“Colleen, we need to pray for Steven (the Thai principal’s son) at flag as he’s really sick. They think it might be dengue fever.” Really? I don’t think it can be that, but sure, we’ll pray for him! I had heard Stephen was sick but I didn’t know it was that bad. He was out with a fever for over a week! That was about 2 weeks ago. He did get better.
Soon after, I was watching Germany play Argentina with some friends when I started to feel funny so I went home. The next day (last Saturday) I had a fever that rendered Saturday non-existent. I was awake for about a total of 4 hours that day. I was thankful it only lasted a day and was able to teach for the next week.
Kristin, a new teacher, came up to me on Monday, put out her arms and asked what she should do about a rash. I told her that the doctors give some good medicine for allergic reactions. She said that it came from a fever she had. Hmmm…don’t know, but you can try and see if they can do anything for you. She came back later and said it was viral. Then I heard it was the measles. And then the inevitable happen, it started to spread. One teacher, then the next would get a fever then a rash. We were dropping like the proverbial fly! Living in a communal environment where people use the same computers everyday, eat with each other, and play together, began to spread the sickness swiftly. I thought I had it and beat with my improved by fire Thailand immune system. Nope.
Friday afternoon I started to feel the fever coming back. That was the day my friends and I were to head to the beach as well! A four-day weekend that begged for us to eat well, swim lots, play hard, and sleep long. I decided to go betting I would feel better by the next day…I was wrong. I still felt bad but at least I could sit under an umbrella on a tropical island for the day! =0) Well, I did stay under an umbrella and I didn’t feel better. I was in bed by 10:30 that night with my ear plugs in and blanket over my head, unheard of for a vacation! The next morning I couldn’t even get a steady gait going to make it to the bathroom. My temp was so high I think I could have fried an egg on my head! I decided to punt and come home.
I slept on the way back as well as 12 hours that night and started to feel better. I still took it easy and when I went to bed last night I started to scratch my arms…then my back…then my legs…then the palms of my hands were tingling like crazy! MAN!! I hate rashes! I was SO itchy! I would take a half turn about every 5 minutes to try and fend off the itch. No dice. My legs would twitch on their own accord reacting the abhorrent stimulus. The night was fitful and I almost yelled in frustration! Talking to a good friend of mine the other day, made me realize how much I hold my health as an idol. I know Im not the most athletic 30 year old (eegads, I can’t believe I just wrote that!), but I still manage to keep in relatively good shape and in the States Im rarely sick. Coming to Thailand has shaken my immune system to the core as well as humbled my invincible spirit. I can’t imagine not being able to run, to kick a soccer ball with my students, do aerobics with the ladies at Big C, go for thinking walks, or play with my nieces and nephew. Being sick helps me appreciate health that much more. Its like how you can’t appreciate happiness unless you’ve been sad, laughter until you’ve cried, or love if you haven’t felt unloved. These past couples of weeks have also reminded me that health is not something that is always promised to me. I take it so for granted!
God, please help me to be thankful in all circumstances…even punted vacations and irritating rashes! Forgive me for thinking I deserve health and extended vacations and help me be more aware of those that need my help in their own battles for health or maybe just their battle for friendship. Man, it bugs me how I still seek my own good before others.