NPO

Hi,

How are you all? I'm checking email a bit more than I thought I would, and I don't really mind as this is my "holiday" and I can do what I want with my time.

I'm actually not feeling well. And, I've diagnosed myself with an esophageal ulcer related to the doxycycline I'm taking to prevent malaria. Shit! It hurts. It feels like an internal cut where every time I eat or swallow it feels like someone is rubbing sandpaper in my esophagus. I made the mistake of taking the pill too close to bed time and it has now eaten away at my innards. Its been hurting for 3 days. I'm partly to blame as I have been drinking a bit more of coffee and coca cola here. But, damn, no bueno. I can not continue to take that medication.



Yesterday was big! Jenny and I went to the street with Mama Nurse (Devotha) to see some street kids- check up on them and give some mebendazole - a de-worming medication. We walked around Moshi and met up with a few really cute kids that led us to this room where about 16 of them were staying. They were all under the age of about 15. We walked in this room that had 4 bunks with some destroyed foam. The kids were happy to see Mama Nurse and Jenny. They chatted, and were silly like little boys are. Their scraps and cuts were attended to and we encouraged hand washing. This room was rented for them by (I hope this is right) a doctor who was somehow related to the Center. Its not a good option, but perhaps better than sleeping on the street. A few of the kids were messed up, most likely glue and booze. It was pretty sad. Its not like I didn't expect to see something like that though. Many of the kids were orphaned or ran away; Jenny's program works with them to establish a relationship and get them a better life through education and ultimately trust.



The afternoon was also pretty heavy. Jenny and I met up with Neema and her mom, Happiness at the hospital. This totally violates all HIPPA rules. Neema is a student of Jen's best friend and so she asked us to help them out. I guess if they see white people at the hospital it helps things move along sometimes. Anyway, Happiness went to the eye clinic related to a "cyst" on her eye ball. She came out with the script and I looked at it and it said squamous cell carcinoma. Now, I don't speak any Swahili nor do I know the medical system here. All I know is that it looked bad, and it broke my heart to see her suffer.

Neema and I chatted for a few hours while her mom got the ultrasound prior to the surgery. She told me that she is 17 and wants to make a better life for herself. She knows all about computer programs and she wants to be a secretary. Now this girl is smart! I was really impressed with her English and her smile. She really wants to succeed and become someone. I know that she will! I gave her a lot of praise that she will get to where she wants and to not stop at just being a secretary. I really do think she can go far. The difficult thing is that it is just her and her mom, and after this major surgery, it wont be easy for either of them.



Its a difficult contrast when you go to the bank and take out enough money for your safari in the Serengeti and know that that money could pay for many years of education for a child like Neema. What is selfish? I could debate that coming to Africa and taking this trip is selfish, simply on the cost of airfare. However, I think its these experiences that make life richer and I can think about a bigger way to help the earth as well as human beings. Its like that saying where there were all the starfish washed up on the shore and its an impossible task to throw them all back in the ocean. Why bother? Well, because it matters to the ones that you do help.



There is so much beauty and devastation side by side here. As there is in all parts of the world. I have to say I'm really looking forward to my esophagus feeling better. For you nurses that are reading this I'm making myself NPO for the rest of the day.



Other than that, my love to you all!



Oh... one other thing, we watched Shaka Zulu last night and let me say, I'm really getting the African experience. David Hasselhoff, wooo, so hot.