And so I found myself back in the hospital nary a day after I checked out. My sweet, sweet roomies went on a camel safari and trip to the, "Pink City" and I stayed back to continue my recovery. It's a good thing I did! The day after they left I got very ill- again. I developed a high fever and began to vomit over and over again. It was the day of, Diwali and there were firecrackers going off over and over all night long. Imagine the grand finale of the fireworks show on the 4th of July all night long. It became so intense I thought I was in a war zone!! I continued to get sicker, to the point of dry heaving (ya get the picture?) I was afraid I was having an allergic reaction to the antibiotic I received as Sarah was placed on one by a doctor here and she became ill as well! I didn't know what to do as there is no ambulance service and I knew that it would be impossible to get to Fortis Hospital because of the holiday. I am so grateful that I was able to call my brother Bryan who is a Dr. in Pennsylvania. I called in the morning and my sister-in-law answered my call. Hearing her voice was so reassuring and I could tell she knew something was wrong, thank goodness Bryan was there!!! I told him what happened and that I was taking a bunch of medicine that I thought was making me sicker. It was hard to communicate what I was taking as I was bawling and he couldn't understand the names, I ended up spelling them out- even then Alison had to get on to see if she could here and understand me! Bryan had never heard of these medications, neither did Alison. Bryan looked them up and it turns out they are only prescribed in India. I then decided to stop taking them and start on the Cipro prescribed by my Dr. in Salt Lake the following morning. It was a horrible night but I eventually was able to fall to sleep with earplugs, a movie playing full blast and the A/C on. It's too bad I couldn't enjoy the festival more as I am sure it was beautiful!
The next morning: First thing, took the Cipro. I then proceeded to my computer and started chatting with Nat on FB. While chatting I started to itch my arm, suddenly another itch, and another and so on... I looked down at my arms and they were bright red along with my chest and the bottom of my legs!! I quickly called my host, Sonal and she promptly sent over a driver and Anita to take me to the hospital! I arrived at the ER and was taken immediately in an was given 2 injections to stop the spread of the rash. I was in so much pain I could hardly stand it! After about an hour they referred me to the OPD (Out Patient Department) dermatologist. It is amazing how the healthcare works here. I didn't have to wait more than 5 minutes and was taken directly in to see him. After his evaluation he confirmed that I was having an acute drug rash. I was given several prescriptions as well as some cream to help with the rash. Dear sweet Anita came back to the apartment with me and made sure I was settled and comfortable, made sure I understood my meds and put a movie on to help me relax. I started to feel a little better when her brother came to pick her up for the evening. After she left however, my rash intensified. To the point of being in such pain I could not fall asleep. Thank goodness my fever was broken but I walked around the house crying until about 4 Am in pain when I finally decided to take a shower. I felt better but was still in so much pain (especially in my hands) that I still could not sleep. I also started to notice that the rash was spreading to the underside of my arms and higher on my legs! I didn't know what to do and didn't want to go back to the hospital. I then decided to call my mom who was able to 'call me off the ledge' as I was sure I was dying. She and I talked for an hour, assuring me that I was getting better and that maybe I should just call the Dr. and see what he suggested. I called the hospital and he suggested I come in to be looked at one more time. I once again called Sonal. I can't even begin to thank her for being there and helping me! She is a busy woman with her own family and I can only imagine what a pain I was!! Once again Anita was again dispatched to pick me up and off to the hospital again! Anita is so wise and she suggested that we try and see the Dr., not go in to the Er. I am so grateful that the Dr. was in and saw me directly!! He decided to scratch everything and start over again as I was in SO MUCH PAIN! He was a very intelligent, kind man that assured me it was an acute drug rash and that it would go away. Leaving once again, Anita stayed with me, making me lunch and making sure I was able to fall asleep before she left. She also wrote down in layman's terms how to take me new meds. She drew pictures to tell me how many tablets to take and when! It's quite complicated. I have to take 2 different types in the morning, with a difference of 2 hours between. 2 more in the morning. 1 after eating and 1 before. Same at night time. I am home now and finally was able to sleep. I woke up this morning with the rash lessened, what a relief!!! I miss the roomies though. We have become close and I miss having them around. We talked on and off this week and it sounds like they are doing well, have to admit though, glad it's them on the 12 hour bus and not me!!
Well, there ya have it. This morning I was able to Skype with my friends whom were at Melissa's house for a Halloween party. It lifted my spirits even more and I am grateful as I think that has enhanced my recovery even more. Thank you all for your prayers!! xoxoxoxo
The next morning: First thing, took the Cipro. I then proceeded to my computer and started chatting with Nat on FB. While chatting I started to itch my arm, suddenly another itch, and another and so on... I looked down at my arms and they were bright red along with my chest and the bottom of my legs!! I quickly called my host, Sonal and she promptly sent over a driver and Anita to take me to the hospital! I arrived at the ER and was taken immediately in an was given 2 injections to stop the spread of the rash. I was in so much pain I could hardly stand it! After about an hour they referred me to the OPD (Out Patient Department) dermatologist. It is amazing how the healthcare works here. I didn't have to wait more than 5 minutes and was taken directly in to see him. After his evaluation he confirmed that I was having an acute drug rash. I was given several prescriptions as well as some cream to help with the rash. Dear sweet Anita came back to the apartment with me and made sure I was settled and comfortable, made sure I understood my meds and put a movie on to help me relax. I started to feel a little better when her brother came to pick her up for the evening. After she left however, my rash intensified. To the point of being in such pain I could not fall asleep. Thank goodness my fever was broken but I walked around the house crying until about 4 Am in pain when I finally decided to take a shower. I felt better but was still in so much pain (especially in my hands) that I still could not sleep. I also started to notice that the rash was spreading to the underside of my arms and higher on my legs! I didn't know what to do and didn't want to go back to the hospital. I then decided to call my mom who was able to 'call me off the ledge' as I was sure I was dying. She and I talked for an hour, assuring me that I was getting better and that maybe I should just call the Dr. and see what he suggested. I called the hospital and he suggested I come in to be looked at one more time. I once again called Sonal. I can't even begin to thank her for being there and helping me! She is a busy woman with her own family and I can only imagine what a pain I was!! Once again Anita was again dispatched to pick me up and off to the hospital again! Anita is so wise and she suggested that we try and see the Dr., not go in to the Er. I am so grateful that the Dr. was in and saw me directly!! He decided to scratch everything and start over again as I was in SO MUCH PAIN! He was a very intelligent, kind man that assured me it was an acute drug rash and that it would go away. Leaving once again, Anita stayed with me, making me lunch and making sure I was able to fall asleep before she left. She also wrote down in layman's terms how to take me new meds. She drew pictures to tell me how many tablets to take and when! It's quite complicated. I have to take 2 different types in the morning, with a difference of 2 hours between. 2 more in the morning. 1 after eating and 1 before. Same at night time. I am home now and finally was able to sleep. I woke up this morning with the rash lessened, what a relief!!! I miss the roomies though. We have become close and I miss having them around. We talked on and off this week and it sounds like they are doing well, have to admit though, glad it's them on the 12 hour bus and not me!!
Well, there ya have it. This morning I was able to Skype with my friends whom were at Melissa's house for a Halloween party. It lifted my spirits even more and I am grateful as I think that has enhanced my recovery even more. Thank you all for your prayers!! xoxoxoxo
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