Location: Mediterranean Sea
Summary: A rough day of dehydration, a visit to the ship’s doctor, enforced bland food, and an early night.
Feeling Ill
I woke up at sea, somewhere in the Mediterranean, and immediately knew I wasn’t well. I skipped breakfast without a second thought. By 10:00, I felt properly unwell, dehydrated, dizzy, and not fit for much, so I decided I had better go and see the ship’s doctor.
Ships Doctor
The hospital was down on Deck 0. I checked in and waited while trying not to look as miserable as I felt. A very capable (and undeniably beautiful) nurse took my details. After about twenty minutes, I was shown in to see the doctor. Both he and the nurse spoke excellent English, which made everything straightforward.
After asking about my medical history, checking my blood pressure and temperature, and giving me a quick examination, they moved me into a treatment room. I was stretched out on a hospital bed while the nurse tried several times to find a cooperative vein. Eventually, she succeeded, and an IV drip went into my left hand. It was an electrolyte mixture to rehydrate me, and it worked quickly. Within minutes, my mouth felt less dry, and I started to feel a little more human.
After an hour, the drip was empty. The nurse removed it, and the doctor told me I could leave, but with strict instructions: no alcohol, no fruit juice, no milk, no cream, no dairy, and essentially nothing that tasted remotely enjoyable.
After the Doctor
I spent most of the day drinking water, wandering slowly around the ship, watching people, or sleeping in my cabin.
In the evening, I went to dinner with Gail, though my options were limited. I managed a plain spaghetti Bolognese and nothing more. Afterwards, we listened to one of the bands in the Teadora Lounge, where I sipped a peach tea like someone twice my age. I returned to my cabin early and went to bed.
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