Ntomtom

Otherwise known as, mosquito.

Or the evil little bug that gave me Malaria.

Last Tuesday morning I woke up feeling pretty bad. I had a horrible headache and a stomach ache that just wouldn't go away. For the past week I had been feeling really sick to my stomach and I was sure it was because of my anti-Malaria drugs. I had been taking them in the morning and also been grabbing a bit of bread before I rode to school and the prescription said not to take it with food. So instead of taking it in the morning, I took it Monday night. All morning I couldn't really sit up straight, my stomach hurt, my head hurt, and I felt really dizzy. By noon I decided I had to go home. After a few hours tossing around, half asleep at the house I called my host dad and he brought me to the local hospital. The check-up was quick, a nurse just took my temperature, weight, and blood pressure shuffled me over to the doctor and after a quick review of symptoms I was told I had Malaria.

For a Ghanian that's no bigger than saying "You have the flu." but for an American it's kind of upsetting. All that I've heard about Malaria hasn't been very positive! With Malaria being such a regular thing here the doctors know how to treat it and have the right medications, but still for Obruni's it's always a little more tough to handle.

I was given prescriptions that would last three days and was told to return if things got worse or didn't get better. Now, four days later, I'm feeling fine. I'm still a little dizzy and weak but my headaches and stomach aches are gone. I've heard of and talked to people who've had really bad Malaria attacks and I'm thankful mine was so mild.

I have a mosquito net around my bed, I take my anti-Malaria medicine everyday, I even spray mosquito spray on myself (and sometimes our night-security guard, Dramani) when I'm outside late, but there was nothing I could do. The mosquitoes that carry Malaria are normally out once the sun goes down (always six o'clock) and unfortunately that's when my host family makes dinner. So even though I spray myself and take my medicine I have to be more careful being outside when I'm helping out with dinner. Never the less, I've got Malaria now and as much as it's a bummer I know to be more cautious and I hope this is a good warning for other future Ghana AFSers or African travelers.

My host family, my friends in Ghana, and all my loved ones at home were really helpful, nice, and encouraging. Thanks everyone, I appreciate the 'get well' love.

Little fun non-Malaria updates:

-This Friday I'm travelling to Ashanti Mampong with Jonas to meet up with Dabney, Jolien, and Manuel for Manuel's birthday!

-Our house help Leticia now refers to us as "the small girl and her sister", ex. "The small girl and her sister have to get everything done fast, fast because it's healthy to eat early."

-Richard calls every day he sleeps in an "American day" because I told him that in America I don't get up at six on the weekends and every Saturday I sleep in until eight or nine.

-Calling me Ohema Acadia, or Queen Mother Acadia is the new joke around the house.

Until next time, when hopefully it'll be about something more exciting than Malaria!