Well, I had the pleasure of taking a trip to Christian Barnard Memorial Hospital last night. I have had a terrible, repetitive cough the past two days. Those of you who know me well have had the pleasure of hearing my seal-like barking cough. Last night I woke up with shooting, sharp pain from my lower back and up through my spine. I was sweating profusely all over. I had to lay down on the bathroom tile and Molly got an ice pack to put on my back until I broke out in shivering and chills all over. We called the program coordinator and she sent Avril, the Nurse Practitioner, to come pick us up. She took Molly and I to the private hospital (which was actually recommended by my insurance back at home). They did a blood test, ECG, and a chest x-ray. I have a lower respiratory tract infection. They gave me a round of antibiotics to take over the next 5 days, some heavy duty cough medicine, and pain meds for the back pain. The shooting back pain turned out to be referred pain from my diaphragm which was worn out from all the coughing and extremely stressed. It was quite an interesting experience to say the least. However, I'm feeling much better today. The meds are kicking into gear and I am on the upside of things. Molly and I figure if this is the worst of our health problems for the trip then we have got it all out of the way, should be smooth sailing the rest of the trip! So, for today we are laying low (again) and recovering so that tomorrow we can go on the wine route tour. Sometimes you just need a doctor to make everything all better :)
oh no! feel better! now youll get a chance to compare the hospitals at least... lol
ReplyDeleteMan I bet you were thinking that was normal until the weird back pain -- since you're so used to having a cough on and off. Whats the weather like there? I say that because I remember you mentioning how you always did better with coughing in Nigeria! Can't wait to read your other posts! loves --R
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