Ready to go

I’ve been singing- well, actually more like bellowing,  John Denver’s ‘leaving on a jet plane” in my very long hot shower this morning – I don’t know when my next shower will be. I am assuming the hotels that we will be staying in Uganda will be equipped with showers and hot water. But just in case, I took an extra-long one today. The last visit to Africa in 2013 when our family climbed Kilimanjaro does not evoke good memories of showers. We went nine days without a shower- it’s hard to find one on the mountain! However, all the climbers and guides were equally smelly, so it really didn’t matter.

My bags are now packed. One very large suitcase of medical supplies and a small one for my long dresses and personal items. Our Southside PCN staff were able to secure quite a few glucometers and strips and lancets along with six  BP monitors. I believe this will be a great way to start screening for diabetes and hypertension whilst I am visiting the towns and villages. I am going to stay very open minded and try to determine the needs of the people, rather than be prescriptive. Not knowing the prevalence of chronic diseases in the local population, I’m uncertain what I will find. I still haven’t prepared all the presentations- but it’s going to be a long flight and I will have plenty of time to get them ready.

So I’m now literally leaving on a jet plane and ready for it to take off. (go ahead and sing the lyrics to the song – you know you want to!) I’m hoping to be able to blog when I get a chance and will post the blogs and pictures of this new land whenever we have access to internet. I’ve learnt much about the project from the CEO of HEAL whilst we have been waiting at the airport and I’m looking forward to falling in love with Uganda.