dang dengue

I'm in a hotel in Managua because the Peace Corps doctors have to monitor my platelets and vital signs in this stage of dengue fever. This is definitely the worst sickness I've ever experienced-- worse than malaria and worse than amoebas!

It started with a headache last week on Wednesday. On Thursday, I had a headache and felt fatigued. I thought maybe I was just dehydrated, so I just drank lots of water. By Thursday night, my body started aching and when I went to bed, I got a bad case of chills and a high fever. I took some Tylenol and tried to sleep. On Friday morning, I called the PC docs to tell them about my fever and symptoms. They told me to go to the nearest lab and get some bloodwork. I didn't attend my training sessions. I stayed in bed all day, feeling awful and crying under my mosquito net! On Saturday, I still had the fever and I missed out on the trip to the volcano. By Sunday, my fever had passed, but I still felt achy and weak. On Monday I got more bloodwork, which indicated that my platelets were continuing to decrease, so the docs asked me to come to Managua for further testing. I came to Managua this morning and I still feel awful. My bones feel achy and I have an intense headache that comes and goes. I had some more bloodwork done, but haven't heard the results yet.

For now I'm in a hotel room watching Friends (in English!) and trying to relax. On the plus side, there is hot running water here so I'll get my first real shower in about a month and a half!

I know this post is a little sad, but this has been hard for me both physically and emotionally. However, I know that once my health improves, I'll feel happier and get back to my training with enthusiasm and joy!

Send me some good vibes...