Monday, October 3, 2011

Dengue Fever

Well . . . as you can tell, I'm out of the hospital and at the MRC for recovery... still very weak. I am doing much better, no more fevers, or body aches, but still covered in an ugly rash (but that's going away too), my stomach is still sensitive.
Dengue is a lot like having malaria. In fact, I thought I had malaria again! I was then rushed to the ER with a temperature of 102'F, vomiting and body-aches. They quickly took care of me, but I don't remember much, my head was in such a fog from the fever, but I do remember the missionary couple who were with me repeatedly asked me to speak in English cuz they didn't understand anything I was saying. I guess I was speaking in Tagalog the whole time and didn't realize. I then slept for 3 days under lots of pain meds and hydration fluids, every 3hrs a nurse would come in and take my BP, temp, and pulse, and every 12hrs some one would come in and take a vile or two of blood...
Well they figured out that I had Dengue and that I had been battling it for about 1 week before entering the hospital. It causes the platelet count in your blood to go way down, it also caused my potassium levels to go way down, and it attacked or weakened my liver and gallbladder, causing them to painfully swell. They then put me on an antibiotic drip which made me vomit a lot, but it sped up my improvment a lot and soon the rashes came which is the last stage of Dengue, a sign that it's all going to be over soon. But the doctors were at a loss as to what to do about my liver and gallbladder...

The doctor came in one day and seemed curious about my 'allergy' (hyper-sensitivity) to potatoes. After some talking, and some thought, the doctor then concluded that I am a celiac... i just responded with an "Oh man!" and he asked if i was familiar with it. I then explained that my mom and 2 little sisters were celiac. The doctor seemed suprised but more sure now. So they did some more blood tests and changed my diet. as soon as the diet was changed my recovery quickened. The doctor then explained that I (and probably all my siblings) HAVE celiac but it can be 'dormant' or only slightly active and not cause any serious or immediate health concerns, but it was there non-the-less, and because of the Dengue it was able to 'activate' and it is celiac that is attacking my liver and causing problems with my gallbladder. But if I stay on the gluten free diet (just like mom) there shouldn't be any more problems.
I'm so tired and weak I have to just rest. But I want to end healthy and hard working. Thank you all for ALL the prayers. I know they have helped me and the Lord has blessed me so that I can recover and start working again soon before I leave. Thank you, and love you all...
--Super Sister Stephens
ps: It's all ending so soon!!!!!! ayaw ko!!!!