Being Sick

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Last week I had friends’ visiting, and they graciously parted me with a cold. Which also could be the result of just running myself a tinge ragged.

But I left work early Friday, as I had a splitting headache and felt myself on the brink. And given my health history, it’s always better to try to nip it in the bud, and not let myself get actual sick, or I’ll be mostly at death’s door.

It’s hard getting sick in a foreign country. At my disposal are no longer the car or 24hr pharmacy of the USA. I’m armed with the supply od Dayquil I carry back from the USA every trip, and whatever home remedies I can scrounge, while waiting for a doctor to open at a reasonable hour that I also have strength to leave the house.

I called Daniel as I walked home. I mentioned the beginnings of a cold, and his instant reaction was terrified worry. I got a stern warning to rest and be ok, as he was worried the beginnings of a cold would turn into something much severe. It was kind to see his reaction and worry, and I did rest that night.

Saturday morning I woke up knowing that I wasn’t any better, and with a severe body pain. Whether from a diabetes medication or actually the cold, I won’t know, but either way it sucked. My colleague N had suggested hanging out over the weekend, but I texted her that it wouldn’t work as I wasn’t sure if I had the flu. Her immediate reaction was to text back that she’d bring me chicken soup. Or that she would come and cook me a soup, as she used to do for her sister.

It continued with my friend A who found out I was battling a cold. Her texts were upset that I hadn’t already messaged her asking for anything I needed, and a reminder that she was there to ask for anything in the future.

It’s not easy being sick here. Walking up the stairs in my building, or too work, or carrying groceries home is double effort given my reduced strength and breathing capacity. But the people in my life, both near and far, are absolutely incredible. I remember when I was crazy sick last October, and the copious amounts of soup I had dropped off for me, reminding me I’m never alone. Thank you my friends.

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