Official Start Time: 6:12 am
Date: 7/9/08
Official End Time: 7:17 am
It has been over 4 days since I last made an entry and with good reason. The last time I wrote in this journal it was after the 1s day we spent with the Chinese students at dinner. The tone of that entry was bitter and without justification. I jumped to assumptions without giving people a fair chance to prove what they're really like. I guess I should fill in why such a change in attitude over the last couple of days and why I show so much respect for the Chinese people we are staying with.
Around 2 days ago we were on a long bus ride in which we all got to mingle with the Chinese students. Alex soon became the center of attention showing people how to play cards and learning Chinese from each of the other students.
Around 10:00 we finally reach our destination and we're asked if we would like some dinner. Being Americans as well as being guest we accepted. We soon found a spot that served dumplings where we were able to talk and take small bites of food. From this night I get ill and fell into DKA; which I am not totally sure of since they first gave me the wrong medicine which made me throw up.
The next morning I wake up feeling ill and was sure that I would eventually barf at one point in time. Things seemed to get worse as I got closer to the mountain. My head grew heavy, I couldn't really speak, and was even more certain than ever that I would puke.
Finally, I did puke at that summit and was aided by Steve in order to get down. I was in pretty bad shape once I hit the bottom dozing off and having people talk to me to make sure they didn't lose me. Glattus (Eileen's Mom) took care of me the whole way to the hospital making me check my blood sugar making sure that something was done. She kept asking me questions and was very attentive with everything that I or others said.
When we finally did reach the hospital they were confused (doctors) as to what to do with me. I explained I was a diabetic with high blood sugars and needed an IV drip. That was taken the other way around by which they gave me pills which made me throw up and raised my blood sugar. At this point I was stuck in the hospital for a 2 day visit with Mr. Wilmarth, Mr. Chen and Snow. The three took care of me day in and day out making me drink water as much as I could.
Around 10:00 pm the hospital shut down and madness began to spread. I awoke to Steve's voice at that he was talking to Estrada about my numbers and which step to take next. I was hallucinating and started to think that the whole situation was a trap. I kept asking questions to make sure the people around me were the originals, but with no avail. At one point I gained somewhat consciousness and decided that I was in good hands, but not without threatening Steve to whatever happened would be on his conscious. I knew it was Steve at that moment when he kissed my head and go back to sleep you worked enough.
The next day I awoke up, my numbers were lower and I had six doctors on top of me. I soon apologized to everyone that I tried to kill the night before, but was granted the doubt for being sick. Over the next couple of hours we had to wait for the IV to finish and finally I was set free. I was a bit shaky at first having a tough time eating. But after a while things got back into their same old jig and I was on the sleeper train to Yinchuan.
It wasn't until 12 pm the next day that I finally caught up to the group. I owe a lot of thanks to their support and the support from Steve, Mr. Chen, and Snow. Snow was amazing in general helping out not only at the hospital, but in as many other places that she could. Mr. Chen made sure that I drank water and was ready for the next day. Steve was my sound board and kept on ensuring me that everything was gonna be alright.
When I finally did catch up to the group they were at lunch and looked distressed. Some had gotten dehydrated while in the dessert and weren't really to amped to eat. Tim and Eileen had gotten sick to the point were they had to stay in the hotel. As soon as I got back I was overwhelmed with stories, questions, and advise for the future. Our journey now started across the dessert through caves and forestry for a good 6 hours. Many were left without energy while I tried to be there rock and stand tall. I did a pretty good job telling people to take small swigs of water and try to see the big picture.
We finally got out of there around 6 and were on our way to the hotel for dinner which looked good, but left many unsatisfied having already eaten or too scared to take a bite. At dinner I got to meet my initial partner for this trip. His name was Leon and he was so excited to see me. I felt bad for him because I was stuck with Snow (Awesome!!) and left him without a partner. Seven turned out to be a fresh individual who stole $10 American from me . . . and refused to give it back.
Everyone soon began to mingle and was joyous the way things turned out. Jay had to switch his partner feeling lost with a 21 yr old who plays War of Warcraft all day. In the end Jay went home with Leon and worked things out for the best. Leon was happy as well as Jay. When I see Leon today I will make sure I give him a hug and special attention seeing as I almost left him without a new friend.
Now I am in Snow's room writing away the days I have missed and what is next on my agenda. Today we will probably hike a mountain and later visit a University. The sun is getting to people so the hike seems less and less attractive. Many wanted to do something in doors, but we are now forced to go up the mountain and may have the chance to visit others at the University.
Whatever comes my way I can take it.
Till Next Time, Hector Guzman
7/9/08 7:17 am
This entry is one that I truly resent throughout my journal. The piece is well written and captures some interesting points in my journey but fails to awake me for what lays ahead.
The next couple of entries after this point only seem to get worse and there is really nothing that stops me. You think that after the first time I get sick I would have the audacity to learn from my mistakes and plan better for the future. No, instead I keep convincing myself that I am stronger and can confront the next day with no issues. I simply don't face reality and take the high road and arm myself with a bottle of insulin and a syringe.
Instead I act a fool and pretend that things will get better and reject the opportunities and signs that are thrown at me. This situation then spirals and wipes out the people close to me. No longer will their trip be a vacation but instead a hemorrhoid that will keeps them up at night and has them chasing after an idiot who doesn't know when to admit he is wrong.
However my personality makes me see the glass as half full. I guess I may never learn to admit defeat but at least the next time I will be armed from the beginning. Expect the worse and prepare for the best.
Date: 7/9/08
Official End Time: 7:17 am
It has been over 4 days since I last made an entry and with good reason. The last time I wrote in this journal it was after the 1s day we spent with the Chinese students at dinner. The tone of that entry was bitter and without justification. I jumped to assumptions without giving people a fair chance to prove what they're really like. I guess I should fill in why such a change in attitude over the last couple of days and why I show so much respect for the Chinese people we are staying with.
Around 2 days ago we were on a long bus ride in which we all got to mingle with the Chinese students. Alex soon became the center of attention showing people how to play cards and learning Chinese from each of the other students.
Around 10:00 we finally reach our destination and we're asked if we would like some dinner. Being Americans as well as being guest we accepted. We soon found a spot that served dumplings where we were able to talk and take small bites of food. From this night I get ill and fell into DKA; which I am not totally sure of since they first gave me the wrong medicine which made me throw up.
The next morning I wake up feeling ill and was sure that I would eventually barf at one point in time. Things seemed to get worse as I got closer to the mountain. My head grew heavy, I couldn't really speak, and was even more certain than ever that I would puke.
Finally, I did puke at that summit and was aided by Steve in order to get down. I was in pretty bad shape once I hit the bottom dozing off and having people talk to me to make sure they didn't lose me. Glattus (Eileen's Mom) took care of me the whole way to the hospital making me check my blood sugar making sure that something was done. She kept asking me questions and was very attentive with everything that I or others said.
When we finally did reach the hospital they were confused (doctors) as to what to do with me. I explained I was a diabetic with high blood sugars and needed an IV drip. That was taken the other way around by which they gave me pills which made me throw up and raised my blood sugar. At this point I was stuck in the hospital for a 2 day visit with Mr. Wilmarth, Mr. Chen and Snow. The three took care of me day in and day out making me drink water as much as I could.
Around 10:00 pm the hospital shut down and madness began to spread. I awoke to Steve's voice at that he was talking to Estrada about my numbers and which step to take next. I was hallucinating and started to think that the whole situation was a trap. I kept asking questions to make sure the people around me were the originals, but with no avail. At one point I gained somewhat consciousness and decided that I was in good hands, but not without threatening Steve to whatever happened would be on his conscious. I knew it was Steve at that moment when he kissed my head and go back to sleep you worked enough.
The next day I awoke up, my numbers were lower and I had six doctors on top of me. I soon apologized to everyone that I tried to kill the night before, but was granted the doubt for being sick. Over the next couple of hours we had to wait for the IV to finish and finally I was set free. I was a bit shaky at first having a tough time eating. But after a while things got back into their same old jig and I was on the sleeper train to Yinchuan.
It wasn't until 12 pm the next day that I finally caught up to the group. I owe a lot of thanks to their support and the support from Steve, Mr. Chen, and Snow. Snow was amazing in general helping out not only at the hospital, but in as many other places that she could. Mr. Chen made sure that I drank water and was ready for the next day. Steve was my sound board and kept on ensuring me that everything was gonna be alright.
When I finally did catch up to the group they were at lunch and looked distressed. Some had gotten dehydrated while in the dessert and weren't really to amped to eat. Tim and Eileen had gotten sick to the point were they had to stay in the hotel. As soon as I got back I was overwhelmed with stories, questions, and advise for the future. Our journey now started across the dessert through caves and forestry for a good 6 hours. Many were left without energy while I tried to be there rock and stand tall. I did a pretty good job telling people to take small swigs of water and try to see the big picture.
We finally got out of there around 6 and were on our way to the hotel for dinner which looked good, but left many unsatisfied having already eaten or too scared to take a bite. At dinner I got to meet my initial partner for this trip. His name was Leon and he was so excited to see me. I felt bad for him because I was stuck with Snow (Awesome!!) and left him without a partner. Seven turned out to be a fresh individual who stole $10 American from me . . . and refused to give it back.
Everyone soon began to mingle and was joyous the way things turned out. Jay had to switch his partner feeling lost with a 21 yr old who plays War of Warcraft all day. In the end Jay went home with Leon and worked things out for the best. Leon was happy as well as Jay. When I see Leon today I will make sure I give him a hug and special attention seeing as I almost left him without a new friend.
Now I am in Snow's room writing away the days I have missed and what is next on my agenda. Today we will probably hike a mountain and later visit a University. The sun is getting to people so the hike seems less and less attractive. Many wanted to do something in doors, but we are now forced to go up the mountain and may have the chance to visit others at the University.
Whatever comes my way I can take it.
Till Next Time, Hector Guzman
7/9/08 7:17 am
This entry is one that I truly resent throughout my journal. The piece is well written and captures some interesting points in my journey but fails to awake me for what lays ahead.
The next couple of entries after this point only seem to get worse and there is really nothing that stops me. You think that after the first time I get sick I would have the audacity to learn from my mistakes and plan better for the future. No, instead I keep convincing myself that I am stronger and can confront the next day with no issues. I simply don't face reality and take the high road and arm myself with a bottle of insulin and a syringe.
Instead I act a fool and pretend that things will get better and reject the opportunities and signs that are thrown at me. This situation then spirals and wipes out the people close to me. No longer will their trip be a vacation but instead a hemorrhoid that will keeps them up at night and has them chasing after an idiot who doesn't know when to admit he is wrong.
However my personality makes me see the glass as half full. I guess I may never learn to admit defeat but at least the next time I will be armed from the beginning. Expect the worse and prepare for the best.
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