Sylvia's Journal

The Eid holiday is over now; the five day break was wonderful although today was mostly a work day, preparing for things that require quiet thinking, something not so easy in the office.

Axel had his fourth Dari lesson and came back home rather exhausted. His increased language ability got tested right away in the car with the driver and one of the guards. They dropped me off at the PT office and, while I was treated, went on a shopping expedition and then returning in time to pick me up again. When I entered the car the windows were all steamed up from the intense Dari lesson that had gone on inside as they waited for me.

I was the only patient in the PT office. People wait for treatment until after the holidays. Why for some, like me, it was still a holiday and for others it was not is a mystery. As a result of the low expected turnout of patient the place was barely heated and everyone walked around wearing heavy coats, except me. I wear a tank top to facilitate the work on my shoulder and avoid having to undress any further. I sat by the small woodstove trying to keep at least the front of me warm.

I received an enthusiastic email from my Manchester-by-the-sea physical therapists with a list of items that they can donate to the team here. I watched Fahima’s face break out in a big grin when she saw the list of goodies that may come in as a Christmas present. These are small wishes but big gifts.

I brought Axel’s nerve stimulation apparatus with me to see if it is similar to what they use that trick my shoulder muscle back into action. It was, and so now I can use it without having to go as often to the PT office. Fahima put two X-es on my shoulder where the i-stim pads should go. Axel took a picture to consult later after the marks are washed off.

We have used up the 5 days of food prepared ahead of time by our cook and I got to cook some of the piled up vegetables myself in the shiny new five story Chinese steamer pan that could serve an extended family over there and here. I am not entirely sure how vegetables are washed, since we are not supposed to drink the water. I hope that the hot steam killed whatever creature may have been lurking in the cauliflower.