NOT for sissies - Dengue Fever

Let's start out on about the 13th or 14th of November, a few days before this picture was taken. I had felt extremely tired after our English class on Saturday, and then on Sunday, after Sacrament meeting, I felt like I was just going to fall asleep on my feet, so came home from church, and rested all day. Monday, I mustered enough energy to play tennis, but felt so tired, and afterwards all of my muscles ached. Not normal for me. Monday night I helped the elders with a presentation on Service, and just felt like I was hanging on by my toenails, and went home to collapse in bed. Tuesday I experienced the worst pain from my waist to my toes that I have ever had. Wednesday it was equally painful, so Esperanza called the doctor for me. He thought it was just a bad case of the flu, and I knew that my body defenses were low, so the combination probably made it so bad. A few pills, lots of liquids, and rest.....

Thursday, I received these nice roses from Pres. Bonza, and thought I was on my way to recovery, because the fever subsided some. But by Thurs night, and Friday morning, the pain, fever, were unbearable. Saturday we called Dr. Pinaloza again (he makes house calls!) and he said I should get a blood test taken for Dengue Fever. Yep, I had it. I absolutely could not roll over in bed without horrible pain. I said I would rather have another baby than experience this pain! Yes, the fever may have influenced my thinking!

The first blood test on Sat. revealed the Dengue Fever, and that my blood platelets (0r something) were supposed to be between 150 and 300 somethings, mine were at 101. The remedy was to stay absolutely quiet in bed, getting up only to go to the bathroom. OK, I can do that. Grounded to bed until Wednesday.


Well, Monday no noticeable improvement, so another blood test....this time my count was down to 95. Wrong direction! OK, now confined to bed until Friday (today)

Dr. Pinaloza made several house calls, charged only for the first one. He is so kind and patient. My whole skin looked like it had been sunburned, and he wanted to check this change out. There are two types of dengue, my was the "classic" not as dangerous as the kind that causes hemorrhaging from nose, mouth, ears, etc.

On Wednesday, another blood draw - I gave the Senora explicit directions that I wanted better results this time...why didn't I think of that sooner? My count went up to 118!!!! Yippee!!!! Apparently, once the count starts rising, it continues to improve.
However, if I am up for the shortest time, I break out in a cold sweat, that is where I am right now, so must bring this to a close and go back to rest.

Many visits from friends were great medicine. Juan Carlos had the hemorrhaging Dengue about 5 months ago, and he was come by or called every day. Yes, we are having a RAID cleansing attack here on the zancudos. That is how this is transmitted, by an infected itty-bitty gnat or mosquito.

Cecilia, our dear neighbor across the street, and Marina a student from the English class.

Pres. Amaya.

Others came, but I was so sick at the time, I didn't think to take pictures. Sorry.

This is Isaac at the window, Jonathan and Jose Ocampo on the chairs. Bro. Ocampo is the one who was in the moto accident in the summer, and had to have his left leg amputated just below the knee. I can't begin to tell you how I felt when I learned he was at the door. This hills are murder with good legs, and what an effort he made to come and visit. We have a nice history that I don't have time to explain here, but this was love in action. What a powerful pill to help me feel better.



Must go for now, don't worry, I am feeling stronger each day, we will be home in less than 3 weeks. We had a fun Thanksgiving, but it will have to wait for another day.

Take care,

the Jensons (I can't go back and check for errors, please excuse any!)