“maybe-it’s-malaria” update

Well, hello again to everyone! It’s been awhile, huh? Last you heard, I had malaria and was suffering a slow and painful death in Siguiri. Well, I should let you know that I am still alive and getting better, slowly but surely. We are not sure yet if it was malaria or if it was some malaria imposter, but I will let you know once the test results come back in a couple weeks. The “maybe-it’s-malaria” left me without energy for the longest time, and I slept more than I have ever slept in my life. The best part of “maybe-it’s-malaria” – if you can say that there is a good part – is that each afternoon, I would get the chills for a couple of hours. Now, in Siguiri, feeling cold is impossible, unless, of course, you get yourself “maybe-it’s-malaria.” Can we all yell a “hip-hip-horray” for maybe-malaria!

Note for all: being sick in the developing world sucks. Not because you get strange tropical diseases with unpronounceable names, not because there is a lack of good medicine, not because your mom is all the way in Colorado, but rather because you don’t have TV. I would have killed for a TV, DVD player and a stack of movies. But alas, even if I had those things, I wouldn’t be able to use them with my lack-of-electricity status. So, all of you with TVs – give them a kiss for me tonight. And be thankful you can rely on them for their amazing “escape reality when reality sucks” properties.

Anyway, continuing on… the fun part began when the malaria medicine kicked in and I thought I was getting better. I suppose my immune system had taken a beating from the “maybe-it’s-malaria”, and after arriving in Kankan for a security training, I got a staph infection. Not just any old staph. This one left me immobilized, as my right foot swelled up beyond belief and I was unable to stand or walk. Sounds like fun, eh? People had to go and get me rice or get me water. I was unable to do anything myself. Mike Fitzgerald, the Regional Security guy saw Reid the day after he left me in Kankan, and when asked about my foot, he said to Reid, “Man, that was fucked up!” I spoke with my PCMO each day last week, and we got me on antibiotics, and the swelling slowly reduced. What a health week, huh?! My body is officially at war with Guinea.

I am better now, still low on energy and still nursing an open icky wound, but better. I seem to have developed a common cold to add to the list of ailments, but I know I can handle this one. My goal is to allow myself time to rest up these next couple weeks before I head down to Pita to see Reid and then continue on to IST in Mamou. Wish me a “bonne sante” and send me positive health vibes from across the ocean, k? Thanks everyone! I will update in a couple weeks!