"The Bacteria"

I haven't written in a while.  A few hours after I finished my last blog entry I got sick.  I dragged myself out of bed a couple of times when I no other choice.  Standing upright hurt.  Each step jolted pain into my stomach.

After drinking almost a whole bottle of PeptoBismol between last night and this morning, I decided this is not normal.  I need to go to the doctor.  Normally I go to Dr. Gustavo, but now I have insurance, so I figured I'd try it out for the first time.

I found the clinic at 11 a.m.  At almost 4 p.m., they called my name.  I have never been in a place that air conditioned in Honduras.  It was so cold kids were crying specifically about the cold.  The woman next to me was wearing her son's winter jacket.  It was like the North Pole and there was no warm cave to hibernate inside.

The only thing I could do to take my mind off the cold was make a list of my symptoms on my cell phone.  I couldn't risk getting in front of that doctor after such a long wait and forget any critical details.

After carefully reading each of my symptoms to the doctor, he said, "You have every symptom of (some long word) bacteria."  Otherwise famously known as "the bacteria".  It is the same one Fany had 2 weeks ago when she took medicine that she thought was going to make her die.  So I asked the next reasonable question.  Would the medicine make me think I was dying? Yes, said the doctor.  The medicine is worse than the symptoms of the bacteria.  It is really horrible and it is a very long treatment.  I didn't ask how long.  I already know Fany is in her third week and not done yet.  That is enough to know for now.

He asked how long I've been in Honduras.  Three years with no history of stomach problems.  (Except when I traveled to Guatemala.)  He asked if I have changed any habits lately or if I am eating new things.  I did start buying cheese at a different market lately.  Otherwise, everything is the same.  Yup.  It is the bacteria.  And on top of all of this good news, the exam is done through fecal matter.

So tomorrow I have to go back with a specimen.  But I haven't eaten food in so long, I'm not sure that is possible.  Sorry if that was too graphic for you.

I went to my prayer group and we prayed for healing so that I will not have to take that awful medicine.  Then I treated myself to miso soup, which seems to be settling really well and was the only thing that doesn't bring over an instant wave of nausea.  Maybe I am healed!

I called my Mom on the way home from enjoying the soup.  She sounded close to tears and asked me to please move back to the US.  But she didn't word it exactly that way.  Even though I've heard it before, it always feels terrible to hear my mother so upset.

A group from my home church in the US arrived today.  If I am not healed, I am thinking about putting off the treatment until after they leave.  I may not be the best company in this state.  But once I start taking that medicine, if I am anything like Fany and the doctor expect, I won't be able to leave the house for at least 2 weeks.  This is bad timing!

Not thinking of that.  Focusing on how well the miso soup is digesting in my belly.  Praying that my test results will be negative for the bacteria tomorrow.  And grateful I don't have dengue, or worse, the chikungunya.