The Wrath of Thailand

It's all fun and games until you get your first cold, food poisoning session, and have back problems flaring up... All within 4 days.

It Started on Thursday of my second week. I got up that morning and as I was attempting to get ready for school could barely move, my back hurt so bad. Okay, so this makes sense seeing as I just flew half way across the world. So instead of going to school I went to a hospital. I waited until 8 am to see the doctor, and after examining me he admitted me to the ER and they doped me up with some sort of pain killer. (They are very stingy in this country about that, so most narcotics are only available once you are admitted to the hospital, ironic since Opium is produced in this region- but more about that in a later post). So long story short someone from school came to pick me up and take me back to my apartment. Didn't think hopping on the motorbike would be such a great idea. I went home and slept. Later that day two staff members who barely know me went back to the hospital after school to pick up my bike and delivered it to my home! So very kind. The following week I made sure to bring them treats to show my gratitude.

So then Thursday night I realized I had a cold coming on. I messaged my teaching partner to let her know it could go either way and I would let her know in the morning. Sure enough I woke up sick as can be. As you may already know I get sick. A lot. However, when I arrived teachers were dropping like flies, kids were all sick, and everyone has been blaming the rain. Needless to say no school for me on Friday.

Saturday morning my back was still killing, and I was having an allergic reaction to the medication that was first prescribed to me. I returned to the hospital I had been seen at, only to find a different doctor. He sent me for an x-ray and once we got the result back he let me know I have a congenital anomaly (essentially a birth defect). The part that connects your spine to your pelvis is abnormal on one side. On top of this the space between my bottom vertebrae is smaller than the ones above (but it's supposed to be the largest. Therefore the nerves do not have the proper amount of space (maybe that's why I have been in so much pain?!), also my spine tilts to the right, and I still have sprained muscles from the car wreck in May.

Okay so I am only going to get on my soap box a little here, but HOW many doctors did I see in the US?! More than a dozen. Did any of them do an X-Ray? Nope. Has anyone ever bothered to figure this out? Nope. I am 26, and it took coming to Thailand to figure this out. We think we are so advanced and great... ok, stopping there.

Well this particular doctor recognized all this, but told me basically too bad and sent me on my way. Now, I am fully aware of the cultural norm here that says the worst thing you can do is get upset in public. Keep in mind here I just found all this out, was exhausted, and still sick, and he wasn't going to help me at all...

Let's just say I will not be showing my face in that hospital again, and knowing Thai culture even if I did they would smile, nod, and never actually help me again.

I left and went to another hospital that comes highly recommended, but is known for being more expensive. I saw a doctor there, he had to do another x- ray, and he actually came up with a treatment plan including medicine for the nerve pain, physical therapy, and yoga.

After spending Thursday, Friday, and all of Saturday daytime in the hospital I decided to venture out for dinner to meet up with a friend who was visiting from Bangkok. We chose a Burmese restaurant. Followed by a tour of the bars in the more touristy area. I drank very little as I was still a bit sick and planning to ride my bike home. There is no such thing as a drunk driving law in this country, but common sense prevailed. It turned in to a pretty later night, just two girls chatting for hours. On my way home I was so concerned with not getting lost, or killed, I neglected to pay attention to the fact that my gas tank was on empty. The good news is I knew where I was at the time. The bad news is I had to ditch my bike and walk 2 hours to get home.

A few hours after I made it home, and fell asleep I awoke to the horrific experience of food poisoning in Thailand. I will not go in to details, but you can imagine.

By Monday I had my bike back. I was still a bit fatigued and could pretty much only eat crackers, but made it to school and was happy to greet a new week.