Okay, so i spent yesterday morning in the clinic again treating an allergic reaction to raw eggs. I have succcessfully avoided my personal kryptonite for 22 years, and then in Greece I have two awful encounters within four weeks! What is going on here? I ate a piece of spanikopita, something I indulge in frequently in the States -- heck, I even make it at home a few times a month! It is a BAKED snack! So what was the problem? The Greek doctor and our hotel manager say that they don't bake it very long here in order to keep it 'moist.' Huh.
I'm pretty sure this was cooked, though, so now I'm a little concerned that I may be allergic to something unknown -- how can you avoid the unknown?
Grrrr. I feel gross and my dig-mates are pretty disgusted at the amount of raw egg we consume every day. For the first time this trip, I REALLY want to go home.
Showing posts with label raw egg. Show all posts
Showing posts with label raw egg. Show all posts
Wednesday, August 1, 2007
Thursday, July 5, 2007
The 4th, Drugged Kate, and How to Reach Me
The end of the 4th of J
uly included REAL gin and tonics with limes imported from New York -- Greece doesn't seem to grow limes, as far as any of us know. We finished dinner and had a rousing game of pictionary. But the highlight of the evening was Professor McCredie's entrance, with great fanfare, in Sylvester the Jeep, sporting the American and Greek flags. We all clapped. We clapped harder when the ice, gin and whiskey made it's appearance.
uly included REAL gin and tonics with limes imported from New York -- Greece doesn't seem to grow limes, as far as any of us know. We finished dinner and had a rousing game of pictionary. But the highlight of the evening was Professor McCredie's entrance, with great fanfare, in Sylvester the Jeep, sporting the American and Greek flags. We all clapped. We clapped harder when the ice, gin and whiskey made it's appearance.Here's a photo from ouzo hour -- Yong, Genevieve, Melissa and Amy; Professor Wescoat and her family --- Bailey (standing), Ryan and Abby.
Today, I have nothing to report because I feel drugged. I took another 2.5 hour nap that I will blame on the pills the doctor gave me. I can't 
wait to feel better -- my thesis is weighing on my brain!
Finally, you can reach me by mail at:
American Excavations, Palaiopolis, GR-680-2 Samothrace, Greece
or by phone at 011-30-25510-41166. No pressure, but Michelle asked for my address in order to use up her air-mail stationary. All notes are welcome!
Finally, a shout-out to the birthday kids! My sister Kerri, July 2, Andy Sawatzki, July 3, and Michelle Woolley, July 4. Way to get older, everyone.
Wednesday, July 4, 2007
Greek Medical System
Happy fourth of July! It is a normal workday here, but we had special delicious Greek custard pastry this morning and I am about to attend an extra-special ouzo hour this evening. Word is that Professor McCredie decorates his car for the 4th of July -- this should be fun to watch!
Unfortunately, I am allergic to the special delicious Greek custard pastry. It looks cooked, but perhaps the custard wasn't fully cooked, so I had an allergic reaction and had to be taken to the local clinic. My professors were very nice to me, and stayed the entire time to be sure I was okay. The doctor was less impressed-- he was convinced that I was just suffering from anxiety and offered some Zanax. I explained that my tongue was swollen to double its local size, and so it was probably a real problem, even if raw egg doesn't usually make an appearance in this particular pastry. They gave me an IV with some sort of drug that worked almost immediately and my tongue was back to its happy self. Then the drug made me super dizzy. But in the end, I was fine -- about an hour after the whole shebang, I was back at the hotel having lunch and then taking a long nap.
The Greeks were nice and efficient, although the hospital attire was interesting. The woman who actually put the IV needle in -- with five nurses arguing and watching -- was wearing an orange United Colors of Benetton tank top, jeans and sandals. Another nurse sported the same top in gray. My doctor was wearing a tie-dyed T shirt and pants. About 10 staff were in every room, and many of the shelves holding up the saline solution, or whatever they use for IVs, were made of plywood sheeting on metal ikea supports. Appearances aside, they did their job and didn't charge me anything. Amen to socialist medicine!
I am mostly just embarrased that, after 24 years from my last attack, I don't know better than to ask about raw egg! What a hullaballoo. Looking forward to a normal day tomorrow!
Unfortunately, I am allergic to the special delicious Greek custard pastry. It looks cooked, but perhaps the custard wasn't fully cooked, so I had an allergic reaction and had to be taken to the local clinic. My professors were very nice to me, and stayed the entire time to be sure I was okay. The doctor was less impressed-- he was convinced that I was just suffering from anxiety and offered some Zanax. I explained that my tongue was swollen to double its local size, and so it was probably a real problem, even if raw egg doesn't usually make an appearance in this particular pastry. They gave me an IV with some sort of drug that worked almost immediately and my tongue was back to its happy self. Then the drug made me super dizzy. But in the end, I was fine -- about an hour after the whole shebang, I was back at the hotel having lunch and then taking a long nap.
The Greeks were nice and efficient, although the hospital attire was interesting. The woman who actually put the IV needle in -- with five nurses arguing and watching -- was wearing an orange United Colors of Benetton tank top, jeans and sandals. Another nurse sported the same top in gray. My doctor was wearing a tie-dyed T shirt and pants. About 10 staff were in every room, and many of the shelves holding up the saline solution, or whatever they use for IVs, were made of plywood sheeting on metal ikea supports. Appearances aside, they did their job and didn't charge me anything. Amen to socialist medicine!
I am mostly just embarrased that, after 24 years from my last attack, I don't know better than to ask about raw egg! What a hullaballoo. Looking forward to a normal day tomorrow!
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