12/6/13-12/11/13
Every month I get sick at least one time. October I had the common cold, November I had tonsillitis, and December I now have a stomach virus.
This week I have thrown up multiple times each day. In the beginning I threw up every hour, on the hour. I couldn’t keep anything in my stomach. I didn’t even want to drink water. My muscle would spasm frequently and cause unbearable pain when I vomited. It was a horrible week.
Even though December 6th is St. Nicholas Day, I stayed in bed. This is the day where St. Nicolas comes to your house and gives all the kids their first Christmas present of the season. When I woke up, there was a present on my door. My host mother bought me a matching scarf, mittens, and hat set. There was also a chocolate Santa Claus and a sheep calendar about happiness. It was such a nice gift! Later that day my host grandfather came over with a gift from St. Nicolas also. He gave me Pantene shampoo and a chocolate bar. It was a really nice gesture except I thought he was implying that I needed to wash my hair more. Agata reassured me that she, Monika, and Ania sometimes get gifts like that because Babcia Zenia and Dziadek Edmund don’t know what to buy. Babcia Maria and Dziadek Andrzej bought me a candle holder that is a red house with a snowman out front.
At night though, I cried to my host mom because my back muscle was causing unbearable pain. My host dad placed a muscle relaxer pad on my back and my host mom gave me medicine. I couldn’t sleep through the night and I threw up twice every hour.
By December 9th I became extremely dehydrated. My host mom was very worried and begged me to drink water or I would have to be taken to the hospital. Water became my best friend even though I threw it back up. At the end of the day I had managed to go two hours without vomiting.
My mom called me each day to check how I was doing. My mom said I am a strong person for getting through illnesses while in another country. It sucks being apart from my mother while sick because she always makes me feel better. Now I have to get my medicine, make warm food, and tuck myself into bed. A motherly hug is what I need right now. My host mom has prescribed medicine to me though and kept a close eye on my health. Thank goodness she is a doctor!
On December 10th I didn’t throw up and just slept the entire day. I woke up once to go to the bathroom but I slept the entire day. It felt great to refresh my body of energy. I felt refueled and ready for the weekend. They don’t have Gatorade or Ginger Ale here in Poland so I have to drink just water. I didn’t eat anything until the 10th. I finally ate chicken noodle soup, but not a lot because my stomach still hurt. It is a tough process to recover from sickness.
I lost 6 pounds while being sick. I look so thin now, but it wasn’t a healthy way to lose weight. I can’t wait to go to the Wroclaw meeting this weekend and get a hug from my friends. An American hug is the best kind of hug. I am finally healthy and ready for this weekend.
Stephanie Raquel
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