October 02, 2005

Lily of the valley; He's there.

was looking up on dengue, and came across this:

"The dengue virus has four strains called serotypes 1, 2, 3 and 4. Getting infected with one serotype does not protect you against the other serotypes. In fact, getting a second dengue infection, particularly with serotype 2, leads to an even worse infection such as Dengue Haemorrhagic Fever and Dengue Shock Syndrome which can be fatal.

Symptoms of dengue hemorrhagic fever include all of the symptoms of classic dengue, plus:

Marked damage to blood and lymph vessels
Bleeding from the nose, gums, or under the skin, causing purplish bruises
This form of dengue disease causes some deaths.

Symptoms of dengue shock syndrome, the most severe form of dengue disease, include all of the symptoms of classic dengue and dengue hemorrhagic fever, plus:

Fluids leaking outside of blood vessels
Massive bleeding
Shock

This form of the disease usually occurs in children (sometimes adults) experiencing their second dengue infection. The fatality rate is 5 to 15 percent."



which effectively means, I'd been through Dengue Shock Syndrome and survived.
not many have.

it was my first dengue infection, and I wasn't exactly a child then. with the poison pulsing in my veins, I went for a field trip to Australia. battling with the virus for days, thinking it was simplya headache and fever. sent to a nearby clinic after two days, was rushed to Geraldton. appendix was removed, silly doctors thinking it was appendicitis that caused the abdominal pains. massive (and excessive) bleeding occured. flown to the Royal Perth Hospital, put on drips and undergoing blood transfusions, numerous medical examinations (doctor, professor, microbiologist, medical study team, the likes), x-rays, medication, morphine (ahh.), not to mention going through all that with having to bleed every 15 minutes. indescribable pain: imagine having a knife plunged repeatedly into your tummy, 24/7.

it took me three weeks to get out of hospital. and a lot longer to fully recover.

five years down the road, I still thank God for His saving grace. had it not been for Him, (you've heard this from many before) I really wouldn't be here today. 'been through literal hell and high water. and survived, because Jesus was there with me in the deepest, darkest valley I'd ever experienced.

what more can I say.

Wonderful God. =)

--gid