I hate missing work, and we have a good group of students on the ward I want to be working with. While the last few weeks on the ward have had their share of challenges, it's been rewarding as well and some good changes are taking place. I was excited for this week on the ward.
On Saturday I had gone swimming with Erin, Tim and Karla in our new reservoir built for the hydroelectric project. The reservoir is the new craze here at Kudjip, probably 100's of people are coming to use it weekly. Swimming, sliding down the "water-holder-backer" walls, washing clothes and bathing all takes place. It's quite a site (and probably means there are quite a few organisms in this water as well). This was my real first swim in a long time, and while it was refreshing to be in the cool water and swim some lengths, I also got a reminder of how out of shape I am! I've only gotten in a few runs and some short hikes lately and need to be doing more. We planned to get in some more swim sessions as often as we can.
Monday, two of my students informed me they had Malaria. Last Friday, one had Measles symptoms and there is a outbreak of them in the area. We gave health talks on vaccinations to all our patients on the Maternity ward and had some more talks planned for this week. Then those symptoms hit me on Tuesday. I prayed it was only food poisoning, but no clue how I could have gotten that because I know I cooked everything well and I haven't been eating anywhere else recently. When the symptoms continued on onto a second day I knew I needed to call a doctor if I wanted to get back to work as quickly as possible. I got my exam and an order for a CBC and malaria smear. I had my least painful lab draw ever and then waited for my results. One of my students with malaria was there for follow up labs, and also one of the college secretaries also had malaria symptoms. I really didn't seem to have the same symptoms they have and was just wondering what it could be. I'm just getting familiar with all these tropical diseases. (Working on the labor ward and not in a clinic or the Medical ward doesn't help too much with this.) We chatted a bit while we waited for our results and had a few laughs because of one little probably 18 month old that was waiting not so patiently with her mom. I wished I had some of her energy.
After about an hour my results came. No malaria. Pretty normal CBC, slightly decreased white cells. Back to Dr. Erin I went. The news from her, "Typhoid." Hmmmm, well at least somewhat quicker recovery than malaria! I got my antibiotics, and a new stash of Tylenol and headed home for another day of mainly sleep. 10 hours later, I'm feeling a little better, fever is controlled and I'm getting tired of myself and a little bored, so I wrote this!
Second year in PNG, second tropical disease. So glad this isn't Giardia like last year. Grateful for friends who have been there for me, concerned coworkers and students and their prayers. It was also a good experience to witness first hand the care that is given at the hospital and relate a little bit more to our patients. And I got a PNG health record book! Thanks for the continued prayers.
