Yesterday was possibly one of the worst days I've ever had. I woke up at 6:30am with a horrible stomach ache and spent literally the whole day going back and forth from my bed to the bathroom. I didn't eat anything all day and could barely keep down the homemade oral rehydration solution (ORS) I drank. Trying to stay hydrated was definitely a challenge and I'm sure that's why I slept most of the day in between consistent vomiting and diarrhea episodes. The worst part was no matter what position I laid down in, I could not get comfortable. My stomach hurt no matter what I did and I had to just let it run its course. From the way this sickness came on so fast, I believe I contracted food poisoning of some sort. By about 8pm, I finally found a position to lay in where my stomach didn't hurt; on my back with my feet in the air resting on the headboard of my bed. Standing up was another story...
I woke up this morning feeling better but still exhausted and totally drained. Something inside me convinced me to get up, shower, and head to work. After two hours at the icddrb, I decided to get a ride back to my flat because I just couldn't hang. My head is still in the clouds. Simple tasks, like walking up flights of stairs, leave me winded and my heart beating extremely fast.
Last weekend I bought a green coconut from a fruit stand down the street but hadn't gotten around to opening it and drinking the water inside. It is such a blessing I procrastinated opening it! Coconut water is filled with plenty of electrolytes and naturally occurring hydrating complexes, so I figured today was the best day to bust into the tasty, hydrating water. My Opa (grandpa) suggested I leave the coconut in the fridge so that when I did open it, the water would be cold. I am so thankful for his suggestion! I opened and drained it this afternoon and enjoyed the cold, fresh, coconut water inside. For now, I'm sending myself some positive thoughts for a better evening.
Monday, on the other hand, was an exciting day! It began with a large, furry, jumpy, black spider on the ceiling in the shower that I very anxiously killed all by myself with a tissue box. I am deathly afraid of spiders and am pretty positive out of all the experiences I've had in Bangladesh so far, killing that damn spider was by far the most nerve wracking moment. Laugh all you want, but it was terrifying.
When I arrived at icddr,b on Monday, I went up to the library and began to work on a few things. While I was sitting down in one of the lounge chairs, a man came and sat two chairs down from me. I glanced over at him out of curiosity and noticed he was just sitting there, staring straight ahead. I followed his line of sight and saw another man taking a picture of him next to me. I am uncertain if I will ever get used to things like this! It is not uncommon though.
After getting some work done in the library, I headed down to the long stay ward to interview two of the mothers (with translation help from Dr. Adib) which are a part of my case study. So far, I have four children that are a part of my study. Each child that I am following is under 6 months and is suffering from a combination of acute watery diarrhea, fever, and severe acute malnutrition. I will be following each child from their acute phase in the long stay ward until they are released from the NRU. I will be tracking the nutritional interventions used as well as the child's progression throughout their stay. When all said and done, I'll be writing a case study that I will submit to my supervisor outlining my findings.
After work, Nick and I walked down to Lavender (local market) in Gulshan Circle 2 to get laundry detergent for our housekeeper as well as a few snacks for ourselves. Covered in sweat from the heat and humidity outside, I decided to hop in a shower when we returned. The bottom of my shower is a tub that is shaped like a half pipe, and ive been very weary of slipping and falling on many occasions because of its odd shape. Well, it was my lucky day. While I was washing my face, I lost my balance and stepped backwards onto the slanted side of the tub. I tried to catch myself by grabbing onto the shower curtain, but fell backwards and ripped the curtain off of the plastic rings it was being held onto and broke ALL of the plastic rings. Needless to say, I landed on my back in the middle of the bathroom floor covered in the shower curtain, laughing hysterically. It all happened so fast and I couldn't help but absolutely lose myself in laughter! The whole situation was hilarious, especially because I still needed to wash the conditioner out of my hair and the soap off of my face. I managed to hang the curtain back up haphazardly and decided to call it a day. Between the spider scare and the epic fall, Monday started and ended with memorable shower incidents.
Each day unique in its own respect, I've enjoyed them all so far. I hope whatever you may be up to, you are enjoying yourself as well.
Sending love and gratitude to each of you!
-C.
I woke up this morning feeling better but still exhausted and totally drained. Something inside me convinced me to get up, shower, and head to work. After two hours at the icddrb, I decided to get a ride back to my flat because I just couldn't hang. My head is still in the clouds. Simple tasks, like walking up flights of stairs, leave me winded and my heart beating extremely fast.
Last weekend I bought a green coconut from a fruit stand down the street but hadn't gotten around to opening it and drinking the water inside. It is such a blessing I procrastinated opening it! Coconut water is filled with plenty of electrolytes and naturally occurring hydrating complexes, so I figured today was the best day to bust into the tasty, hydrating water. My Opa (grandpa) suggested I leave the coconut in the fridge so that when I did open it, the water would be cold. I am so thankful for his suggestion! I opened and drained it this afternoon and enjoyed the cold, fresh, coconut water inside. For now, I'm sending myself some positive thoughts for a better evening.
Monday, on the other hand, was an exciting day! It began with a large, furry, jumpy, black spider on the ceiling in the shower that I very anxiously killed all by myself with a tissue box. I am deathly afraid of spiders and am pretty positive out of all the experiences I've had in Bangladesh so far, killing that damn spider was by far the most nerve wracking moment. Laugh all you want, but it was terrifying.
When I arrived at icddr,b on Monday, I went up to the library and began to work on a few things. While I was sitting down in one of the lounge chairs, a man came and sat two chairs down from me. I glanced over at him out of curiosity and noticed he was just sitting there, staring straight ahead. I followed his line of sight and saw another man taking a picture of him next to me. I am uncertain if I will ever get used to things like this! It is not uncommon though.
After getting some work done in the library, I headed down to the long stay ward to interview two of the mothers (with translation help from Dr. Adib) which are a part of my case study. So far, I have four children that are a part of my study. Each child that I am following is under 6 months and is suffering from a combination of acute watery diarrhea, fever, and severe acute malnutrition. I will be following each child from their acute phase in the long stay ward until they are released from the NRU. I will be tracking the nutritional interventions used as well as the child's progression throughout their stay. When all said and done, I'll be writing a case study that I will submit to my supervisor outlining my findings.
After work, Nick and I walked down to Lavender (local market) in Gulshan Circle 2 to get laundry detergent for our housekeeper as well as a few snacks for ourselves. Covered in sweat from the heat and humidity outside, I decided to hop in a shower when we returned. The bottom of my shower is a tub that is shaped like a half pipe, and ive been very weary of slipping and falling on many occasions because of its odd shape. Well, it was my lucky day. While I was washing my face, I lost my balance and stepped backwards onto the slanted side of the tub. I tried to catch myself by grabbing onto the shower curtain, but fell backwards and ripped the curtain off of the plastic rings it was being held onto and broke ALL of the plastic rings. Needless to say, I landed on my back in the middle of the bathroom floor covered in the shower curtain, laughing hysterically. It all happened so fast and I couldn't help but absolutely lose myself in laughter! The whole situation was hilarious, especially because I still needed to wash the conditioner out of my hair and the soap off of my face. I managed to hang the curtain back up haphazardly and decided to call it a day. Between the spider scare and the epic fall, Monday started and ended with memorable shower incidents.
Each day unique in its own respect, I've enjoyed them all so far. I hope whatever you may be up to, you are enjoying yourself as well.
Sending love and gratitude to each of you!
-C.
Hah...what a full and eventful day!!! If that spider had shown up at your Mom's and Dad wasn't home she'd been running over here for me to kill it..good job :) I guess your training for landing in a pole vault pit helped you with landing correctly in the tub...good catch..glad you didn't hurt anything.. Hope your stomach is back in order..guess you really have to watch what you eat in country..take care feel well
ReplyDeleteHahaha this was the best! I'm dying
ReplyDeleteHey Caitlin
ReplyDeleteGlad you are felling better.
ReplyDeleteLove you.
Oma