The time has come.....the trip to Niger, West Africa!
Just a quick overview here: All of you know that I love to travel and have come from a family where missions is emphasized. As far as I'm concerned, love for traveling + love for God = missions. It might not be that simple, but both of those ingredients are pretty essential.
I've been a practicing PA for 2.5 years now, and I have put in enough time and effort that the hospital is willing to give me 3 weeks off. I've been keeping my eyes peeled for a need, preferably in Africa. Unfortunately, many mission organizations haven't grasped the amazing utility of PAs in underserved countries!
I'm leaving for Niger, West Africa on Thursday the 26th. I'll be working in a hospital and outpatient clinic in a village just north of the Nigeria border. It is a hospital run by SIM. I'll be flying over by myself and then working with long-term missionaries.
There have been a couple bumps in the road. Last week there was a coup in the capital of Niamey and then president is currently in custody. There hasn't been any violence since that time (at least in the news) and I'm keeping a close eye on things. At this point, I'm planning on going unless things flare up. Also, there is a threat for a strike of air traffic controllers in Paris. That could cause some delays too.
I'll appreciate prayer in the following 3 areas:
* Safety - Traveling to and within the country. That the coup will remain nonviolent and I'll be able to get out of the country as well.
* Focus - I won't be treating much cancer there. I've read up on a lot of the illnesses, but it is still a lot of new information. Pray that I would learn quickly and apply what I have learned well.
* Clarity - I've been interested in living overseas for awhile. Pray that I would be refreshed and that I would learn a lot about missionary life. I am hoping to have a clearer vision---whether I'm supposed to continue to give more money in the future, take trips like this yearly, or end up overseas full time at some point in the future.
I'm excited to learn about a new culture....wait until you see my great pictures with me in a long skirt and a head covering!
Facts about the country: 95% Muslim, French is the primary language, Niger ranks last in the Human Development Index, 61% of people make less than or equal to $1 a day.
Monday, February 22, 2010
Thursday, February 18, 2010
"let's hear it for new york..."
maybe i didn't meet alicia keys and jay z....but i did go to new york!
angie had talked about going to new york to get her wedding dress prior to even dating her fiance. we didn't think it was going to work, but it did! kerwyn, mrs. qualey, angie, and i were able to meet up in the big apple. shannon, one of her other bridesmaids, was in town for business too.



we had a good time at Carnegie Hall, in Times Square, and Kleinfelds. she is going to look very classy for her wedding. 

for me, it was just great to spend additional time getting to know kerwyn too. he is growing on me and i think they are going to be a great couple!
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
the specific area of medicine i work in isn't always the most gratifying....i'm not a surgeon...i'm not even a doctor...and i rarely get to fix anyone. i won't make one of those USA Today Top 100 healthcare provider lists based on my cure rate. some days i wish i had more wins....but most days i know that i'm exactly in the right place, even if it isn't recognized with banners and trumpets!
okay, not the best pic ever, but it shows the shirt.
teachers are told not to have favorite students; i think most teachers do have favorites. the same thing happens for me. i honestly treat everyone medically the same, but you have patients and families that you connect with on a deeper level. the more you invest, the more you get hurt. that is true in all aspects of life.
all this to say that i lost a father of 4 a couple weeks ago. his wife said that i looked like his old girlfriend, which is why she thought he liked me so much! (they have been married 20 years). she and i got along wonderfully, which made it okay! they had a whole community of support behind them and after his passing, they gave me a t-shirt that the local high school football team had made as a fundraiser. now, i do cry or get watery-eyed pretty often in my job....and this was no exception. it is hands down one of the two best gifts that i have gotten from a patient....not the item itself, but the t-shirt was an expression of thankfulness for what his family and the medical team had tried to do. we tried to give him as much time as possible. it resulted in sadness, but also a mutual respect and admiration. the interactions with my patients are priceless and the stress, tears, and nights with a heavy heart are worth it...my role might not allow me to cure as often as i would like, but it opens the door for emotional depth that few other careers offer.

Friday, February 12, 2010
a new idea
i thought of a way that i can compete in the olympics!
mom was born in greece, so she can file for greece citizenship. then, i'll be eligible for citizenship. during this process, i'll take up cross country skiing or curling...then i compete in the greek winter team. they didn't have a team at all this year, so i just might qualify as a pity vote!
otherwise, i don't think i'll ever qualify....i just want to be able to walk in the parade of nations and meet all the people from all over the world!
mom was born in greece, so she can file for greece citizenship. then, i'll be eligible for citizenship. during this process, i'll take up cross country skiing or curling...then i compete in the greek winter team. they didn't have a team at all this year, so i just might qualify as a pity vote!
otherwise, i don't think i'll ever qualify....i just want to be able to walk in the parade of nations and meet all the people from all over the world!
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
remember when....
...the nancy kerrigan/tonya harding saga was top billing on the news? Cool Runnings was the hottest new movie? Bode Miller was in the news for winning medals instead of weekend partying? Johnson won the gold in speed skating after losing 4 years previously after family tragedy?
the olympics start again on Friday and i'm pretty excited! christy and i used to love figure skating. i just don't hear about it anymore....in fact, i can't name one figure skater that is representing the USA. that is so sad!
i'm anxious to get caught up in the spirit of things and to learn about the athletes. the bios on the athletes are highlights for me and i love getting caught up in the medal ceremony. i think that is the most patriotic i ever feel!
maybe i'll take up luge....more likely, i'll be wanting to visit vancouver sometime soon!
the olympics start again on Friday and i'm pretty excited! christy and i used to love figure skating. i just don't hear about it anymore....in fact, i can't name one figure skater that is representing the USA. that is so sad!
i'm anxious to get caught up in the spirit of things and to learn about the athletes. the bios on the athletes are highlights for me and i love getting caught up in the medal ceremony. i think that is the most patriotic i ever feel!
maybe i'll take up luge....more likely, i'll be wanting to visit vancouver sometime soon!
Sunday, February 7, 2010
GAME DAY!!
if you didn't know....it is the superbowl today. the contestants are the indianapolis colts vs. the new orleans saints. if you weren't aware, it is time that you own a television or turn on the radio!
of course, i'm cheering for the colts. i'm going to a party with some people from my sunday school class. it will be good to meet more people, but i definitely want to see the game....the whole game. if you want it by yourself or with football fanatics, than you know there won't be a lot of talking during the plays....no guarantee in this situation!
i'll be slightly disappointed if the colts don't win tonight, but the saints are a deserving team as well. the great thing is...it is only football! GO COLTS!
****side note....i initially wrote superbowel....only someone working in GI would do that!****
of course, i'm cheering for the colts. i'm going to a party with some people from my sunday school class. it will be good to meet more people, but i definitely want to see the game....the whole game. if you want it by yourself or with football fanatics, than you know there won't be a lot of talking during the plays....no guarantee in this situation!
i'll be slightly disappointed if the colts don't win tonight, but the saints are a deserving team as well. the great thing is...it is only football! GO COLTS!
****side note....i initially wrote superbowel....only someone working in GI would do that!****
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
february
it's hard for me to believe that it is february...crazy. i'm not just about 3 weeks from my trip to Niger. i'm thinking more about it....but not about packing. i'm not a procrastinator in many areas of my life, but packing for a trip has become one of the areas! i just think it is because i am so good at it now that it doesn't take long!
before that trip, i'm heading out to new york city to go wedding dress shopping with Angie, her mom, and possibly one or two of her bridesmaids. it should be fun...but i'm packing a lot in a couple weeks. i really better focus on getting things done this weekend (i said that last weekend...and did get a little accomplished!)
if anyone has any drug samples from doc's that they work with or know, i would appreciate anything. they asked me to bring some drugs, but due to the new regulations on pharmacutical companies and the fact the MD Anderson doesn't allow samples it has made it difficult to come across any to bring with me. also, all of my PA friends either work in crazy specific sub-specialties or they shipped any extra drugs they had to haiti. give me a call or e-mail if you have any connections...i'll pay for the shipping!
i've been feeling "off" the past couple of days. i'm still going to work and doing the daily events, but having consistent low grade nausea and the blahs...i'm not the best sick person and it makes me all the more empathetic to my patients. although chemo dosing and side effect management has come a LONG way, it still stinks to have symptoms from the cancer...and side effects from treating the cancer. yuck!
before that trip, i'm heading out to new york city to go wedding dress shopping with Angie, her mom, and possibly one or two of her bridesmaids. it should be fun...but i'm packing a lot in a couple weeks. i really better focus on getting things done this weekend (i said that last weekend...and did get a little accomplished!)
if anyone has any drug samples from doc's that they work with or know, i would appreciate anything. they asked me to bring some drugs, but due to the new regulations on pharmacutical companies and the fact the MD Anderson doesn't allow samples it has made it difficult to come across any to bring with me. also, all of my PA friends either work in crazy specific sub-specialties or they shipped any extra drugs they had to haiti. give me a call or e-mail if you have any connections...i'll pay for the shipping!
i've been feeling "off" the past couple of days. i'm still going to work and doing the daily events, but having consistent low grade nausea and the blahs...i'm not the best sick person and it makes me all the more empathetic to my patients. although chemo dosing and side effect management has come a LONG way, it still stinks to have symptoms from the cancer...and side effects from treating the cancer. yuck!
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