A Little Bug Be Gone!

For those of you who are just joining us on our journey, we have arrived at Huaraz, Peru- (Elev. 2052 m, 10, 013 ft).  This is one of the most majestic cities, nestled beneath towering glacier-covered mountains, including Huascaran, Peru`s highest (6768m, 22,205 ft).  Our arrival was impeccable as a few droplets of rain came down as we were entering the door to the hostel, and while we were setting up our tent in the lawn (clearly the cheapest option) the clouds opened up and it really came down, which is atypical for the “dry season.”

After much debate on where to eat, we decided that we would have several opportunities to try out different resturants during our stay in Huaraz and so we decided on a basic, cheap  rice/ stir fry place.  I was interested in some veggies and ordered the rice with broccoli, while Melissa had some fried rice and noodles.  At the time I paid around $2.50 for my meal, but little did I know that this was going to end up being the most expensive meal I have ever eaten.  Within 2 hours, it began with chills which led to a fever, which led to some sweating, then dehydration, then midnight water filtering which equals less sleep… and by morning I was rocked!!!  Thank goodness for Melissa, getting up early, starting some washing of clothes, running to the store for some water, and crackers, and later soup, and animal crackers, and the day was basically spent in a daze on the couch, staring in and out at some good tennis matches in Cinnanati, OH.

By evening a crowd had gathered, one being an English gal who had similar symptoms the week before, and said the fever resided after a day and half, but the trouble in the bathroom was still continuing (this could be an ongoing problem I thought).  I barely had strength at this point to debate, or even hold a steady thought, and had only gotten up twice for use of the bathroom myself.  Melissa had been by my side nearly the entire day and was clearly concered and wanted to go to the hospital.  I myself just wanted to fall asleep and wake up feeling rejuvinated and ready for some hiking.

Some of my mother and grandmother´s stubborness came out, but I made the long haul to the entrance of the hostel where a cab was waiting.  We arrived at the clinic and within 3 minutes, I was flat on my back with a thermometer in the armpit and a blood pressure cuff on my arm.  When the reading came back as 40 C (104F) they told me I was spending the night.  The assistants asked how much I weighed, and I told them, in pounds of course, they had no idea in kilos so they tried to push me on the table, and after some struggle, a wheelchair did the trick.  I was upstairs, with antibiotics and saline, and sound asleep in moments.

Yesterday, (the morning I woke up in the hospital) was spent fighting with the silly sheet that wouldn`t stay on the tiny mattress.  The bed was seriously constructed for a smaller and shorter patient.  Each time the person came in to check on me, they laughed and said “tiny bed,” especially if Melissa was lying next to me to gain a better view on the 10 inch tv we had the pleasure of being entertained by.  I watched more tennis, poked at the hospital food, and was jealous when Melissa came back with some ice cream.  As the day passed I was told I would be spending another night and get 2 more antibiotic treatments, for a total of 4, and then be on oral meds for 5 more days.

I was recently released, around 10AM, and just enjoyed a banana pancake.  I wanted to send special thanks to my family for their warm concerns, and Melissa`s family as well for waking up early to conference call the hospital and speak with the doctor to confirm that I was in good hands.  It is so comforting to have so much loving support as we travel and I want to reassure everyone that we are taking the utmost precautions to ensure that our health and safety are first and foremost.

I am estatic to be walking around, in a clear state, enjoying the views and the warmth of the sun.  We are looking forward to relaxing around town, conversing with other travelers, and preparing for the next stage of our journey.  This bump in the road has been a reminder of what fragile creatures we are, and how much we can take for granted at times in our lives.  Thank you for your kindness and thoughts and we look forward to sharing more of Latin America with you.

¡ Justin0!