Life

For all of you have been fearing that something is wrong with me because of my lack of posts, let me ease your mind. No need to fear the unknown anymore, something is wrong with me! I will start with last weekend, I worked the 7am-7pm day shifts on both Saturday and Sunday. Then I followed those shifts with night duty Monday, Tuesday, and was graciously given Wednesday off, considering I was not feeling excellent. I saw the doctor on Wednesday morning and was started on antibiotics for a suspected bladder infection, yikes, never had one of those before. My condition was not getting better so, on Friday, I saw the doctor again. The doctor changed my antibiotics. Saturday morning, I had a wicked huge amount of pain in my back and nausea. I could not get comfortable, it hurt so bad. I was rolling in pain crying and crying (although I do have a flair for the dramatic, it seriously hurt worse than any pain I have ever had). The on-call doctor came to my cabin and decided I should go to the hospital. Lucky for me, the hospital is down the hall. An IV was started and I was given lots of pain medicine. I vomited a few times as well. I had two ultrasounds, more pain medicine, and lots of IV fluid. It was decided I should have a CT Scan. The CT Scan revealed tons of kidney stones in both of my kidneys. How they got there, we have no idea. I have had interesting health challenges throughout my life, but no plumbing challenges like these. Yikes. I attempted to rest in the hospital over night. Praise God, the pain medicine I was given, worked. It took away all my pain. I was given tons over IV fluid to flush out the kidney stones. In the wee hours of Sunday morning, one kidney stone came out. Sunday afternoon, I went back to my cabin, where I have been resting and drinking water like a fish. Today I went to the doctor for a follow-up appointment. I had a fever this morning, which should not be possible with all the antibiotics I have been taking, so we are checking for malaria (in Africa, one always has to check for malaria, even if you see no mosquito bites). We are going to continue with antibiotic treatment, rest, and lots of fluids. The crew doctor is also going to have a UN Radiologist review my CT Scan for an additional opinion on all the stones that were found. It is unknown when those stones will break loose and if they are small enough to come out naturally. Therefore, my trip to Sierra Leone, has been cancelled. I am really bummed about the cancellation of my trip. But the trip would not be fun, if the stones were to get excited again, and try to come out. I was going to check out more of this African nation that I am so fascinated with, but I guess there will be time for more adventure later. I am okay and resting! My friends here (& mom) are amazing and it is such a blessing when your doctor prays with you as you are in pain. There is no other place I rather be right now. I am hoping all of you are well! Love you lots!