Still Alive!

Hello family,

Sorry this e-mail is so late. I have actually been in bed for the last 8 days with a horrible stomach problem. Mom, I feel your pain- my first 5 days or so were the same way.

It all started last Tuesday when I was feeling nauseous and started throwing up. We needed to leave to start traveling all the way across the country to Zoetermeer because we were going to our bi-yearly temple trip Wednesday. I figured it was just food poisoning, and we had been looking forward to the temple for months, so we set off- a half hour bike ride, 2 hour train ride, and 40 minute metro ride later, we arrived in Amsterdam to spend the night, and it became evident to me as my condition worsened that I wasn't getting better. But hey, the temple is important, so we left for Zoetermeer the next morning and after a few more trains, metros, and walking, arrived at the temple. I had a little glimpse into the feelings some members probably have who make such huge sacrifices to travel to their temples to do work there. Anyways, My mission president gave me a blessing in the temple waiting room and then I sat in the waiting room while Zr. Ekstrom got to go through the session and then a senior couple drove us back up to Groningen that night.

I was sick for the next 6 days or so, and actually went to the emergency room twice by recommendation of the mission doctor to get some fluids, which I was turned away for both times :(. Luckily, through miracles and American members, I was able to get my hands on some Gatorade, so after 5 days of not being able to take in any fluids or food, I got myself re-hydrated more or less and now I can eat some simple foods and drink all I need. I lost a lot of weight and still feel pretty weak, so we haven't really worked since last Tuesday, but we walked over here to the church (a 15 minute walk) and I did pretty good, so tomorrow maybe we can work for a few hours. The doctors at the hospital told me that I had either inflammation in the stomach from food poisoning or something like it, or a stomach flu. Either way, it took quite a toll, but I have improved a TON! The ward, mission president and wife, and senior couples have taken very good care of me, not to mention Zr. Ekstrom who has mothered me and nursed me back to health- she's so awesome! I fell very blessed to be surrounded by such helpful people.

The ER here was quite hilarious. The hilarious part was trying to communicate correctly in Dutch when I was feeling horrible. Quite frankly, my medical vocab is pretty good, but not perfect, so there may have been some minor misunderstandings (did I tell them I was having frequent burping problems? I meant pressure in my stomach. Oh well, they get the point...). The best part was trying to translate for my confused companion while communicating with the doctors and trying not to throw up. The comical side of all experiences on a mission are easy to find if you're looking hard enough :)

Well, that was pretty much all that happened this week.
I love you all so much! I hope you all are happy and healthy, and know how much I love you!

Love,
Zuster Gulliver