Days 16-17: Sick in the Philippines

Friday, July 17, 2012  Soccer camp ended on Wednesday and the kids were relieved to not have to spend three hours every morning in the intense, humid heat.  I, however, was wondering what on earth we would do all day.  We have since filled our days with swimming, karaoke, the Wii (all available in our complex) and, starting last night, throw up..  Jacob walked in the door around 11:30 P.M. tonight to the smell, sight, and sound of William throwing up.  He had had a fever all day and had started feeling queasy after dinner.  I had him sleep with a pot by his side, but in his delirium he made it as far as the doorway and then lost his lunch.  He threw up again around 2 A.M. and seemed to be doing better until Jacob took the kids to the concierge desk and he threw up again...all over the luxurious, silk lobby couch.  His fever remained high and he complained of a stiff neck so I started thinking worse case scenario...Meningitis.  Then Vivian mentioned Dengue Fever, which was a possibility because William got attacked by mosquitoes last weekend  in Real.  I'm typically not much of a worrier, but being in a 3rd world country with a really sick boy made me worry.  I finally decided to brave a Filippino clinic to get him checked out.  And it was actually a great experience!  You know your own country's medical system is messed up when a 3rd world is way more efficient, more thorough and less expensive.  Within a half hour of entering the clinic I was heading out with a complete diagnosis and antibiotic in hand.  No Meningitis, no Dengue Fever.  Just Tonsillitis and an ear infection.   The most amazing part?  Twenty dollars for everything.