Continuing Our Education In Portuguese Healthcare

Tuesday marked six weeks from my back surgery (seven from the accident ), so I had my first checkup scheduled since the stiches were removed.  The appointment went well, but the day ended up more eventful than we had planned . . .

Last Saturday night two of our friends from Bible school flew in to spend a few days with us in Portugal.  We all had a great time Sunday and Monday, but Diego stayed home from school Monday complaining that he did not feel good.  He started coughing in the afternoon, began throwing up in the evening, and slept very poorly most of the night, waking up to vomit several times.  Diego has asthma, and as the night went on, his breathing got progressively worse.

Around 6:00 a.m. Diego woke up complaining of stomach pain and breathing with more difficulty, so we decided to take him into the children’s hospital.  We had no wait at all, and they immediately hooked Diego up to oxygen as his O2 saturation level was fairly low (80, with 95-100 being normal), and then gave him some medicine via the mask to help his asthma.

The oxygen made Diego feel better quickly, and we agreed that his mask made him look like a fighter pilot.  He then wanted an explanation of what his O2 saturation was, so I explained that his bloodstream has cells, kind of like ships, that deliver the oxygen to all the parts of his body that use it.  The ships, of course, get loaded in the cargo docks we call lungs, but the mean germs were blocking some of the ships from getting loaded, so out of 100 ships, only 80 were full - that is why he did not feel very good.  The oxygen mask was like sending extra trucks to the loading docks, and the medicine in the mask was like sending police to catch the bad guy germs messing up the loading.  This is not me oversimplifying things for children; this is how I prefer to view physiology.

Diego could not see his screen showing the O2 readings, so for the rest of the day he wanted fairly constant updates about how many of his ships were full.  He also concluded that while the good guys and bad guys might be fighting OVER the loading docks, it felt like they were fighting IN his tummy.

Anyhow, while he improved dramatically right away, he still did not feel good, and when they took him off oxygen his O2 levels would drop back below normal, so he ended up spending the night there with Holly and did not get out until about 3:30 p.m. the next day (yesterday).  He is doing fine now, and we got new inhalers for him, as well as better guidelines on how to use them than we had before.  We will have a follow up appointment in May.

It was against that backdrop that my six week broken back checkup rolled around.  We are very grateful our Bible school friends were here as:

A) They allowed both of us to go with Diego to ER without waking Lucas up (Holly is better at comforting Diego, and I’m better explaining germ battles at oxygen loading docks, so it’s nice to both be there)

B) They came to stay with Diego while Holly took me to my checkup, which conveniently was in the same massive healthcare complex as the pediatric hospital (although after I got X-rayed Holly went back to Diego to free our friends up to go pick Lucas up from daycare).

Anyway, my back looks good.  I will need to keep wearing the external brace until June fourth, but then I should be able to transition back to normal and get my pilot medical certificate about a week later.  It looks like we will be able to leave for Mozambique mid-June, which is more or less on schedule (about two weeks later than we’d planned).  We are very thankful for that!  And here are a couple of pictures of how they fixed my back.

I also got to see a couple of my favorite nurses who took care of me for twenty days.

Sometime between September of 2017 and March 2018 I will need another surgery to remove my titanium reinforcement (I’m basically Ironman right now, only with titanium), but the doctor said the removal was a simple procedure that could be done in South Africa or the US (although we might return to Portugal for it if the insurance of the car I hit pays here).

Anyhow, after my appointment I took a shift with Diego in the hospital so Holly could get food and see Lucas a little, then we switched and I went home to help put Lucas to bed and sleep.

When I got home I found our friends from Bible school had used their vacation day to clean our house, do our laundry, and wash our dishes (when they weren’t picking up Lucas from daycare, babysitting him, or watching Diego for us).  This was a huge blessing as we had been getting a bit behind in housework even since I started pulling slightly less than zero percent of my weight in late February.  

Since I was stuck in bed and Holly was at the hospital, our friends even got up with Lucas during the middle of the night! (I normally need help to put the brace back on, but sleep without it.)

Obviously it was a less than fun experience, especially for Holly, who was already stretched pretty thin, (and who had to try and sleep in the hospital’s semi-broken recliner), but we are very thankful that Diego is OK, that my back is recovering well, that it looks like we are still within a couple weeks of the schedule for Mozambique, and that God arranged friends with servant’s hearts to be visiting when it all happened.

Thank you so much for your prayers, we really appreciate them!

 Grady

New Link for Following Caravan

Hello Everyone! We hear there has been difficulty following the Caravan... here is a new link that should be working! She has reached the Azores already. 

https://share.delorme.com/DennisLyons

Follow the Caravan Across the Atlantic to Mozambique

That's right everyone! The Cessna Caravan, N624MF, is beginning it's journey to Mozambique!  A couple, who are very experienced in traveling the world with small aircraft, have volunteered their time to fly this beautiful bird to her new home in Nampula.  We are excited to have this fleet addition and for all the work she will enable MAF to accomplish! 

Now here is some fun news: we can follow along on the Fasts' adventure across the Atlantic.  

They have a blog started detailing the trip: https://dylanvalgmailcom.wordpress.com/

as well as satellite tracking of the flight: https://share.delorme.com/N624MF

They have a stop planned in the Azores... the Azores are Portuguese... so far and yet so close! N624MF, the Naces are looking forward to meeting you at the beginning of June.

Below are some of my parents' pictures from the aircraft dedication ceremony in Wichita, KS a few weeks ago.  They were able to attend along with my Uncle Terry, Aunt Jennifer and cousin Andrea (former MAF staff and MK).  

Merry Christmas

Hello Everyone,

Merry Christmas from Portugal!  We hope this finds you well, celebrating Christmas with joy. 

2015 has been a whirlwind of transitions for us.  One year ago we were just finishing up fundraising with MAF in Washington.  It seems like a lot longer than that!  In March we “moved” to Idaho for a couple of months to do our final stateside training with MAF, and that is when things started getting exciting.

Our first week of classes Diego broke his arm riding his bicycle (with training wheels, and the bike did not crash – not really sure how this happened, but my mom thinks it is payback).  Anyway, Diego turned five in a cast past his elbow and learned to build Legos mostly one handed.

As for Holly and I, we were very busy learning MAF procedures for flying and maintenance, which included flying into the most difficult airstrips of our careers.  This culminated in a four day backcountry trip landing on mountain airstrips as short as 900 feet and as steep as 20% (for reference, you get “steep grade” warning sign on roads with a slope of more than 5%).  It was very challenging and extremely fun.

We both passed – I will not say who was evaluated higher (and that is probably all you need to know).  After flight training was maintenance training for me – then we did a few weeks of cross cultural and outreach training, which was really good, and has helped us even in Portugal.  Holly’s brother Cody and my sister Roberta (and nephew Sammy) all got to come see us in Idaho as well – so it was great to get to tell them goodbye in person.

When our training finished, we had less than a month to sell, give away or pack everything we have accumulated in our combined 67 years on Earth AND board a plane to Portugal for language school.  It was a very hectic process, but with a LOT of help, we were able to get it done.  We even made time for Lucas’ first camping trip with my mom and brother Jody, and several days to say goodbye to Holly’s parents in Texas.  For a variety of visa reasons we did not know when we were leaving for Portugal until two days prior, but it all worked out in the end.

We got here mid-June, one day before Lucas turned 7 months.  With the money Diego had from selling a lot of his Thomas the Train sets, we had ordered this Lego crane to be waiting for him in Portugal.  It worked really well keeping him excited for the move!

Our classes started the end of June, but the boys’ kindergarten and daycare did not start until September, so my sister Jenna flew over and played nanny for us.  We all really enjoyed it, and during the break between summer and fall classes, Jenna’s husband Carl flew over and we travelled around Portugal together.  Short jaunts are relatively easy here because Portugal is only slightly larger than Maine.  Holly’s parents also come over for a quick trip, and plans are in the works for another visit this spring.

In September the boys started school.  Diego was very excited to begin, but being the only English speaker and adjusting to Portuguese lunches has proven difficult.  On the bright side he has made a lot of friends, learned a lot of phrases (and a few songs), and is almost always happy when we pick him up.  He has also mastered riding around on his scooter, even the brake, and averages several miles a week on it.

Diego’s school split into groups to complete projects based off interest, and Diego picked an aviation group.  Holly and I gave a presentation on flying last month which was a good test of our Portuguese.  Diego also helped build a model cockpit, and was excited to go to school on the days they were working on it.  Lucas got to try it out after going to the school Christmas program.

Lucas, on the other hand, does not seem to mind getting dropped off at daycare at all.  He is coming up on half his life in Portugal, and he is more likely to quit doing something if told in Portuguese “não!” than in English “no!”  (Although chances are he’ll continue climbing to the top of those stairs either way).  He also eats soup at least once a day, and has generally morphed into a fairly respectable Portuguese baby.  He learned to crawl in August, walked in October, and turned one in November.  He is definitely an extrovert and will cry if someone leaves the room, but if you put him down, he’ll walk out of sight without ever looking back, even in a new location – he is one after all, so he can just about take care of things on his own.

Holly and I have been very impressed with our language classes, and our University feels like it is out of a fairytale.  The old section was a Moorish building which the King of Portugal renovated into his palace, before a later king gave it to the University. 

I can now speak Portuguese almost as well as I could speak Spanish (after taking it for four years in college and living in Costa Rica), and Holly is only one course behind me.  I say “as I could speak Spanish” because when I try to speak Spanish now I generally get laughed at (although people here generally guess I am a Spaniard if I am speaking Portuguese).  We still have six more months here before Mozambique, so hopefully I’ll sound less Spanish by then.  Our classes are made up of people from twenty countries on five continents (and we have Australian friends here too), so multicultural would be an understatement.

Tomorrow we are eating a traditional Christmas lunch with our landlords, who live above us and have been amazing.  They have turned into an extra set of grandparents to the boys, help all of us with our Portuguese, and continue to provide us with a never ending stream of fresh food from their garden.  We can pick the oranges from our window!

We have delighted in finding Christmas concerts in 900 year old Cathedrals (each with an elaborate manger scene), and can follow the smoke to the chestnuts actually roasting on open fires in the city squares.  The downtown is illuminated with lights and last week Holly heard a Portuguese bagpiper! There are even Christmas choirs singing carols in the mall sometimes.  

Both our families traditionally took Christmas light appreciation drives, but we had found only a handful of houses with single strands up here, so we headed an hour north to Aveiro.  Called “Portugal’s Venice,” their downtown lights decorate the canals and traditional seaweed-harvesting-turned-tourism-gondola-boats.  It was “food for the soul” and, of course, Diego’s scooter made an appearance as well.

We wish you could come enjoy it all with us, and thank you so much for all of your prayers and support this year.  
Feliz Natal and Bom Ano Novo!

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.  ~ Isaiah 9:6

With much love from Portugal,

Grady, Holly, Diego (5) and Lucas (1) Nace 

(with a surprise appearance by our stockings this morning)

Chestnuts Roasting Over an Open Fire

Yes, that's right, chestnuts!  In November, Portugal celebrates "O Dia de São Martinho". The day's name comes from an old legend about a Roman soldier.  He came across a poor beggar dressed in rags on a drizzly, cold and miserable day.  He took pity on him and used his dagger to cut his own cloak in two, sharing with the man in need.  Legend has it that God saw the actions of São Martinho and the next day was sunny and warm.  From that day on, every November, Portugal has had O Verão (the summer) de São Martinho, a time when the days become warm again and everyone enjoys the pleasure of being outside before winter settles in.  

(Diego after Saturday's open air organic market in the Botanical Gardens 

- located next to the old aqueducts)

Now it's a day set aside to celebrate all things autumn and to enjoy a time of togetherness in your community.  Through the city and out into the countryside, chestnut venders abound.  

A euro or two bought me more than I could eat.  (To be honest I wasn't really fond of them but I am in love with the smokey smell and the romance surrounding it).  Huge, beautiful baskets of chestnuts and walnuts decorate every market - oh, the overwhelmingly fall feel of it all!  It's been a pleasure to walk around the "Baixa" (downtown) during class breaks (my "college" schedule includes three hours off midday) or on my way back and forth from one of the boys' schools. My concept of a long walk has drastically changed since we first got here - I look forward to my now "short walks".  Last week I snapped a few shots from around town to share.  I tried to get the real picture and not just the prettiest parts... Enjoy the look and feel of Portugal in November!

(Wow, I wonder who did that awesome parallel parking job?! ;) 

The street Lucas' school is on.)

(The usual daily walk.)

(Headed down to the old district - yes, cars navigate these streets!)

(Remind me to tell you the legend of the rooster sometime.)

(Life in unexpected places - roof of a church sidedoor.)

(Old medieval building... see how each level extends further out?  

That was done on both sides of the street to keep off the street below.  

It worked well, but is one reason disease could spread so easily.)

(A church in the Baixa with street venders... go up a long ways to get back to classes.)

(We love experiencing the city during the day, while still being able to go home on the outskirts of town where it is peaceful!)

We were so excited to be invited over to an American family's home for Thanksgiving dinner.  The spread felt like home, with one "Portuguese" concession added to the menu - soup, of course!  There were six families gathered together, giving thanks and enjoying some oh-so-delightfully-easy-to-understand English conversation!  By the night's end, Diego was in his element.

(The edges of the main square between the University & Lucas' school)

(I really need to learn to knit or crochet...it looks so fun!)

(A family stroll in the Baixa after school... it gets dark by 6 now)

(Lucas' school)

Fall is winding down here with Christmas decorations already up throughout the public arenas (much like the US).  I noticed a Christmas nativity scene hanging outside the mall just last week.  We're trying to soak up the sun and warm afternoons while we can.

 (A street I walk frequently between Lucas' school and the University.  Note the colorful graffiti on the cantina wall mixed in with the fall leaves and cobblestones.)

(Still not a fan of the 125 steps up to campus!) 

(Part of campus - I have some classes in the Physics building 

and some in the one directly behind the bus) 

(Some days it feels a bit like living in a Harry Potter scene... 

traditional student uniform is worn often and includes a black, floor length cape!)

 (Sunset view at the Patio das Escolas - 

on the far right is the old library...where books and bats coexist.)

Thanks for praying - please keep them coming!  We can't seem to keep sickness at bay and school drop-offs are still a struggle for Diego.  Send us a line and let us know how you are and how we can pray for you too.

(Our favorite fruit stand at the market - the owner isn't in the picture because I chickened out on asking her to be, but she knows both boys by name, even when they aren't with us, and remembers all our favorites.)

(The market is a great place to practice Portuguese.  It's also a huge piece of eye candy!)

Happy Late Thanksgiving to each of you.