It's the Little Things

I woke up Tuesday feeling extremely lethargic, headache, sore throat and achey... I checked my throat and saw white spots on my tonsils. I texted our amazing Peace Corps Medical Officer and was tested for strep throat. I tested negative on the rapid test, but because of my symptoms, I was given antibiotics. I don't take penicillin, so they put me on a different antibiotic...the downside is the constant extreme nausea. But in the past few days, I've realized a few things.

1) The gate theory of pain control is real and effective! This means that distraction will minimize pain because your body can only process so much at a time. My stomach pains and nausea went away with distractions.

2) I wouldn't trade this time laughing with my host family and playing uno in Fijian for anything.

3) Sometimes something as simple as a hot bucket bath is all you need to make you feel a ton better.

4) We all have our own personal struggles; treat everyone extremely kindly. Every single Peace Corps Trainees has personal drama and struggles back in America. We all lead double lives; neither of which intersect. It's so important to be patient and remember why we signed up!

This is a short post because I'm writing on my phone; therefore, please excuse the typos.

PS: I have no envelopes or stamps to mail anything yet, but I LOVE MAIL! A simple letter from home literally will make my month. My contact info page has my address! Shout out to Annie B. For the first letter.

PSS: We have our host volunteer visits next week where we get to stay with a current volunteer for a few days... Once again, I'm on the beach! :) I get to stay with a volunteer who was supposed to complete the Hindu Firewalking Ceremony last year and I am stoked!!

Love you always,

Kelli Maddock, MMT, MT-BC, PCT

Tau Tauvata (Same Same!) My 3 year old host sister, Ilisapeci.