Update from the front lines; Dec 11th.

[leaford]

Sorry I haven't been keeping up the posts, I fell a bit ill a couple days ago. At first it was just a bad case of the runs and some nausea, so I figured it must have been from the tap water. I wasn't foolish enough to drink the stuff, but I used it to brush my teeth just like I always do in Thailand. I had a small supply of antibiotics my doctor gave me before leaving, so I took them and hoped for the best.

But I didn't get better, and today it progressed to vomiting, so I let the girls at the factory talk me into going to the hospital. I couldn't find any kind of tourist hospital, so I went to the communist government run National Hospital, which was ALMOST as bad as I had feared. Everything was dirty, there was no equipment in the exam room, the toilets were filthy squat toilets, and there wasn't even any soap!

One blood sample, urine sample, and stool sample later, and the doctor pronounced it the flu. He gave me some unidentified small white tablets, some more antibiotics, an anti-diarrheal, and a Traditional Chinese Medicine powder made out of flatworms or something. I threw out the TCM crap, and took the rest. Now my stomach and bowels are feeling a bit better, but I am more dizzy and lightheaded, and a bit more queasy, than before taking it. So, kind of two steps forward and one step back.

WIth me off their case, the factory fell a bit behind, so nothing shipped Weds or Thurs, but this morning they shipped Caramel, Parliament, and a new flavor; Smilin Special Menthol, Steve's own creation, a blend of coffee and two kinds of mint!

Also, they shipped the first of our Sampler packs, the Tobacco Shop Sampler, which includes Cowboy, Kamel, Virginia, Parliament, and French Pipe.

[plantlvr]

Oh wow Leaford I hope you feel better soon! it sucks to be sick so far from home, been there. Get as much rest as you can and keep on not drinking the water! Best wishes from Cali

[Justin Credible]

Take it easy and get well. I believe that we have enough flavors to order from to tide us over until you're feeling better.

[MeMa]

I'm so sorry to hear that you are sick! Wishing you a speedy recovery! Take good care of yourself.

[leaford]

Thanks everyone. I've been trying to rest, but still get done what I can via computer. Hopefully tomorrow I'll be back in action. Tonight I'm definitely going to sleep earlier than usual; I already took an extra one of my anti-anxiety meds and that always puts me out.

[leeshor]

It's got to be the food. Probably the stuff you had to use gloves to eat.

[pianoguy]

Hope you're feeling better soon - nothing worse than being sick away from home!

[keyzygirl]

I think its the bugs you ate!!!YUCK!!!!

[kdcaines]

Take care of yourself leaford!! get some rest, and feel better soon!!!

[TheTout]

Get some rest, feel better soon!!!