Potentially good news

My doctor appointment for the medical clearance is on the 2nd....I have to have about 8 different lab tests run....which more than likely won't be covered by my insurance....which could be really expensive. So I have been calling around to see if someone in the surrounding Nashville area loves me or the PC enough to give me discounts or some kinda help. I mean after all I did get a gratis tdap shot and TB test. :) After a few phone calls and visits to clinics it has happened. The VA in Nashville CLAIM that they will cover ALL (that's right...ALL) my lab work that needs to be done. Say it isn't so?!

Yes, this is what they claim. I have to call to make an appointment next week to get it done so we will see if they keep their word. While I am in Nashville I am going to go to Nashville Cares and get a free HIV test which also has to be done. So a tdap, TB test, HIV and all lab work for free.....this isn't just luck....this is me not giving up and fighting for what I really want and it's all made possible via God.

In the meantime I have already finished the extra work that PC wanted me to check on and everything looked really good. Now for some more waiting....which I am getting pretty good at these days. I think I am going to go eat a mango in celebration of my potential gratis lab work. (I never thought I would be so happy to get blood work done for free)

Everybody take shots!

VS.


Shots shots shots! That sums up my day....not the kind of shots I would prefer though. To be more clear: vaccinations....needles. (I could have used a shot or two before this day started had I known everything to come).


Going back to earlier this week my dental exams are all done and ready to go. I think my gums are still swollen from all the poking and prodding. My dentist said he doesn't see any reason as to why I would not get dental clearance....did you hear that PC? He said, "He doesn't see any reason as to why I would not get dental clearance."

Here is the run down of today and why I am the perfect person to go to the PC in Mozambique.

915AM: Arrive at clinic for potential polio, varicella and HepB dose #2 shots.
1130AM: Leave to head to next health clinic
Noon: Leave to go home....maybe take my own version of shots

What happened in those two hours you ask? Well it included lost paperwork, calling insurance companies, calling my volunteer place and doctor offices I haven't been to in over 10 years to fax immunization history and receiving incorrect shots the first go around so now calling doctors to see if I can get second dose now or later. Yes....you are welcome PC. (I hope this somehow later will prove my dedication to them)

So I needed a Tdap shot and this health clinic will give them for free if you volunteer for the flood victims (Nashville just about washed away a couple weeks ago). I told them I will find a way to volunteer even though I think PC is going a little above and beyond the flood of Nashville and I should still get it for free.

In conclusion: I didn't get the polio because I need to see if what I already have is good enough. I didn't get the varicella because I might be able to get a titer to prove I am immune. I did get the tday and Hep B. Whew.

So I was very patient and flexible today. :)

Dental Exam

Ok let's just face it, I am being a little impatient. Let's review the two favorite words of PC: patience and flexibility.

pa·tience [pey-shuhns]
–noun
1. the quality of being patient, as the bearing of provocation, annoyance, misfortune, or pain, without complaint, loss of temper, irritation, or the like.
2. an ability or willingness to suppress restlessness or annoyance when confronted with delay: to have patience with a slow learner.

Without complaint and irritation? I can do this.

My medical package required me to get some additional testing even before I sent them anything. Awesome. All should go pretty well though. That appointment is May 25 and I go to get all my vaccinations on May 21. Who would think that it would be so hard to find someone to give me Polio and Varicella shots? No one wants to give me those because I am an adult even when I tell them I HAVE TO HAVE THEM!

I have a dentist appointment today, but it is just a good check-up to make sure my PC dental evaluation will be perfect. Both the medical and dental exams I am getting for PC are on June 2. HOLD THE PHONE! The dentist just called me and said they would do everything today. YES YES YES! They have an opening right before my scheduled appointment and will do it. Maybe this whole "I will, I can, I must be patient thing" is going to be a bit smoother than expected.

I'm just ready for my piece of paper with the invitation......in the words of Jafar from Aladdin, "Patience Iago....Patience."

Medical Package Stress

I just got my medical package in the mail. Whoa. Just looking at it makes me stress out. Why can't the Peace Corp just take my word that I am healthy and send me on my way? Lol. (I know why...I'm just lazy/stressed/ready to go and really want to get the invitation right now and this is the only thing stopping me!)

I am going to try to get my lab work done early so that part can be out of the way with. In order to do so I have to fax the orders to my doctor who will then send an order to a place here that will do the tests. Goody. The Peace Corps two favorite words: time and patience. I will, I must, I can!

I think the medical clearance is extra stressful because you have ZERO control over the lab results and exam results. It kinda makes or breaks you. All I can do now is keep busy and pray....a lot.

Cross your fingers everyone!!!!!!

(P.S. I graduated college this last Saturday...whoop whoop!)

(P.P.S.) If you want to leave a comment you don't have to have a blogger account.....you can just type your name in the box and it doesn't have to be anonymous either....unless you want to make me curious as to who you are....

Peace Corp Timeline:

Thanks for the comments on the last post. I am glad to know that people might actually read this! I have seen many other bloggers put their "Peace Corp Timeline" in their blog and I thought I would put mine as well because I am trying to avoid studying for finals. Also, a few updates: I received my OFFICIAL nomination letter in the mail. I am still waiting for my medical package to get here and I don't know when that will be, but I made my doctor and dentist appointments for June 2.

I was sure to tell the voice on the other line that this would be a VERY extensive and in-depth medical and dental exam and that I HAVE to be with my doctor and there will be TONS of paperwork that we will fill out TOGETHER. Luckily, they were very nice and squeezed me in where they could. I have a feeling June 2 will not be one of my favorite days.....Dental exam at 8am and medical exam at 3pm.

(Omg, PC just called while I was writing this. My medical packet is on it's way and should be here within a week.......)

Kaitlyn's Peace Corp Timeline:

January 2009-July 2009: Think about applying
July 2009: Started application

September 29ish, 2009: Submitted application

October 15ish, 2009: PC calls and says I am not a competitive applicant and language skills would help

March 15ish, 2010: I call PC and update them on my life. (I enrolled in Intermediate Spanish 2 at MTSU and have been volunteering at new places) They say yipee let me send your info on to the next step

Early April 2010: Recruiter calls to schedule interview
Mid April 2010: Interview is a success. He will call if there is placement for me.
April 27, 2010: There is placement and I am nominated for Africa in the Health Extension leaving in September.

May 1, 2010: I get my nomination letter in the mail and schedule medical exams for June 2...medical package is on the way!

Nomination: Check

Hello everyone! For those of you who don't know me my name is Kaitlyn and I am about to graduate from MTSU with a degree in the Recording Industry/Music Business with a minor in Journalism. Why is this blog called Hide-and-Seek in Mozambique you ask? Well I have just been nominated for the Peace Corp! All I know so far is I will be in Africa in a Portuguese speaking country working in Health Extension with a focus on HIV/AIDS outreach leaving in September.

With my investigative research I believe I am headed to Mozambique. Peace Corp is only in two Portuguese speaking African nations (that I have found): Cape Verde and Mozambique. Mozambique has a HUGE focus on HIV/AIDS awareness and Cape Verde does not. So, that's my best guess as to where I am going. Not official. Just a guess.

I won't find out where I am going for sure until I pass my medical clearance (which I hear is horrible). Once I pass that I should find out around July my official date I leave and the country I will be serving in for the next 2.5 years of my life. I have to send my recruiter proof of my Spanish classes before the medical clearance will be mailed. I will be mailing it to him next week because I graduate!!! So, join me on this long journey and see what "shenanigans" I end up getting myself into.