I haven't made the time to transfer pics from my phones and cameras yet so that's why I haven't blogged about Namibia and South Africa yet. But, I remembered I never told this story.
So, a couple months ago now, Danica started feeling ill. She said her stomach hurt and she had a really high fever and was just very lethargic. We have been warned continuously that any time anyone has a fever, they should be checked immediately for malaria. So, of course we headed to the clinic. There are only a couple clinics here where the company allows us to go for medical issues. At that time, there was only one in the city. So, I pack up the kids and we set off. I have Danica wrapped in her quillow because she was freezing cold. The driver sets off for the clinic.
Unfortunately, although this is the primary clinic for expats like us, that doesn't mean there is always an English speaking person available. I keep telling the people (in my limited portuguese) that my daughter is sick, has a fever, etc. Oh, and yeah, she had a couple mosquito bites. Eventually, an English speaking person comes around and tells me to wait.
These clinics are generally a first come, first serve type of facility and are always crowded. Not only is it a medical facility for expats but also local employees of the company and their families. There are no fees for visits, including medicine and special tests. So, Danica and I sat in a chair while Brayden and Danae complained about having no place to sit. Eventually, Dwayne came as well.
Yes, I called him frantic about my baby and complaining that he moved us over here.
After waiting about 45 minutes, we are seen by the triage nurse. Danica still has a fever, although not as high as earlier. We wait about 45 more minutes and are then called in to the doctor. He believes she has malaria but we have to get blood work done to prove it either way. I take Danica to the lab where she screams likes a crazy person while I hold her still so the nurse can take her blood.
I was so nervous letting those people poke my baby.
We wait about 30 more minutes and the doctor calls us back in. He said he is very surprised to say that she doesn't have malaria but instead has some unknown infection that her body is fighting off. He said all her symptoms pointed to malaria but, somehow, it's not there. He prescribes antibiotics, we go to the pharmacy downstairs to get the drugs, and we leave.
Later, I'm told that the same anti-malaria meds that we were taking at the time are also the treatment for the disease. The treatment is just a higher dosage that that to prevent. Since Danica is on the lower end of the weight limit for her dosage, it's possible that the drugs were already treating the malaria. She continued taking the anti-malaria meds and about 2 days worth of antibiotics and has been fine ever since.
We are no longer taking the daily malaria meds though. We have quite a few in case we need to start self-treating but have decided to just trust that God will protect us from the disease. And, we lather up in mosquito repellant daily. Because it rains very little here, we don't have a ton of mosquitoes anyway.
We thank God for protecting all of us but especially our baby.
So, a couple months ago now, Danica started feeling ill. She said her stomach hurt and she had a really high fever and was just very lethargic. We have been warned continuously that any time anyone has a fever, they should be checked immediately for malaria. So, of course we headed to the clinic. There are only a couple clinics here where the company allows us to go for medical issues. At that time, there was only one in the city. So, I pack up the kids and we set off. I have Danica wrapped in her quillow because she was freezing cold. The driver sets off for the clinic.
Unfortunately, although this is the primary clinic for expats like us, that doesn't mean there is always an English speaking person available. I keep telling the people (in my limited portuguese) that my daughter is sick, has a fever, etc. Oh, and yeah, she had a couple mosquito bites. Eventually, an English speaking person comes around and tells me to wait.
These clinics are generally a first come, first serve type of facility and are always crowded. Not only is it a medical facility for expats but also local employees of the company and their families. There are no fees for visits, including medicine and special tests. So, Danica and I sat in a chair while Brayden and Danae complained about having no place to sit. Eventually, Dwayne came as well.
Yes, I called him frantic about my baby and complaining that he moved us over here.
After waiting about 45 minutes, we are seen by the triage nurse. Danica still has a fever, although not as high as earlier. We wait about 45 more minutes and are then called in to the doctor. He believes she has malaria but we have to get blood work done to prove it either way. I take Danica to the lab where she screams likes a crazy person while I hold her still so the nurse can take her blood.
I was so nervous letting those people poke my baby.
We wait about 30 more minutes and the doctor calls us back in. He said he is very surprised to say that she doesn't have malaria but instead has some unknown infection that her body is fighting off. He said all her symptoms pointed to malaria but, somehow, it's not there. He prescribes antibiotics, we go to the pharmacy downstairs to get the drugs, and we leave.
Later, I'm told that the same anti-malaria meds that we were taking at the time are also the treatment for the disease. The treatment is just a higher dosage that that to prevent. Since Danica is on the lower end of the weight limit for her dosage, it's possible that the drugs were already treating the malaria. She continued taking the anti-malaria meds and about 2 days worth of antibiotics and has been fine ever since.
We are no longer taking the daily malaria meds though. We have quite a few in case we need to start self-treating but have decided to just trust that God will protect us from the disease. And, we lather up in mosquito repellant daily. Because it rains very little here, we don't have a ton of mosquitoes anyway.
We thank God for protecting all of us but especially our baby.
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