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Published: April 16th 2009
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As most of you already know, I have had a migraine since Sept. '07. It has been a tough 18 months, filled with doctors, medications, and all sorts of unpleasantness. However, last May I decided to come out here and study Arabic, something I've wanted to do for several years. For the most part, I've been able to do so without my pain interfering too much. I got a wonderful new doctor over winter break,Sa he changed my meds, and they've been helping a lot since then.
Until March 27th, a Friday. My pain basically got out of control, and I had to go to the hospital. This has happened before, although the past couple times I had my mother with me, and I was also at Duke, where they speak English. At first, I was in no mood to look at this like an adventure. But I was lucky - I was with people when it got out of control, so they were able to get me to the hospital. My roommate and 2 other friends were there with me, making sure I was taken care of, and playing with all the cool toys in the room. I'm pretty
boring when my pain gets bad, turns out. But we got the doctor there to speak with my doctor here in Jordan, and with mother, who was working in the ED at the time, and I got the medication I needed. I was admitted an hour later to receive fluids and more pain medication after a few more hours. The nurse on the floor brought in cots for my friends to sleep on while I was there - it was really nice. The next morning, I was cleared to leave, and Christina (my roommate) and I had an awesome breakfast of bagels and cream cheese, scrambled eggs, and real bacon. The neurologist I was admitted under asked me to come see him in a week at his clinic, and I said I would, in case I had any more hospital trips.
The following week, my pain did not improve. My neurologist in the States had me on pain killers, I couldn't go to school or do anything remotely involving my brain. I did, however, rediscover my love for the West Wing, and watched almost 2 seasons of it. When Saturday rolled around, Emily (my neighbor) and I went to
the clinic, sat down with the doctor, and explained to him how this was my life. He suggested a few things, and then ordered an EEG. I thought, why not, I haven't had one yet, can't hurt. So we went into the next room, and the nurse there hooked me up (which was very stressful - she put huge globs of adhesive gluey gunk all over my face and all up in my hair, which I had worn down for the first time in months). It was quick. Then we went back to the doctor's office, he told me it was normal, and sent me on my way. That gluey stuff took like 20 minutes to get out of my hair. It was ridiculous.
That next week was not much better. I was still on a lot of pain killers. Towards the end of the week, I started to taper successfully, and went back to a morning class, to the surprise of everyone there. It's been a week since my first class back, and I've been to at least 1 class every day since. I'm not taking any more pain killers right now, and have been off them for
almost a week.
I also had an awesome high point yesterday. Since the whole pain thing started, I haven't really been able to do much studying. I can study, but it has to be in small increments of time, maybe 2 hours tops. Add mono to the mix (best christmas present ever, right?), and I'm down to like 15 minutes tops. No good. Anyways, I skipped my last class yesterday, and went to one of our "study hangouts" with Emily, sat in the sunshine, and studied for 4 hours, without causing my head to spike. This is totally a milestone for me. Now, today, no such luck. But hey, I'm getting somewhere.
My super exciting news: my mother gets here the day after tomorrow. We will then have 10 amazing days running all over the country. So I will have some way cool stories for you guys really soon. Spring break couldn't come at a better time.
I have to shout out to Kirsten and Caleb, who just welcomed the absolutely beautiful Rachel Anne to their growing family, who I can't wait to meet.
Random events - I'm tired of dead, brown stuff. So I got
im normal
now i have proof some plants. I know have geraniums, so other leafy plant, some calla lilies, fresh mint, and a cactus. That cactus is named Earl. We also found the most epic chocolate Easter Egg ever. Seriously. You could fit like 2 of my heads in it. It's massive. So we bought it. And shared it with out favorite shop owner on the corner, Mr. Awni.
Coming up: well, we got the Dead Sea, Wadi Mujib, Aqaba, Petra, Wadi Rum, and my mother gets a first-hand look at what life is really like here in the desert. Should be a good one!
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Mummy
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Now THAT is an Easter Egg!!
And I have to tell you, I am NOT looking forward to 2 days on a camel!!!! One of the docs suggested padded bike shorts. I'm thinking hemorrhoid cushion..... And Sea Bands. And a sick bag. :)