Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Frustrations...
Today we are back in GenSan... looking for someone who can help us figure out what to do for a patient... we suspect this little girl has skin TB... she is only 7 and her mom is pregnant with number 6... In this country where TB is so prevelant... one would think it isn't that hard... but TB of the skin takes a different test... a biopsy to be exact. After half a dozen stops at different places, we finally found a place that said they could do it... for 2500 pesos... over $50 US! That is a stinkin expensive test. Probably about a months wage for her family. We are working on an alternative. It's just hard here because you have to visit the places in person.. no just looking in a phone book and calling places... Anyway... it's been tough having patients that you can't help for one reason or another. I had another little guy with scabies so bad that he was covered from head to toe... and no meds yet for that. He's been scratching so much that he's got secondary infections that we are working on... but oi...
The patients have been increasing as the word is spreading that we speak a bit of Visaya and we have others who can help interpret... so we will have to set a schedule soon as most patients seem to show up right as we are sitting down to meals... or I guess we could adjust our meal times! ;)
The patients have been increasing as the word is spreading that we speak a bit of Visaya and we have others who can help interpret... so we will have to set a schedule soon as most patients seem to show up right as we are sitting down to meals... or I guess we could adjust our meal times! ;)
The tropics!
It’s definitely true that everything seems to grow faster in a tropical climate… infections being at the top of the list. This past week we had a boy who had gotten a cut in his foot and it had sealed back up, but the infection couldn’t escape…. Dr Sam reopened the wound and drained it, and the boy was supposed to get antibiotics… somehow though he managed to get out the door without his instructions on when to come back, signs of danger and most importantly his meds…. He came back to the clinic after the team was gone and his foot was now hot and tender up to his ankle… We recleaned his wound and started him on antibiotics… with strict instructions on coming back if it got worse. His companions brought him by the next day and his infection was now up to his knee! We discussed going to the hospital but decided to try a stronger med first and since Dr Sam was returning the next day for a few hours we could reevaluate then…. Dr Sam came by… but no sign of the boy. We decided to go find him and if he wasn’t improving then we would take him to the hospital… in the meantime we fixed up a guy who had been chopping a tree when the tree fell on his shin… ow… then the boy with the foot hobbled up all out of breath (someone had sent for him)… His infection was definitely improving so we gave him the rest of the meds and told him to REST (not an easy task here).
That afternoon I noticed that I had the beginning symptoms of a UTI… so I started chugging water and garlic… but like I said, things grow super fast here! By that evening I was doubled over unable to hardly move from the pain… I seriously wanted to just rip my insides out… Joe got up and found me meds and some pain reliever… he set me up with old TV series (Hogan’s Heroes) to distract me from the pain. Finally I was able to return to bed around 5 am. It’s the next day and although there is still pain, it’s improving… but yikes… I have never had a UTI come on so fast and strong. Makes me wonder what the heck people do w/o medical care… and a great reminder of why we are here!
This morning when I finished fixing up a boy who had cut his leg with his machete, his mother complimented me on my Visaya and repeated what many have started to tell me… That once people know they can communicate with us, they will come… but I’m glad for the few patients we see a day currently as it gives us a chance to work into our roles more slowly.
P.S. For those wondering how we are faring with the recent typhoon weather... although the typhoons are north of us... we have definitely seen the effects of it all down here! Last night our roof of our outside kitchen just up and ripped right off and blew over to the neighbors!
That afternoon I noticed that I had the beginning symptoms of a UTI… so I started chugging water and garlic… but like I said, things grow super fast here! By that evening I was doubled over unable to hardly move from the pain… I seriously wanted to just rip my insides out… Joe got up and found me meds and some pain reliever… he set me up with old TV series (Hogan’s Heroes) to distract me from the pain. Finally I was able to return to bed around 5 am. It’s the next day and although there is still pain, it’s improving… but yikes… I have never had a UTI come on so fast and strong. Makes me wonder what the heck people do w/o medical care… and a great reminder of why we are here!
This morning when I finished fixing up a boy who had cut his leg with his machete, his mother complimented me on my Visaya and repeated what many have started to tell me… That once people know they can communicate with us, they will come… but I’m glad for the few patients we see a day currently as it gives us a chance to work into our roles more slowly.
P.S. For those wondering how we are faring with the recent typhoon weather... although the typhoons are north of us... we have definitely seen the effects of it all down here! Last night our roof of our outside kitchen just up and ripped right off and blew over to the neighbors!
Life...
Life continues on and on here in Kihan… School is in full swing, the clinic has a steady trickle of patients and we are adjusting to the brownouts and water outages. Actually there is nothing quite like having a brown out or water outage to make you appreciate both power and water! (Especially when you get both together!)
The REACH team was here on Wednesday through Friday of last week, seeing many patients with a range of problems… I got to assist at several surgeries, including suturing up a neck and a toe… The neck was a closure after Dr Sam removed a golfball size growth the guy had had for several years… the toe was a guy who was riding along on the motorcycle and a piece of wood sliced his little toe pretty much in half under the toenail… OW!
When we went out on Friday to take the team back to their vehicle… we also had a meeting with the mayor and governor… both of whom are very supportive of what we do here in Kihan. Kihan is the poorest barangay on this side of the bay in Sarangani Province. The mayor agreed to propose a government funded permanent midwife position to assist here at Grace Clinic… the governor even agreed to pay her out of his salary until the new year budget could be approved! We left the meeting feeling blessed that we have such a good governor/mayor in place here in our area…
On Sunday we ventured down to the other citio to a church where several health workers that Dr Sam trained go… we were told the news that the mayor had just died that morning.... she was relatively young… only in her upper 40’s maybe…. We were saddened and are praying that the vice mayor will continue to serve the people here with the same integrity that she did.
We are working on the contact situation… mainly internet… like anything… it’s a slow process… but we are hoping within a month to have internet up and running… It was decided this just wasn’t something that was optional as we needed to be able to have contact with Dr Sam and REACH for questions and updates of what’s going on out here! Plus we figure it will save on gas not having to go to Alabel for our email checking!
We are busy busy getting not only the house more comfortable, but also getting the clinic up and running for its ‘official’ opening in Januaryish… I already have a couple pregnant ladies coming for prenatals… one is due here this month, so no chance the birth room will be done in time for her, but she knows if she needs assistance I’ll come to her… Thanks to a few birth clinics in Florida I am stocked with some meds that I need and a few birth basics. Hopefully we’ll get more things as we get up and running.
Well that’s all for now… I’ll post pictures when I get a chance…
Monday, September 21, 2009
Date night catastrophies
On Sunday it was Joe n I's 12 year anniversary! :) We tried to get a date in... but by the time we got out the door, dropped by to do an errand... then got to the mall... it was already time to get the pizza's for the kids. So we ordered the pizza's, grabbed coffee to go and then brought the food back for the hungry hippos... By this time it was already 7 and jet lag was catching up with me, so we took the sitters home and put the kiddos to bed. We already knew we were heading out the next night for a double date with our friends we were staying with.
On Monday Joe n I ran around trying to get all the information gathered for a meeting we had with Sam n Sherri later that afternoon... lots of info to try to get through before we head back to no contact... the meeting lasted till about 5:30... then we ran to pick up Tonia from her friends, then grab quick showers before heading out the door.... As I was just finishing up and Joe had just got in the shower we heard a crash/bang, then a hurt cry... then pounding at the door.... apparently Levi had been running and slipped on the tile and skidded into the corner wall, successfully splitting open his head... It was determined he needed stitches... so back to Dr Sam's we went... bringing along Bri who had an earache... Finally around 7:45 we took the kids back home and headed out for our date! lol... we dropped the bowling off the list and just headed to dinner... lots of laughter in that dinner... (I think you had to be there)... as we laughed off the stress of the day... When we got home one of the gals from church had come... I had forgot she was due to come over to plan the mission trip out to Kihan... so finally just before midnight I climbed my tired tush into bed and didn't wake till morning!
The injury... not the greatest shot... but you get the idea
The super brave boy...
5 Stitches later
The finished product...
He was a super brave boy!
On Monday Joe n I ran around trying to get all the information gathered for a meeting we had with Sam n Sherri later that afternoon... lots of info to try to get through before we head back to no contact... the meeting lasted till about 5:30... then we ran to pick up Tonia from her friends, then grab quick showers before heading out the door.... As I was just finishing up and Joe had just got in the shower we heard a crash/bang, then a hurt cry... then pounding at the door.... apparently Levi had been running and slipped on the tile and skidded into the corner wall, successfully splitting open his head... It was determined he needed stitches... so back to Dr Sam's we went... bringing along Bri who had an earache... Finally around 7:45 we took the kids back home and headed out for our date! lol... we dropped the bowling off the list and just headed to dinner... lots of laughter in that dinner... (I think you had to be there)... as we laughed off the stress of the day... When we got home one of the gals from church had come... I had forgot she was due to come over to plan the mission trip out to Kihan... so finally just before midnight I climbed my tired tush into bed and didn't wake till morning!
The injury... not the greatest shot... but you get the idea
The super brave boy...
5 Stitches later
The finished product...He was a super brave boy!
Friday, September 18, 2009
made it!!
Ways to know you've arrived in the Philippines...
95% humidity - check
smiles and lifting of eyebrows for 'yes' - check
security guards with machine guns in front of every store/bank - check
sweating by 8 am - check
sun rises at 6 and sets at 6... year round - check
crazy fun driving - check
honks to tell other drivers/people you are there - check
showers twice a day from the sweat - check
rice, rice and more rice - check!!!
:) Love it! - check!
The kids were of course super excited to see mom and Joziah/Tonia again... and of course Joe was pretty thrilled too! We left San Francisco in the coldest weather we'd experienced yet... and came home to nice sunny and hot weather! No more need for those sweaters and coats... but we were sure thankful for them on the freezing cold airplanes!
Jet lag has hit... big time... blah...
Tomorrow we have meetings all day... then on Sunday it's Joe n I's 12th anniversary... crazy! I think we'll have to shoot for an early dinner out.. cause I'm wiped around 7pm... although it's 9pm and I'm still awake... barely... course maybe none of this post is making any sense and I should go to bed! lol....
Thanks to everyone who made our trip home special!
95% humidity - check
smiles and lifting of eyebrows for 'yes' - check
security guards with machine guns in front of every store/bank - check
sweating by 8 am - check
sun rises at 6 and sets at 6... year round - check
crazy fun driving - check
honks to tell other drivers/people you are there - check
showers twice a day from the sweat - check
rice, rice and more rice - check!!!
:) Love it! - check!
The kids were of course super excited to see mom and Joziah/Tonia again... and of course Joe was pretty thrilled too! We left San Francisco in the coldest weather we'd experienced yet... and came home to nice sunny and hot weather! No more need for those sweaters and coats... but we were sure thankful for them on the freezing cold airplanes!
Jet lag has hit... big time... blah...
Tomorrow we have meetings all day... then on Sunday it's Joe n I's 12th anniversary... crazy! I think we'll have to shoot for an early dinner out.. cause I'm wiped around 7pm... although it's 9pm and I'm still awake... barely... course maybe none of this post is making any sense and I should go to bed! lol....
Thanks to everyone who made our trip home special!
Thursday, September 10, 2009
horse crazy
Like many 12 yr olds... Tonia is in love with horses... her one desire here on our trip was to ride... unfortunately we didn't get the chance... but... we did call a horse center near my sisters and she got to assist with a therapy session today for a couple hours. She was just as excited to brush and walk along with the horse as she would be if she'd ridden.
Yesterday we headed out early and went to the Science museum... it was featuring space and the kids had a blast in the mercury module ride and all the cool space gear to check out... whoever thought up the idea of a science museum gets 2 thumbs up! The kids came home with so much information! Gotta love those sponge brains!
Sadly today was our last day with Christine (my sister), as we head to Texas tomorrow to be with my friend from days gone by... :) Then on Monday we make our way to Dallas to be near the airport for our early morning flight out on Tuesday... We don't actually leave the US until Wednesday because of all the layovers... but we'll be on our way! Hard to believe 5 weeks will have gone by by the time we return home!
I feel much more 'ready' to return... plus Joe said he installed the shower heater... so praise God for a HOT shower!!!! He also has been busy building shutters so that when it's rainy and stormy... we don't get all wet! Phew! Now closing in the bathroom to help decrease the critter visitors at night... and then maybe walls for a temp bedroom for us!
Thank you so much for all who prayed for us during this crazy transition... we love you!
Yesterday we headed out early and went to the Science museum... it was featuring space and the kids had a blast in the mercury module ride and all the cool space gear to check out... whoever thought up the idea of a science museum gets 2 thumbs up! The kids came home with so much information! Gotta love those sponge brains!
Sadly today was our last day with Christine (my sister), as we head to Texas tomorrow to be with my friend from days gone by... :) Then on Monday we make our way to Dallas to be near the airport for our early morning flight out on Tuesday... We don't actually leave the US until Wednesday because of all the layovers... but we'll be on our way! Hard to believe 5 weeks will have gone by by the time we return home!
I feel much more 'ready' to return... plus Joe said he installed the shower heater... so praise God for a HOT shower!!!! He also has been busy building shutters so that when it's rainy and stormy... we don't get all wet! Phew! Now closing in the bathroom to help decrease the critter visitors at night... and then maybe walls for a temp bedroom for us!
Thank you so much for all who prayed for us during this crazy transition... we love you!
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
LaVerne
When we first arrived here at my sisters house in Oklahoma, her husband took Joziah to a Model T group get together (Joziah just LOveS old things)... anyway, when Hap (my brother in law) introduced Joziah to the group he intro'd him as LaVerne... the name has stuck and now spread... Joziah even introduced himself as LaVerne to some people... he's decided to change his name to LaVerne Cave...lol... Today we are headed to the science museum with a gal from the model T group... when I called her to set the time I introduced myself, then said I was Joziah's mom... neither of which struck a remembrance... then I said... "LaVerne's mom"... OH!! She got it then! Ah yes.. my children are goofy!
Monday, September 7, 2009
a few shots from Joe
The three amigas...
just not missionary material
I have made the comment many times that our family just doesn't fit the mold for 'typical' missionary family... while that may be true (cause we're far from normal!)... but I have realized that there are more and more people that are coming to the mission field not out of sense of duty to convert as many people as they can... but they are coming out of an overwhelming desire to show people all over the world of Jesus LOVE for us... HE doesn't desire religious acts... HE desires a RELATIONSHIP... We don't do things for him out of trying to work desperately to be redeemed... that's already been taken care of! We live the life we live because we were once in that place of confusion, of chaos inside... and now we have PEACE... and the difference is enough that we are willing to give up the comforts of our life, of our physical needs... to let others know that that peace is free... a gift... no strings attached... you don't have to make sure you go to church 3 times a weeks to please this God.. no need for prayer memorization or any other religious act... he simply wants you... just where you are... to give you a freedom from the voices inside of you... the war, the struggle, the emptiness... and he simply asks for a relationship with Him in return.
So I apologize to the many missionaries out there that are giving of their lives to show the love of our Father to people all around the world... they/we are making a 'new mold', a better one! These 'missionaries' are all over... on the home front and abroad... they make up all colors, nations, tongues and tribes... and soon... the world will see... that the creator of the universe... the Alpha/Omega... LOveS them!!
SWEET!!!
So I apologize to the many missionaries out there that are giving of their lives to show the love of our Father to people all around the world... they/we are making a 'new mold', a better one! These 'missionaries' are all over... on the home front and abroad... they make up all colors, nations, tongues and tribes... and soon... the world will see... that the creator of the universe... the Alpha/Omega... LOveS them!!
SWEET!!!
Friday, September 4, 2009
Oh... and one more 'little' thing...
I pASseD!!! YEAH!!! Got my letter yesterday... officially a CPM!... :)
I can go home now!!!
I can go home now!!!
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
FINALLY!
After more than a week with no word from Joe... he finally 'emerged' from the village to check email and get supplies from the city. I happen to be up late that night and so I got to chat with him for awhile on IM... what a nice treat!
He caught me up on the happenings of the village... mostly it was good to hear about how even those that are non Christians have been saying how it's nothing short of a gift from God that we are there... They just can't comprehend how we would give up our comfortable lives to live there... for them... It's so neat the way that God uses the fact that missionaries often do give up there comfort for the sake of others as a representation of how He gave his only son... to leave the awesomeness and comfort of heaven to come down here to this evil and yucky world... just so that we might have a restored relationship with Him!!!
After talking with Joe I am more than ready to go back... sigh... but I still have a couple weeks here in the states and know that I need to get a few more things in order before I leave... our house in Wasilla has kept us on our knees trying to hear what God wants for us in that regard... to sell, not to sell... all I can say is we are praying for His way to be known!
Also if anyone is interested in donating used baby clothes for me to take back... please let me know asap and I will get you the address of where to send them... Even if they don't come before I go I will be having a box shipped after I leave I think...
Well here is a few drawings that Joe sent and a picture of Tyler dancing in the Barangay festival... Meghan apparently chickened out! lol...
He caught me up on the happenings of the village... mostly it was good to hear about how even those that are non Christians have been saying how it's nothing short of a gift from God that we are there... They just can't comprehend how we would give up our comfortable lives to live there... for them... It's so neat the way that God uses the fact that missionaries often do give up there comfort for the sake of others as a representation of how He gave his only son... to leave the awesomeness and comfort of heaven to come down here to this evil and yucky world... just so that we might have a restored relationship with Him!!!
After talking with Joe I am more than ready to go back... sigh... but I still have a couple weeks here in the states and know that I need to get a few more things in order before I leave... our house in Wasilla has kept us on our knees trying to hear what God wants for us in that regard... to sell, not to sell... all I can say is we are praying for His way to be known!
Also if anyone is interested in donating used baby clothes for me to take back... please let me know asap and I will get you the address of where to send them... Even if they don't come before I go I will be having a box shipped after I leave I think...
Well here is a few drawings that Joe sent and a picture of Tyler dancing in the Barangay festival... Meghan apparently chickened out! lol...
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