Now last I wrote about Delmy I had just come from giving blood at the hospital, where everyone was expecting the worst. It was amazing because the next day her levels shot up completely to normal and she was sent home!! When I left for England she was in a delicate condition - but at home.
When I returned from England - I think - she was still at home but I didn't see her. Then she was rushed to the hospital in San Pedro again. It is at this point they realised that they had diagnosed her incorrectly. She didn't have Lupus - she had leaukemia. And the way they had been treating her had made her worse - killed off all the things she needed (to put it bluntly). So she started Chemo last week and survived many side effects. She was super weak but everyone was hopeful.
Today there was a phone call to Lorena in the morning and Delmy had died. Delmy and Lorena were really close. Delmy died at 6.10am today. Somehow Lorena came to school - half an hour later I drove her home again! Delmy is a friend and neighbour to me too and as I went into Lorena's house this morning delmy's 2 boys were in there - Ricky, 14(ish) and Diego, 10. They were waiting for a phone call. It was sooo sad to see them. I left for work again as Delmy's brothers and uncles drove to SPS to collect her body. As I got back from school at 2.30pm I saw the coffin being taken to church (it all happens VVV quickly here).
This is the same family of the man who drowned in November. It is truly heartbreaking. That was Carina's dad - this is her cousin. I went to Delmy's house to collect members of her very large family to drive them to church. I saw the coffin at the same time as many of them...and wished I hadn't. So painful to see them. Her mum came in crying out 'My daughter, my daughter'. When she had sat down I went over to say hi and she just grabbed my hand, thanking me for my blood I gave and saying " Misska (my name here) she's gone, my daughter has gone". All I could do was sit there and hold her hand, whilst she and Blanca - Delmy's sister told me all about this morning and how she died etc. But everyone is doubly sad as all the memories of Don Tony's funeral are flooding back to everyone. You can cut the atmosphere and pain with a knife. I have since come back to change and have a shower to get myself together. The service is tonight and then I will stay at the church the entire night (drinking lots of coffee) to be with the family in the vigil. Then tomorrow morning I will go to the burial - I am driving some of her family. At least I can help with my car. Lorena is taking it badly, they were very close and she doesn't handle things like this well - who does? I am trying to be there for her too, but seeing her hug the coffin crying was too much for me. I stood there looking in at Delmy's body - which after long bouts of treatment was not pleasurable to see. No doubt tonight I will be shown the body many more times too. I am bracing myself!!
It's sad. For her sake I am glad she is no longer suffering, she knew she was dying. For her 2 sons, her twin sister and all her other brothers, sisters and family it is awful. What more can happen to this family I care so much about?!!
Please pray for them!!
Right, am back off to the church now!! I'll try and keep this updated!
Monday, 16 August 2010
Oh goodness, how I wish I had been keeping this updated. Brief over view ...
Went to England for 2 weeks for Pete's wedding. Wedding was great and was lovely to see everyone again.
On arriving back in Honduras, I sat in the plane at San Pedro Sula airport but we couldn't get off because the power had gone in the airport and so there was no way of getting the electrical lift thingy to the door. So we sat in the plane an extra 30 minutes!! I knew I was back!
Adony met me, and apparently his sister - who lives in San Pedro - was in labour!! So at 8pm instead of going home off I went to the clinic - having spent the last 24 hours traavelling!!! I arrived and was rushed in to see Eunice...who was having full blown contractions and I'm sure not wanting to see me!! I said hi and left her in peace! Then had to wait 2 hours in the waiting room until the baby was finally born and then with the entire family I got to meet the baby etc. Hilarious!! Apparently part of that family too now! By 11pm I just wanted to be in my own bed - I had been travelling waaaaaaaay too long. Adony was very understanding and at 11pm we set off for Sigua....arriving at 12.30am. We sang Christmas songs (his choice) to keep us awake. There, Jaime was waiting for me in my house...which he had cleaned impecibally! He had also changed all my furniture around which to be honest was a lot better and so I have left it. Apparently he feels very comfortable in my house!!
Being back was great. I have spent so much time with my friends and am loving it. I am a lot more relaxed. Obviously work is still stressful but I'm not thinking about that! I do love my oh so random life here!
Went to England for 2 weeks for Pete's wedding. Wedding was great and was lovely to see everyone again.
On arriving back in Honduras, I sat in the plane at San Pedro Sula airport but we couldn't get off because the power had gone in the airport and so there was no way of getting the electrical lift thingy to the door. So we sat in the plane an extra 30 minutes!! I knew I was back!
Adony met me, and apparently his sister - who lives in San Pedro - was in labour!! So at 8pm instead of going home off I went to the clinic - having spent the last 24 hours traavelling!!! I arrived and was rushed in to see Eunice...who was having full blown contractions and I'm sure not wanting to see me!! I said hi and left her in peace! Then had to wait 2 hours in the waiting room until the baby was finally born and then with the entire family I got to meet the baby etc. Hilarious!! Apparently part of that family too now! By 11pm I just wanted to be in my own bed - I had been travelling waaaaaaaay too long. Adony was very understanding and at 11pm we set off for Sigua....arriving at 12.30am. We sang Christmas songs (his choice) to keep us awake. There, Jaime was waiting for me in my house...which he had cleaned impecibally! He had also changed all my furniture around which to be honest was a lot better and so I have left it. Apparently he feels very comfortable in my house!!
Being back was great. I have spent so much time with my friends and am loving it. I am a lot more relaxed. Obviously work is still stressful but I'm not thinking about that! I do love my oh so random life here!
Saturday, 10 July 2010
It is most definitely Saturday!!
As I have said...Saturdays are always eventful and this was no different...just sad!
I have again spent the afternoon/evening in the hospital. A friend of mine called Delmy, who is the same age as me, is in hospital with Lupus and is very seriously ill indeed. Delmy is not a close friend, but she is the cousin of Carina and her family who are! I think I probably know Delmy's sisters better. She is very close to Lorena and is one of my neighbours.
So, in this country, they don't have blood banks - well they do for emergencies only, and if you use a bag of blood you have to replace it! So, if someone is ill and needs a blood transfusion you have to call friends and family to come and donate blood to that person?! I had offered that if they needed my blood they only had to call me and I'd be happy to help as I have the same blood type.
At 4pm today I was called and asked to go to hospital immediately to give my blood as she needed another transfusion. The lower limit for your platelets is 150,000 (or something like that) and she was at 8000. I arrived and her whole family were there. The Dr's had told them how critical she is, I don't think anyone is expecting her to live long now. They gave her different medicines, one of which is only given to patients who are going to die. I'm not sure what it is, the Dr didn't say. The Dr's have said there is nothing more they can do for her. She could go to a hospital in San Pedro but would likely die on the way due to the journey - and most likely have a brain haemorrage. Delmy is in good spirits, and doesn't know the severity of her case, which is a good thing. I went in to chat with her and see her. When I arrived I was told they didn't need my blood after all, as they were only going to give her one 'bag', which someone else was donating! I asked if they wanted another one in case she needed it later - have it ready. But this isn't the procedure. Crazy. I stayed a while at the hospital for Carina and Dina (I was the photographer for Dina's wedding - and it was their Dad that drowned last year). As we were all there, the Dr's decided they needed 2 more bags of blood and so I went in to start the tediously long process of donating blood! By the time they have interviewed you, tested your blood and you've given it - it takes about 2 or 3 hours!
So, I went in and eventually they took my blood and all was fine. Carina was sat waiting for me with Cony, a lady from church, who is simply hilarious. For Cony, this was her first time giving blood and she was a bit nervous. I told her it didn't hurt, was completely fine etc etc and no need to worry. She went in and just as she was finishing, as I was lying across the chairs in the waiting room, bored, Carina starts saying there is something wrong with Cony - a lot of fuss in the room. Suddenly, Cony goes flying past on her hospital bed and is wheeled at the speed of light to the Emergency Room. Carina starts shouting (all in Spanish) 'Cony is dying, Cony is dying'. We followed in hot pursuit. (I for some reason stopped to pick up all the rubbish first!) She had fainted, and then vomitted and peed herself as they took the syringe out! We sat on the floor outside the E.R. whilst the Dr (who thankfully also goes to our church!) checked her out. She was fine, just a bit shocked. Carina and I walked in to see her and she was smiling. She showed us that she had peed herself and I don't know what happened but Carina and I just couldn't stop laughing! The whole thing had been so funny and to find out she had peed herself too!! We were incredily concerned and maybe was it relief. Thankfully, Cony also was laughing - and the Dr's - and the nurses who came in to find out what the noise was about!! Cony was blaming me cos I told her it was easy, nothing to worry about, doesn't hurt!! Whoops! We're all different. That was her first and last blood donation!
Because of the severity of Delmy's situation they have moved her out of the ward into a private room (for the same price as the ward, because it is on the Dr's orders). I honestly don't think anyone expects her to live. Maybe the blood transfusions will work, I pray they do. She has to have a family member with her 24 hours a day as she can't do anything for herself at all. So, Blanca is staying there with her. Poor Delmy looks so frail and pale, but is smiling through it all.
Please pray for this family.
I have again spent the afternoon/evening in the hospital. A friend of mine called Delmy, who is the same age as me, is in hospital with Lupus and is very seriously ill indeed. Delmy is not a close friend, but she is the cousin of Carina and her family who are! I think I probably know Delmy's sisters better. She is very close to Lorena and is one of my neighbours.
So, in this country, they don't have blood banks - well they do for emergencies only, and if you use a bag of blood you have to replace it! So, if someone is ill and needs a blood transfusion you have to call friends and family to come and donate blood to that person?! I had offered that if they needed my blood they only had to call me and I'd be happy to help as I have the same blood type.
At 4pm today I was called and asked to go to hospital immediately to give my blood as she needed another transfusion. The lower limit for your platelets is 150,000 (or something like that) and she was at 8000. I arrived and her whole family were there. The Dr's had told them how critical she is, I don't think anyone is expecting her to live long now. They gave her different medicines, one of which is only given to patients who are going to die. I'm not sure what it is, the Dr didn't say. The Dr's have said there is nothing more they can do for her. She could go to a hospital in San Pedro but would likely die on the way due to the journey - and most likely have a brain haemorrage. Delmy is in good spirits, and doesn't know the severity of her case, which is a good thing. I went in to chat with her and see her. When I arrived I was told they didn't need my blood after all, as they were only going to give her one 'bag', which someone else was donating! I asked if they wanted another one in case she needed it later - have it ready. But this isn't the procedure. Crazy. I stayed a while at the hospital for Carina and Dina (I was the photographer for Dina's wedding - and it was their Dad that drowned last year). As we were all there, the Dr's decided they needed 2 more bags of blood and so I went in to start the tediously long process of donating blood! By the time they have interviewed you, tested your blood and you've given it - it takes about 2 or 3 hours!
So, I went in and eventually they took my blood and all was fine. Carina was sat waiting for me with Cony, a lady from church, who is simply hilarious. For Cony, this was her first time giving blood and she was a bit nervous. I told her it didn't hurt, was completely fine etc etc and no need to worry. She went in and just as she was finishing, as I was lying across the chairs in the waiting room, bored, Carina starts saying there is something wrong with Cony - a lot of fuss in the room. Suddenly, Cony goes flying past on her hospital bed and is wheeled at the speed of light to the Emergency Room. Carina starts shouting (all in Spanish) 'Cony is dying, Cony is dying'. We followed in hot pursuit. (I for some reason stopped to pick up all the rubbish first!) She had fainted, and then vomitted and peed herself as they took the syringe out! We sat on the floor outside the E.R. whilst the Dr (who thankfully also goes to our church!) checked her out. She was fine, just a bit shocked. Carina and I walked in to see her and she was smiling. She showed us that she had peed herself and I don't know what happened but Carina and I just couldn't stop laughing! The whole thing had been so funny and to find out she had peed herself too!! We were incredily concerned and maybe was it relief. Thankfully, Cony also was laughing - and the Dr's - and the nurses who came in to find out what the noise was about!! Cony was blaming me cos I told her it was easy, nothing to worry about, doesn't hurt!! Whoops! We're all different. That was her first and last blood donation!
Because of the severity of Delmy's situation they have moved her out of the ward into a private room (for the same price as the ward, because it is on the Dr's orders). I honestly don't think anyone expects her to live. Maybe the blood transfusions will work, I pray they do. She has to have a family member with her 24 hours a day as she can't do anything for herself at all. So, Blanca is staying there with her. Poor Delmy looks so frail and pale, but is smiling through it all.
Please pray for this family.
Rats!
I finally trapped the smallest baby rat ever this week. On the glue traps which meant it didn't die - not a fan of these! But just the one. I opened my front door this morning and there on the mat in front of me was a very dead very big rat. No idea where it came from! I had to remove that too. Adony came to do his laundry tonight, so I got him to check behind my stove etc - nothing in my house at all! Weird! Here's hoping this is the end of it all now. We shall see....
Thursday, 8 July 2010
Good news and Bad news!
Good news first....
David Orellana, who was kidnapped last week has been returned safe and well. To be returned so quickly is amazing here. Thank the Lord! We don't know details about how, how much money, what happened etc. But that is not for me to know! Good news though.
Other good news...I managed to work out the traps after about 2 hours!! Haha..just pathetic! It didn't help that some were so badly made they didn't actually work.
So for bad news....despite putting out 3 traps, 2 glue traps and lots of poison - I still can't find the bloomin thing!! It has however recently eaten the poison so I hope it has died somewhere..but where?! On Saturday I am going to get Adony to pull the stove, fridge out etc when he come to do his laundry. Here's hoping it's there. So..it's not exactly bad, devastating news, but heh!! All relative!
Other bad news. My Landlord put my rent up today, not too much, but he said taxes have gone up etc. This really is bad news!! However, he did agree to put up a screen door on my front door - so I can get fresh air without mosquitoes and rats entering. He's also going to plant some plants in front of my apartment - and it will be my responsibility to look after them. I like this idea! I have an area in front of my kitchen that my dogs just dig up, I regularly go out with my machete to cut the weeds down and I have promised Don Chema I will put gravel down - again to make it look pretty (and to stop the digging). I just can't afford it right now. One day!
Some very good news and not exactly devastating bad news!!
David Orellana, who was kidnapped last week has been returned safe and well. To be returned so quickly is amazing here. Thank the Lord! We don't know details about how, how much money, what happened etc. But that is not for me to know! Good news though.
Other good news...I managed to work out the traps after about 2 hours!! Haha..just pathetic! It didn't help that some were so badly made they didn't actually work.
So for bad news....despite putting out 3 traps, 2 glue traps and lots of poison - I still can't find the bloomin thing!! It has however recently eaten the poison so I hope it has died somewhere..but where?! On Saturday I am going to get Adony to pull the stove, fridge out etc when he come to do his laundry. Here's hoping it's there. So..it's not exactly bad, devastating news, but heh!! All relative!
Other bad news. My Landlord put my rent up today, not too much, but he said taxes have gone up etc. This really is bad news!! However, he did agree to put up a screen door on my front door - so I can get fresh air without mosquitoes and rats entering. He's also going to plant some plants in front of my apartment - and it will be my responsibility to look after them. I like this idea! I have an area in front of my kitchen that my dogs just dig up, I regularly go out with my machete to cut the weeds down and I have promised Don Chema I will put gravel down - again to make it look pretty (and to stop the digging). I just can't afford it right now. One day!
Some very good news and not exactly devastating bad news!!
Wednesday, 7 July 2010
This is war....kind of!
With my mind set to rid myself of these rats I went to the supermarket today and bought everything I could find....poison, mouse traps, rat traps and glue traps! This is war. Well...it would be...but I can't work out how to set the traps!! How ridiculous is that. So for now it's poison only and the glue traps (gross) and we shall see what that does until I can find someone to show me how to set the traps. I'll take them to work tomorrow and ask Don Tomas.
Instead, I washed my floors with bleach - mentally I feel better even though I can still hear it behind my stove!
Instead, I washed my floors with bleach - mentally I feel better even though I can still hear it behind my stove!
Tuesday, 6 July 2010
The last straw!
Today I am nothing short of exhausted! I was ready for bed by 6pm!! But then....I went to make a sandwhich and found the bag of bread and contents had been eaten. Then saw the poo. Then saw the most enormous rat run across my kitchen. The open plan kitchen with no door...in an open plan apartment. Great.
I called my friend. He refused to come and kill it. Said I need to get used to rats in the house and he will lend me his cat tomorrow. Great. One rat = 2 rats = a family of rats. I may have got upset at the lack of help and being laughed at for even thinking it was unpleasant to have such a large rat in my house. His idea of cheering me up about it? Telling me to name them all. No one seems to have a problem with rats in the house. Will Honduras ever improve if little things like this are never delt with? If it's normal. Makes you wonder.
I used to have Mabel my pet rat at uni. But not big and black, running around my kitchen. In my open plan apartment. The bread was the only food I had in the house. Bed with no dinner!!
The last straw today. Unimpressed.
Tomorrow = mouse traps. Great. Sometimes I don't like living alone!
I called my friend. He refused to come and kill it. Said I need to get used to rats in the house and he will lend me his cat tomorrow. Great. One rat = 2 rats = a family of rats. I may have got upset at the lack of help and being laughed at for even thinking it was unpleasant to have such a large rat in my house. His idea of cheering me up about it? Telling me to name them all. No one seems to have a problem with rats in the house. Will Honduras ever improve if little things like this are never delt with? If it's normal. Makes you wonder.
I used to have Mabel my pet rat at uni. But not big and black, running around my kitchen. In my open plan apartment. The bread was the only food I had in the house. Bed with no dinner!!
The last straw today. Unimpressed.
Tomorrow = mouse traps. Great. Sometimes I don't like living alone!
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