I would be remiss
not to talk about extreme adjustment challenges
google it…it’s an actual medical term
“heat exhaustion”
most experienced by the elderly
and those who have come from a cold
to a warm climate….
that would be me
67 is elderly in a country where
69 is the life expectancy
there are a weird variety of symptoms
all quite unpleasant
skin feeling like it is sunburned, but it’s not,
periodic intense heat in parts of your body like back, neck, torso
but there’s no fever
sudden vomiting, nausea after being outside, headache,
diarrhea, exhaustion, weakness, slight vertigo and
frightening emotional fragility
I’m happy to report that Ren isn’t suffering from this
but I certainly am
The Indonesians say “Oh that’s just the adjustment disease.”
or they say, “Coming here brings out all kinds of nasty spiritis (jinn).”
or “Everyone gets this.”
“Takes about a week to feel better. Take it easy.”
they smile in a kind, friendly way that doesn’t really help
After several dramatically miserable days
we decide to go to the doctor in Palangkyaraya
one hour ride to town in the BCU School van
one hour in which a stop for a physical emergency
from one end or the other
would result in a traffic disaster
physical tension then mixed with the fascination of the sights
houses on stilts, people on porches,
small roadside shops (warung)
traffic weave of families on motorbikes, big trucks, cars
ah, we’re here
just another warung along the road
Doktor sign
tiny pharmacy in front
behind, a row of chairs against the wall
maybe 20 almost all filled
babies, children, elders, adults
we have an appointment
and are seen immediately
is this a privilege reserved for the rich?
we don’t know
the Dokter greets us and invites us
into her office
a little square room just big enough
for desk, two chairs, and an examination table
Dokter Ina, the woman all the Rungan Sari folk go to
kind, patient
between Ren’s Indonesian and her English
she understands the problem
examines me
blood pressure low she announces solemnly
as we sit talking the lights go out
without skipping a word
she reaches up and flips on a battery light
gives prescriptions to take for nausea, fever,
replenishing electrolytes, and for the “stomach bug”
“Come back if you need to. Nice to meet you.
Get these up front. I explain in English.”
The exact number of pills are delivered
in litle plastic bags
the process slowed only by several bouts of lost electricity
no battery lamp in the pharmacy
The bill is $17.00 for Dokter and med combined
we race to the van through a torrent of rain
getting quite wet and shivery
back at home, we collapse
as if we had just crossed the ocean
in a rowboat
[Written a week later....
the next morning I began to feel
significantly better....and today
I write this last paragraph with Cornetto in hand]
not to talk about extreme adjustment challenges
google it…it’s an actual medical term
“heat exhaustion”
most experienced by the elderly
and those who have come from a cold
to a warm climate….
that would be me
67 is elderly in a country where
69 is the life expectancy
there are a weird variety of symptoms
all quite unpleasant
skin feeling like it is sunburned, but it’s not,
periodic intense heat in parts of your body like back, neck, torso
but there’s no fever
sudden vomiting, nausea after being outside, headache,
diarrhea, exhaustion, weakness, slight vertigo and
frightening emotional fragility
I’m happy to report that Ren isn’t suffering from this
but I certainly am
The Indonesians say “Oh that’s just the adjustment disease.”
or they say, “Coming here brings out all kinds of nasty spiritis (jinn).”
or “Everyone gets this.”
“Takes about a week to feel better. Take it easy.”
they smile in a kind, friendly way that doesn’t really help
After several dramatically miserable days
we decide to go to the doctor in Palangkyaraya
one hour ride to town in the BCU School van
one hour in which a stop for a physical emergency
from one end or the other
would result in a traffic disaster
physical tension then mixed with the fascination of the sights
houses on stilts, people on porches,
small roadside shops (warung)
traffic weave of families on motorbikes, big trucks, cars
ah, we’re here
just another warung along the road
Doktor sign
tiny pharmacy in front
behind, a row of chairs against the wall
maybe 20 almost all filled
babies, children, elders, adults
we have an appointment
and are seen immediately
is this a privilege reserved for the rich?
we don’t know
the Dokter greets us and invites us
into her office
a little square room just big enough
for desk, two chairs, and an examination table
Dokter Ina, the woman all the Rungan Sari folk go to
kind, patient
between Ren’s Indonesian and her English
she understands the problem
examines me
blood pressure low she announces solemnly
as we sit talking the lights go out
without skipping a word
she reaches up and flips on a battery light
gives prescriptions to take for nausea, fever,
replenishing electrolytes, and for the “stomach bug”
“Come back if you need to. Nice to meet you.
Get these up front. I explain in English.”
The exact number of pills are delivered
in litle plastic bags
the process slowed only by several bouts of lost electricity
no battery lamp in the pharmacy
The bill is $17.00 for Dokter and med combined
we race to the van through a torrent of rain
getting quite wet and shivery
back at home, we collapse
as if we had just crossed the ocean
in a rowboat
[Written a week later....
the next morning I began to feel
significantly better....and today
I write this last paragraph with Cornetto in hand]
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