We have had an unexpected and scary time recently. I am writing this from Bangkok, where the Mystery Guest Blogger is in the hospital.
Last Saturday evening, we went out to eat with our teaching friends visiting from China. Upon return to the Guest House, the MSG suddenly experienced an extremely severe headache – the kind that makes you scream and can’t walk. After awhile, it calmed down a bit, though still painful, but flared up again to the same very high levels. She was only able to describe it as feeling like all the veins in her head were the size of her fingers and that the top of her head was about to blow up. After sleeping fitfully through the night, we decided to use the international health care company used by our agency.
On Sunday, a call to an English-speaking physician in Sài Gòn sent her to the Huê City Hospital for a CT scan. I took her by taxi on a rainy cold night, and was met there by an American Registered Nurse who speaks fluent Vietnamese. The scan was done, the report negative, and we went home. The pain had subsided considerably, but primarily because she was taking a combination of Tylenol and codeine.
Monday, and another call to Sài Gòn. The physician ruled out high blood pressure, but still did not have a diagnosis. He strongly suggested we go to Bangkok where she could have advanced tests done. The rest of the morning and early afternoon was spent getting ready, including booking flights, taking care of her, and fielding the concerns of our many, many Vietnamese friends. (By the way – our visas also were due to expire in early February, so we had to get those renewed before leaving. I was due at the Immigration Office at 3 PM, and due to leave for the airport at 4. Close, but we made it.)
Arrival at the hospital in Bangkok was late, and we finally could drift off to sleep at 2 AM. Presently, the MGB is feeling fine – she has no more pain than the kind of soreness one has after a bad headache. She is still a bit sensitive to noise and light, but fine otherwise. The great mystery is her blood pressure – it was extremely high in Huê, but is normal now. She is awaiting the results of some more tests and a visit from a neurologist.
One last comment about our many friends in Huê. Readers of this blog know how much I love Việt Nam and the Vietnamese people. I am not kidding about that – it is not something I say to be polite. Here’s why I am so effervescent in my love of these people: it is for the way they show compassion and love for us. I spent a major portion of a hectic day fielding the concerns of the many Vietnamese who called, text messaged, visited, or otherwise tried to help. A fellow teacher came out in the pouring rain (remember, they ride motorbikes here) bearing flowers. A married couple came to the hospital to see the MGB – and brought flowers. The folks from the International Relations office of our school came – bearing flowers – and speeded up our visa process. Our western friends (especially the nurse) all helped, ran errands, and made sure the MGB was comfortable.
At present, we have no way knowing how this will work out, but I know in years to come, when remembering our time in Huê, we will remember the kindness of these people who used to be strangers.