Tuesday, November 26, 2013

Sharing my humbledness...some of the kindest words people share with me

Adjective
  1. not proud or arrogant; modest: to be humbled although successful
  2. having a feeling of insignificance, inferiority, subservience, etc: In the presence of so many world-famous writers I felt very humble.
  3. low in rank, importance, status, quality, etc: lowly: of humble origin; a humble home.

"Humble: if you were to meet a humble person, he wouldn’t be the kind of person who thinks lower of himself than others think he should.  Instead, he would not think of himself at all.  A humble person isn’t interested in saying ‘I suck” or “I’m not that great”.  These statements come from a person who thinks he should be better than he is.  A truly humble person isn’t concerned with who he is or who he should be.  He isn’t concerned with himself at all, but instead he’s concerned with other people. "


As my fundraising has begun I have been overwhelmed not only with the HUGE donations by people – people I may not have even seen or spoke to in years have reached out to be a part of this with me.  As I open envelopes with some very very generous donations, I am finding some of the kindest words written inside to me.  OF COURSE I am keeping all of them as I cannot help my “pack-rat” tendencies! I would like to share some of these words that have made me begin to realize that what I am going to do is something pretty special! See, I think that to help others is just what everyone does and should do in everyday life…..but I often forget that this is something unique to my profession and that not everyone wipes butts, hugs crying strangers, “inserts what into where??”, feed those that cannot feed themselves, take care of wounds that you wouldn’t even imagine could be possible, ease peoples pain both physically and mentally..and much more that only us nurses will ever understand!  We often forget the unique lives that people live and we get consumed in ourselves and our own life and think that that is just how life is, right?? But it’s not; we all do special and unique things in our lives. And this trip, with all of these encouraging words and love that I am feeling from everyone, I know will be a reminder that we all live very different lives.  And as I will be getting a glimpse into theirs, I will be sharing it with you as well!!  As I am about 12 weeks away right now from my trip, I just love all the 'worry' people have about my trip because, honestly I am not the slightest bit worried (yet) so I think it it is wonderful that people are going to worry for me so I don't have to!!

~ humbling words ~

“What you are doing is so amazing and we are so lucky to have such a kind-hearted friend in our lives.  I know you will do wonderful things over there for people in need, and it makes us so happy that we are able to help you on this journey. Good things happen to good people. You have lots of good things coming your way!”

“You have a big heart and are awesome”                                 

“Our prayers will be with you and we will be looking forward to hearing from you to find out how things are going.  We are so proud of you!”

“I know you will do amazing things for each person you encounter”

“You are an amazing young woman! I am honored and proud to know you.  You have for years always made a difference in people’s lives and now you are journeying to Africa to make a difference and help so far away.  You are beyond beautiful inside and out”

“I just want to thank you for what you are about to do in Africa.  When we are blessed with good health, enough income to live comfortably we should give to the poor and that is what you are about to do.  I’m proud of you for doing this. You will experience a great feeling and satisfaction from what you will be doing”

“I love what you are doing.  I can’t do what you’re going to do in Kenya but if I can help support you, it makes me feel good”

"We hope this trip fulfills your desire to help others"

"It's a huge challenge and we can't help but to be both proud of, yet worried about you at the same time"

“I’m glad I know someone who’s making a difference like yourself!”

“You can’t live your life being afraid..you go ahead and make us all proud. I’ll be here being afraid so you don’t have to!”


Thursday, November 21, 2013

VACCINE time: A NURSE & A NEEDLE!!




I'm the patient now, not the nurse!!

I’m the one giving the injections and giving out medicine not taking it!!! Looks like I need to take care of myself before I leave to take care of others in a third world country!! Africa has quite a few things that I need to be careful of and watch out for!! Such things like Hepatitis, Malaria, Rabies, Polio, Typhoid, Salmonella, YELLOW Fever from mosquitoes and MONKEYS…


 So, I spoke with my doctor here on Maui, and reviewed the Center for Disease Control website along with what my organization requires/recommends for travel to Kenya and my goodness -- it’s A LOT!! So far, here is my checklist of all the immunizations and medication items that I need to get:  

  • Flu vaccine
  • Hepatitis A vaccine
  • Hepatitis B vaccine
  • Inactive Polio vaccine
  • Typhoid vaccine
  • Tetanus shot
  • Yellow fever vaccine
  • Malaria prophylaxis – I could be taking these pills for over a month!
  • Meningitis vaccine
  • Rabies vaccine
  • Antibiotics to bring with incase I come down with something
  • Sleeping pills and EAR plugs!
  • Diarrhea medicine
  • Constipation medicine  ^^ cause you never know which one you may need!
  • Motion sickness medicine (I get really car sick and we will be driving for 6-8 hours some days in big cruisers thru unpaved dirt roads across the Rift Valley – I should probably pack barf bags too!)
  • LOTS of bug spray!!!!! && probably anti-itch cream as well! I have to spray all my clothes, sleeping bag, underwear…EVERYTHING I am bringing with this special Permetherine spray in hopes to not get bitten by mosquitoes with nasty diseases!!


With all that…I will be a walking pharmacy and immune to everything!!! While, I am not a huge believer in vaccines and never get my annual flu vaccine even, I think for this trip I should not take my chances….

~ The only time you run out of chances is when you stop taking them ~