April 20, 2008 – 00:46 (GMT +5:30) – 28oC (82oF) – San Thome Rd, Mylapore, Chennai, India
It should be noted that yesterday my washing machine attempted once again to take me down with it. While I would prefer that the machine not break at all, I definitely would prefer it would not use me as the conduit for it disgruntlement. In other news.
A number of people have asked about my health, so I thought I might as well answer here, and let you all know how that is going. It also will provide you with an look at a few different aspects of Indian life.
It’s over a month now since I came back from the Guntur district where it was that I contracted the disease in the first place. The doctor up there told me that I was supposed to go in and see a doctor here in Chennai, in about a week. After a week I started looking around for doctors, Mary and Dave where very helpful on this point sending over a couple different possibilities. I emailed one and he responded almost immediately, indicating that I should let him know when I was in Chennai and at that point we would set up an appointment. I wrote him back indicating I was already in Chennai, and ready to come in whenever. I never heard back from him. I waited a week, and then decided it was time to move on to doctor number two. The second possibility that Mary had sent me was much easier, all I had to do was show up after 7:30pm.
So Saturday night March 29, I’m planning on going in to the doctor when Abdul my land lord calls to inform me the electrician is coming over to look at the washer. Excellent, no problem, I can go to the doctor another night. So I wait. No electrician. The following day I call Abdul and enquire. I am assured that he will come sometime in the next few days. So I spend Sunday, Monday, Tuesday leaving the house as little as possible. Wednesday I give up. I assume the electrician is not going to come and make a mental note to try to find alternate means of washing my clothes. On Saturday, early morning, I am leaving and need to be ready for the trip. Wednesday evening I have a meeting, this leaves Thursday, for the long overdue doctor’s visit.
Thursday night I make it in, the doctors sees me asks me the normal questions makes me lie down and breathe deep etc. She then tells me that everything looks good, but she will need a blood and a urine test. But the lab is no longer open. I am told to come back early on Friday morning, give blood etc, then come back again after 7:30 Friday night to have the doctor look at my tests and tell me the results. I make it in Friday morning no problem. Friday evening I am at Koenig’s place packed and ready to go, and planning on making it to the doctors shortly after 7:30pm. It’s a little after 7:30, I haven’t left for the MD yet, because we, Koenigs and I, are in the middle of a scrabble game. I’m probably not going to win, but I’m not ready to concede defeat yet and it is only just past 7:30pm. I have time.
The phone rings. It’s Abdul the electrician is at my house to fix my washer and is wondering where I am. I embark on the 20 minute journey to my apartment, sure enough there he is. He tells me it will only take 15 minutes, and he finishes a few minutes early. I arrive at the hospital at 8:39 only to find the clinic closes at 8:30. Since I have to leave early the next day I have no opportunity to find out what the test results were. I have been back a few days now and could have revisited the clinic. But the first day back I found out Abdul was coming on Thursday with a TV. Thursday the electrician was coming about the A/C unit in the spare room. Friday he showed up. Told me he had to come again on Saturday. Today he told me he will be here from 10:00 in the morning till 4:00pm installing the A/C. Which means that Todd will be able to sleep in comfort while visiting India. The point however is that I haven’t been back to the doctors.
Which means that I have no idea if I am still sick. But considering it has been five weeks without any real symptoms, I am not too worried. I have felt just fine since the day after I first visited the doctor. Thank you all very much for your prayers and concerns, I really do appreciate them. If I ever receive in tests results back I will make sure to let you all know.
On the hand my apartment is slowly starting to accumulate furniture. I now have a TV, although its mainly just for looks, since I get zero channels at the moment. My washing machine was fixed. Although only momentarily still I was able to get a few clothes cleaned. And best of all my bookshelf is full, since I was able to get a box of some of my most important books sent over from the states.
Speaking of prayers remember the poor in yours. We complain because the cost of gas has gone up, but for many this means they can no longer afford to eat. Most of you have probably heard on the news how the increased gas prices along with the reduced production of basic grains has greatly inflated the price of rice and wheat. The outcome is that more and more are without their basic food source. Remember them in your prayers. But most importantly that the Gospel may be preached
– Matthew Ude