Sunny Afternoon in the Cloudforest – May 26, 2016
Thank you, everyone, for your concern not only for those affected by the earthquake, but also for my friend Julie, who is fighting cancer. I am watching over their property here in Ecuador’s cloud forest until it sells.
I hope to visit Jama soon, which will be heart wrenching yet necessary to move forward. It will help to see the damage, visit with loved ones who continue to endure the stress, find out what people need most – and how to help – plus learn what hotels, restaurants might be open. One friend shared details about the community of Jama:
“You will not recognize Jama. Almost every building is marked as being necessary to be torn down. Doctors Without Borders have donated what looked like hundreds of tents in Matal. However still many people live under makeshift plastic.”
She mentioned other groups/businesses that are helping, but I will wait to share those details after learning more and having photos to pair with the stories. There are surely many beautiful untold stories worthy of a larger audience.
Idyllic Jama – from 2012
The soundtrack in my head this week is Jack Johnson’s song, “The News.” He sings, “Why don’t the newscasters cry when they sing about people who die. The least they can be decent enough to put just a tear in their eye…”
Linda from The Task at Hand provided a slice of humor between her words of concern last week. In her comment about last week’s strong earthquakes, she added, “What amazes me is that I hadn’t heard one word about this on the “news.” Everything here was related to the loss of the Egyptair plane, or the interminable, ghastly, insufferable presidential campaign. (Hmmmm… I think my opinions are showing. Remember when we used to worry if our slips were showing?)”
When I read her comment, the Egyptair story was old news, and wasn’t included on any current headline in my computer’s browser.
Switching channels, I have an update from Julie, who is presently undergoing stem-cell work for her cancer in Nebraska. Since many people have asked about her health I asked her for details to share via this post. Here is her explanation:
The process is as follows:
“Introductory stuff for 2 days … although I know the hospital well. They will also draw blood.
Day 3 they start giving me injections of growth hormone to stimulate my bone marrow to make stem cells.
Day 4 they put a new giant catheter (under sedation)
Days 4-7 I get GH injections
If all is going well they then start a sort of dialysis procedure where they take out lots of blood, filter out the stem cells and then put the rest of the blood back in. This goes on for several days.
Next is the chemo therapy. They give me drugs IV for several days. These are large doses and kill all my immune cells. After a 2 to 3 day wait, they put the stem cells back in. They go where they are supposed to and then I recover enough to go home.
The whole thing takes 6 weeks-ish
The catheter and collection of stem cells will not be pleasant but not too bad. That high a dose of chemo will also kill the lining of the mouth and gut. Thus no appetite, diarrhea, mouth sores, stomach ulcers are the painful side effects. Those and complete exhaustion.”
How I wish I could transport Julie back to the cloud forest during her recovery time. One cannot find a more-lovely late-afternoon view than the one on their property. The photo below was taken yesterday afternoon while I was feeding the fish. The fish have earned their own story, which I hope to share soon.
2nd View – from the Cloudforest…
Until next time online,
Lisa/Z
Zeebra Designs & Destinations 
Oh, Lisa, sometimes it is just too much. Your visit back to Jama will be difficult, I know, but you must go. And do update us.
Take good care.
Your story reminds me to count my blessings. Thank you.
…and I’ve been sitting here feeling sorry for myself over almost nothing! Best wishes for Julie, for all the strength necessary, and to you, dear Lisa, for the same.
Keep strong Lisa, there are so many sad things happening in this world. Earthquake, drought, floods and fires, not to mention disease and wars. A lot of suffering, and at other times a lot of joy. For me personally it makes a mockery of religion. I think we can only stay as positive as possible in our own hearts. Fingers tightly crossed for Julia 🙂
Thank you, Lisa for the update and more of your lovely photos of that beautiful property. You are a tremendous force in these people’s lives and give them hope and love. Blessing to you, dear!
What a beautiful place to live in, and an awfully hard place to leave. Your friend’s story is heart wrenching. I wish her everything she hopes for herself.
It must feel strange to be where you are right now…with Jama looming in your dreams…I am glad you’re a strong woman, full of life force!
Our prayers and thoughts go out daily for the people of Ecuador and Julie with others who are having major health crisis. We’re moving forward day by day though I would say most of those who experienced the big one suffer from PTSD in one form or another. I finally was able to leave my “safe” zone, SC and travel to Bahia a few weeks ago and then went into PV last week. Had a hard time going into Paseo shopping though but did it. 🙂 Was so proud of myself then was put right back into place with having a minor panic attack when visiting a friend and going up into his second story.
It will be hard returning to Jama but will also bring joy seeing your Ecuatoriano “family” again. Be prepared though, the mosquitos seem especially heavy right now. We have a bedroom for you if needed, though don’t guarantee the cleanliness of my house ( except for the sheets and bathroom 🙂 Still trying to get organized from the move and my energy level is zero, thank goodness for John.
Love and hugs my dear friend
Thank you so much for the update, and yes, you are ‘excused’ for having little panic attacks – it would be abnormal not to get the jitters. When I was in Quito a few weeks ago, I looked up and around as I stood in line on a third-floor concrete building, and I thought, “Ugh.. Make note to self – plan ahead so you aren’t in places like this very often.”
Thank you for the mosquito warning. I was thinking that it’s probably a blessing that the Dengue-chikungunya made its rounds last year, as it would be horrific if the multitudes were facing an epidemic during this crisis.
Love, Lisa