CF in Africa

[JackRKirby]

So, I'm 27 year with CF living in rural Rwanda doing development work. I've been living in Rwanda for over a year. The job is great. We serve over 18,000 farmers and our program helps double their income through agriculture inputs and credit.

However, living with Cystic Fibrosis in rural Africa is a bit of a challenge. I don't really have doctors to consult, so most of my health care is flying solo. I've packed enough pancrease for a year, and have brought hypersaline treatments that don't need refrigeration. Nutrition is also difficult. I've lost about 20 pounds in the last year, which I have to gain back. Most processed foods are not available, so my calories have to be au natural. Milk, eggs, peanuts, goat, you know, the staples.

So, has anyone lived or traveled in the developing world? Any advice or tricks for living? I haven't been able to find anything on living abroad with CF.

Cheers,

Jack

 

[JackRKirby]

So, I'm 27 year with CF living in rural Rwanda doing development work. I've been living in Rwanda for over a year. The job is great. We serve over 18,000 farmers and our program helps double their income through agriculture inputs and credit.

However, living with Cystic Fibrosis in rural Africa is a bit of a challenge. I don't really have doctors to consult, so most of my health care is flying solo. I've packed enough pancrease for a year, and have brought hypersaline treatments that don't need refrigeration. Nutrition is also difficult. I've lost about 20 pounds in the last year, which I have to gain back. Most processed foods are not available, so my calories have to be au natural. Milk, eggs, peanuts, goat, you know, the staples.

So, has anyone lived or traveled in the developing world? Any advice or tricks for living? I haven't been able to find anything on living abroad with CF.

Cheers,

Jack

 

[JackRKirby]

So, I'm 27 year with CF living in rural Rwanda doing development work. I've been living in Rwanda for over a year. The job is great. We serve over 18,000 farmers and our program helps double their income through agriculture inputs and credit.
<br />
<br />However, living with Cystic Fibrosis in rural Africa is a bit of a challenge. I don't really have doctors to consult, so most of my health care is flying solo. I've packed enough pancrease for a year, and have brought hypersaline treatments that don't need refrigeration. Nutrition is also difficult. I've lost about 20 pounds in the last year, which I have to gain back. Most processed foods are not available, so my calories have to be au natural. Milk, eggs, peanuts, goat, you know, the staples.
<br />
<br />So, has anyone lived or traveled in the developing world? Any advice or tricks for living? I haven't been able to find anything on living abroad with CF.
<br />
<br />Cheers,
<br />
<br />Jack

 

[AleksandraKaczynska]

Hi
In a way - I live in a developing country - but it's not like Africa at all.
We live in Poland. The only idea I have would be try to contact the nearest - or most easily accessible Cystic fibrosis fund or clinic and ask them to instruct you through email or phone and ask for support by sending you the medicine you need.
first try looking up:
<a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://www.cfww.org/members/
">http://www.cfww.org/members/
</a>try South Africa or Egipt. I'm not sure where will be more close to you.
Maybe they will be able to get you in touch with a doctor staying there in voluntary hospitals.
Many polish docs go there on missions - maybe you can try such a post also.
Or a catholic church mission - there is one in ruanda - the pallotyns
But try finding some closest to you... at least you could get the medicine you need or contact some good docs.

Wow - you're doing a great job there.
Good luck.

 

[AleksandraKaczynska]

Hi
In a way - I live in a developing country - but it's not like Africa at all.
We live in Poland. The only idea I have would be try to contact the nearest - or most easily accessible Cystic fibrosis fund or clinic and ask them to instruct you through email or phone and ask for support by sending you the medicine you need.
first try looking up:
<a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://www.cfww.org/members/
">http://www.cfww.org/members/
</a>try South Africa or Egipt. I'm not sure where will be more close to you.
Maybe they will be able to get you in touch with a doctor staying there in voluntary hospitals.
Many polish docs go there on missions - maybe you can try such a post also.
Or a catholic church mission - there is one in ruanda - the pallotyns
But try finding some closest to you... at least you could get the medicine you need or contact some good docs.

Wow - you're doing a great job there.
Good luck.

 

[AleksandraKaczynska]

Hi
<br />In a way - I live in a developing country - but it's not like Africa at all.
<br />We live in Poland. The only idea I have would be try to contact the nearest - or most easily accessible Cystic fibrosis fund or clinic and ask them to instruct you through email or phone and ask for support by sending you the medicine you need.
<br />first try looking up:
<br /><a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://www.cfww.org/members/
">http://www.cfww.org/members/
</a><br />try South Africa or Egipt. I'm not sure where will be more close to you.
<br />Maybe they will be able to get you in touch with a doctor staying there in voluntary hospitals.
<br />Many polish docs go there on missions - maybe you can try such a post also.
<br />Or a catholic church mission - there is one in ruanda - the pallotyns
<br />But try finding some closest to you... at least you could get the medicine you need or contact some good docs.
<br />
<br />Wow - you're doing a great job there.
<br />Good luck.

 

[AleksandraKaczynska]

I can write or phone to a pllotyni house near where I live to ask them for advice - if you're interesed - they hosted and sponsered our last cf family meating at their mission house this spring. or you can try yourself - konstancin@cam.pallotyni.pl - guess they will have someone that nows english <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif" border="0">

 

[AleksandraKaczynska]

I can write or phone to a pllotyni house near where I live to ask them for advice - if you're interesed - they hosted and sponsered our last cf family meating at their mission house this spring. or you can try yourself - konstancin@cam.pallotyni.pl - guess they will have someone that nows english <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif" border="0">

 

[AleksandraKaczynska]

I can write or phone to a pllotyni house near where I live to ask them for advice - if you're interesed - they hosted and sponsered our last cf family meating at their mission house this spring. or you can try yourself - konstancin@cam.pallotyni.pl - guess they will have someone that nows english <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif" border="0">

 

[Imogene]

<a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://www.africa.zain.com/">Zain in Africa</a>

I had the good fortune to meet a doctor from this company...at the Mobile Health Conference in Las Vegas.

Perhaps they can help? Let me know if you need a contact.

Jeanne

 

[Imogene]

<a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://www.africa.zain.com/">Zain in Africa</a>

I had the good fortune to meet a doctor from this company...at the Mobile Health Conference in Las Vegas.

Perhaps they can help? Let me know if you need a contact.

Jeanne

 

[Imogene]

<a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://www.africa.zain.com/">Zain in Africa</a>
<br />
<br />I had the good fortune to meet a doctor from this company...at the Mobile Health Conference in Las Vegas.
<br />
<br />Perhaps they can help? Let me know if you need a contact.
<br />
<br />Jeanne

 

[welshwitch]

Jack--

no advice, but I think what you're doing is freakin' awesome! I lived in Costa Rica for 6 months and then Nicaragua for 1 month, which is as far as I've gone <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0"> Sounds like you just need to up your calorie intake. Could someone mail you some ensure? Powerbars? High calorie drinks? Keep up the good work, your program sounds rad.

 

[welshwitch]

Jack--

no advice, but I think what you're doing is freakin' awesome! I lived in Costa Rica for 6 months and then Nicaragua for 1 month, which is as far as I've gone <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0"> Sounds like you just need to up your calorie intake. Could someone mail you some ensure? Powerbars? High calorie drinks? Keep up the good work, your program sounds rad.

 

[welshwitch]

Jack--
<br />
<br />no advice, but I think what you're doing is freakin' awesome! I lived in Costa Rica for 6 months and then Nicaragua for 1 month, which is as far as I've gone <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0"> Sounds like you just need to up your calorie intake. Could someone mail you some ensure? Powerbars? High calorie drinks? Keep up the good work, your program sounds rad.

 

[windex125]

OMG Jack what is up? you need to take care of yourself, losing 20 pounds not having meds what is all that abt. sure your doing a amazing job helping others BUT you need to be in touch with a medical facility. Call me old fashion or a nasty older wowman ( and I am not I am very kind person) but you cannot just go off without the proper tools for yourself, who will take care of you,if you get sick? We all know infection burns calories. Get some Ensure shipped to you ASAP then find a facility, you may feel ok now but what will be in a few weeks? you can say mind your biz. but I had to add my 2 cents for what ever it is worth. Saline solution is not going to kill a infection, are you vesting do you you have electricity? OMG Pat-55/CF

 

[windex125]

OMG Jack what is up? you need to take care of yourself, losing 20 pounds not having meds what is all that abt. sure your doing a amazing job helping others BUT you need to be in touch with a medical facility. Call me old fashion or a nasty older wowman ( and I am not I am very kind person) but you cannot just go off without the proper tools for yourself, who will take care of you,if you get sick? We all know infection burns calories. Get some Ensure shipped to you ASAP then find a facility, you may feel ok now but what will be in a few weeks? you can say mind your biz. but I had to add my 2 cents for what ever it is worth. Saline solution is not going to kill a infection, are you vesting do you you have electricity? OMG Pat-55/CF

 

[windex125]

OMG Jack what is up? you need to take care of yourself, losing 20 pounds not having meds what is all that abt. sure your doing a amazing job helping others BUT you need to be in touch with a medical facility. Call me old fashion or a nasty older wowman ( and I am not I am very kind person) but you cannot just go off without the proper tools for yourself, who will take care of you,if you get sick? We all know infection burns calories. Get some Ensure shipped to you ASAP then find a facility, you may feel ok now but what will be in a few weeks? you can say mind your biz. but I had to add my 2 cents for what ever it is worth. Saline solution is not going to kill a infection, are you vesting do you you have electricity? OMG Pat-55/CF

 

[Havoc]

I almost took a job in Riyadh and my docs stateside assured total support in consulting with local docs. Maybe you can work out an arrangement like that?

 

[Havoc]

I almost took a job in Riyadh and my docs stateside assured total support in consulting with local docs. Maybe you can work out an arrangement like that?