19 Feb 2009
Dear Captive Audience,
Up until now I have been relatively healthy. I know that must be disappointing for some of you, who are reading this blog patiently waiting for something actually interesting. Like parasites, worms, elephant stampedes, or a tough disease shot from the tiny gun of a mosquito’s mouth.
Well wait no more. Last week, I got Malaria. My mom said when she told a few people, their first response was “so is she coming home?” No, I am still here, although for about a day all I wanted was to curl up on the couch with a good book and an afghan, but there aren’t many of those around here. J
When I went to sleep on Friday night, I was freezing cold. Kind of strange in Africa, but I didn’t think much of it. I woke up on Saturday with a headache and stomach issues. I mostly just thought it was no big deal, but throughout the day, the headache got worse. I was with some other volunteers and they did an excellent job taking care of me, not to mention listening to me complain. One girl who had seen someone else with Malaria was convinced I had it. I really didn’t think that’s what it was, but my friend did the blood slides for me, and I went ahead and started the medicine after my fever got up to 103. That was at 6 PM and I had to wake up at 2 AM to take the next dose and the fever was already gone. The next day, I just had a headache and was tired. The day after that, the headache was gone. I have still been a little bit tired, but that could also be from traveling.
So I can check that one off my list. Other volunteers have been giving me high-fives, maybe a rite of passage? I wish there was someway I could convince everyone at home that I really am fine, but you will just have to trust me.
Because of that I missed my first meeting with the women in Moudawa that I had scheduled. When I got back and told people I had malaria, they were understanding, but not as impressed as I wanted them to be. So all of you will have to do, please, tell me how impressed you are.
Waiting patiently for your empathetic response,
The completely healthy Peace Corps volunteer in the Extreme North.
If I were there I would make a big deal about it and wait on you hand and foot. Is that enough sympathy?
LOL
Ashley! I am soooooo glad to read this and know that you are okay! I have been worried to death about it…..don’t do that again! I’m way impressed, by the way…hahaha….but try to stay healthy from now on! Love you so much and miss you!
OMG…hannah!? Are you still alive? Will you be to function normally as a human being now that you have suffered the illness. Is that dramatic enough for you? I love you!
You need to eat more oranges..wait that’s scurvy!
I must say, I don’t know if you’ve tried the preventative malaria medication but most of them are halucinogenic. I was high for a solid day every week while I was on it.
Wow, we’ll be praying for you. Sounds like less fun than it should be.
You can whip it in style like a good Aggie. Love, Grandad
I am personally glad to be able to add you to the list of my friends who have had malaria… why? because it means that you are out there living, not just curled up on a couch with a book and an afghan…
<3 ashley mill