Water...And My Health

Guess who is sick again?!?! Yep, that's me! UGH! I cant seem to catch a break lately when coming to my health. Just a month or so ago I came down with a bacterial stomach bug likely due to unclean vegetables OR the water. It could of been either one, but it was one of the most painful illnesses I've had in my life.

Then, Sunday morning I wake up with severe stomach cramps and running to the bathroom. Sparing details, I haven't been far from the bathroom since. Body aches, blistering headache, temperature around 100 degrees, stomach cramps and diarrhea. I honestly haven't left my bed since Sunday and I have been absolutely miserable. I have to peel myself out of bed to go to the bathroom every 15 minutes and am constantly layering on clothes while shivering, then stripping them off when burning up. Sounds miserable right? It has been. Finally, with some push from the girl, I emailed our Peace Corps doctor and told him my symptoms. He immediately called and pretty much told me to get my @$$ to the hospital, in a much more professional kind of way of course.

After stumbling down my stairs and into a taxi, I made it to the hospital where I was quickly given an IV drip and hydrated with three bags of electrolytes, given some pain medicine and some other fancy medicine. I spent most of the day sitting in a hospital bed counting cinder blocks and staring out the window, but thankfully I was slowly feeling better. They diagnosed me with Gastroenteritis, likely from unsafe drinking water.

I came home a few hours ago and have been resting up as best I can. I still have a splitting headache and my neck is killing me, so its hard to stay asleep for long. But, good news is I ate for the first time since Sunday and seem to be keeping fluids in me. This might be one of the worst illnesses I have had, outweighing the last intestinal sickness a few months back.

Never take clean drinking water for granted... 

Something To Return To...

I have recently been caught up with all the goodbye's, last trips to my favorite parts of the island, going away parties and packing that I forgot to share some AWESOME news with my blog friends....I GOT A JOB!!!!!!

Yep, that's right, this girl is employed upon returning to the States. No more ramen noodles, paying bus fare in dimes or begging Obama to pay me. That is such an amazing feeling. Although I have loved serving my country while living like the locals, I am very excited to be able to afford things I need AND want. So what is this job I'm speaking of you ask?

About a month ago I started really updating my resume and committing to searching/applying for jobs. I was surprised to hear people back in the States listening to Fox News to much while telling me "oh the job market is still terrible, good luck finding something". As a matter of fact, there are PLENTY jobs out there, you just have to have the right connections and near awesome resume, both of which I have! haha.

I made a few calls, sent some emails and finally landed an interview with the Ozark Center in Joplin, Missouri. Most people in and around Joplin know the Ozark for lots of different reasons from drug rehab to autism support to behavioral health and counseling. It's that one stop shop for all your mental health needs. I interview with two awesome ladies who went out of their way to call long distance (sorry about that) and we had a great conversation. They seem like they love their job and are eager to find people who want to help.

After about a week and a half of nervous waiting I was contacted by the Ozark Center and offered the position of Community Support Specialist with Family Preservation. Due to the increasing needs of the community, related to the May 22nd tornado, Ozark Center has seen a need for additional Support Workers. That is where I come in. Named after the honorable tornado victim Will Norton, "Will’s Place, developed by Ozark Center in conjunction with the Missouri Department of Mental Health, provides comprehensive behavioral health services to children ages 2-18. Services provided include psychiatric services, outpatient therapy for children and families, psychological evaluations, and targeted case management. All services, developmentally- and age-appropriate, are responsive to the child’s social/cultural situation and communication needs." (source http://www.freemanhealth.com/willsplace).

In summary, I will have a case load of children whom I support through referrals to resources in the community. The most exciting part of the job for me will be building relationships with these families and helping them with their needs as best I can. I think this is a great step for me and I am honored to be part of the amazing Ozark Center.

Alas, something to return to...