Malaria 1 : 0 Samantha

So I went to see a doctor to get some medicine. My sinuses were blocked, and I started to get a sore throat. But overall, it wasn’t too bad.

The doctor I was seeing for the medicine did a malaria test, just to be certain. In that moment, I was 100% sure that it was just a cold. They poked my finger to get some blood out. After 30 minutes of waiting, the result came, it was negative. I didn’t have malaria. So, I just got some meds for my cold and rested at home.

The next day, I was feeling good without any cold symptoms. I had 8 sectors of flying to do. We took off and landed, took off and landed, took off and landed… 6 sectors down. BOOOOMMM! I was shivering and sweating all of sudden. I had a massive headache that distracted my decision making. I couldn’t think straight.

When the plane landed at our base, we cancelled the last two legs. I felt something was weird as I never get so sick.

Somehow I survived two days with the same symptoms I had before. I was dehydrated from sweating but I was cold at the same time. It was like someone was smashing my head with a big hammer.

I decided to go to a different hospital, where they put me on a drip which felt a little bit better. I was hospitalised for one night in a very dirty room with lots of cockroaches.

First drip

When I was discharged the next morning, the symptoms were still the same. I went to a third hospital. This looked a bit more professional-ish as it was run by the military.

They recommended I do a malaria test and also put me on a drip. The result was POSITIVE! I have a malaria! I immediately felt so much better just for knowing what I had.

Second drip

The company flew me to Jakarta the next day for a better treatment (and a better room), which was done professionally. I was very thankful.

I was hospitalised in Jakarta for 4 days! First two days, I did not want to go back to Papua at all. I wanted to go home to see my family. But after that, I missed Papua. It was so weird. I could not believe it. I truely missed the flying, the kids in villages, and the crew who helped me a lot during my sickness.

Third drip

not recommended

What an experience! Looking back, I thought i was going to die but I am actually thankful that I experienced malaria! I felt like I got to the next stage of being a true “Jungle Pilot”.