Reflecting on Tuberculosis - A Broken Heart to Match Broken Lungs

I have mostly restricted the contents of this blog to the cultural aspects of Moldova, both out of respect for the privacy of the patients I meet as well as due to the ongoing nature of my research and understanding.  But, a short while back I had an experience that I think is a valuable insight for all of us when thinking of disease. 

I was in a rural clinic observing follow-up appointments when two stories unfolded in front of me. 

The first was a father who was coming in to update the doctor on his son.  Apparently two years ago the son had been working in Russia (migrant workers are a very common theme to the story of TB in Moldova.)  While in the "workers' camp" he contracted TB and was sent back to Moldova for treatment.  In the midst of his treatment, his fiancee called him from Russia and told him he needed to come back.  So, this young man put love before health and rushed off to Russia... only to find that the urgent call was made because his fiancee was leaving him.  Soon she was with another suitor... the doctor sadly called it "survival of the fittest."

The next patient to walk through the doors was an older man.  A few years ago, he and his wife and two children were leaving Moldova for the opportunities of Italy, and on the way between borders he was screened and diagnosed with tuberculosis.  He was sent back to Moldova for treatment while his family went on to their destination in Italy.  Apparently he no longer has the opportunity to go back (not necessarily because of TB, it may be that an administrative window closed.)  Regardless, he remains separated from his loved ones three years later... part of the stress that probably led to his reactivation with MDR-TB.

It is often pointed out that social status is closely linked to the epidemiology of tuberculosis.  Indeed, a poor social status leads to an increased risk of tuberculosis.  But the sad reality is that tuberculosis doesn't just take a man's health; it can also deprive him of the only social wealth he has left...

Happy International Women's Day!

A quick post in real-time:

Today is a very important day in Moldova, and many other countries in the region.  It is International Women's Day, a day on which women of all ages, positions, and statuses are celebrated.  So, to all the women that are so important to my life and heart (Bailey, Mom, my Grandmas, Audrey, KLA and Tricia, Cristina, Mama Ica, Tobi and Marilyn, my precious nieces and aunts and Godmother,and all my female friends,colleagues and professors around the world) I wish you a very happy day, much health and continued future success!  Your love is wonderful, your thoughtfulness appreciated, and your lives are inspirational to many more people than you might think.  It is righteous and just that today we celebrate your lives.

Happy International Women's Day!

Excursion... Partea a Două (...still Oct. 11, 2009)

So, after spending an hour or so at the farm, it was on to the second leg of the excursion.  And in true Moldovan fashion, it would involve food, wine, and dancing.  Please enjoy the pictorial.

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The Entrance

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 The ladies are preparing the table... Moldovans are very particular about the fact that a table should be properly filled and presented... therefore, this is a very important part of the process.

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 The food is laid out, and Artiom is ready!

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 Our side of the table....

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...and the other side of the table (the kind woman in the middle had brought some really good sarmale to share; it was in the brown-clay pot above...)

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 Artiom flashes his American-smile, and his step-dad gives it his best shot.

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Yep... it turned out there was a drum-set in the manager's office.  I had heard the unmistakable sound of a child banging drums; it turned out a little fellow was on his dad's lap learning how to play.  Lesson #1:  position the hi-hat...

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 ...Lesson #2:  strike the hi-hat with rhythmic ferocity...

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  ...then proceed to Lesson #3, which entails rocking out like you might not see another drum-set for 8 months.  It was a short 5 minutes, but I loved every minute of it.

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 Artiom and Irina warming up the dance floor.

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 Artiom hollering at me to come on out and give it a shot...

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Irina, thinking back to how nice it was to dance with someone who knew the steps.  :^)

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 We played some soccer for a short bit (this is a "before" shot.)  The highlight (or lowlight...) was when I kicked the ball in an uncontrolled fashion, and it veered straight for a little girl's arm.  I don't think she ever forgave me, and I may have damaged the good name of America in the process.  I couldn't help but feel like Ben Stiller in Meet the Parents... "It's only a game Focker!"

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But, nothing heals the soul, like a little karaoke!

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Artiom, putting out the vibe.

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 And then the show was interrupted... by the show.

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 She looks familiar...

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 The "short guy" and the "strong-legged woman" danced a great show!

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This man and I were making sure the wine bottles weren't being left unattended... but someone should probably have thought twice about leaving us unattended.

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 And what is an excursion without dancing?

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That completes the excursion.  We walked the farm, took in a great table, sported around a bit, and then danced until the sun set.  Artiom told me that this was a celebration of the end of the season; and that soon (today being March 6) we will be celebrating the coming of the season... reminds me of the "Here Comes the Sun" and "There Goes the Sun" parties at The Cove in Leland.  Good times.  

Excursion! Oct. 11, 2009

Moldovans have a fine tradition of venturing out into the countryside for a day of leisure.  I was lucky enough to be invited along by my friend Artiom.  Yes, you may remember him from last year's post titled "The odds..." or perhaps from the post chronicling my misadventures with Marina the friendly wedding tour guide...

Well regardless, meet Artiom!

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As you can see by this picture, I was not joking when I mentioned being offered homemade wine everywhere I go.  It is 7:30 am, and although the Wine Festival is now a few hours behind me, the wine is still a few hours ahead of me.  But I'm not the only one being wrangled into a glass of grapes...

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Nor was I the only one out late; Irina decided to join us after celebrating her friends' wedding...

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So, after a quick bite to eat and glass of vin for the road, we come to our first stop.... an officially Moldovan farm!

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... with goats...

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and OSTRICHES!

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Aside from being a bit peculiar, and looking at all comers as if THEY are the peculiar ones... these guys are voracious eaters.

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Now THAT'S an egg!

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Of course, never to be outdone...

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And yes, that ostrich was coming over to see just what exactly I had in mind for her eggs...

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But, one more shot... Artiom and his mom.

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 ...and with a beautiful horse...

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On with the tour.  This farm had golden hens...

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...peacocks...

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...and birds of all feathers...

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If you were ever curious, this is what an angry pony looks like...

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As in, I'm amazed we didn't end up with one less excursionist...

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(No, really, don't let that picture fool you.  We are standing just outside of the reach of it's chain... and you can see that I am still ready to leap back should that chain fail.)

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Piglets!

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 The ever protective mother:  "What are you looking at?  Nothing to see here; move along, move along..."

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American smiles.  :^)

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 Now, a few shots of the landscape...

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And with that... it's back on the bus!  On to Part II of the excursion....

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To be continued...