Trip preparations...Um, OUCH

So these past few days I have literally been running around St. Louis trying to get the important stuff done that I need to before packing up and heading to Africa. And since my sister and nephew have been at her in-laws house I wanted to make sure I got most of it completed so I could spend the rest of the week with them. Let's just say I now understand why most people start these preparations at least 6 weeks in advance.

On yesterday's agenda I went and got an International Driver's Permit from AAA that allows me to drive while I'm over there...no clue that even existed! I also figured out what I was going to do for a phone plan, made sure my personal items were insured, got international travel health insurance, made an appointment with a travel doctor, picked up some books and movies at the library, got a new travel backpack, and did some shopping (of course). Productive, right? I thought today would go similarly. Turns out I was wrong.

My first mistake was making the appointment with my travel doctor first on the itinerary. Getting a Tetnus booster, Polio booster, and Typhoid shot all in one arm leaves you with an arm that is pretty much useless and really freaking hurts. So about an hour into my errands after the shots I retired home, took some advil, and attempted to sleep off the pain. The worst part is that I have to go back tomorrow for yet another shot-Yellow Fever. Because I am going to be Dakar, Senegal, for ONE HOUR while the plane refuels, I won't be allowed into South Africa without proof of a Yellow Fever vaccination. Since Dakar is considered an endemic area they're concerned about people bringing Yellow Fever into the country. Seriously people? We're not even getting off the plane! I was reluctant to spend another pretty penny on a shot, but better safe than me getting over there and them not allowing me into the country. And this way, if I decide to go see Victoria Falls while I'm over there I'll be able to return to South Africa without any problems. From the looks of it, I'm pretty interested:

I also got an e-mail today from the people I will be working for. It described all of the expectations they have for me as an intern, and exactly what I will be doing. Although I had a minor freak out moment that they thought I was a lot smarter than I am, it seems like they are really excited for me to get there and experience the transitions they are going through. The great part is that I will be working directly with their management team, and my point of contact and supervisor is the founder of the organization. She is also a pediatrician on the hospital's pain and palliative care team which means I will really have a chance to gain insight into pediatric palliative care while I'm there. For those of you non-healthcare gurus, palliative care is specialized care which focuses on the pain, symptoms, and stress of serious illness. It can be used alongside of "curative" treatments, but is meant to provide relief and improved quality of life for patients and their families.

As my departure date draws near, I continue to grow more anxious. I know once I get over there I'll be fine, but sometimes I just have trouble believing in myself. I was in the bookstore looking for a journal and I saw this quote. I figure I'll just keep telling it to myself until I believe it!

“You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face...do the thing you think you cannot do.” – Eleanor Roosevelt