An Israeli Adventure

WARNING: This posting is not for the faint of heart. Read at your own peril! To not spoil the surprise, don't read the captions until you've read the story.

Well, I had quite an adventure today. I was woken up this morning at 5:45 am by severe abdominal pain. I tried to make myself feel better, but I couldn't get comfortable. No matter what I did, I was in pain. I also had severe nausea that caused me to spend time in the bathroom hoping that something would come out and relieve my suffering. I don't want to get to graphic, but I did puke a couple of times, though it didn't help at all. I was just going to suffer it out, hoping that it would get better. I tried soaking in a hot tub to relieve the pain, but when even that didn't work, I knew something had to be done.
Finally around 8:25 am I decided to call our resident doctor. He came to look at me and told me that there really wasn't anything we could do, but if the pain was enough, we could go to the clinic and see what they could do. (Right - an Israeli nurse starting me on an IV. See the jackets? I was really cold). I was in so much pain, I agreed. He made some arrangements and around 9 am we left for the Temen Emergency Clinic in West Jerusalem. We took a shrute and I was never more relieved to arrive some where in my life. We had to wait a few minutes to check in, but during that time I had another vomit attack. We tried to make it to the bathroom, but the nurses and attendants weren't very helpful. I kept it in for about 2 minutes or so and we were almost to the bathroom when I just couldn't. I didn't even feel bad about it, though vomiting usually makes me cry because I feel gross. I got it all over my hand, a little in my hair, and even a little on my clothes, but it was mainly watery, so no big deal.
Anyway, now that I've grossed you out enough, I'll move on to my next adventure. I had to give a urine sample. I told the nurse that I didn't know if I would be able to do that since I hadn't been able to get anything out all morning. But, I had to try. I got a few drops and the result showed that I was dehydrated. I didn't understand the rest of the results, but that was the main thing. (Left - Me feeling better with the IV working its magic, but I was still cold!) It was dehydration brought on by gastroenteritis (look it up if you want to know more about that) more commonly known as stomach flu (though not related to influenza). The severe pain was a muscle spasm caused by the dehydration. But because of the pain, I was vomiting thus leading to a potentially never ending spiral without help.
Next, they started me on an IV. It was a saline solution with medication for the nausea and muscle spasm. I tell you one thing that is horrible to hear from a doctor or nurse: "Oops, sorry!" Yeah, that was what the tech said when he was starting me on my IV. I think he just missed the first time, but he didn't do too bad. They started me on a drip and it took a long time before I started feeling better, but eventually I did. I guess with IVs people tend to get cold. I got very cold. (Right - I have to drink a lot of fluids. This was just one group, but I have had much more than this!) At first President Heyes and Sister Galbraith (don't worry, I wasn't alone - these two service adults came along for the ride) tried covering me with the jackets we had, but I was still cold. I finally asked if they had a blanket and President Heyes went to find out. The doctor had to have someone go look for a blanket because she didn't know which ones were clean. (By the way, on my tests it had me listed as a VIP. That made me feel special). Finally, after what seemed like a long time (which was probably only 10 to 15 minutes) I was brought a blanket. That was so much better. After the first IV finished, they wanted to get another sample, but I didn't think I could give a better one yet, so they started me on a second one. I slept for awhile during those two and that felt so nice because I was actually warm and not in pain. By the time the second IV was almost finished, the doctor came back to see if I could give another sample. That time went a lot better. I rested and waited while they tested it. It came back a lot better and the doctor said I was ready to go but that I would have to drink a lot of fluids and not eat normal food for awhile.
So, now I am on a liquid diet. Besides my 2 liters of saline solution, all I had today was a bottle of grape soda drink (not really carbonated) a can of Exotic Fanta and a can of Sprite (both opened to let the fizz out), and then two bowls of chicken broth. (Left - You can't really tell very well from this, but my bruise started turning purple. I thought I would give an update on that since I had room). I feel very full (j/k). I'm not sure if I will be able to eat anything tomorrow. We have to ask the doctor. In one week I have to give another sample to make sure that everything is alright.
That is my Israeli Adventure for today. I missed one class today, but at least I feel so much better. By the time the second IV had finished, my pain was almost gone. At least by then it was tolerable (just a dull ache). Since then it has completely gone. So, yeah. I have a couple of pictures that President Heyes took at the clinic, and I will post those here as soon as I get them from him. Hope you enjoyed hearing about my adventure, but remember, I warned you!