But after keeping a daily blog for close to two months, I can sort of relate to Henry.. it's always hard to find a place to begin.. and waking up just seems so reasonable. Henry, this is my formal apology for teasing you about your daily journal, I now have a new appreciation for your chronological organization.
SO
Today I woke up. I didn't run (oops). I tip toed around the house (the girls don't wake up until like 10...their work schedules are more flexible). I ate a yogurt as I made myself eggs and coffee, all good things. Got dressed and took the questionable elevator down from the sixth floor. Walked a block to the trolly bus station, picked up the next bus, and arrived at Hospice right at nine (always before everyone in my office, except sometimes Ana who runs early too). I finished my blog for yesterday because from what I understand most of you Americans read it in the morning anyway, so it doesn't matter if I post it at night.
I then went with a social social worker, Diana to visit patients because it's important to see why we do what we do here at Hospice Angelus. Diana, who knows some English, did a really good job explaining, both with words and hand gestures what her job entailed as we traveled about forty minutes to an apartment in the Botanica district. At this point, I am much better at understanding Romanian... I can often recognize words and understand the overall message, though I cannot speak myself. We arrived at an apartment and were greeted by the patient's parents and 16 year old sister. The patient, maxim is nine years old, and completely paralyzed. It was extremely hard to see, the entire time I was choked up. I was almost grateful no one knew english because if someone would have spoken to me, I would surely have broken into tears. Diana explained that Maxim was receiving palliative care, and that he had started at Hospice in 2013. What is heart breaking about Maxim is that he had become paralyzed after diving into a pool. Diana explained how, both the parents argue whose responsibility it was to have been watching Maxim at this time, so tensions are high in the home. She also explained that the extended family considers Maxin an embarrassment because he is disabled and no longer able to function as a normal little boy. I don't know how Diana, and all the nurses and doctors do what they do everyday, after just one visit I was devastated that there was nothing I could do. Of course I felt infinitely blessed, but at the same time so upset for all those who aren't as lucky as me.
After returning to Hospice Angelus and getting lunch with Anna (not red haired Ana) and Christina, Diana asked if she could show me pictures of her other patients. Though I was able to hold the tears in during my visit, here not so much. Some of these children were so distorted, missing half their heads, contorted, missing eyes, I was just so upset for them. What got me though was this picture of these four-year-old, bright-eyed, boy-girl twins. "They look so happy!" I said to Diana, who responded that no, the little girl is very sick with cancer. The boy had his little arm around his sister and I just completely lost it when Diana said she would die. This past year, a friend of mine's little sister died of leukaemia who was also a twin. It was the most terrible thing. I can't imagine losing a sibling, or a twin. I think it's just the most saddest thing.
I was so embarrassed crying in the office, in front of all the nurse and doctors who see this and worse everyday. I couldn't fathom doing this work without becoming so overly emotional each day. I am in such awe of all these truly selfless doctors and nurses. I left to go cry outside, and of course the executive director of Hospice, Valerian and our office manager, Ludmilla pull up in the car. I couldn't even find words to answer Ludmilla's questions "Why are you crying!". When I finally somewhat put words together and explained, they both gave me hugs and explained I am only human. They were really quite sweet. I am so glad that they understood and definitely made me feel a little less embarrassed.
After work I met up with Mikayla and Karina who asked about my day... so naturally I burst into tears again. It had really been a long one. But Mikayla and I went at seven to volunteer at FLEX and those kids are really great, so I felt much better after helping. I love helping with their presentation and English, and really hope they have a good high school experience in America. I had such an amazing and very unique high school experience, but for most I think high school is a really tough time. So I worry a little about Marina, but it turns out her school is super close to Lehigh, so if she even needed anything I gave her my number.
So the day ended on a good note at least, and tomorrow off to Romania!
Also I'm not putting any depressing pictures up.. so here are some sights walking through Chisinau on my way to meet up with Mikayla and Karina after work.
I'm very my fascinated by this building. It seems ancient and I can't get a good enough picture of it. It's also really cool because there's no roof on it right now and the inside is completely opened up.
A walk through Cathedral Park
We love Tucano.. it's probably the only establishment that feels very American.
@Even Wescott you would have loved this giant chess set as a kid.
Other random things...
I know I've mentioned the Moldovan superstitions before, but they are just so entertaining. My three favorites being the wind, cold water, and horoscopes.
A lot of people I've met here have made comments about the wind. Just this week a coworker had come in the office to complain how we had left all the windows open and how bad that was because of "the wind" -- they act like it's some evil thing! I've also noticed that Inga is very particular in the car about having certain windows open because of the wind. David also told us how sometimes on the trollybus, even if it's a hundred degrees out, they won't open all the windows out of some strange fear of the wind. It really is quite funny. Francesca was always opening and closing windows and saying how the wind carries diseases and will make us all sick... I don't really buy it.
Speaking of things Moldovans believe will make them sick.. cold water! Iced water really isn't a thing here. Also at the FLEX camp orientation, the coordinator, Marina told the kids to be sure to add warm water to their cold water, saying "I understand it's hot, but you don't want to be getting sick, so stick to room temperature water". Marina also explained that she had finished medschool, but I guess she missed class on the day they explained cool water does't make you sick. Really some questionable science.
One last thing! Horoscopes! I mostly noticed this with Ana, but other people have made comments about horoscopes too. Usually Ana just makes observations about people, like when talking about our boss "Oh she is such and such sign, just like my boyfriends, so it makes sense they have similar personalities, etc, etc.." It's really entertaining, I've never been interested in it, but Ana knows a lot about them. I apparently am suppose to be spontaneous, which I'm not at all.
No comments:
Post a Comment