Chikungunya

All of you have heard of Malaria.  Many of you will have heard of Dengue Fever.  But have any of you heard of Chikungunya?  I (Jessica) had not heard of it six months ago, but now I know more than I ever needed to.  Chikungunya is a virus that is spread by mosquitos, and recently arrived in Nicaragua.  It has been prevalent in areas of Africa, Asia, Haiti, and South America for years, and it’s coming to a country near you.

I hesitated to write anything about it in a newsletter, lest it sound like complaining, but it has been a big part of my life for the past 7 or 8 weeks.  I contracted Chikungunya around the third week of February.  It begins with joint pain and 3-7 days of high fever, accompanied by a wonderful rash.  I also had a few days of horrible mouth sores that made it difficult to even drink water, along with a few days of depression, which is also a symptom.  Then it all fades a bit, and just when you think it’s gone…it comes back!  And sticks around for a long time.  Over the past 7 weeks I have had severe pain in my feet, knees, wrists, and knuckles.  Sometimes it is just a little sore, other times I can hardly walk on what feel like broken feet.  Opening any bottles, or sometimes even turning a door handle can be excruciating.  Picking up toddlers is difficult, and getting down onto the floor to play with the kids or then back up again, has been nearly impossible.

The internet, and friends who have had it, say that these symptoms can last up to a year, but that probably at the three month mark, things will be much improved.  I am thankful that no one else in our family has gotten it, and that you can only get it once.  It has also taught me a few important lessons that I think I have learned in the past but need to keep learning again and again.

1. Good health is a gift!  A gift that I need to be thankful for each day.  This is temporary, but there are so many people who have chronic pain or illness, and they need our love, prayers, and practical support.
2. It has made me wonder if I could still be thankful and honor God with my attitude if I had chronic pain…it has been a challenge to live thankfully and joyfully over the past weeks, but we know that our joy does not come from our physical bodies or life, but from a greater hope.  It is challenging to live in that truth despite our circumstances.
3. No matter how self- sufficient or accomplished I may feel some days, I need to recognize that it is only through the strength, body, and mind that God has given me that I am able to do anything at all. We are not in control, which can be both reassuring and frightening at the same time!

We would appreciate your prayers that the pain would continue to lessen, and that even amidst our daily struggles that we would be able to have the joy of the Lord and point others to Him. Thank you!