I've had a rather quiet week....lots of time to myself.  I wouldn't want it all the time, but it was OK now.
I'm about finished knitting a matching sock to my first ever sock-in-the-round.  I've been reading and even watching some movies, since the family staying here was gone for three days and I had the place to myself.
    Cloudia had taken me to the Bush Bazaar to see favorite shopping spots, but also to buy some used drapes and comforter.  Found two new pillows, also.  Then we purchased furniture from the French Restaurant/Bakery that is shutting down, much to every expats sorrow.  They had trained their staff in English,  cooking/baking, management, serving.  A real asset to the country.  But were being forced to hire armed guards, which they couldn't do.  They are a wonderful couple who will now focus on a school they are involved with.  Out of their situation we bought a wicker settee and chairs, glass-topped tables, dishes, silverware, etc.  Tomorrow we go to pick up the last of it.
     In preparation for moving middle of next week, we had our room painted at the new house.  It is cheerful!  A picture will be coming soon.    Other than mentioning the vegetable of the week at the guest house.....okra.....Jon will finish up this blog with life from his experience here in Kabul:

"One thing is certain, "  I told the gathering of doctors  and as we stood at the foot of the hospital  bed during teaching rounds the other morning,  "God is with us in the birthing of life and at the end of life;  We are not abandoned."

Over night,  a mother of 5 children, in her mid thirties,  had been admitted due to abdominal pain, fever, and weight loss.  Typical symptoms  here, which would generate multiple possibilities as to diagnosis.  In this case, she had already been to several other doctors, including, as is not uncommon, to some in Pakistan.  She had recently had a kidney removed, with no clear explanation.  Other labs and X-rays which she had in hand fit with a diagnosis most certainly of cancer, now spreading from the abdomen into the lungs.  She seemed unaware.

In this culture, as I have found in some others, it is considered "bad medicine" to tell patients of their diagnosis if it is serious or fatal.  Unfortunately, this often leads to multiple doctor visits and the actual loss of important resources as families move from one practitioner to another to find help.  Only recently has the idea of Hospice Care been introduced here and is not available in our area.  At the bedside we talked of the need to offer specific help for specific problems, educate families as to expectations without denying hope,  and never abandoning our care and concern.

After lunch,  an energetic and enthusiastic foreign couple came to make another visit to the hospital and confirm their desire to have their first baby here under the watchful eye of our experienced faculty and midwives.  Due in about a month, this will be the first non-Afghan child born here.  And certainly the first with the father present in the labor room!  The staff here seem, at this point at least, willing to forgo the cultural norm of father definitely not present for the birthing of the newborn, even though his approval is most certainly required for any interventions.

Previously, I have observed how our society in general and physicians in particular respond to the birthing compared to the dying process.  It will be worth a future discussion here, as well.

I am certain, God is present in our birthing and in our dying.

Starting, finishing, dreaming, completing are not quick processes here.  But those like Dr. Tim , my predecessor here for 8 years, have definitely seen improvement in many areas including medical education.  Nevertheless, he left me with an incomplete list of some 42 issues to work on, and a parting comment:  "Have fun!"

This week, our Assistant Director and I culminated an agreement with another hospital for training of our residents in surgery and pediatrics.  It will begin in 2 weeks and greatly expand our opportunities for learning.  These negotiations, started by Dr Tim  some 18 months ago, were initially met with some skepticism and disfavor,  then delayed briefly due to some security concerns, now are moving forward with mutual respect and benefit.  I am grateful for Tim's vision and persistence.

In our dreaming and in our fulfillment, God is there;  we are not abandoned.

Jon