TUESDAY
Lets face it, I’ve had much worse things stuck
to the bottom of my shoe but this is definitely a first. I was so preoccupied
with not losing my footing whilst trudging through the undergrowth that I
didn't even see what it was that I had stepped on.
It first felt kind of mushy, with
plenty of give, which would explain why my step kept moving forward onto it - no
traction to be able to push off of… whatever it was. It wasn't until I had put
all my weight down that I felt the sharp pain shoot up through my foot and up
my calf. Grabbing a nearby branch I managed with some considerable effort to
hoist myself clear and sit down on a nearby log in order to inspect my foot.
Cross-legged, with the foot turned
upwards, I scanned for the damage, gently brushing away loose bits of dirt and leaves.
The sharp pain had faded almost as quickly as it had hit me and instead a
strange numbness had taken its place. Running a hand slowly along the sole of
the boot I eventually discovered the hole. Something had indeed penetrated the
thick rubber of my hiking boots, but whatever it was, no trace of it remained.
I could sense a slight squelching of blood but no pain – strange…
I managed to hobble my way back to
the research station so that I could clean up and dress the wound. It’s not the
worst thing that's happened to me whilst I’ve been out here - and besides, the
relief team will be coming in a few days and I can get it looked at properly by a
medic once they take me back to base camp.
For
now, business as usual I guess…
WEDNESDAY
Woke up today with a pounding
headache and dry mouth. Felt a bit dizzy standing up. Thought it would be a
good idea to keep doing this audio log just so I can tell the medics exactly
what my symptoms are when they do get here.
Looking at my foot again, the
wound looks angry and swollen. It still feels numb but occasionally I feel it
twitch and spasm unexpectedly, especially when I keep very still. Taken some
antibiotics as a precaution.
Tried to get more research done today but my head
remained fuzzy – hard to concentrate on anything.
THURSDAY
Staying in bed today. So tired. My
foot feels itchy. Swear I felt it move once or twice last night - kept waking
me up. Let me take a look…
Oh God - it a growth of some sort.
Maybe this is the worst thing I have
stepped on after all... I’m usually okay with being on my own but this time I
actually feel a little... scared? It’s so swollen… and itchy.
Wait – did that just move again?
It feels… rhythmic. Kind of like… breathing?
FRIDAY
I can’t move… It’s growing.
Growing out of my foot. Bloody mess… What is that? Looks like… a face…? oh God,
oh God… Need help… but so drowsy… so…
SAT
< No log entry recorded >
SUN
Hello? Hello? Oh it’s recording…
Not quite sure what happened. It feels like I’ve woken up from a bad dream. I
can tell its not though – there is a bloody mess on the floor next to my bed.
It looks like a body of some sort. Familiar… but I can’t quite place it…
Why am I not freaking out right
now? I actually feel great. For once I feel really calm… refreshed.
I feel… like I need to go for a
walk. Something’s drawing me out into the jungle.
It feels good.
It feels like…
I’m going home…
< No further log entries
recorded >
25th July 2012
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