Itching and Scratching

I've heard Haitians talk about how illness moves around in there bodies.  "IT" is up here, and than "IT" is down there.  Well, last week I wore a new pair of underwear...from the US, but still taped together.  As the day progressed, I thought something had bitten me right where the underwear meets the top of my leg.  That night, I noticed a welt the length of a cigarette at the same place.  Then I noticed red blotches on my belly, arms, and legs.  Then it spun out of control.  On Friday the welts were all over my 'back side'.  And my arms.  Itching would be extreme at one place, and then move to another.  At one point, both feet were swelling up and itched like CRAAAAAAZY.  My hands were swollen and itchy at another point.  What scared me the most was after a brief nap brought on by alcohol swabbing and some lotion, I woke up to itchy, swollen, red lips.  That's when I sought medical attention...which I never got.  The good folks at Water For Life provided a way for me to get to a hospital, but on a Saturday evening the only way you can really get to see a doctor is if you're bleeding badly.  I was not.  In fact the air-conditioned ride to the hospital had actually reduced the welts and swelling.  I looked fine.  Back home after the unsuccessful trip to see a doctor, I felt a pain in my upper back.  "IT" was moving all over the place!  I prayed and slept that Saturday evening.  By Sunday morning all was well...as has been ever since. 

After a day of good health and no itching, I wrote a song...

HE PUT THE WATER IN THE COCONUT
HE PUT THE MANGO UP IN THE TREE
HE WRAPPED THE SWEET BANANA IN ITS SKIN
OH!  THE THINGS HE DOES FOR ME!