Helping Hand

I have been very sick, but after a couple of weeks, i finally feel vaguely human again. Symptoms varied over the fortnight, but have included a variety of headaches, migraines, vomiting (morning especially), fever, lethargy, loss of appetite and my throat feeling like i am trying to swallow a complete mako shark.

I am 8 kgs lighter, had two blood and urine tests, chest x-ray and blood pressure taken regularly. Nothing conclusive has been found. I have now tried four hospital and clinics in Addis and have been totally unimpressed with all of them.

So weak at one point, i faint during my chest x-ray. The sheer look of relief from the nurse and radiologist that they haven't just killed a ferengi (white man) as i gain consciousness is a classic moment indeed..   

It’s not been pleasant, but i am grateful for so much support. Ms J forces me to join her for lunch, Ginger Warrior invites me to family dinners, Ato Frank chauffeurs me around to and from First Health clinic, work and home (as i remain car-less for almost a month), and Mrs R has brought me a kilo of delicious white honey.