Hospitalized our first month
Adam and I got really sick, early in August. We both ended up in the hospital, with fever, intestinal problems, headaches…The hospital (FORTIS) was LOVELY. They have separate registration areas for internationals, and they were so helpful and indulgent. The head of the ER gave us his business card, with his mobile number, and the option to call him anytime night or day….What an unusual medical experience! (We tested negative for dengue, malaria, H1N1...In the end, they diagnosed it as a "virus." I don't remember ever being that sick, for that many days...) We are now fully recovered.
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Hi Sara and family!
ReplyDeleteSo it seems that getting really sick is pretty common for Americans new to India. Ben got quite sick in late September - but was unfortunately not with the Bassons. It began slowly, towards the end of his Buddhist meditation retreat in Bir. It hit him full force on a 21 hour train ride from Delhi to Varanasi (which he recalls as 'the worst day of his life'.) He remembers only spending a lot of time in the train bathroom and then on the floor, too dizzy to stand. When he emerged in Varanasi, he was a little, shall we say - yellow. OY!
His liver function tests were elevated and he waited - in isolation, in a little hotel in Varanasi - for a few days,for the hepatitis results. Luckily, by the time he reached Varanasi, he was feeling significantly better. Because if the situation was very bad, I would have strongly considered calling on the Bassons...
In the end,the doctors there think he had a mild case of hepatitis A. It wasn't a fun time for me, but he's completely recovered now. He's moved in with his host family - two artists, two younger siblings. He's the envy of his group as his host mother is reputed to be the best cook. I don't know much more except that he's volunteering at a Mother Theresa clinic, painting with his artist family, learning Hindi and expecting his own sitar which was made for him, any day now. He'll be studying that and -- no idea what else.
I love reading your blogs. Simchas Torah wasn't quite the same without you.
Much love,
Lois and the Gartenbergs