La Clinica
So I went for the procedure. I really don’t know what I was thinking. Really now, what did I think was going to happen? How is a small hose supposed to get down your throat and into your stomach? Well, lets just say it didn’t go to well. I really tried to be a good patient and I did every thing the doctor said, but I couldn’t get the tube down without vomiting. Finally on the 4th try it went all the way to my stomach – by-the-way, the anesthesia in my throat has worn off and I never took a sedative – the camera didn’t stay long enough in my stomach to see anything. I began to vomit and then couldn’t breath and truly thought I was about to die. I think the doctor was almost as scared as I was. I guess most people here have no problem with foreign objects in their throat – no really, apparently the gag reflex is stronger among North Americans than among South Americans. Perhaps not a documented fact but noted by the nurses down here. I will not be returning anytime soon to repeat the procedure.
October
I hate the fact that I want to begin each blog entry with an apology for not writing sooner – because it has been awhile . . . . .October has been interesting. We started the month with a beautiful weekend. Yeah, the weather was nice but it was election weekend. Finally after months and months of seeing candidates faces plastered all over the city and on every passing motortaxi the day finally arrived to vote. Voting in Peru is obligatory for all citizens and you receive a fine if you don’t. It is against the law to have any public gatherings that day so we held church the night before and we just going to stay in and lay low on Sunday (you never know what can happen here). The best part about the weekend is that the dry law goes into effect. There are (or let’s say “shouldn’t be” ) any sales of alcohol a few days before and after the election. That meant that for two nights there was no dicoteca music. All was quiet!!! And after an extremely busy Saturday we where able to stay home and do nothing . . .It was so wonderful!
I nice election weekend has turned into several public demonstration in the town center, closed roads, and threat of strikes. The vote is very close between the “parrot” and the “cocona” (people here vote according to picture since alot are illiterate. Cocona is a fruit) the election is close and was not as clean as it should have been. We heard rumor of a big strike on Thursday, which is my regular day for shopping in town, so we went out Wednesday afternoon. Thursday’s strike turned out to be nothing and I had a nice day at home since my shopping was already done and it’s my day off from school.
Wish I could say that being home was a great day to get things done – I spent most of it in bed. I have had something wrong with me for almost 8 weeks now. I have been nauseous, vomiting, with abdominal pain, tired. . . .I really thought I was pregnant. I have been losing weight because of it and I feel miserable for days . . . .but then it goes away for 3 days and I forget about it . . .and then it is back. For 2 months this has been the pattern. I was tested for parasites, had some, took meds three times and I am still in pain. I went for an ultrasound yesterday and my gallbladder and all look fine so I am heading for an endoscopy today. I don’t want to do this but I have been advised it is the next course of action and the doctor who will perform it is the best so I go in a few hours. If I could only describe to you the conditions and the risks . . .any way, please pray. We need lots of prayer. Not only for health but for a lot of things.