Experience of Being Sick in Tibet

Before I share my story , I will tell you that from the beginning of my decision to go to Tibet and China, my greatest intention was to learn all I could about ancient Tibetan medicine. I often manifest what I create intentions around so the fact that I was sick did not come as a great surprise to me!
Prior to coming to Tibet each of the group received information about altitude sickness and the advisement of taking medicine BEFORE arriving in Tibet.I am not thrilled about taking medicine, especially not thrilled about only relying on Western Medicine so I opted to pick up an herbal medicine at my local health food store. I only took it once before arriving in Tibet and decided I would not need it! In each room of the hotel were supplied two small oxygen tanks that last 10-15 minutes, and the hotel has a Tibetan doctor available 24/7. The first night in Tibet I became extremely hot, even though I did not have a fever; in addition I became feeling quite nauseous; in the early morning I used the first oxygen tank and that day participated in the group’s planned events. I completely lost my appetite and stayed in the room the second night without eating, and had developed the most intense headache I have ever experienced. With my roommate’s help and encouragement, I used the second oxygen tank. I then developed more nausea with dry heaves, more waves of being very hot, dizziness, and very strange dreams when I could sleep. During the night I heard an inner message that I was not to go with the group on Day 3. The second day we had visited a Tibetan Hospital and that was the primary reason I had come on this journey. Our host was a doctor who had trained in the USA, and had returned to Tibet to practice medicine after being disillusioned with Western Medicine. I was fascinated with this man’s description of Tibetan Medicine to the point that my soul longed to stay in Tibet and learn more from him! In spite of being sick, I am so pleased that I attended this professional event!
Back to Day 3….I was going to try to eat breakfast but as I went by the hotel clerk’s desk, I stopped and told the clerk I needed the doctor. I was instructed to return to my room. I had felt worse on Day 2 than I did this day but learned long ago it is imperative that I always listen to the messages of my body. The doctor, who did not speak English came to my room shortly and took my vital signs. My blood pressure was pretty normal for me, no fever, but my oxygen saturation level which is supposed to be 98-100, was 57! I also had noticed walking to my room to wait for the doctor that I was having difficulty walking. My treatment consisted of a huge oxygen tank hooked up with a nasal canula for 6 hours , an IV for rehydration into which the doctor injected liquid herbal medicine, and I was given 3 different sets of Tibetan herbal medicine which I took by mouth; one set was 3 triangular very hard pill like medicine that I was told to chew. By this time the doctor had called a hotel staff member who spoke English to come to the room to inform me what was happening. I slept most of the day, and finally was feeling better. That night I was able to eat 50% of my dinner and slept well. The next day when I awakened I could not believe how great I felt! I felt I was 20 years younger with the energy I had many years ago. Even at my best at age 59, I feel energetic but the difference after Tibetan medicine was incredible! I still feel it! So my intention of learning about Tibetan medicine was to experience it first hand, the way the Universe and my Creator know I learn! So, I am actively searching for a Tibetan doctor on the East Coast where I live. I have long believed in the combination of Western/Eastern medicine, and this experience further validated my belief. Altitude sickness affects some, but not all people. Lhasa is around 12,000 feet. I did drink plenty of water before arriving, and took vitamins, am in good health. Why I developed altitude sickness does not concern me. I am grateful for this experience and it will not stop me from returning to Tibet in the future!