Under a Month to Go

Wow, just 29 days to go. Panic and excitement are mixed together and it is hard to determine which I an really feeling.

Update on the malaria meds - we've done a 180 and going with the doxycycline. Cost was a big factor and we'll use the money saved to minimize some of the side affects, such as the sensitivity to sunlight. Uhmm - going to the equator and taking meds that makes you more sensative to the sun - some of those savings are going to sunscreen.

Seems like loose ends all over the plcae that needs to be cleaned up. I look around and see much I want to get done. I know myself well enough at this point that most of it will not get done, and it won't really matter I didn't do it. I just hope I actually figure out what does need to be done and I start moving on it.

Most my attention is handling the items around the house that I want done before we let our "renters" take over. All things that I should have done anyway, but never found the right time to undertake.

But we are all getting so excited to be so close. We've been planning and talking about it for so long and it time is now within a month.

By the way, trying to find a low cost option to keep phone numbers, either cell or land line, does not seem possilble. With the cost or hassle factor I think most of our long time numbers will be going away. Some of this is the short window I want to take on being without a phone, and still not having to try and manage the follow-up to it from 9,000 miles away.

Thanks for you interest,
Paul

T Minus 40 and Counting

It's actually only 39 days out, but that doesn't sound as good. We are moving ahead with out prep. The biggest item right now is determining the anit-malaria medication to use. There only a few choices, none without a drawback or 2. Malarone, the top choice for effectiveness and fewest side effects is over $5 a dose, and with daily does to multiple people, very expensive for 6 months. Chloroquine - not effective against the strain of malaria found in Kenya. Doxycycline - dirt cheap, about $20 each for the 6 months, but causes sun sensitivity, bad choice for an equatorial country. Mefloquine - bizarro world mental side effects, and that's another story. This leaves primaquine, which as long as you are not G6PD deficient, seems to be an okay choice, even though it is not "approved" in the US as an anti-malaria. And the cost isn't to bad if you get it from Canada. Then there is the coordinating the 4 different health care providers to get the needed prescriptions and order the needed G6PD blood test. That's one for each of us because the 2 in Colorado need to handle it from there. Fortunately Joyce thrives on organizing almost anything and shes the one that's tackling this pre-trip task.

Then there is the coordinating the 4 different health care providers to get the needed prescriptions and order the needed G6PD blood test. That's one for each of us because the 2 in Colorado need to handle it from there. Fortunately Joyce thrives on organizing almost anything and shes the one that's tackling this pre-trip task.

And even taking anti-malarial is no guarantee you won't get malaria. So we'll have to keep an eye out for the symptoms. Since we are working in a location with a small hospital, getting treatment might not be to hard. But then, we don't know how well the hospital is equipped. Got to get on to my last few days of work. Stay tune for more....

Paul

Seven Weeks and Counting

Well, another item checked off the ToDo list for the trip to Africa - I've created our bloggin page.

It's less than 7 weeks before we take off to Africa (6 weeks and 6 days and believe me I'm count for numerous reasons). Lots to do still, and the pressure of procratinating for the last year has come to a head so I'm actually getting some of it completed.

Joyce and I conceived of this idea almost 2 years ago. We quickly solidified the major aspects of it (6 months long, Kenya in East Africa, for a small organization). We also had a tentative time frame for starting the adventure, until we told our kids about our plan. One after another, they all had the same response to "our" idea - 'I want to come'. So soon it turned from a duo to a six-pack. Of course we are excited that all the whole family will be along for this great experience.

Well, I've got more left on my list to accomplish tonight - the toilet seats need to be replaced.

Stay tuned!