It was my intention to return to the USA only upon the end of my service in September 2017. Only three scenarios could change that…civil unrest in Uganda; something happening to my physical well-being; or a serious issue affecting one of my children.
Unfortunately in late August, scans revealed a large tumor “wrapped around” my daughter Blair’s heart. After a biopsy and further tests, she was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, a form of cancer. Notwithstanding that it is Stage 4, and in a scary location, her oncologist assures me she has a very good prognosis. A tried and true treatment regimen has been established for Hodgkin’s, making it one of the most curable forms of cancer.
Blair will require chemotherapy every two weeks for six months, possibly followed by radiation treatment. Similar to my wife Jan’s breast cancer in 2001, each chemo session really knocks her down for a few days (fatigue and nausea), followed by recovery, then chemo, recovery, chemo, etc. I recall that Jan’s chemo lasted 3-4 months. At six months, this will be a challenging phase of Blair’s life.
Blair is lucky she won the “birth lottery” and can get the treatment she needs. Recall I participated in the Uganda Rotary Cancer walk to replace the only radiation treatment machine in Uganda (And there are now controversies about that).
We stayed a couple of nights at a cabin in the foothills, as guests of her boyfriend’s family. Blair figured if she would going to lose her hair in a few weeks, she would first dye it purple!
I wanted to go home to support Blair through her initial chemo treatments. The Peace Corps has been very supportive, advancing my unearned vacation time to me. My new country director Sean (from Pittsburgh) sent me a YouTube link showing Mario Lemieux (of Pittsburgh) scoring his first goal after missing three seasons with Hodgkin’s. (I guess they have gradually improved the treatment regimen since Lemieux’s case. Eric Berry of the Kansas City Chiefs recently had Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, missed only one season, and was All-Pro upon his return last year.)
Sexual intimacy is a very delicate matter and it hurts their ego too. viagra on sale cheapest http://cute-n-tiny.com/cute-animals/dog-loves-spaghetti/ Now I only need to think about hypnotic viagra australia price and I get an erection like an 18 year old boy. They work by helping your body create better blood circulation to your sex organ, which http://cute-n-tiny.com/cute-animals/tiny-kitten-in-shirt-collar/ buy cheap viagra controls the occurrence of erections. The new Women’s Interventional Cardiology Diagnostic Program is designed for women with symptoms typical of angina or other symptoms strongly suggestive of ischemic heart disease who have: Symptoms of ischemic heart disease, positive stress test, and “normal” cardiac angiogram; Symptoms of ischemic heart disease, positive stress test, and continued symptoms despite medical therapy; Symptoms of purchased here generic cialis viagra ischemic heart disease, positive stress test, and “normal” cardiac angiogram; Symptoms of ischemic heart disease, positive stress. I arrived home on Sunday, September 11 (flying from D.C. on 9/11!), and Blair’s first treatment was the next morning. I stayed through her first two cycles of chemo, for a total of three weeks. With a few exceptions, only my family knew I was home. I didn’t want distractions. She has good supportive friends and relations to help her through this, so I flew back to Uganda a week and a half ago.
Before her first chemo session Monday morning, Blair went early to her office at Colorado Coalition for the Homeless, where she works as a case manager. She was tying up loose ends before taking the week off. While I sat there waiting, everyone on the staff was very solicitous of me, offering coffee and muffins. Blair said, with my beard and shaggy Ugandan haircut, they thought I was one of her homeless clients!
Excuse the indulgence to brag a bit about my daughter. Blair’s supervisor told me Blair was someone she “never had to worry about” (Leave that to her dad, who is uncomfortable she interacts in the field with so many people with drug, alcohol and mental problems). Blair has worked at the Coalition for less than a year, so she is not protected under the Family Medical Leave Act. However, the Coalition values her enough to keep her on a part-time schedule to work when she gets her strength back between chemo sessions. Her future sessions were switched to Thursdays, so the following weekend will absorb the brunt of each recovery. It will also help keep her health coverage. Her immune system will be compromised, so she needs to be careful in the field. She will be able do more administrative tasks for her team from home.
My visit gave me insight into Blair’s current employment. Her team works with homeless clients to place them in permanent accommodations. It is sort of like the “third world” of Denver. They have to go into their clients’ environment and make sure they get to necessary medical and counseling appointments, take advantage of job opportunities, and receive whatever other assistance is necessary, culminating in having a place to live in dignity as productive members of society. It is fighting a rising tide, but without this help there will be more crime, more panhandlers, more harmful drugs, and other deleterious impacts and burdens on the community. Blair has succeeded in placing dozens of homeless people in accommodations. Like many jobs in the social sector, our so-called free market economy does not compensate enough for this valuable work.
The Saturday before I left was the annual “Walk to Defeat ALS” at Sloan’s Lake. I volunteered at 6 a.m. to help with set-up. I was happy to greet my dear friends from the Rocky Mountain ALS staff again (they all subscribe to my blog). Blair rustled up some “Jan’s Fans” to represent her memory and continue to support a cure. I got interviewed on Channel 9 (which was actually shown on Channel 20- anyone see me?)
This interlude was a rare opportunity to interact with Blair, who has grown up into a confident, independent, humorous, fascinating, lovely 27 year old lady. Her mother would be so proud. Blair has shown good spirits, and is resilient. She is ready to take on the challenge of this journey. Originally I wanted Blair to take a vacation trip to Uganda and Cape Town in November. Instead, we will target that trip for next September upon Cessation of Service.
Adams really wanted me to return in time to attend his Introduction Ceremony and wedding. On Friday a Bugiri delegation set off on a day long journey to Mbarara in the west, a very large town. The festivities on Saturday were another two hours to the southwest. The Introduction Ceremony was similar to what I described when I attended one for Matthews’ daughter. Tents are set up. The families and friends of the bride “host” the groom’s family and friends, sitting in their reserved section, with food, music and dances, facilitated by two wise-cracking MCs. The patter would be in the local language, not always understood by the Lusoga-speaking visitors. Not that it mattered to me. I heard the word “Muzungu” a couple of times followed by laughter and everyone looking at me. I just laughed like a good sport. I was told later he called me out because I appeared to be bored. Sorry.
At the end of the Introduction Adams disappeared into the house for a few minutes and then emerged a married man with his bride a few minutes later. I guess that is often the Muslim way, unlike the church wedding held a week later for Matthews‘ daughter. I understand further that some Muslim men use a mosque, but in any case, the bride is never an active participant. She’s either waiting in the back or in an entirely different room.