This has been a frustrating week! Mary came down with pink eye on Friday morning. I took her to the doctor, who prescribed an antibiotic eye drop. It had no effect at all, so Saturday evening, the school nurse suggested I give her the outdated antibiotic I brought with me from the States. No effect (it was over a year expired.) Sunday I took her to the Trauma Center (like an emergency room) and another antibiotic was prescribed. The doctor also wrote a prescription for the same medication she had in America. The pharmacist (they call them chemists here) said you can’t get the American medication in Zim, so gave me the other. No effect. I have another appointment for her today with an ophthalmologist, about whom I’ve heard mixed reviews. I will take his advice with a grain of salt and get yet another opinion if his is too extreme. I can’t believe something as simple as pink eye has had her out of school for 3 days now, very uncomfortable, with swollen, red and discharging eyes and blurry vision!
Then, to complicate things, our dog is sick. She’s been throwing up everywhere and is very lethargic. I took her to the vet and they found she has a temperature, swollen lymph nodes and a tight tummy. They gave her a shot and said to come back for another tomorrow. I hope that clears her up. Also, she has these flies in her ear (they lay their eggs in the skin and eat away at it) so I bought some medication for that. Enough doctors already!!!!
The good news – this is the 3rd day in a row that we have had power. After having that many days with power all day over the past 2 weeks, I feel almost nervous about having it. Our next door neighbors, and friends, aren’t so lucky. We hear their generator going day and night while we wallow in our electricity. This I won’t miss about Africa!
I’ll let everyone know how Mary’s eye is coming when I have something more to report. In the meantime, I do appreciate your prayers for her!! Thank you!
-
So sorry to hear about Mary’s pink eye- you have several suggestions I see- I can add one more option to try: baby shampoo ( if you can get some) – 5 drops mixed in a 1/2 cup of warm water, applied with a q -tip to the eye 2x daily- use a warm compress along with this treatment. My Opthamologist suggested it to me when my eyes are red. If it really is a bacterial infection, this might not be enough, but worth trying.
Hope your dog also gets better soon.
Take care and give Mary and Bryce a hug from me.
Love,
Bev -
Terry
Tea bags steeped in warm water and applied to the eye for 15 minutes will help as well as using as a soothing rinse.
One thing that will work, but sting/burn is 1 tbsp of Apple Cider Vinegar diluted with 8 oz of warm water. Soak a cottonball with this and wipe the outside of the eyelid from the outside in. Dilute another cottonball and squeeze a drop into the eye. It will burn but it does work. I would suggest using the tea bag rinse following this to soothe the eye and apply the tea bag warm compress. There should be a very noticeable difference in the morning.
Laura
Brougham, Ontario, Canada -
Dear Terry,
So sorry to hear of all the complications you are encountering! Please hang in there and know that we are all waiting to welcome you three back here in the neighborhood! Hope dear Mary’s discomfort is soon eased, as well as that of your dear little pooch! ENOUGH ALREADY!!! -
We sincerely hope that Mary feels better soon! Keeping you in our thoughts and prayers.
Love, Kathleen and Family
-
what a riot reading the comments! : ] such helpful friends : ] I know you appreciate them all though. Just prayed for Mary and your dog (and the doctors).
We just watched a documentary on The Lost Boys of the Sudan – called God Grew Tired of Us. It was really good and gave us such a “taste” of what it’s like over where they are now – in Kenya. The story followed three particular young men who come to Am. (UN got them here I think) and all the huge differences and they reactions to them. To see their community they had in Africa and then to become almost isolated here was hard to watch for them. We certainly do have different cultures . . . ‘course these “boys” are refugees – and have been for 27 yrs. – so their life even there is very unique. But, they have a closeness that I thought was wonderful and maybe a little taste of what Heaven will be like . . . Anyway, I’ve heard from Jill Sherman that it’s just a different Christian experience over there – the believers together, etc. These “boys” had escaped from the Sudan by walking out! Many starved, etc. They marched 1,000 miles to Somalia, then after two yrs., had to leave so they went to Kenya. Anyway, kind of like soldiers I imagine – who can form such a tight knot of brotherhood because of many things – common enemies, sharing the horrors and joys, etc. Anyway, I thought of you and our friends, Jack & Karen Mitchell who are teaching in Kenya at Scot’s Theo. School. I’m glad to get a little peek into the country and the lovely spirit of some of the folk there.
Well, didn’t mean to talk so long about that . . . we will be praying for you all. Know we love you. Laurie for us both
-
Terry:
I am so sorry to hear of your frustrations. I have had pink eye and yes
here in the states such an easy fix. Hope for Mary’s comfort and getting
her back in school this is controlled and taken care of soon. I hope your
dog gets better soon too! Those flies sound horrid! I know you will miss
your friends and the beauty of Africa, but there is nothing like knowing
you can just turn on a light and it works or go to urgent care and get
the right meds. You are all in my prayers and Mary hang in there.
Take care all
Barb -
Neosporin always clears up pink eye for my children. You just pull out the bottom eye lid and squirt it along the eye lid and then close your eyes. Good Luck!
-
Oh dear! We’ll be praying! Missing you guys!
Leana and family
-
Hi, I found this o the web thought I would pass it on:
Pink Eye Treatment and Medication
Pink eye medication can be a mix of prescribed and over the counter medicines. For bacterial infections, a doctor must prescribe pink eye antibiotic to attack the bacteria. This medication can be delivered in varieties like eye drops or ointments that are applied to the eyes for a few days. Pink eye caused by allergies can be solved with allergy eye drops like Patanol. Patanol is one solution that has been proven to be effective in preventing pink eye caused by allergies with just 2 drops a day. It is safe according to the manufacturer for kids over the age of three. Other medication with antihistamines maybe recommended by a physician which can include anything from liquid to pill state. Another Pink eye medication is Similasan Allergy Eye Relief eye drops. These OTC medications may not be as impressive but provide some relief. Similasan also has a pink eye relief eye drops for viral conjunctivitis. Other eye drop companies also manufacture similar eye drops that alleviate Viral Pink eye. These over the counter medications are all that is required for most cases of viral pink eye as the virus just needs to run its course and pink eye medication is used just for soothing symptoms. For relieving discharge, warm compresses are great for removing the sticky residue as well as the crusty, dried portions around the eyes. For persistent problems it is best to consult your eye care professional.
* Viral Conjunctivitis Treatment Normally this type of conjunctivitis does not require medication except in small children.
* Special pink eye drops can allay inflammation.
* Children should see a specialist for pink eye treatment.* Bacterial Conjunctivitis Treatment Antibiotics are needed for this instance of pink eye and are used to fight off the bacteria.
* Antibiotic salves are also options and a warm wash cloth can be used to dissolve the discharge.* Allergic Conjunctivitis Treatment Anti-inflammatory medications, Antihistamine medication and anti-allergy eye drops can help relieve symptoms.
Picture pink eye
Pink Eye – Preventive MeasuresPreventing the contamination of pink eye is the best method for both those infected and those nearby infected people. Washing your hands frequently will support the removal of many possible allergic agents or bacteria from getting into the eyes. Not sharing towels, washcloths, napkins, and other wiping items will minimize pink eye outbreaks. Households exposed to pink eye, particularly with kids, should disinfect commonly touched areas like doorknobs, television remotes, computer keyboards, and others. Contact lens wearers should discontinue use and even possibly replace the lenses if infected when wearing them. Ask a doctor if unsure about infected lenses. Another good countermeasure is to avoid sharing other eye touching items, chiefly with someone who is diagnosed with pink eye. These items include eye drops, mascara, goggles, sunglasses, and tons of other products. Prevention is the best way of preventing the development and spread of conjunctivitis and for parents, this means explaining and showing kids how to be careful.
Comments are now closed.
9 comments