The Illness of Many Names
So there is this mosquito borne illness going around Haiti. It has
been given many names, mainly by people who can't remember what it's
actually called. A few examples, Mumbo-jumbo, Chickengumbo,
chicken-coonya, that chicken thing, to name just a few.
The official name of this awful illness is Chikungunya, but in Haiti it is known as kase les zo which roughly translates as bone breaking. In my opinion this is a very appropriate name for this illness, as it truly feels like your bones are breaking!
I had a quick trip to Canada planned at the end of May to meet my cousin's new baby, have some family time and visit with my church family as it had been nine months since I had been outside of Haiti. I arrived just before midnight on Tuesday May 27th, so excited to be back in Canada. Wednesday, Thursday and Friday were spent hanging out with family, discovering the elaborate vocabulary my niece and nephew have acquired in the 9 months since I had last seen them, and going to the movies every night (my happy place!)
Saturday morning I woke up with a terrible pain in my foot and shoulder. I assumed I had slept funny on my shoulder and must have somehow twisted my ankle, although I couldn't think of when. We went that day to meet baby Maya (Who is beyond adorable!!) and visit with her new parents. Throughout the day different parts of my body started aching and I started to get a little worried. I knew the symptoms of Chikungunya but didn't want to jump to conclusions. That afternoon while enjoying a delicious meal at my sister and brother in law's house a rash broke out across my chest and a little on my arms, yet another symptom of chikungunya. We headed back to my parents house that evening, which is when the fever started. To say I felt awful is the understatement of the year. Every bone and joint in my body was aching. Moving any part of my body was excruciating. Walking was almost unbearable. It was shocking how fast it came on. I didn't really know how Chikungunya could affect BabyB and started getting worried. Somewhere around 2:00am my mom and I headed off to emergency to make sure everything was ok with the baby. Hours and hours and hours later I came back home with the assurance that BabyB was ok, and wouldn't be effected.
The treatment of Chikungunya is Tylenol, fluids and rest. Not that there is much else you can do when moving brings on excruciating pain. My next few days consisted of laying in bed, trying my best not to move any part of my body, and taking Tylenol like clock work to keep the fever down. There were moments as I slowly made my way to the washroom that I really thought the bones in my feet were breaking with each step. I honestly wondered if it was possible that they could be broken? I could barely use my hands as well.
Thursday night the itching started (yet another symptom). Sleeping became difficult as my entire body was twitchy and itching like crazy. Friday morning bright and early I headed to the airport to head back home. I was sitting at my gate waiting for my flight to board when I pushed my sleeve up to scratch my arm and noticed the rash had once again appeared, small red dots completely covered my arms, chest, stomach and legs.
I arrived in Haiti at 2:00pm, and was home before 3:00. I didn't even make it to the orphanage to say hello to the kids (a first in 7+ years). I walked in the door, gave the boys big hugs, gave them their gifts (they couldn't wait another minute!) and immediately fell into bed. Four hours later I woke up, had a little something to eat and went right back to bed!
It's been over a week since my return. I am feeling much better than I did while in Canada, and have been back to work as normal for the most part. Although, each afternoon I am completely exhausted. My hands continue to have some pain, especially if I need to use any kind of force (like opening a jar of pickles, because i am pregnant and all of a sudden want to eat pickles every day!), or hold or lift something heavy. My feet have been swelling more than usual, although they are getting better. The first few days were pretty awful, my feet looked like puffed up marshmallows.
I would take the Haitian strand of Malaria over Chikungunya any day!
If you are heading to Haiti, bring a mosquito net, ridiculous amounts of bug spray, wear the bug patch, get the little fan clip-on AND the bracelets. Really, you should just try to find a full body mosquito net (like the kind bee keepers wear) and just wear that every day, because Chikungunya really sucks....especially when you are supposed to be on vacation!! Thanks a lot mosquitoes.
Please be praying for Haiti during this time, this virus is hitting everyone! This week alone we had 5 staff members ill, and a number of the orphanage kids. So far I am the only in our family who has had it...we really hope it stays that way.
Peace (except towards mosquitoes) and love,
Rachel
The official name of this awful illness is Chikungunya, but in Haiti it is known as kase les zo which roughly translates as bone breaking. In my opinion this is a very appropriate name for this illness, as it truly feels like your bones are breaking!
I had a quick trip to Canada planned at the end of May to meet my cousin's new baby, have some family time and visit with my church family as it had been nine months since I had been outside of Haiti. I arrived just before midnight on Tuesday May 27th, so excited to be back in Canada. Wednesday, Thursday and Friday were spent hanging out with family, discovering the elaborate vocabulary my niece and nephew have acquired in the 9 months since I had last seen them, and going to the movies every night (my happy place!)
Saturday morning I woke up with a terrible pain in my foot and shoulder. I assumed I had slept funny on my shoulder and must have somehow twisted my ankle, although I couldn't think of when. We went that day to meet baby Maya (Who is beyond adorable!!) and visit with her new parents. Throughout the day different parts of my body started aching and I started to get a little worried. I knew the symptoms of Chikungunya but didn't want to jump to conclusions. That afternoon while enjoying a delicious meal at my sister and brother in law's house a rash broke out across my chest and a little on my arms, yet another symptom of chikungunya. We headed back to my parents house that evening, which is when the fever started. To say I felt awful is the understatement of the year. Every bone and joint in my body was aching. Moving any part of my body was excruciating. Walking was almost unbearable. It was shocking how fast it came on. I didn't really know how Chikungunya could affect BabyB and started getting worried. Somewhere around 2:00am my mom and I headed off to emergency to make sure everything was ok with the baby. Hours and hours and hours later I came back home with the assurance that BabyB was ok, and wouldn't be effected.
The treatment of Chikungunya is Tylenol, fluids and rest. Not that there is much else you can do when moving brings on excruciating pain. My next few days consisted of laying in bed, trying my best not to move any part of my body, and taking Tylenol like clock work to keep the fever down. There were moments as I slowly made my way to the washroom that I really thought the bones in my feet were breaking with each step. I honestly wondered if it was possible that they could be broken? I could barely use my hands as well.
Thursday night the itching started (yet another symptom). Sleeping became difficult as my entire body was twitchy and itching like crazy. Friday morning bright and early I headed to the airport to head back home. I was sitting at my gate waiting for my flight to board when I pushed my sleeve up to scratch my arm and noticed the rash had once again appeared, small red dots completely covered my arms, chest, stomach and legs.
I arrived in Haiti at 2:00pm, and was home before 3:00. I didn't even make it to the orphanage to say hello to the kids (a first in 7+ years). I walked in the door, gave the boys big hugs, gave them their gifts (they couldn't wait another minute!) and immediately fell into bed. Four hours later I woke up, had a little something to eat and went right back to bed!
It's been over a week since my return. I am feeling much better than I did while in Canada, and have been back to work as normal for the most part. Although, each afternoon I am completely exhausted. My hands continue to have some pain, especially if I need to use any kind of force (like opening a jar of pickles, because i am pregnant and all of a sudden want to eat pickles every day!), or hold or lift something heavy. My feet have been swelling more than usual, although they are getting better. The first few days were pretty awful, my feet looked like puffed up marshmallows.
I would take the Haitian strand of Malaria over Chikungunya any day!
If you are heading to Haiti, bring a mosquito net, ridiculous amounts of bug spray, wear the bug patch, get the little fan clip-on AND the bracelets. Really, you should just try to find a full body mosquito net (like the kind bee keepers wear) and just wear that every day, because Chikungunya really sucks....especially when you are supposed to be on vacation!! Thanks a lot mosquitoes.
Please be praying for Haiti during this time, this virus is hitting everyone! This week alone we had 5 staff members ill, and a number of the orphanage kids. So far I am the only in our family who has had it...we really hope it stays that way.
Peace (except towards mosquitoes) and love,
Rachel
Comments
Post a Comment