"Infectious Season"
We are constantly being reminded they call this the "infectious season" here in Delhi. Following Janis and my recent bouts with "Delhi Belly" and complications resulting in hospitalization, we thought I was on my way to recovery...
However, my temperature suddenly spiked up to 101+, ran that way for over 24 hours, then as mysteriously returned to normal. For a while there was concern that I had dengue fever since there was some muscle and back pain and numbness. The Doctors said it was fatigue. They ran a battery of tests anyway, none of the blood work turned up anything...but...
The days in the hospital, and all the laying around, apparently aggravated an old injury (30+ years ago a trampoline accident resulting in 3 compressed vertebrae) resulting in some nuero-muscular complications. The MRI revealed the vertebrae were pressing on the spinal nerve. Fortunately, not serious enough to require surgery, so physical therapy was prescribed to alleviate the immediate pain and numbness, and exercises will be prescribed to prevent, as much as possible, recurrences... however...
The immediate treatment of symptoms included a hot pack, which ended up burning the skin on my shoulder (2nd degree - significant blistering). Treatment continues - without the hot pack!
"A Spiritual Battle?"
We have been warned by several nationals now, that not only is this "infectious season," but it is a period of a couple weeks in the Hindu calendar when Ganesh, one of the Hindu gods, is celebrated. The nationals have witnessed over the years an increase in physical and spiritual oppression during these weeks.
Given the strange string of physical maladies we've recently experienced, we would certainly wonder if there is a spiritual component to this as we seek to advance God's Kingdom.
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
Thursday, September 20, 2007
ROUND 1: A Week Too Far...
We went a week too far.
Monday, September 10, about 10:00 am, I made appointments for Janis and I to have physicals. This is part of our medical coverage here in India. The Plan we are with has two aspects: Outpatient and Inpatient.
The Outpatient is easy to get into, fill out the form, pay the fee and you're in. The Inpatient part of the plan, however, requires a physical (a very complete physical, by the way, taking a whole day including a battery of some of the most advanced tests) for people over a certain age (to be discretely unnamed!). So, our appointments for physicals were scheduled for Monday, September 17.
On Monday the 10th, about 1:30 pm, I began to have a small knot in my stomach. By 5:00 pm, when I arrived home, I was definitely not feeling good. About 7:00 pm I fell asleep. I awoke around 9:00 pm when the first light bout of Delhi Belly struck. Another more severe bout struck at about 11:00 pm. The knockout bout came about 1:30 am. That's when it took me over five minutes to get up enough energy to tell Janis I needed some help.
Our landlord drove us to the Emergency Room, I was later admitted to the Hospital, and stayed for three days, finally being released late Thursday (9/13) afternoon.
During this time, Janis was also experiencing similar symptoms, less severely and suddenly, so she was able to be treated by a physician.
Also during this time, Chris, Nicole and Esther arrived. Hmmm...we wonder if it was accidental that these these happened virtually simultaneously...
Janis, Chris and Nicole visited while I was in the Hospital.
Here is my room-mate who had been in for about 20 days! He had just retired from a government job when an illness struck. He was released the same day I was.
I finally got to see Esther when I was discharged. Here we are reading a book.
If we'd only been able to complete the physicals the week before! We went a week too far!
Despite this, we both became very aware of our dependence on strength from outside us. To all of you who support us in so many ways, "THANK YOU!".
Monday, September 10, about 10:00 am, I made appointments for Janis and I to have physicals. This is part of our medical coverage here in India. The Plan we are with has two aspects: Outpatient and Inpatient.
The Outpatient is easy to get into, fill out the form, pay the fee and you're in. The Inpatient part of the plan, however, requires a physical (a very complete physical, by the way, taking a whole day including a battery of some of the most advanced tests) for people over a certain age (to be discretely unnamed!). So, our appointments for physicals were scheduled for Monday, September 17.
On Monday the 10th, about 1:30 pm, I began to have a small knot in my stomach. By 5:00 pm, when I arrived home, I was definitely not feeling good. About 7:00 pm I fell asleep. I awoke around 9:00 pm when the first light bout of Delhi Belly struck. Another more severe bout struck at about 11:00 pm. The knockout bout came about 1:30 am. That's when it took me over five minutes to get up enough energy to tell Janis I needed some help.
Our landlord drove us to the Emergency Room, I was later admitted to the Hospital, and stayed for three days, finally being released late Thursday (9/13) afternoon.
During this time, Janis was also experiencing similar symptoms, less severely and suddenly, so she was able to be treated by a physician.
Also during this time, Chris, Nicole and Esther arrived. Hmmm...we wonder if it was accidental that these these happened virtually simultaneously...
Janis, Chris and Nicole visited while I was in the Hospital.
Here is my room-mate who had been in for about 20 days! He had just retired from a government job when an illness struck. He was released the same day I was.
I finally got to see Esther when I was discharged. Here we are reading a book.
If we'd only been able to complete the physicals the week before! We went a week too far!
Despite this, we both became very aware of our dependence on strength from outside us. To all of you who support us in so many ways, "THANK YOU!".
Thursday, September 6, 2007
Waiting
We're waiting now.
Chris, Nicole, and Esther are scheduled to arrive at the Delhi Airport this Tuesday, 8 PM our time.
We're waiting.
We've been reviewing Esther's Blog (http://elindley.blogspot.com), Chris & Nicole's Blog, and Chris' website (www.negashhi.org) in anticipation of their coming.
They're planning to be in Delhi for a couple weeks, then settle in Aligarh, a city a couple hours away to the SouthEast of us.
Since we're waiting, I've been thinking about a couple biblical admonitions related to waiting:
Psalm 46:10 - "Be still and know that I am God."
Hebrews 11:10, 13-16 - "...All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance..."
Hmmm...a little different sort of "waiting."
TEACHER APPRECIATION DAY
September 5 is Teacher Appreciation Day in India - a BIG deal in the eyes of some. So, Janis organized a student response to our East West Language Institute teachers.
On Wednesday, the teachers who were present were given a "chai" mug filled with sweets and a card signed by as many students of that teacher as Janis could get.
Today (Thursday), the teachers were recognized again by the students. One student told a joke in honor of one of our Hindi teachers who is well known for his daily joke telling. Janis read a poem she composed, "Seven Secrets of Success," in which she rhymed about qualities of each of the teachers. Following this brief presentation, the teachers were treated to lots of refreshments.
We hope the teachers truly felt appreciated for their hard work in teaching us.
Chris, Nicole, and Esther are scheduled to arrive at the Delhi Airport this Tuesday, 8 PM our time.
We're waiting.
We've been reviewing Esther's Blog (http://elindley.blogspot.com), Chris & Nicole's Blog, and Chris' website (www.negashhi.org) in anticipation of their coming.
They're planning to be in Delhi for a couple weeks, then settle in Aligarh, a city a couple hours away to the SouthEast of us.
Since we're waiting, I've been thinking about a couple biblical admonitions related to waiting:
Psalm 46:10 - "Be still and know that I am God."
Hebrews 11:10, 13-16 - "...All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance..."
Hmmm...a little different sort of "waiting."
TEACHER APPRECIATION DAY
September 5 is Teacher Appreciation Day in India - a BIG deal in the eyes of some. So, Janis organized a student response to our East West Language Institute teachers.
On Wednesday, the teachers who were present were given a "chai" mug filled with sweets and a card signed by as many students of that teacher as Janis could get.
Today (Thursday), the teachers were recognized again by the students. One student told a joke in honor of one of our Hindi teachers who is well known for his daily joke telling. Janis read a poem she composed, "Seven Secrets of Success," in which she rhymed about qualities of each of the teachers. Following this brief presentation, the teachers were treated to lots of refreshments.
We hope the teachers truly felt appreciated for their hard work in teaching us.
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