God Bless the Clinic Staff

I am so thankful for our clinic staff, especially Dennis and Margaret. They are so patient with me and never make me feel bad about coming to them. Sometimes, I feel bad because I am sick again and don't want to bother them with another complaint.

This most recent issue is from the amoebas in my stomach. Once I was tested two weeks ago, I took medication and felt better. Then after a week the pain started again. Since that indicated the amoebas were still there, I was put on Metronidazole. They told me many people can't take that medication due to bad side effects. The biggest side effect is vision and hearing impairment (while on the medication). I was on the lookout for that and was relieved when that didn't happen to me. After two days, I started to feel awful. I was very tired all the time (even though I was getting enough sleep), I felt nauseous, I had no appetite and I had a bad taste in my mouth that made food and drink taste terrible.

I got frustrated and discouraged. How can I be sick again? Do I have malaria now? I waited for the fever to come, but it never did but the other symptoms persisted. So, it wasn't malaria. I didn't want to go to Dennis and Margaret again. Then I remembered Margaret saying she can't take Metronidazole because it makes her feel really sick. I asked her what it does to her and she said: nausea, lack of appetite, bad taste in her mouth, etc. Just the symptoms I was having.

Finally an answer to my problem. I didn't have a new illness, it was just the medication making me feel this way. Thank the Lord. Then I realized, uh oh... I still have three more days to take the medication. How can I go on feeling this way for three or more days? Maybe Dennis will say I can stop taking it (although our pharmacist told me it was important to finish the dose). No go. Dennis said I had to finish it to get rid of the amoebas. Darn it. He did offer me an alternative though. I could take Metronidazole through an IV and avoid the side effects I have been feeling. He was very surprised when I said, "lets do it." What sane person chooses an IV over pills? After feeling terrible for three days, I was desperate for relief.

So this morning I got my first dose. It only took about 15 minutes and Margaret took good care of me. I have to go back the next two mornings for the last two doses. Sometimes I feel like a drama queen or a hypochondriac, but I am not... I promise!!!! I just want to feel 100% again. I think I am almost there now that I don't have to take the pills anymore.

I am so thankful for working with a ministry that has a clinic. I feel so bad for other missionaries who don't have such easy access to medical care. God knew I needed to be close to it!