a horrible day and night

harma · Post by **harma** » Mon Sep 19, 2011 12:51 am

hi everybody, haven't been posting much lately to busy with moving from one place to another. Since Thursday evening I am back in Amman, moved in a new place, which is a lovely mainly because I have a garden now.

Settling was going so well, yesterday I planned to my last things and thing every thing would be set and done and I could focus on other things such as my friends, going out and finding a job. But the universe had decided different, yesterday morning early I woke up so sick, diarrhea and nauseous. The diarrhea was not even that bad (had worse with my MC), but the nauseous that was much worse. In morning I threw up a couple of times (with almost an empty stomach, but it did help) and than later I tried to drink something. Was very difficult to get something in (only the thought of food or drinks was enough to get the nauseous feeling back). But at a certain point I had to, afraid of drying out, was also a hot day yesterday. Twice everything did come out again, second time I could not even reach the toilet, first time in the living room, second time not in but around the toilet. And if this was not worse enough because of the not drinking I got a urine track infection. Don't know what is even worse, the nauseous of the urine track infection. Finally between twelve and two last night I was able to hold some tea in and with antibiotics I still had the burning sensation of the UTI got better.

But really worse day and night since years, even much worse than all the time I have MC. I haven't been that ill in years. Its not an MC flare up but a virus, bacteria, eat something wrong stomach flu thing, I guess.

This morning I am doing much better, still very weak, and as soon as I start doing something I start sweating etc, but at least no more nauseous, can keep my tea in and the UTI is under control.

nancyl · Post by **nancyl** » Mon Sep 19, 2011 6:18 am

Oh Harma, that was awful. It sounds like a regular bug, that's for sure. So glad you are feeling somewhat better. Take care and get plenty of rest.

Hugs,
Nancy

Post by **tex** » Mon Sep 19, 2011 7:08 am

At least it didn't last long, so evidently your immune system is working well.

I hope the rest of the week goes much more smoothly.

Tex

harma · Post by **harma** » Mon Sep 19, 2011 7:44 am

well the bug is better, but now other things bother me, first a cash dispenser has swallowed one of my bank cards (GGGGGGGrrrrrr, I hate the ATM's here, really I did nothing wrong, right pin code but just got an error notification and the card was not returned. It was after three banks closed so I will go after it tomorrow), it was one of those cash machines standing everywhere and nowhere with no bank near, so really no idea how to get my card back, like I said will go after it tomorrow, good news is I have another card), than coming out of the building where the ATM was standing I twisted my ankle, I have a swollen ankle, not to bad, had it before, still can walk on it and probably will be better in a couple of days.

But really at the moment, I have felt better.....

Post by **tex** » Mon Sep 19, 2011 7:59 am

Wow! When it rains, it pours. You're sure having a bad run of luck, lately. Maybe tomorrow will be the opposite, and you'll win the lottery.

Tex

sarkin · Post by **sarkin** » Mon Sep 19, 2011 8:17 am

Harma,

So sorry to hear... and hope everything is turning around for the better quickly (and yes, the lottery would be nice!).

Thinking of you,

Sara

Gloria · Post by **Gloria** » Mon Sep 19, 2011 12:35 pm

What an unfortunate set of events! I hope you're back to normal soon and you can get your bank card back. I wonder if you caught something from someone on the flight to Amman?

Gloria

harma · Post by **harma** » Mon Sep 19, 2011 12:44 pm

that is the feeling I have too, once it start raining...., well tomorrow I will go to the head office of arab bank and try to be patient and accept things are get solved here in the jordanian way, which always different and more complicated than I should it, but what I have seen of it so far, it also works.

My ankle seems to be ok, I am limping a little, but I think in a week I will be ok.

I think it all has been a lot the last weeks, first moving out of my apartment here in august, half of the stuff with me, leaving half here, going to holland, being busy with my house and making it ready so I can sell it, packing to get out of my house, staying with my parents, packing again and than here, moving my friend out, moving myself in, re-arranging it in a way that it becomes my house etc etc etc. So yes the stomach flu was a bug, but I would not be surprized stress and wanting too much in too short time was part of it too.

And being like this, everything comes together.

Positive parts: I really like my new place. The furniture is a bit old and dated, and not my style, but if I have learned one thing with renting furnished you can't be too picky about these things. The garden is really great, for a city, especially Amman it is quiet and so many birds singing there, its sunny, but also with shade. I have to buy a chair for outside, but will do it soon. Also very important lots of privacy in my garden. I really hope this will be the place I will settle for a while.

MBombardier · Post by **MBombardier** » Mon Sep 19, 2011 7:11 pm

Harma, your garden sounds wonderful... may you have lots of time to sit and drink in the peace and get well.

harma · Post by **harma** » Tue Sep 20, 2011 4:34 am

this morning step 1 go to the bank. I went, if everything goes well I will have my card back on Thursday, they will call me (inshallah), it looked very modern and the girl was very nice to me. So hopefully this will work out for the best, also they were aware of the problems of my bank in holland and their bank (being in a foreign country, gives you some feeling of thrust if you have at least the impression people know what they are talking about). And I have her name and phone number too. Also a good feeling in case something goes wrong you have a number you can contact.

Than step 2, the ankle, went first to hospital one, too small no x-ray, got a name of hospital two (you just break your neck over the hospitals here, are so many), a kind lady on the street I asked for the way, drove me there. X-ray nothing wrong, a bandage and if it gets worse, I have to come back in a couple of days. Also I have a name and phone number of a doctor now there, so at least something is wrong I have a number and a name.

My urine track infection is still under control, also no D this morning and able to keep my food in.

Now there is step 3 left, although I can walk on my foot I want crutches, I hope my new landlord and lady can help me out with that.

What an adventure. But especially when you are not well, all this together is really not fun. Everything is not far, within walking distance, but if you can't walk well.., than I know amman by now, but this is a new area, all one way direction, so really I have no clue where to go to. Makes me feel stupid (and normally walking around really helps to get you clue where you are, how roads work etc).

good thing is, I have two supermarkets very close and a food supply for almost a week, internet connection that is working. So what else can I do for the coming days than sit on the sofa.

ant · Post by **ant** » Tue Sep 20, 2011 8:36 am

Dear Harma,

Just been reading your posts...... I hope all starts working out for the better now. Glad you have a garden to enjoy in your new place - it is good to have some place like that, especially if you are a bit immobile.

I have not been posting for over a month (for family reasons I will go into later in another post) but your example of dealing with all these successive problems is inspirational, as are so many other PP members that also inspire.

Best, Ant

harma · Post by **harma** » Tue Sep 20, 2011 10:05 am

hi ant, how are you? nice to hear from you again, hope to read an update on your situation soon. I hope the family matters are not too serious.

One of the advantages (or disadvantages it's just how you look at it) is that if bad things happens to you, you can feel sorry for yourself for a couple of hours, an evening or maybe a whole day, but than the only solution is action, just start thinking what you can do to solve and step by step get there. No one else will do it for you. Can't ask somebody else to do it for you. I do have a some kind of support network here of friends who I now and than help out. The place where I moved I took over from a friend. First night we spend here together and really I wasn't here I think so would still be "packing" her stuff. She really got lost in it. So I helped her packing and moving. Really as foreigners in a new country we need each other. Two days later she went picking up my stuff (she has a car) and went shopping with me. Its not even a matter of liking or giving you a good feeling of helping someone, its more like needing each other. I help you, so you help me. Almost like how in small villages in the past neighbors had to help each other out. Also I don't think they always did it they liked it, it was just their support system. And if you only take and don't give it just won't work.

By the way I don't think this system of helping each other out, also in a virtual way we do in this support group is a bad thing.

Post by **tex** » Tue Sep 20, 2011 12:07 pm

Harma wrote:Almost like how in small villages in the past neighbors had to help each other out. Also I don't think they always did it they liked it, it was just their support system. And if you only take and don't give it just won't work.

That accurately describes the atmosphere in the farming community here where I grew up, and it still describes the atmosphere in Amish communities in this country, for example. Things are different here, now, but when I was growing up, anytime a neighbor needed help, we would be there, to do whatever needed to be done, to the best of our abilities. We would work from daylight 'til dark, day after day, if necessary. We often worked harder for them, than when we worked on our own farm, but we never hesitated, because we knew that when we needed help, they would be there, with tools in hand. We never really gave it any thought, as to whether we liked it or not - it was just the right thing to do, because it was a part if rural life, at the time. Looking back, those were some of the best days of my life.

Tex

harma · Post by **harma** » Tue Sep 20, 2011 12:46 pm

than you tex that was the sentence I was looking for "it is just the right thing to do" that is exactly how it feels to me too.

sarkin · Post by **sarkin** » Tue Sep 20, 2011 1:07 pm

There are microcosms of this wonderful way of life even in our modern world, and even in urban settings. Our little community of sharing and cooperating came together around sharing dog-care - which takes some doing for apartment dwellers (and city folks with a little yard, if they want their yard to be usable also by humans). But we also lend and borrow and share all sorts of things from cat carriers to musical instruments, not to mention meals, and we check up on one another's elderly relatives (and kids), and generally look out for one another.

I'm so glad you've found (and are creating) such a community Harma. And I totally agree with you, this wonderful forum is another great example.

Love,
Sara