So, for many who have known me. It's no secret that I've been sick rather frequently in my short stay in South Korea. I was ill before getting on the plane, having been prescribed antibiotics before leaving the United States. Whatever I had cleared up for a week or so, but came back for a day to knock me back into a phlegm ridden fiend. It cleared up again, though I still had swollen glands, nothing particularly unusual and easily ignored.
Three days ago I came down sick AGAIN. Plegm, runny nose, tired, and weak. This is MUCH more frequent that I've ever been sick over the past four years. There are many things in my mind that give good reason for me to be in my current state. The change in climate, new job stress, and a dramatic change in diet, all these things can (and likely have) challenged my immune system in a way that I've never experienced. But yesterday was the last straw. I resolved to dare the local pharmacy for some medicine to end this once and for all.
The pharmacist was like most Koreans, she spoke a few English words, but the majority of our conversation was mimed. Eventually she understood I needed something to clear my throat and nose, and selected a product. She indicated I should take it three times a day and that sounded reasonable to me. I thanked her profusely and went on my way. At home I discovered (to my delight) the pills were divided into day and night (as indicated by color and sun/moon symbols). Happy to have something to relieve my pain I popped a nighttime pill in my mouth after dinner (around 7:15pm) and went about my business. As I was going about the dishes I felt the drugs take hold, having lived a life that typically avoids medicine I said to my empty apartment:
"Huh... I feel funny." (this is about 7:30pm)
I left the dishes unwashed and climbed into bed. I did my best to motivate my self to do something, anything, as I have many things to do. But I nothing seemed to come of my best efforts. At last I surrendered myself to the throes of the medication (whose side effects I cannot read) and curled up on bed.
8pm, I was out cold. This is unprecedented
At around 5:50 am (today) I stirred, shifting to find me alarm (and was alarmed) to discover how long I had slept. To be fair, it's the longest night I've ever slept in South Korea. Perhaps it is the longest night I've slept in the past year or more!
Needless to say, I sincerely hope this medicine will clear out my cold. I admit I feel a little better (though I was wary about the daytime pill I took this morning) and I sincerely hope to continue to improve. Though I confess I am amazed at the simple, rather blind, trust I pay towards my Korean pharmacist and our ability to communicate through mangled Konglish and mime. But like most Koreans so far, she was surprisingly positive and admirably helpful. So thank you Korean Pharmacist!
Here's to my health... I hope it improves!
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