Febuary IV

You see how I did that? You're wondering, "Hmmm does the IV stand for 4th or IntraVenous?" Answer: Both!

Yesterday morning I was sitting in class waiting to give a presentation when I got hit by this intense feeling of nausea and pain in my stomach. I wasn't nervous/unprepared/hungover or anything else, so it really freaked me out. I came home to rest for the day, but I had no appetite. Everything I tried to nibble on made me feel nauseous. My mama Tica called ISA (my program) and the director convinced me that I should go to a doctor. I wasn't sure if that was necessary, but she made a good point that it would be hard to get in anywhere until Monday, so if it got worse I would be really out of luck.

I met up with Andrea (my favorite ISA person) and we took a taxi to the doctor. And by doctor, I mean private hospital. And by private hospital, I mean the emergency room. Seems a little excessive, no? She reassured me that it's just called the emergency place, but you can go there for anything. (Culture note: Andrea said that there is also a public health clinic, but she would only go there if "it was the only option or I didn't have any money that month"....interesting.) At the hospital, most of the doctors and nurses spoke English, which was nice. A doctor did all the regular checks (pulse, etc.) and told me that I was really dehydrated and probably had a stomach virus.

Next thing I know, I was being hooked up to an IV. It seems traumatic, especially since I've never been on one of those before, but it didn't feel like a big deal. They also added some medicines that would "protect my stomach." One thing, though: the fluid in the IV was freezing cold! It literally felt like my right arm was being infused with ice water. Maybe they're always that cold, I don't know. Anyway, I had to sit there for about an hour and a half and Andrea was so nice to stay with me the whole time. I felt better right away, but they told me to go to a pharmacy for some prescriptions. Sooo I'm on the road to recovery and taking it easy this weekend. No clubbing for me, but that's okay.

PS: I watched "Tangled" last night with my family. Super cute movie! Jamie, if Jilly hasn't seen it, y'all should watch it.