Thank God for medicine. After the first dose of meds yesterday, the fever and aches went away. I’m still a little distressed that the clinic only gave me two doses of Immodium, but had extra to supplement as needed. So: if you’re feverish, sweating, tired, lethargic, and have a stiff neck and/or back, you probably have malaria. Just so you know.
The current challenge is that I should be eating to help the medicines not hurt my stomach (more), and frankly, food really doesn’t interest me. Joan, and others, are force feeding me, but the dining hall has never been less appealing. I am taking tea three times a day to get the milk that I need (because African tea is made with milk, vice just adding it)… I can’t drink any more warm whole milk. I’m still sleepy and lethargic, and am appalled that going to the DH for tea and conversation wipes me out, but all told, I’m 200% better than yesterday morning.
The best news is that another group of visitors just left, and said that I looked “bright.” So I’m encouraged. Now I just need energy and enthusiasm to tackle school again. The funniest news is that my RA stuck her head in the room last night to say hello, and asked how I was. Joan told her that she must be the only person on campus who didn’t know I was sick.
And if I ever doubted that I fit in here, being sick dispelled that. My phone has never rung so much or received so many text messages from my classmates, and I’ve never had so many visitors. My heart is full.
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