Rewind a few days to Saturday (May 14). We were praying for our families, our ministry, Pastor Moses’ family, Kenya, and Christianity around the world. As we were praying, two of my teammates who had not been feeling well decided to go to the local clinic with Pastor Moses. They were gone for a few hours. When they returned, myself and another teammate did not feel right.
We thought it was something that we had eaten the day or two prior. We continued doing ministry. I felt more tired than normal and had a feeling of nausea. I thought it may be acid reflux since I had experienced that already on the race. I did not have much of an appetite because of the nausea. I also had a little headache.
On Tuesday after our ministry, we decided that we should go to the local clinic and have a blood test to make sure it was nothing to worry about. When we found out our results, my teammate was clear of anything but I had Typhoid. Pastor Moses and I talked to a doctor who prescribed some medication. By the end of the day, I was given two medicines and was out about 1350 Kenyan Shillings (about $15.75 US Dollars). I took the medicine and continued to do ministry all week (having a Bible Study on Wednesday and going door to door on Thursday with Friday as an off day in town).
On Saturday morning, I woke up not feeling good. I had diarrhea all morning and vomited. Since I knew I needed to take my medicine and nothing was staying in my system. After vomiting again, I asked a teammate to bring me to the doctor.
Two teammates brought me to the doctor. The lab technicians ran more tests- blood and stool. The doctor called me into his office. He told me that the typhoid was looking better but that I would need some other medicines as well. I was then given four more medicines to take. He then told me that he would need to give me an IV to get the Typhoid medicine in me for that day.
You should know that I don’t like needles. It is actually a mutual dislike. They do not like me either. You see I have small veins so the doctors often have problems taking blood in the United States. They usually have to bring in a lab technician to do it. So I knew this could be an issue.
If you are like me with needles not liking you, you may know that there are ways to help the situation. You can drink a lot of water the day prior to help the situation. You can also warm up your veins by using warm washcloths or towels.
Since neither of these steps were done, I knew that the doctor may have trouble. Since I was dehydrated from the vomiting and diarrhea, I knew I was dehydrated which could cause a problem.
The doctor tried to stick my right hand vein with the IV needle. The vein collapsed. The doctor then tried to stick my left hand with the IV needle. I started feeling really nauseaus and then vomited a few times. That vein collapsed too. The doctor then called in a lab technician. The lab technician stuck the IV needle in my left forearm. My vein stayed open this time so I was given the medication from the IV.
After this was finished, I had the choice to make while on the examination table. The doctor asks me “Do you want a shot in the bottom or in the thigh?” I choose the thigh. I regretted it for the next couple of days. My teammate Rebecca (a nurse) told me afterward that people should choose the bottom. This is because there is more fat so it does not hurt as much.
I am now two and a half weeks out and feeling back to normal. I have my usual energy and appetite which is so nice. Thank you all for your prayers for health and safety. I am sure that even though you did not know that I was sick, your prayers helped. I could have been so much worse off. Thank you again!
