The Other Side

I've been sick for the better part of the past two weeks and I feel like I'm back from the other side.

We all know it's difficult being sick in Korea, and it is. It's lonely. It's isolating. It can be scary. And, frankly, it sucks having to work through it because 'days off' aren't really available in Korea, especially at a private academy. Paid days off, you ask? *Insert evil laugh and a sarcastic look of disbelief here.* Try slapping on a smile and acting like you want to be there when you feel like death. Hello again, acting minor. You never cease to be useful for me. 

For the past two weeks I've been the sickest I've probably ever been in, well, let's say ever. I had a fever of 102 for four straight days, I saw three doctors, I was put on all kinds of heavy duty medication (American heavy-duty, not Korean heavy-duty - there's a huge difference there), and I was given an IV of something. The medicine made me vomit if I didn't eat enough food before hand, and of course I was so sick that the sight of food made me want to vomit. Choosing between the lesser of those two evils wasn't fun, trust me. 

Here's one to bring it home for you: 

How sick was I, you ask? 

I was so sick that, after taking me to see my third doctor, my boss offered me a day off. 

I'm getting better now, though. My medication is all finished, and I'm slowly forcing my appetite back so I'll have enough energy for normal daily functions.

On the up side, I realized that this year I work for some pretty amazing people. My director (this 'boss' I've been talking about) found me a doctor that spoke fluent English so I could get the help I needed. He even took me to and from the doctor's office. Oh, and he volunteered that God-sent day off for me. Also, after my day off on Monday, one of the owners of my school realized I was still buddy-buddy with what I call death. (Over-dramatic? You try being in my shoes these past two weeks.) He was so touched that I seemed so strong to come to work (which made me question if I actually had a choice or not), that he bought (and brought) me dinner, which was well-being food. In Korea, this is a pretty big deal. This whole country is all about well-being food. This food is good for that, that food is good for this. Eat this, it'll help. That's not helping? This will do the trick. The food he brought me was rice porridge. It came with a few small sides like kimchi and radish, but the rice porridge - oh my God. How have I not had this in my 2+ years in Korea? It was amazing. I had had absolutely no appetite, and it took everything I had to pick up a spoon and eat a few bites in front of him as a thanks (knowing I should eat anyway, of course). But later, after my classes when I was home again, it was the first thing I ate willingly in days. It was delicious. 

So while feeling, what I call, like death in Korea is lonely, isolating, and scary, when sometimes real medical helps doesn't only seem a world away but it actually is, there are a few things to be thankful for. I am thankful for the wonderful people that I work for and with this year. I'm also thankful for my local friends who kept asking how I was and if I needed anything. And of course, I'm also thankful for my family, here and at home. Love you all. :) 

I am left wondering a few things, though. First and foremost, what was in that IV bag? Also, why do Korean doctors only break out the 'good' medicine (example, a real 650mg acetaminophen instead of a 50mg acetaminophen) after all others have been applied with negative results? Being sick is clearly not the time for a doctor/patient discussion on whether or not America overmedicates.

In addition, I'm left wondering about the real vs. inflated cost of medical care in America. This year I have private insurance with my school, which dictates that I pay the full amount for care up front, submit my receipts, and then get reimbursed from the insurance company. Three visits to the doctor, three prescriptions filled, two taxi rides, and an IV of mystery solution later, I've only been set back $86. 

Not to undermine any of the above, but I'm also still wondering about possible brain damage from that 102 fever I had for so long. Hmm.