Would you go to Ghana?
I am scheduled to teach a study-abroad class for 4 weeks in Ghana in May. What a cool opportunity!However,I just had my second PE December 10.I am pretty sure that I will be recovered by then since this PE was very small. I am breathing fine now, except for when I try to exercise.But, I am concerned about being on Coumadin and diet, the long plane trip, and the possibly of needing to have my INR checked there. We will be in the capital city of Accra for part of the trip, but rural areas for other parts.We will also take several long bus trips as we travel around the country. I don't want to have special health concerns because I will be responsible for supervising students from the U.S., as well as teaching.I also think that maybe I need to take the summer off to just rest and take good care of myself. My winter break wasn't as relaxing as usual, since I had the PE. I typically have the summer off and this would simply be extra $ for teaching an extra class. The extra $ would be nice, but I can afford to choose not to do it. I have committed to doing this and would need to let folks know soon, if I am backing out. Of course I'll talk to my hematologist...But I am wondering, what would you do?
Replies
I had my PE in mid-March and I spent 5 weeks in June/July in Egypt. I got my PT/INR tested at a clinic in Cairo while I was there - not sure how Ghana would compare, but you don\'t need a doctor\'s order for the blood work and it was unbelievably easy. Warfarin is also over the counter (!!!) and very, very cheap there. Do you know anything about the medical care there?
I got up every hour to walk around the plane, stayed awake, and kept hydrated, but otherwise it was surprisingly easy. I expected to be a basket case in my daily Cairene life, nervous about crossing the street, etc., but I really wasn\'t worried (I did make my boyfriend learn the emergency number for a local hospital, which we ended up using when our roommate ingested Raid by accident).
When do you have to decide? I think it would be an unbelievable experience for you, and we could all use more money, but if you feel like it\'s too soon or that you need a break, then you do and that\'s a totally great decision. That said, I think part of the reason I went to Egypt was because i wanted to assure myself that I was back to normal and make sure I didn\'t feel like the PE was controlling me. I\'m an archaeologist who\'s spent many, many months abroad in rural areas and I have every intention of continuing to do this even if I end up being on coumadin for life.
There is a reason to be cautious, but letting that fear inhibit you isn\'t fair. If you\'re physically up for it, I say go.
I did a similar thing to Nemtynakht, where I went to Ireland almost in spite of my blood clot. My doctor was insistent that I understand the importance of getitng up and walking around the plan, streatching at my seat, and keeping hydrated...and I did all of those things and never had a problem.
I too, quickly found where the nearest hospital was, I kept a copy of my medical history on me at all times (in additional to my medical bracelet), and never left without my phone.
You know your body, and you\'re going to have a better guess at your recovery time than we are...if the hematologist gives you the thumbs up and you still want to go, don\'t let the fear of the \"what ifs\" hold you back.