Tuesday 6/25/2013
Ruth has typhoid.
On Sunday she woke up sick and stayed in bed all day. It was weird to see her like that, because
she’s such a vibrant little girl, always dancing, humming, and asking us
questions. Her father, Mama’s brother,
came to visit for the day and took her to the hospital to get antibiotics. It’s interesting that they go directly to the
hospital for all illnesses, since most doctors work at hospitals rather than
individual offices.
Ruth specifically asked to have her father come, because—in Mama’s
words—she’s a “daddy’s daughter”. That
made me smile.
On Monday she was still feeling sick and stayed home from school. This morning, I mentioned to Mama that it
seemed like Ruth wasn’t getting any better.
Mama said in a small voice, “I know…I don’t know why…I am beginning to
worry…” It made me sad to see her so concerned about how
little she could do to help Ruth. I felt
helpless, too.
Ruth’s mother took her to the hospital again yesterday, which how we finally figured out she had typhoid. I must admit I was shocked by the
diagnosis. Typhoid is unheard of in the
US, and although I received the vaccine before this trip, it feels strange to
personally come in contact with it.
Kristen took the live typhoid
pills instead of the vaccine, and she said it was awful. The live pills are supposed to give mild
symptoms, but Kristen said she was in so much pain she couldn’t move or do
anything. I can’t even imagine how Ruth
must feel with full-fledged symptoms, but I can see it on her face.
Thursday 6/27/2013
Today Ruth is going back to school, so it seems the cloud
has lifted.
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