I went to bed one night only to find myself in a lot of pain and not actually sleeping a wink. It was during intensives and I was actually beginning to grow stressed because I knew without any sleep, the following 12 hour work day of screaming Korean children would be absolutely miserable. Well, little did I know at that point that was the least of my worries.
Hours had passed until finally it was morning and my unbearable pains had grown worse. Then on top of the pain, at around 8am I began throwing up every 20 minutes. Growing weaker and very light headed, I tried to contact my work to let them know I couldn't teach and that I was heading to the hospital. But unfortunately, I couldn't reach anyone. As my alarm clock started going off, I managed to hop in the shower, hoping it would help, which it didn't, and then I finally got through to my co-teacher Sarah and explained the situation. Luckily I was able to catch my first cab while it was raining out (an almost impossible task) and check into the doctor's office at about 10 am.
I explained my symptoms to the doctor as he plugged away at his computer (thank god he spoke English) and he said two things:
1. I was possibly having a reaction to the medicine I was taking a week prior (due to a cold) or...
2. I had appendicitis.
He said if number 2 was the case, then I would need to have emergency surgery right away. But first they would obviously have to run some tests. Before the series of tests began, I called my mom for the second time that morning to share the most recent news. .
Dan actually picked up the phone first and said, "You're not pregnant are you? Your mother's too afraid to ask."
After laughing that off, all I have to say is THANK GOD my mom is a nurse and that she didn't freak out because I was already in rough shape! She explained to me the best way she could about the procedure and what they'll do and what questions to ask. All I can really remember is that she kept saying that it wasn't a big deal and to relax as I continuously sobbed like a baby.
When I finally calmed down, I called my good friend Jon just to let someone know where I was as he didn't have to go into work for a few more hours. In between throwing up about every 15 minutes, I paced the floor in the doctor's office awaiting what was to be my fate. I had to take an x-ray, a blood test, and have a sonogram. While I was waiting for the test results, my knight in shining armor walked in - Jon. I don't think I've ever been happier to see anybody. He told me he could only stay until 12pm but that he contacted the crew and that Krista, Jee, and Soh would all be taking shifts to stand by me through all this.
Finally, the results came in and the verdict was appendicitis. I felt like I was on a roller coaster of emotions as I had never got more than stitches in the 23 years of my existence. SURGERY! Are you sure?!? I must be dreaming....someone pinch me please!
So there I was, thankfully surrounded by close friends and about to go under the knife in KOREA.
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