Sick Weekend in San Ignasio

What a different weekend I had… than what was planned.

Friday I had my rabies shot. After my rabies shot I had this pain in my side. In the afternoon I also took my malaria pills (that give me nightmares as a side affect). However, that was not the reason I got sick…. Said the doctor and the nurse at the Peace Corps.
Friday afternoon I left with Terra, Sandy, and Misty to Cayo (San Ignacio). I was very tired on that bus trip. Once we got to Terra’s house I loved relaxing. We then all went to bed very early. I felt so bad… I kept rolling on Misty’s side of the bed because my back started hurting so badly that I was tossing and turning (and having difficulty breathing).
When I awoke we went to the market. Later in the afternoon we went to the river… I jumped off the bridge and did my workout even though my side and back was hurting terribly. I didn’t want to complain. When we got back everyone took showers except me. I was way too tired so I took a nap. When Ashley (a PCV) came over I chatted with her for a bit, rather than help cooking. I started to really not feel well. I asked Misty to take my temperature. I had a 100 degree temperature so I decided to lie down. I slept 18 hours! (4pm Sat-2pm Sun). They knew I was sick because I wouldn’t even get up to go to the internet café.
I got up at 2pm to shower and go to the movie theater. It was a very cute little movie theater with air conditioning. It only cost one dollar for the afternoon showings (I saw Inkheart). After that we then had dinner. After dinner Terra said she would get yelled at by the other volunteers if she did not take us up to the Cayo Twist a place where it has delicious ice cream. We walked up a large hill… I started to feel sick, but I thought I was okay. It was about a 20 minute walk up the hill. Once I ordered my ice cream and was standing in line. I started to feel nauseous. I told Misty I was going to sit down. I sat down and then asked for a bathroom. There were none! So I turned and threw up (vomited) several times all my dinner over the railing of the ice cream parlor! SO GROSS!
Then we took a taxi home and I went to bed.
I woke up early to go back to Belmopan to see Nurse Jackie. Terra advised me to call her before taking the bus back to Belmopan. I called Nurse Jackie and she was not in Belmopan today. I told her my conditions and symptoms and she told me that she does not think it is from the Rabies shot.
Terra took me to the LA LOMA LUZ Hospital. I waited a very long time to talk with the doctor. The hospital did not remind me of a hospital back in the states… it reminded me of just a doctor’s office.
I met with the doctor. He was not exactly sure what I had. He had me take a blood and urine test. I came back at 2:30pm to get results.
During noon to 2pm I wrote on facebook… that I was sick!! (Thank you all for your super nice messages!)
I went back at 2:30… Misty and Terra carried my bags (they were both so kind). The doctor thinks I had a urinary tract infection. They were not positive… so they made me take one more urine test.
I got antibiotics and a fever reducer. I hope to be feeling better soon. I hate this back pain… it hurts to breathe.
I am happy to be back in Maya Mopan. It gives me a peace of mind.

Update: Tues and Wed… I have not felt a 100 percent better because I have horrible back pain. But, I have not been throwing up. I either have a u.t.i. or kidney stones.
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This website expresses the views of Grace Boswell, who is entirely responsible for its content. It does not express the views of the United States government, the Belize government, the Peace Corps or any other institutions named or linked to on these pages.