Je voudrais vous présenter...

So much has happened in the month plus since I left it is hard to know where to begin. I am in fact doing well - my stools are solid (for now) and my mental health is intact (sometimes). Actually, I am fairing better than I expected. There was a moment during staging in Philadelphia when I was standing in the shower and had the closest thing to a panic attack that I have ever had. Perhaps, I was lamenting over the impending absense of said shower or just a major case of self doubt, but regardless, I am here, writing this draft (ahead of time) via candlelite lantern. I must add that my first night with my host familywas also difficult, but I believe a lot of that emotion was a biproduct of stress and exhaustion. A good night's sleep does wonders here. Since I am on the topic of health, I will say that I have suffered from dehydration, headaches, mild heat rash, heat edema (swelling of the hands and feet) and my eyes have developed a sensitivity to the sun in which I have echoes/floaters in my vision. This means I wear a hat/visor and sunglasses whenever I am outside. I also have intestinal cramps about every morning when I wake up, which is relieved by immediately going to the bathroom. Some of my fellow stagiaires (trainees) have not been so lucky. For example, I have heard reports of shingles, diarrhea, vomiting, constipation, nausea, rashes, nightmares, etc... I am sure the ameobas, giardia and parasites wil come soon enough. In fact, I have already met current volunteers who have shat themselves multiple times in one day or who have had giardia consistantly for 2 years straight. Granted, this is not a guarantee it will happen, but it is a possibility. Yay for sharts!