Hi Lovely:
Thank you so much for writing me. I miss you and when I hear from you it brings you near. I am, like you, going through a difficult time and feel very alone.
So sorry about your allergies. They're likely worse because of your stress Just to let you know I pray that you'd find strength and your health would improve with the strength. Please eat as well as you can. Once this chapter in your life's story is finished, it will better for you.
I know I left Thailand when it was in the middle of a big drought in central Thailand and some farmers where not even planting. Is that why there's not as much food in the fresh market?
I went to the emergency room two days ago because of real bad arthritis pain and lack of sleep. They took me in right away and an orthopedist who spoke okay English gave me strong anti-inflammatories that are helping and a sleep medication that doesn't constrict my breathing because I'm already having issues with that. Last night I got three hours of sleep two times. That's the best in awhile. I'll follow up with the doctor in a few days because he says that my arthritis in the right knee and hip need xrays. There's lot's of degeneration when he examined me. I have to walk everywhere as I don't know the bus lines yet, and you go up and down, not level like in Chiangmai. That has aggravated my arthritis and the cold apartment hasn't helped. As far as outside temperatures and the weather here, I'm getting used to it.
The doctor told me I can exercise other areas of the body (not legs) and suggested my sleep will be better with the CPAP. If it doesn't come, he knows a sleep doctor that can help. I haven't gotten the CPAP yet.
See, the old man knows when he reaches a limit in his health. The visit to include all costs and prescriptions was a total of $57.00 (it would be $0 in a public hospital). Everything got done in 45 minutes so hardly any waiting.
How stupid is the old man. I think I'm younger and stronger than I really am. The fact that I left the CPAP and took other unimportant stuff tell you just how much I think I can do things that I really can't. I stopped when I though of leaving that machine, but, since I really didn't need it as much in Thailand, I thought I'd not need it anywhere. That's stupid. Plus, I never checked out the effect higher altitude has, or I definitely would have taken it. Dumb old man who doesn't know that his body is changing and getting older and more frail in spite of all the exercise I do.
Let's give it another day or two and if I haven't received the CPAP, I'd appreciate your help in tracing where it might be right now. I'm so glad you sent it and also put a tracer on it.
It's not unusual for 20 percent of the population who visits Cuenca from lower altitudes get sick like me, except mine was worse because of having a previous diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea though the type apnea you get here with altitude sickness is central sleep apnea. Most people adapt and it may take more than a month or two.
I hope I can adapt because it is beautiful here. Even though it's colder, the weather is always in the same range and when the sun is out, it is an intense tropical sun with cool breezes. It is missing a very important aspect though: You.
Having gone to the U.S, really made me very sad. Like I said to you before, it was wonderful seeing Devin, but very hard to leave and I was reminded by many negative memories in life that drove me out of the country. I weep for America and myself because it would be very difficult to live there for many reasons. At least when I go back for visits with my boy we have more intense time together than when I was working in Chicago and seeing him was always far too short in the very busy lives many Americans live to survive.
I'll feel better once I get my residency, get into a better apartment, and spend some time volunteering in some capacity (it doesn't have to be teaching). Getting better sleep and getting my body healthier will also help.
I wear the tan blanket that was yours and I took with me here all the time around my shoulders like a shawl, or have it over the top part of my body when I sleep.
Love you,
tom