Update on Justin: Hospital for two days.

I walked back to Jo´s Place, the hostal we are staying at in Huaraz, to check in on Justin after running a few errands around town yesterday.  He was lying in the community room on the coach, wrapped in his sleeping bag.  His face was swollen and extremely hot to the touch.  I watched as he came in and out of consciousness – you could see his heart beat through the pulsing veins in his head.  His whole body shook to the fast paced beat of his heart.  There are many travelers at Jo´s place from all over the world, and a few were sitting in the room as well. They started sharing  illness stories they have had throughout their journies.  I could not take it any longer!! Something was terribly wrong and my stomach was in knots.  I asked the host to call a taxi for me and gathered Justin´s belongings and took him to the nearest clinica/hospital.  His heart beat was extremely high and his temperature was 40 degrees celsius.  He was having trouble opening his eyes and bending his limbs. 

I must say the nurses and doctors have been extremely helpful.  They talk slowly and are patient when I must look up words in my english/spanish dictionary.  I held Justin´s hand and kissed his forhead as he recieved his first IV.  Justin has never been hospitalized or received an IV before.  I, on the other hand, am a pro at hospitalizations and use to joke that they have a room reserved for me at my local hospital where I grew up.  I explained the different process he had to go through and helped move him to his cozy hospital room. 

I called my mother in a panic and explained the situation.  My amazing mom was able to find a friend, MARIO!,  who speaks Spanish, and they three-way conference called the hospital to chat with our doctor.  I am tremendously grateful for their help.  It brings tears to me eyes.

I have found a ¨”Gringo” hotspot for food this morning and while I write they are cooking two grande breakfast burritos and a pestochicken sandwhich for us.  I am going to walk the 15minute walk back to the hospital now and spend the day with the amazing boy.  He has gone through two IV treatments and has two more coming.  We have a bed, couch, bathroom, and tv.  It is funny, now that he is much much better, watching how antsy he is having to stay in bed all day.We should be leaving the hospital tomorrow morning, then he has five days of oral antibiotics. 

Once again, I am so grateful to all who have helped us in this situation and Justin is already sitting in his hospital bed planning a trek in the amazing huayhuash mountains.