The people here that I have encountered are phenomenal, extraordinary people. Of the delightest nature and of good humor, hard working, I have much to be thankful for while I'm here. Much. I only hope some of it can rub off on me.
The reason I haven't posted in so long is because I've had malaria the past few days, about a week, and have been bedridden and writhing the entire time. For those who don't know the symptoms of malaria are high fever acompanied by headache, chills, general uncomfort, aching of the muscles and joints, and above all generally no energy.
It started with no energy and headache, I found my sitting down for something and it becoming increasingly difficult to get up. Then the fever picked up and I would go lay down. After the first few days I became routine, and I would go through "episodes" throughout the day. Between episodes I was fine, felt healthy, looked healthy, even had a certain degree of energy. But when an episode would begin, it would with a slight fever, also my energy level would drop sharly and I would be stricken with fatuige. The chills would kick in, the chills were profuse. The first time I was in the office with one of the other guys who noticed I was shivered and advised I get a blanket. I did and on my return I realized my finger nails were all purple and blue and I was totally freezing. I went to bed and there I stayed for the next 7 days. After the chills a violently high fever with headache with kick in, but I was chalk full of panendo, an asprin like drug, and that took care of the headache. The fever would climb and climb until it peacked at nearly 40 degrees cel and then would be sweated out. That was more or less the end except for the aching and the discomfort, preventing and good long term sleep.
It was a rough 7 days but after two trips to the clinic and two trips to the doctor, I took the drugs and I feel fine now. Though curiously, they never actually diagnosed me with malaria, I had all the similar symptoms but the test showed negative and even now the doctor has labelled my alment as what he calls a PUO (Parasomething of unknown origine) I say parasomething because he said something that wasn't paracite but it began with para... anyway, he said he would name what it it was after me when he finds it.
The journey to health was made far less uncomfortable than it could have been by the polluck family who were so gracious in taking care of me and making me comfort drinks and keeping me company, otherwise I was cooped up in my room or my "cave" as Karen called it all the time, it was a dark warm place in which my bed was nestled neatly in the corner and I wrapped like a present in the sheets. Today even Garth drove me 12 km out to one of the only places in Kabwe you can get milkshakes and get me a chocolate large milkshake. It was just ok, but the place was a real groovy little joint, very classy. The shakes were no Prince Albert's shake but hey, 24 km plus 24 000 kwacha for 2, made my day. Needless to say I'll be starting work again tomorrow, see how it goes. Today, in the morning I was feeling sharp but shortly after breakfast I found myself right back in bed exausted for no reason. It's this that seems to worry everyone and is perplexing the doctor. There is a theory that I had a combination of two alements, malaria and what have you: typhoid, mono, even hepetitis was suggested as a possible suspect. Maybe if tomorrow goes well, we'll never find out.
But the point is I feel good now and I have the Polluck's to thank.
So, here are some picture I found in my email, its not much but its a start, and it has nothing to do with what been said in this blog. But I promised pictures so gosh darn it, pictures there shall be.
Ok, so they're all disorganized and I can't figure out how to organize them, so I'll just decribe them how they are, from left to right. So to the far left on top is a picture of Mushota, the mother of the family who was staying with us until they found a place to move to. She's very sweet and very wise, good to go to for advise. Now above is a good picture of everyone so from left to right: Mushota holding baby Chisanchi, Scotty, little head behind the chair is Kawawa, he's one of the youth serving as an administrator at Inshindo (he's 22? 24, idk), then in the chain is Ryan, then me all the way in the back, then the boy standing is Mwape, my little buddy, Mushota's son, and last the gentleman sitting there with the chicken breast in his hand is Chungu the father, and also a councilor, and also a funny chap, and also wildly brilliant. So that's that.
So down here we have a very nice picture of me teaching guitar in the sitting room to Mwape, you see I used to teach his guitar and in exchange he would teach me the local language Bemba, chawama. Then on the right is me teaching all the boys graffiti from Naysson's old graffiti book that he lent me and never got back. It was very cool, while I was away at Banani Mwape made a little sketch book and did some cool graffiti in it from the book. So when I got back as a project we all made books like Mwape's to draw graffiti in. Some day I'll get a good picture of the inside of out books.
So there you have it, four proofs that I am in fact in Africa, and not in an undergroup bunker somewhere eating snacks and drinking soda, watching movies, taking a vacation playing you all for suckers. Ah but I guy can dream can't he. Until next time. Malaria out!
Happy birthday shout out to my man my life this cat is bad, ANTHONY RODGERS! Turning 18 finally, now he can vote and reap all the other benifits of being a voter. Peace.
2 comments:
Sorry about the mystery disease man, but good to hear from you. :)
Peace.
I wish you well. We are so proud of your bold move.
Post a Comment