The divorce

After 48 years of bliss, it was time to call it quits.  Well, at least my gall bladder thought so.  He decided we needed to part ways.  Apparently, the high starch diet (bread, pasta, fufu, etc.) in Togo made him feel un-needed and under-utilized and he couldn’t bear another 20 months of me not eating fatty and unhealthy foods.

So, after four horribly painful arguments, we decided it was best for him to find his own path without me.  Yes, I am devastated as it will be uncertain how my life will go on without him.  Will sour cream, butter, rib-eye, candy, French pastries, mashed potatoes, ice cream, hamburgers, KFC fried chicken, donuts, potato chips, and the like be forever banned from my diet?  Or even slightly reduced?  What will I do?  How can I possibly go on without my gall bladder?  Darn you for leaving me!  You selfish, selfish gall bladder!

Ok, so I must move forward with the healing process.

First, the divorce (will find out the exact date this morning).  Out he goes.  No more pain.

I shall recuperate for a few days in Washington D.C. but then hopefully return to my lovely home in Redondo Beach for the healing process to become complete.  My friends will comfort me, Target beckons me, and all will be good.

Will get a final “okie dokie” stamp of approval from the folks in D.C. and back to Togo I shall go!  I really am looking forward to returning to my home in Sokodé, to seeing my homologues, to seeing the people around town, and especially to seeing all the PC volunteers and staff (oh, how I miss you so). 

Pudge tuck, boobs! and removal of a gall bladder

I hope you all recognize me after this surgery, especially when you notice my gall bladder is missing.  Wonder how different I will look…

Will find out today (Monday) where I’m headed, hopefully.

How did this happen?  Well, on Nov. 30 as I as eating my morning oatmeal, I developed the most excruciating pain in my chest and abdomen.  Couldn’t breathe because it actually hurt to breathe.  Thanks to Ryan, my site-mate and dear pal, we conjured up a private car to rush us to Lomé.  $50,000 CFA later (wow!) and after numerous blood tests, poop tests, pee tests, an EKG, and two ultrasounds (that requires a whole other blog – my visits to Togo clinics), waiting, more waiting, thinking I was fine, and then another bad pain episode (thanks to Kelsey this time, who braved the storm with me), I was diagnosed with gall bladder stones.  Aha!  Eating the rocks in Togo is not a good thing.

Then, I heard the most awful words ever spoken to me.  Not the words you may be thinking of such as “It’s not you, it’s me” or “I’m sorry, your cat is dying from kidney failure” or “You have to have surgery”.  No these words are far worse and debilitating.  From the PC nurse in Lomé: “You need to stay away from eating fatty foods.”  Um, what?!  Just shoot me now.

Thanks to everyone who made my 11 days in Lomé so enjoyable

Katy – for being my babysitter in the med unit, listening to my woes, and the late night conversations.  Your sincerity is genuine and I love you for it.

Ashley – for whisking me away to La Caisse for girl time, the TED bet, homemade food, and catching up.  Will be thinking of you.

Kelsey – for hearing my call for help, trying to medicate me during my spell, and for just being there with me.  I can’t tell you how comforting it was that I wasn’t by myself.

Ryan – you know my love affair with you.  J

Diana, Kate, Aurelia, Rose (PCMOs) – for all the love and care a gal could want and need.  Thank you for taking such good care of me.  Rose’s soup will forever be the most amazing soup I will have ever had in my life.  Vraiment.

Taylor – for being you.  Always.

Terry – for being my rock.  Glad I have you to stand beside me.

Justin – for indulging my eating fatty food habits.  I should blame you *grin*?  Ahhh, KFG… We must start our Lomé “Guide to Good Eats” when we return Togo-side.  We will be the best food critics ever.

Meredith – for our fun shopping day and going with me to Woodin.  Awesome day.  And thank you for all the info about South Africa!

Lydia – for my egg holder.  I love it.  And for making me laugh.  Oh, and for always knowing what to eat.

Jess – for making me feel special.  Thank you.  J

Abby – for having a look in your eyes that is so incredibly full of concern and love.  Made me feel warm and fuzzy inside.

Sky – for teaching me that when in Lomé, you never know when you’ll leave.  It was great to see you every morning in the lounge.

Winnie – “I’m not touching you.”  Can we be together and not giggle?  Ce n’est pas possible, mon amie.  And where is my dinner?  I’m still waiting.  J

Johnee – we will have that steak dinner when I return.  All $10,000 worth.  And it will be delicious.  And it will be awesome sharing that time with you.  I love you.  Liberia will not be the same after your arrival.

Elise – Where are you now and how do I find you?  Ha ha!  We’re getting that family phone plan when we return because I do not like cutting our calls short because of phone credit!

To everyone I got to see in the lounge, what fun!  A revolving door of volunteers.  Loved every minute.

And thanks for respecting my privacy when I wanted it.  News sure does get around Togo pretty quickly.

Coming home to Sokodé

Wow, did I get a welcome home.

As my moto arrived to my quartier, the little kids who know me shouted, “Richella!  Richella!”  and waved as we drove by.

As I landed in the soft sand in front of my compound, Joseph ran out to carry my bags, Lamie ran out to tell me she was very angry with me (with a smile) that I was gone for so long, and the lazy men in front of the boutique all shouted to welcome me home.  They actually got up from their benches (and off their butts) to greet me.  WOW!

I think my zed driver was wondering who the heck I was to have raving fans swirling about me.

It was all just so sweet.

Of course, then everyone was sad I was leaving again.  They wanted to know if I’d be back for the holidays and I told them I wasn’t sure.  But I can’t wait to come home and do this all over again.

Holiday wishes

Hope you all have a wonderful and special holiday season.  Eat everything in sight.  Hug everyone you see.  Everyone.  Sleep under the covers.  Flush the toilet because you can.  Merry holidays.  Sending you lots of love.