We went to Panama City on the bus on Sunday, primarily to get set for the chemo on Monday. However, we had some fun along the way. We saw the movie, "Michael Clayton"; our first movie in a cinema in Panama! So, because we are "juliblados" (i.e., old geeks), our tickets were half-priced: $2.00 each. Hard to beat! With our coke, water and popcorn, the whole experience was less than $10! The cinema house was a standard multi-plex item in the mall, with clean, comfortable seats and a huge screen (it was hard to get far enough away from it so we didn't get dizzy). Good film, too.
Later that evening we went over to the casino nearest our hotel (Veneto Casino). We had a snacky dinner while we watched the Red Sox womp up on the Rockies on the big screen in the sports bar area. We thought one of our table neighbors was a real Rockie fan until we realized that he was betting every couple of innings. He didn't do too well that night.
The casino was completely decorated for Halloween, although this is not a holiday celebrated here in Panama. The decorations were great: lots of balloons, huge spiders and webs everywhere and pumpkins all over. Great atmosphere!
While Tommy was having chemo, I went from store to store, getting stuff we can't get up here: decent light bulbs (note: one only buys name brand light bulbs here; the others are made in China and either don't work immediately, quit after 10 minutes, and/or twist off from the metal bottom when one tries to unscrew it...on this we happen to agree with Lou Dobbs!); shelf standards (had to visit two different stores to get 12 brackets to match!); English muffins; you get the idea. We were both exhausted, for different reasons.
Tommy wanted to sleep in this morning, so I took an earlier bus home. When I got off at our street, I was carrying my purse, two curtain rods, and two heavy, large bags. Three kids, who were walking home from school, stopped me and took my packages to help me home. Even though we went past their house, they insisted on walking me all the way home. Ah me, what a great feeling!
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Saturday, October 20, 2007
Saturday, October 20, 2007
We had another parade today even though it was pouring rain. We knew that there was an upcoming parade because all week long we have been hearing drum practice every night. This parade was "hosted" by one of the local schools, but there were floats from many other provinces (Bocas del Toro, Darien, Panama, etc.). Today's parade was a bit more low key than the one about a month ago, which had many more floats and all the floats were pulled by oxen. The general idea was the same.
The queen of the parade was the daughter of Dario, one of the fellows building the workshop. As I was riding my bike home this morning, I met Dario. When I asked him, "No work today?", he told me about the parade, about his daughter being the queen, and that he was looking for his boss to get an advance so that he could buy candy for the queen to throw during the parade. Of course I gave him a couple of bucks.
The parade started at the other end of town at 10ish. At 11:30 Tommy and I left our house and drove three blocks to a restaurant on the main street (on the parade route). This restaurant also has two bar seats outside in the front, and we were early enough to grab those. So, we had front row seating, con bar service, for the parade.
All the floats were pickup trucks decorated with flowers, palm fronds, and posters. The kids were in the truck beds, waving, dancing, and throwing candy. All were costumed: boys in dressy white shirts and dark trousers, and the girls in the beautiful native lacy dressy with elaborate hair ornaments. Most of the floats had some sort of cover to keep the kids dry. We saw one dad walking alongside the truck, holding an umbrella over his kid in the truck.
Each float was followed by its own marching band and dancing supporters. The bands all have drums and a horn section (some more than others), and assorted other instruments (one had an accordian). One of the bands took shelter on the terrace of our restaurant; this was great because the muscians continued to play while they were at the restaurant. Hard not to have happy feet while listening to these bands.
The parade route went past us, and a half block later, turned around and returned to the center of town. We watched both passes; probably took an hour or so. Everyone was soaked but had great big smiles.
So, now it's Saturday night and we are watching University of Michigan football on TV (you can take the boy out of Michigan but you can't take the Michigan out of the boy....), and we don't hear any drum practice. First time in weeks!
The queen of the parade was the daughter of Dario, one of the fellows building the workshop. As I was riding my bike home this morning, I met Dario. When I asked him, "No work today?", he told me about the parade, about his daughter being the queen, and that he was looking for his boss to get an advance so that he could buy candy for the queen to throw during the parade. Of course I gave him a couple of bucks.
The parade started at the other end of town at 10ish. At 11:30 Tommy and I left our house and drove three blocks to a restaurant on the main street (on the parade route). This restaurant also has two bar seats outside in the front, and we were early enough to grab those. So, we had front row seating, con bar service, for the parade.
All the floats were pickup trucks decorated with flowers, palm fronds, and posters. The kids were in the truck beds, waving, dancing, and throwing candy. All were costumed: boys in dressy white shirts and dark trousers, and the girls in the beautiful native lacy dressy with elaborate hair ornaments. Most of the floats had some sort of cover to keep the kids dry. We saw one dad walking alongside the truck, holding an umbrella over his kid in the truck.
Each float was followed by its own marching band and dancing supporters. The bands all have drums and a horn section (some more than others), and assorted other instruments (one had an accordian). One of the bands took shelter on the terrace of our restaurant; this was great because the muscians continued to play while they were at the restaurant. Hard not to have happy feet while listening to these bands.
The parade route went past us, and a half block later, turned around and returned to the center of town. We watched both passes; probably took an hour or so. Everyone was soaked but had great big smiles.
So, now it's Saturday night and we are watching University of Michigan football on TV (you can take the boy out of Michigan but you can't take the Michigan out of the boy....), and we don't hear any drum practice. First time in weeks!
Thursday, October 18, 2007
October 18th, 2007: Health Update
Six weeks after we got here, Tommy was diagnosed with cancer of the esophogus which had spread to his bones. Chemo started immediately, with all the joys that come with chemo: hair loss, nausea, extreme tiredness, etc. However, after three sessions of chemo, spread over nine weeks, a CT scan showed that the tumor (originally 10 cm) had been reduced by 95%! Isn't that grand news!
Chemo has re-started with three more sessions, which will take us to early December, when there will be all sorts of scans to see what is going on in the esophogus and the bones.
The chemo is taking place in Panama City, at the Punta Pacifica Hospital which is brand new and affiliated with Johns Hopkins in Baltimore, Md., USA. We originally went to this hospital for another problem, and when the doctors were trying to discover the source of that other problem, they came across the cancer.
We feel the hospital is terrific, the doctors are really on the ball, and the nursing staff attentive and kind. The admin staff, while polite and very nice, are sometimes not as efficient as one would like. However, the Punta Pacifica has a wonderful lady named Dee, whose function is to help patients and families with any admin and/or translation difficulties. This is truly a plus!
Because the doctors know that we live in El Valle and therefore cannot easily run back and forth to the hospital, all the diagnostic tests were performed on an in-patient basis over a period of three days. Because of our terrific BUPA insurance, Tommy had a private room with a couch, which could be converted into a bed for me when I desired (no charge, either). I did that once but didn't eat the offerred hospital food, opting instead to walk across the street to the shopping mall and get a sushi take-away.
The chemo sessions are on every third Monday, so we take the bus on Sunday and treat ourselves to a nice dinner with wine because wine is prohibited for a week after chemo. We like to stay in the El Cangrejo district and have a terrific little hotel ($35 a night, thank you very much). We are learning all the great restaurants in El Cangrejo, as well as the casino Veneto.
We stay Sunday and Monday (because the chemo ends too late on Monday to catch the bus), and return home on Tuesday mid-day.
We are greeted by TwoBaby, screaming his head off. Gladys, the maid, comes in every day when we are gone but it just isn't the same apparently. Nice to be missed!
Chemo has re-started with three more sessions, which will take us to early December, when there will be all sorts of scans to see what is going on in the esophogus and the bones.
The chemo is taking place in Panama City, at the Punta Pacifica Hospital which is brand new and affiliated with Johns Hopkins in Baltimore, Md., USA. We originally went to this hospital for another problem, and when the doctors were trying to discover the source of that other problem, they came across the cancer.
We feel the hospital is terrific, the doctors are really on the ball, and the nursing staff attentive and kind. The admin staff, while polite and very nice, are sometimes not as efficient as one would like. However, the Punta Pacifica has a wonderful lady named Dee, whose function is to help patients and families with any admin and/or translation difficulties. This is truly a plus!
Because the doctors know that we live in El Valle and therefore cannot easily run back and forth to the hospital, all the diagnostic tests were performed on an in-patient basis over a period of three days. Because of our terrific BUPA insurance, Tommy had a private room with a couch, which could be converted into a bed for me when I desired (no charge, either). I did that once but didn't eat the offerred hospital food, opting instead to walk across the street to the shopping mall and get a sushi take-away.
The chemo sessions are on every third Monday, so we take the bus on Sunday and treat ourselves to a nice dinner with wine because wine is prohibited for a week after chemo. We like to stay in the El Cangrejo district and have a terrific little hotel ($35 a night, thank you very much). We are learning all the great restaurants in El Cangrejo, as well as the casino Veneto.
We stay Sunday and Monday (because the chemo ends too late on Monday to catch the bus), and return home on Tuesday mid-day.
We are greeted by TwoBaby, screaming his head off. Gladys, the maid, comes in every day when we are gone but it just isn't the same apparently. Nice to be missed!
Saturday, October 6, 2007
There are always two ways...., October 6, 2007
When we entered Panama, we were given 90 day visas, as was the van. For one reason or another (including sloth), we let the van visa elapse without renewing it.
After a short time here, we quickly decided that our beloved van was inappropriate in Panama; apart from the main roads, the roads are too pot-holed and narrow, as are driveways, for the "monster" as our friend Rene calls the van.
We toyed with the idea of sending the van back to the States, to sell it there. We knew that the more we drove the van, the more we were tempting the god of fines. Finally, we decided not to hassle with selling the van in the States, which meant that we finally had to deal with registering the van in Panama so that we could sell it here.
After several weeks of unanswered e-mails, miscommunications, and frustrating phone calls, we were directed to Julia. Barbara visited Julia last week, and gave her all the van documents, including the out-0f-date visa.
Julia sent her "boy" to Aduana (must be the immigration office in Panama City?), and several hours later called with the news that the fine (for letting the visa elapse) was $500. Thankfully, we didn't rush to agree to pay this, because Julia went on to say, "As you know, in Panama there are always two ways of doing things. In this case, the immigration lady has offered to place the appropriate monthly stamps on the van visa. She can do this for $25 a month." Since we were four months out-of-date, our bill was $100. Love it.
Contrary to many of the North Americans, we are not offended by "the other way" of doing things in this part of the world. Hey, if it gets the job done and doesn't hurt anyone, what's the big deal? Besides, it is usually cheaper and quicker!
After a short time here, we quickly decided that our beloved van was inappropriate in Panama; apart from the main roads, the roads are too pot-holed and narrow, as are driveways, for the "monster" as our friend Rene calls the van.
We toyed with the idea of sending the van back to the States, to sell it there. We knew that the more we drove the van, the more we were tempting the god of fines. Finally, we decided not to hassle with selling the van in the States, which meant that we finally had to deal with registering the van in Panama so that we could sell it here.
After several weeks of unanswered e-mails, miscommunications, and frustrating phone calls, we were directed to Julia. Barbara visited Julia last week, and gave her all the van documents, including the out-0f-date visa.
Julia sent her "boy" to Aduana (must be the immigration office in Panama City?), and several hours later called with the news that the fine (for letting the visa elapse) was $500. Thankfully, we didn't rush to agree to pay this, because Julia went on to say, "As you know, in Panama there are always two ways of doing things. In this case, the immigration lady has offered to place the appropriate monthly stamps on the van visa. She can do this for $25 a month." Since we were four months out-of-date, our bill was $100. Love it.
Contrary to many of the North Americans, we are not offended by "the other way" of doing things in this part of the world. Hey, if it gets the job done and doesn't hurt anyone, what's the big deal? Besides, it is usually cheaper and quicker!
Friday, October 5, 2007
A word about buses, October 5th, 2007
I think we mentioned that we have been taking the bus to and from Panama City to El Valle. We just walk out to the main street (2 blocks) and flag down a bus which says "Panama City". Or, we can walk into town (5 blocks) and wait at the bus stop, which is covered and has benches.
Last week we were returning to Panama City with our friend Gill (and her very large, heavy suitcase) so that we could play in PC for a day before she had to catch her flight home to Portugal. Since it was raining, Tommy drove Gill, me and the suitcase into town to the covered bus stop. He returned the van back home, fiddled a bit as only Tommy can, and then started walking back towards town to catch the bus.
In the mean time, Gill and I had caught a bus, and I explained that "mi esposo" was walking towards the bus, and that we wanted him to get on the bus. Luckily, for the fiddle factor, our bus meandered all around town and finally headed out. As we were passing our lane, I spotted Tommy a half block down, which somehow I conveyed to the bus driver. The bus turned around and went to pick up Tommy! Lovely.
Earlier this week, we were in PC but had so many appointments, that we were later than normal getting to the bus station. We ended up on a bus which left at 6pm, which meant that a half hour later it was dark outside (and inside, of course), and everything was a bit slower because it was "rush hour" and raining. About halfway home, we noticed that all the street lights were out, and that the only lights near houses and stores were car lights which were pointed at the buildings. Also about this time, our full bus started picking up additional passengers so that the aisle was completely jammed with standers and several guys were hanging out the doorway. Imagine the joy of having a backpack in your face, as well as the delightful smells of so many crammed, wet bodies. We were ever so glad to enter El Valle, where there was light and fresh air!
These buses seat 25 to 30 people, and are relatively new. The latin music plays constantly and loudly; Gill tried to drown out the music with her IPOD but was only marginally successful. The bus driver normally has a helper, who stations himself near the doorway. He flags down passengers, helps people on and off, and takes the money. He also is the guy who has to hang out the doorway when the bus is jammed.
The journey takes between 2 and 3 hours, depending on the bus driver's mood more than anything, it seems. In PC, the final stop is the Albrook Mall, from which a $2 cab ride will get you into the middle of town. All this fun and convenience for only $3.50, each way. Can you beat it?
Last week we were returning to Panama City with our friend Gill (and her very large, heavy suitcase) so that we could play in PC for a day before she had to catch her flight home to Portugal. Since it was raining, Tommy drove Gill, me and the suitcase into town to the covered bus stop. He returned the van back home, fiddled a bit as only Tommy can, and then started walking back towards town to catch the bus.
In the mean time, Gill and I had caught a bus, and I explained that "mi esposo" was walking towards the bus, and that we wanted him to get on the bus. Luckily, for the fiddle factor, our bus meandered all around town and finally headed out. As we were passing our lane, I spotted Tommy a half block down, which somehow I conveyed to the bus driver. The bus turned around and went to pick up Tommy! Lovely.
Earlier this week, we were in PC but had so many appointments, that we were later than normal getting to the bus station. We ended up on a bus which left at 6pm, which meant that a half hour later it was dark outside (and inside, of course), and everything was a bit slower because it was "rush hour" and raining. About halfway home, we noticed that all the street lights were out, and that the only lights near houses and stores were car lights which were pointed at the buildings. Also about this time, our full bus started picking up additional passengers so that the aisle was completely jammed with standers and several guys were hanging out the doorway. Imagine the joy of having a backpack in your face, as well as the delightful smells of so many crammed, wet bodies. We were ever so glad to enter El Valle, where there was light and fresh air!
These buses seat 25 to 30 people, and are relatively new. The latin music plays constantly and loudly; Gill tried to drown out the music with her IPOD but was only marginally successful. The bus driver normally has a helper, who stations himself near the doorway. He flags down passengers, helps people on and off, and takes the money. He also is the guy who has to hang out the doorway when the bus is jammed.
The journey takes between 2 and 3 hours, depending on the bus driver's mood more than anything, it seems. In PC, the final stop is the Albrook Mall, from which a $2 cab ride will get you into the middle of town. All this fun and convenience for only $3.50, each way. Can you beat it?
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