Did you ever wonder what an Egyptian Hospital looked like?
Or other things you don't want to read as the subject of a blog entry. Well, we got to see the inside of an Egyptian hospital but everyone is doing fine.
Upon our arrival in Luxor, Egypt after our 20-hour bus ride and having spent the better part of an hour trying to locate ourselves in central Luxor after our very eccentric arabic taxi driver dropped us off relieving us of 30 egyptian pounds, we made it to our hostel.
Jess was becoming alarmed by the rash that had developed over the last 2 days and the inflammation of her feet and fingers. I was becoming increasingly worried (keep in mind I've seen Jess get fairly sick after a severe cold and fever, tonsillitis requiring antibiotics and a stomach acid attack lasting the better of 3 days in Egypt). At first, I got quite worried. Could it be Thyphoid fever? Looked through my lonely planet for symptoms... no, no fever and no rash predominately on the abdomen. What about bed bugs? that got me worried because we would have to fumigate all our things but no, that doesn't fit the bill given I did not show any symptoms and her rash was generalized. We didn't know although a mild allergic reaction (untreated mind you) wasn't out of the realm of possibilities.
So, I got out my trusty Lonely planet, found the hospital and then found a taxi on the main street (al Medina for those of you interested). Unfortunately, the taxi driver took us to another hospital (not on my map) and overcharged us for it. However, it was a hospital. We made it to the emergency ward and were immediately looked after (no wait time at all!).
The doctor took one quick look at Jess and concluded it was an allergic reaction. He was preoccupied with the antibiotics she took but she started taken them inLondon over a week ago and usually allergic reactions to drugs manifest themselves within 72 hours (usually the first 2-3 hours). So, we went through the list of things she consumed or used. We couldn't put our finger on it although the sea bass could be it (but it was so good and fresh but Jess might be allergic to some kinds of sea food).
She was immediately administered anti-allergy drugs and Mohammed, her nurse, will come to the hostel tonight and tomorrow morning to administer her one more dosage. She should be fine by tomorrow (we hope). We might do some sightseeing if she is okay but we won't push it.
Mohammed and her doctor were wonderful. We were taken into the emergency room and cared for immediately (and cared is the true word here. not like Canada). We were given immediate treatment and the diagnostic was taken after the regular test. And all this for US$20. Nothing for us but a lot for a nurse who earns US$100a month and works 12 hour shifts (and makes housecalls!). We will probably take Mohammed out for supper to thank him for his attention.
Jess would love your good wishes. Please send her a quick note wishing her a quick recovery at jessica.l.west@gmail.com She will certainly appreciate your good wishes.
Up till now, I have met three Mohammeds in Egypt and all three have been kind and helpful. I think Mohammed is our guardian angel. Strange how this world works.
Upon our arrival in Luxor, Egypt after our 20-hour bus ride and having spent the better part of an hour trying to locate ourselves in central Luxor after our very eccentric arabic taxi driver dropped us off relieving us of 30 egyptian pounds, we made it to our hostel.
Jess was becoming alarmed by the rash that had developed over the last 2 days and the inflammation of her feet and fingers. I was becoming increasingly worried (keep in mind I've seen Jess get fairly sick after a severe cold and fever, tonsillitis requiring antibiotics and a stomach acid attack lasting the better of 3 days in Egypt). At first, I got quite worried. Could it be Thyphoid fever? Looked through my lonely planet for symptoms... no, no fever and no rash predominately on the abdomen. What about bed bugs? that got me worried because we would have to fumigate all our things but no, that doesn't fit the bill given I did not show any symptoms and her rash was generalized. We didn't know although a mild allergic reaction (untreated mind you) wasn't out of the realm of possibilities.
So, I got out my trusty Lonely planet, found the hospital and then found a taxi on the main street (al Medina for those of you interested). Unfortunately, the taxi driver took us to another hospital (not on my map) and overcharged us for it. However, it was a hospital. We made it to the emergency ward and were immediately looked after (no wait time at all!).
The doctor took one quick look at Jess and concluded it was an allergic reaction. He was preoccupied with the antibiotics she took but she started taken them inLondon over a week ago and usually allergic reactions to drugs manifest themselves within 72 hours (usually the first 2-3 hours). So, we went through the list of things she consumed or used. We couldn't put our finger on it although the sea bass could be it (but it was so good and fresh but Jess might be allergic to some kinds of sea food).
She was immediately administered anti-allergy drugs and Mohammed, her nurse, will come to the hostel tonight and tomorrow morning to administer her one more dosage. She should be fine by tomorrow (we hope). We might do some sightseeing if she is okay but we won't push it.
Mohammed and her doctor were wonderful. We were taken into the emergency room and cared for immediately (and cared is the true word here. not like Canada). We were given immediate treatment and the diagnostic was taken after the regular test. And all this for US$20. Nothing for us but a lot for a nurse who earns US$100a month and works 12 hour shifts (and makes housecalls!). We will probably take Mohammed out for supper to thank him for his attention.
Jess would love your good wishes. Please send her a quick note wishing her a quick recovery at jessica.l.west@gmail.com She will certainly appreciate your good wishes.
Up till now, I have met three Mohammeds in Egypt and all three have been kind and helpful. I think Mohammed is our guardian angel. Strange how this world works.
posted by Serge LeVert-Chiasson at
7:57 AM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home