The last couple of days has been an intense battle for me. I have been trying to contend with several health issues and it has not been a trivial warfare. I don't know how to lay this out properly and intelligibly describe everything I faced, but I'm alive and currently getting better. So, it's only right for me to try and put words into this experience.
The symptom of 'whatever' illness that was knocking on my door came very early in the second week of January. That was the same week I resumed work for the year.
First working week of 2023? Of course!
It's not uncommon for this time of the year to be filled with intensity. The surge of anticipation running through my veins as I stepped into my working place that faithful Monday was unreal. Make no mistake... This isn't a high-paying job, but what the job lacks in terms of remuneration is always sufficiently made up for by my amazing colleagues. As you can already guess, it was amazing to get back to work and see those smiling faces.
So many things were happening throughout the first few days of resumption. We all had exciting tales to tell about our Christmas & New year celebrations. While trying my best to contain all the excitement and soak in all the joyful emotions, I started feeling some discomfort in my lower abdomen. Only God knows what was underway.
What started as discomfort in my lower abdomen gradually led to a severe headache, waist pain, body ache, and migraine. As if that was not enough pain to deal with, I found myself feeling very weak and fatigued.
All of these were happening at the same time. By the time we reached midweek of the first resumption week of the year, I was already feeling like a shadow of myself.
What I find awkward about this whole situation is that it took an insane duration of time for me to come to terms with the fact that I needed medical attention. I really should have known better. I should have gone for a medical diagnosis immediately after I started feeling discomfort in my abdomen. Instead, I thought the whole discomfort I was feeling was a mere consequence of my body trying to readapt to the working environment after the long Christmas/New year break. Ouch!
Turns out I 'thought' wrong.
By the time I came back from work on Thursday, 19th January, the pain I was feeling made it quite obvious that there is nothing trivial about the discomfort I have been dealing with. My health was a wreck. I had to immediately go to my Nurse for a medical diagnosis.
Lo and behold, I got diagnosed with Malaria, Typhoid, and Skin Infection.
Now, the real thing begins.
Knowing the issue I'm facing is one thing, but that doesn't solve the problem. There is a need to start treatment as soon as possible. I made enquiry about the cost of getting treatment and the price was mind-blowing. A whopping $40 was quoted by the Nurse. What a start to the year!
There is something about me and hospitals. As far as I'm spending money for goods or services, I always try to use my bargaining power to play down the price for whatever I'm getting. But whenever I'm in hospitals, bargaining is always the 11th thing to get on my list of 10 priorities.
I went home that evening with so many thoughts weighing on my mind. I knew I needed to think on my feet. Thankfully, I was able to pull out some HBD in my wallet to complement the cash I had in my bank account. Since all the cash needed was already in place, I went back to the hospital the next day and made full payment for my treatment. You can only imagine the level of feel-good attitude that came with that.
"Now, I can finally get treated." I'm very sure I said that or something similar to that... With a sigh of relief.
I don't know about the rest of the world, but I can't take drug capsules or tablets to save my life. I prefer injections all day every day. My Nurse knows this about me so she was careful when planning my treatment. Below is a picture of the first dose of treatment given on the first day.
Long story short, I've been receiving treatment since last week Friday. As far as I can tell, it's been one hell of a bumpy ride with this treatment. I wake up in the morning feeling all good only to get knocked down by body aches afterward. Imagine that.
My treatment is still ongoing. I will be taking the last injection over the weekend. I can't wait to be completely free from the grip of Malaria and Typhoid and get my pen fully ready to write.
The second image used is mine.