First time being sick abroad

The past few days I have been sick with some sort of stomach bug. I think I got f food poisoning from the produce I bought at the market. I’m not exactly sure, but I did eat a lot of carrots Sunday night for dinner so I’m thinking it could be from the carrots. I even washed all of my produce! I went to bed Sunday night with a bad stomach ache and tums didn’t seem to help. I woke up in the middle of the night and got sick, and again later in the morning. I slept all day Monday and my lower body ached all over. I had a fever on and off and was nauseous all day. The other students from my program who live in my building were life savers. One brought me ginger ale, paper towels and saltines, and the other brought me medicine. They were all so sweet and comforting, it was great to have them when I could barely move.

Yesterday I felt so much better, I was able to shower and do laundry. I went to get a covid test and it came back negative so at least I don’t have covid! It was actually so cool to go to the doctors in France. When I first walked in, I was at first speaking to a lady who only spoke French. I thought she was asking me for my name but she was actually asking me for the doctor’s name that I was there to see. Then she handed me off to the person at the computer, who I’m pretty sure was the doctor I signed up for, but he spoke English so I was able to confirm my appointment and pay. While I was waiting to be seen, “Compagnons” by Feu! Chatterton was playing. It made me feel more familiar and comfortable being in France since this song is one of my favorites from my French playlist!

When the first doctor who I had originally spoke with called me in, she asked me about my symptoms, which I was able to say mostly in French! I Just didn’t know the word for body aches but she got the jist when I used hand motions. It felt really good to be able to advocate for myself in French. We then had a small conversation about me being in France, like what I study, where I go to school, all that jazz.

Today (Wednesday), I feel almost 100% better. I just have a small head ache now. I’m surprised I recovered so fast since I could barely get up on Monday, I was in so much pain and was so nauseous. I’m kind of afraid to get produce at the market now, I might hold off for a while. I definitely won’t be eating carrots or sweet potatoes for a while either, which is too bad because I used to love them!

The sunset was from last night and I thought it would be a nice touch for a not so fun update in Lyon!