Sick and Miserable

So this is going to start out a bit like a whining session, but hang on til the end, OK?

I'm guessing it was the crazy dust, the nasty exhaust, and the long, long hours in the van throughout safari...but I have a nastiness that I'm guessing is a horrific sinus infection coupled with a bad chest cold.  It hurts and I'm miserable.

It struck on the first evening of safari, I felt it in my chest and then a strong, deep cough.  Day 2, there was no way I was going to suffer as I had been dreaming for years to spend this safari with my kids, so I ignored it.  Day 3 it was worse, but I focused on the moment and made it through...all combined over 3 days we spent between 30-35 hours in the van.  By the time we got home, I was whipped and had a sore throat from hell.

Sunday, I went to bed and woke up even worse on Monday.  I took some prescribed travel medicine and trusted it would get better...Monday we had a major project to do so I rested all day until it was time for the project-then spent another 3+ hours in the van to help a friend.

Today, Tuesday, has been the worse day, the sinuses have started to drain, the cough is tough and I spent most of the day in bed.  Today has been 48 hours of the medicine and I'm guessing tomorrow will be my turnaround day.

The reason for sharing this is because I hate saying, "I'm sick".  When people in Kenya say, "He/She is sick" it means something far different, typically it means that person is not likely to recover.  Just the other day one of our friends lost his 22 year old nephew because he was "sick" and suddenly died.  Many people here cannot afford to go to a doctor and certainly cannot afford the medication, even though it is far cheaper than the US.  I have another friend that although very young, suffers from chronic pain and even though he has seen many doctors and had many prescriptions it still won't go away.  So, he spends quite a bit of his budget on paid pills, often 4-5 at a time, and carries them with him.

Back home (in the States), I would've called the doctor, gotten a perscription, spent time in my comfy bed and couch watching Netflix and would be set to go in a few days.  Here, it is far less comfortable for me...but at least I can see a doctor and afford the right medicine...unlike many of my friends and their families.

If you can, say a prayer that I feel better soon and a few more for the people here that somehow the conditions change to live healthier happier lives.

Here's a quick sober fact, the life expectancy in Kenya is 60 years while in the US it is 76 years.  That means that I can expect to live a whole 16 years longer than my friends...just doesn't seem right.