Day 4 Estoy Enferma

Hola Amigos!
Today was my first day at the Hospital. I was suppose to shadow Doctor Juan Coloma. I was told that he was a internist, but his jacket said neurology and he kept asking the paitents if they had pain in their head, and he did a lot of neurological test. So...Im thinking he was a neurologist...or at least today he was. The patients we saw were very interesting, but I didnt get to enjoy it for long. After about an hour of doing rounds with Dr. Coloma and 3 other medical students [or residents, i dont know which) I got super weak and nauseous. I tried to sit down and rest, but everytime I stood back up It got worse. I didnt get to look at myself, but Im pretty sure I looked more toxic than some of the patients. I felt a lot of different ways about this. I felt embarassed that I could not make it through an hour of rounds without getting weak. I felt like an outsider, because I understood very little of what they were saying. I felt nervous....If I couldnt make it through today, how can I make it through tomorrow.

So after realizing that I needed to leave, because the patients and the visitors were obviously wondering who this sick girl was with the doctors, I told Dr. Coloma and caught a taxi home. Taxis here cost about one dollar...muy cheap..lol. But I didnt have change for a 20, so the driver stopped and got me change. He got me one 10 and two 5s. So I paid him 5 bucks for a 1 dollar ride and jumped in the bed to sleep for 4 hours.

I woke up feeling a little better, but still obviously weak. After spending time in the Bible and in prayer, I realized that God desires for me to be encouraged during this time. In Joshua 1.9 He told me not to be afraid or discouraged because he his with me wherever I go. In Jeremiah 1 he told me that he before I was born he called me to the nations. In Psalm 124 he told me that if I trust in him I will be like Mount Zion and I will not be moved. He also told me in Psalm 124 that he surrounds me like mountains surround a city. Mountains are relevant imagery for me right now, because in Ecuador there are so many big and beautiful mountains. They surround the cities in such a way that if you drive long enough you will find yourself between the mountains that you once viewed from a distance.

So, in the words of the song writer 'I feel like going on'. After I got myself together I went out to find some potato chips. Why....because I woke up craving salt and vinegar potato chips. I havent found them yet, but I did find doritos. They were great!

Now as I write, Im sitting at the program office, waiting to take my exam to see which spanish class I will be placed in. I finally got to meet other students in the program...none of whom look like me, but thats to be expected. Actually, no one in this whole city looks like me...lol. Im looking forward to getting to know the other students, and maybe even developing friendships while I am here.

Before I go, I will mention that Hilda had me walk to the hospital and to the program office. I was very scared. First of all because there are stray dogs all around, and second because I have no idea where Im going. But today Ive found walking around the city to be very rewarding. I get to see lots of shops and landmarks and I built a little self confidence in finding my way around, reading maps, and asking for directions in Spanish. So far, Im able to ask for directions, but its been difficult to understand the answer...Im sure Ill improve in time.

In case you were wondering....altitude sickness can result when people ascend to altitudes greater than 2400 meters. It happens because of the lower partial pressure of oxygen at high altitudes. Symptoms include lack of appetite, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, light headedness, insomnia, shortness of breath upon exertion, nose bleed, persistent rapid pulse, drowsiness, general malaise, peripheral edema, and diarrhea. Of which I have had lack of appetite, nausea, insomina at night, shortness of breath, rapid pulse, drowsiness during the day, and malaise. The treatment is to descend from the high altitude...lol. Im not doing that until July 2nd so I have to have an alternative treatment. I am taking a medicine prescribed to me in Boston called acetazolamide. My course of action for the next few days is to
1. Take the medicine
2. Take it easy
3. Talk to the program director and maybe forgo shadowing until I feel more acclamated
4. Pray and trust God for strength

Blessings!
Erica
PS if you are wondering about the punctuation in this entry, Im working at a keyboard....that seems to have a mind of its own when it comes ot quotes, question marks, and parentheses...sorry!