was nothing I let it slide for a while.
After a week or so we had ventured from the Parthenon all the way to the ruins of Pompeii in Italy. We were staying in Sorrento, and I realized the bump had not gone away. Jessica at the time was having stomach issues so we took her to the hospital, and while in there I had my head checked out just in case. No concern by the doctor; she gave me a 3 day antibiotic and told me not to worry but come back if I got a fever. So the adventure continued, bump on the head and all.
We made it to Rome, where the Pope came back from Poland to speak for us (well us and about several thousand others). It was all in Italian, but we are all pretty sure he must have given a shout out to the World Race somewhere in there. In Rome we celebrated Kim’s birthday and even attended a real Italian opera! It was around this time I started getting really bad headaches.
From Rome we took a late train to Florence. This was interesting because we got in late that night and still had to find a place to stay. God provided 2 nice Canadian guys who were also going to a hostel and allowed us to tag along with them. This wasn’t as easy as it seemed though because we had to take a bus, then get out in the pouring rain and walk about 30 minutes…with our big bags…remember it is raining…to the hostel which is back in these creepy woods right out of a scary movie. We made it safely, but not without a headache.
The next day we day tripped to Pisa to see the leaning tower. By this point the bump on my head was still there, and I was getting headaches rather regularly. I figured it might be time to see another doctor when we got back to Florence. This is where the adventure really got interesting.
We got back at the train station in Florence, and Kim asked around to find a hospital or doctor. We were pointed in the direction of a square about 2 minutes walk. So we get there and do not see medical help anywhere until we spot an ambulance. Then we see a whole bunch of them down a side alley. Now the only logical thing to think is that with all the ambulances there must be a hospital. We were mistaken. Instead we came across a group of ambulance drivers that felt the bump on my head and asked if I wanted to go to the hospital. Thinking that they would point us in the right direction or maybe give us a lift in one of their cars, we said “of course.”
Now remember that I am getting headaches, but totally no emergency what-so-ever at the moment. To our surprise, these drivers pull out an ambulance, strap me down in the bed in the back, put Kim and Jess in (who are trying to contain their laughter) and speed down the road, sirens and all. I can now check off my list “rode in an ambulance in Florence.”
At the hospital they even bring me in in a wheelchair, even though I am perfectly capable of walking. After a long wait, the ER takes me in, and I attempt to tell them my problem (not much English is spoken in this hospital). They decided to give me a blood test (#1) and take all my vitals. After finding out I had a slight fever they put me on an IV, which immediately caused me to get nauseous. Praise God for Kim at that moment (who is terrified of throw up) because she grabbed a random bucket to solve the problem. Finally after a long wait a doctor who speaks rather good English (I’m pretty sure the only one in the hospital) came in and told me that I had a really low white blood cell count.
From this point on the hospital started running tests on me and told me I would have to stay the night.
In the meantime, Kim and Jessica have to figure out what to do about our bags (which were back at the hostel with the Canadians that were so nice to let us keep them in their room) and a place to stay.
They beg the hospital to let them sleep in my room or even in the waiting room, but they wouldn’t comply.
God was amazing through all this though.
While I was getting either my chest x-ray or ultrasound, Kim and Jess met a nice couple who had an apartment they were renovating about 5 minutes walk from the hospital.
The husband took them all the way across town to get all our stuff and then back to the apartment.
He told them they could stay as long as they wanted and that if they needed any help with anything to call him or his wife.
Praise the Lord for such amazing provision.
About the time that Kim and Jess were getting the stuff and off to the apartment, I was shown to my room with my about 80 year old, snoring roommate.
At first I wasn’t sure if it was a man or woman, but whoever it was could saw some boards!!!
By morning, after being waked up by the doctor in the middle of the night and then 2 early morning blood tests, I finally discovered my roomie was a nice old lady, who didn’t speak any English.
The next 48 hours were some of the most frustrating in my life.
I was not allowed to call home but for like 5 minutes, not told what was going on or what I was even being tested for, not allowed to see a doctor the first day, not told how long I would have to stay and not even treated for my headaches.
Luckily I had 2 great friends who took such great care of me while I was there.
Whether it was calling home for me, bringing me good food, flowers or icecream, painting my toenails, playing games with me, praying for me, searching the whole hospital to find someone who spoke English, or just talking with me, Kim and Jessica made the hospital stay bearable and are such amazing friends!
Finally, after the 2nd day, my mom and Kim decide that it is probably best I come home (Since I wasn’t allowed to call home, Kim and her had to make most the decisions together).
Now there is only one problem…How am I going to explain to the nurses that I need to leave now?
It was getting very late, and I was thinking I might just have to bust out and have Kim take out my IV…believe me I had already examined all possible escape routes.
However, we eventually got our point across and the nurse had me sign a release form.
Leaving that hospital was the best feeling in the world.
I mean if only it was raining outside it would have been a total Shawshank moment!
We immediately went to the internet so I could call home and book a flight.
By the next morning at 8am or so, I was in the process of getting home.
The trip seemed to take forever, and I was so exhausted by the time I made it home.
Yet, not only were my mom and sister there at the airport to pick me up at 11pm, but also a whole crew of friends from TBarM.
While it was hard coming home, they made it so much easier and were so encouraging!
Being home hasn’t been the easiest.
My heart is definitely back with the World Racers, but I know that God must have a plan for this…I just wish I knew what it was at the moment
J
.
Tomorrow I will be going to the doctor to hopefully get released to come back.
I can’t wait to get back out there and rejoin everyone in Bosnia!!!
Thank you so much to all you who have been praying for me.
I have been so encouraged by you guys.
