Un Ratito doesn't mean an Hour and a Half...

5-14-10
I woke up at 7ish and headed out the hospital. I took a cab because I was too tired to walk. Upon my arrival, I checked in and was told to wait a "ratito" (a second basically). But a second here is so much longer. In this case, it was an hour and half. I would start to nod off occasionally and catch myself. My doctor swung by and tried to hurry things along. I finally got permission to go up and get the remicade.

I then headed upstairs where I was to get it. I met another doctor who would be helping me. I then was told that I could move into a room. I ended up getting a bed that usually would seem for a stay in patient. I didn't complained since I figured it allow me to get much needed sleep. I waited for a while and also filled out some forms. I then nodded off a bit while they got it all prepared. I then got the pre stuff and after a while, I waited for the real stuff. It took a while so I just told them that I am going to sleep and they can change it. I put on Cat Power and fell asleep. I spent the better part of the next three hours or so asleep. It was wonderful. I then woke up and watch the final bit drag on. I talked to my doctor and left the hospital. After, I grabbed some much needed food and headed home. I relaxed most of the afternoon and slept some more. I then hung out till dinner. I ate with friends. We made some potential plans. I hung with friends and then some of us went out to a place. Then I headed to bed.

5-15-10
I woke up and talked to friends for a bit. Then I met up with my friend Matt from Brentwood. We got lunch and talked. He told me that one of our classmates is also studying abroad here. After lunch, we walked around. I tried to get a prescription filled but they said I needed a prescription, one which I had until I realized it got thrown out by accident. We walked around a bit more. On the way, we ran into the classmate of ours that we had just been discussing. SMALL WORLD. It was nice to talk to her and we are planning to hang out sometime. Then I walked home and said bye to Matt. After, I tried to find other pharmacies to get it filled. One sent me to another which sent me to another one. I decided to wait till Sunday since it was annoying going further and further away to find this medicine. I will not miss this. I then headed home.

At home, I watched the Al Pacino classic "Dog Day Afternoon." It was instant love in my mind. A great movie, great performances by the leads. After, I went searching for food and then chatted with friends. I then discussed the plans for the night with friends. We got all dressed up and were planning to go to a nice club. Then Andrea and Chelsey and I headed to Andrea's friend's apartment. There we hung out with Argentines and chilled before heading to the the club. At the club, we met up with our NYU friends. We danced and had good times, in the various rooms playing different kind of music. We were there for a good while. Eventually, got tired and tried for a while to get a cab in the cold. I had not expected such a cold here. I didn't pack for it. Un disatre. Eventually, we got home and I slept

5-16-10
I woke up. I then uploaded photos from last night. Then I headed out to the pharmacy I was recommended. I was able to get my medicine finally!! Then I grabbed lunch and headed home. At home, I skyped with my mom and brother which was nice. I then studied for my upcoming exam. I eventually went to dinner with three NYU friends, Lilly from Oakland, Desiree (a different one than the one I have mentioned before) who is from near Seattle, and Natty from Portland Maine. After, I have studied, done Spanish homework and about to catch up in my journal.

An afternoon at Alto Palermo

5-13-10
I woke up and grabbed breakfast. I then got ready and headed to class. When I got school, I placed an order for the newest book I have to read for class. I was worried I was going to be late for class, since we had a three hour class. But when I showed up, my peers were waiting. Turns out the teacher didn't show, so I could have got more sleep.

After an hour of waiting and talking to friends, we finally started class. In class we discussed the latest book, Santa Evita. I am not sure how I feel about the book. After, I picked up the book and headed home. I ate lunch and relaxed for a bit. Then I headed out.

I got to the mall where I was told I could buy my bus tickets. I searched for a while. Finally when I asked, they sent me to the basement where I could buy my tickets. I finally did. I am leaving Tuesday at 2:30 and coming back the following Thursday at 9 in the morning. I am really excited. I then headed home. I dropped my stuff and headed back out to the mall to meet some friends. We saw Robin Hood. It was pretty good, not amazing like Gladiator but entertaining. It set up a possible sequel and I hope they have one. I then headed home.

At home, I had dinner, then watched the Cavs lose to the Celtics before bed. Tomorrow I get my Remicade treatment.

"We no longer have to rob the pharmacy" - Nahuel

4-30-10
After my night out, I woke up and relaxed for a bit. Then I headed out to my doctor and set up Remicade. It was such a beautiful day that I walked the 20 blocks to the hospital. After waiting for sometime, I talked my doctor. We set up an appointment for the 14th. Woot woot!!! After I met up with the people who will be doing the process.

I then headed out to a lunch. The lunch was a goodbye one for all the people who were in just Spanish classes. It is so strange that people are leaving already. The lunch was amazing. It was all you can eat buffet of Argentine/Spanish food. Sooooo delicious. After, Chelsey and I walked back and relaxed. Eventually, I called Kelsey and Alex via Skype. It was nice to talk to them. Among other topics, we talked about our apartment. Kelsey and Alex are planning to move in early August. Andrew and I then headed to get stuff for International Night at the university. It was fun but eventually my friend Jamie and I headed back to the residencia. I got food and hung out with friends. No idea for the rest of the evening.

Cat Power Fueled Nap

4-16-10

I woke up and relaxed most of the morning. My computer was being slow, which I thought was nothing new. I read and hung out with people most of the morning. I went to lunch and then headed to class. In class, since it was make up one for history, we watched a documentary about Juan and Eva Peron. It was interesting to learn about his rise. I am interested to read more about the subject. After, I picked up my police record and got a form from the school. Then I picked up my blood work and dropped it off at my doctor.

I headed home. At home, my computer was still slow. So I did a malware scan. While this happened, I took a nap which is rare for me. It was enjoyable. Cat Power is the right music for a nap. I just put all of her music on and put it on shuffle and slept. So amazing a sleep. My computer got some of it but still acted up so I am doing it as I write this on a friend´s computer. Only 11 weeks, exactly, until my birthday and a new computer!!!! I ate dinner and hung with friends. I also am getting closer apparently to getting Remicade which is exciting.

Peace

Stressful Day Medically Speaking

4-6-10
Two days in a row for breakfast. I guess I am a roller coaster of sorts on the whole breakfast front. I quickly showered, grab my stuff and headed to class. My class was actually not scattered brain. I found out I had bought the wrong version of the thing containing our readings. So after class, I had to fix that problem. I then had lunch with friends. Then I headed to the hospital where my doctor works.

After getting there, we discussed the price of remicade here which is around $7,700 US! AHHH. It would almost be cheaper to have some fly to the US with it. Haha. We, as in my doctor, my mom and I are all trying to figure out what to do. Worse case scenario I go without it until end of June which my doctor says won't mess me up that bad because I have been on it for a while and am on 6MP. If it was a longer period of time, it would be different. We shall see what pans out. She is also helping find a doctor to look at my scab things. I really like her a lot. After we parted ways, I walked the 30 or so blocks home which was enjoyable to walk around. I definitely living in a place where I can walk a lot. At home, I relaxed before doing some homework. After, I talked to friends and had dinner. I watched a good portion of "Up in the Air" but it didn't finish loading so I have to wait.

Dealing with the Argentine Health Care System...

3-31-10

Unfortunately, I am on a losing streak in terms of missing breakfast. I woke up and relaxed. I watched Lost and talked to Abbey for a bit. Then I headed out. After getting some money, I then headed to the bookstore on campus and picked up one of my books for class. I then ate lunch with some friends. After, I headed to class. In my economics class, it was again really all over the place. But it was talking about Globalization and stuff, which was nice since I knew about the topic. After class, I met up with friends. We talked about Semana Santa plans. Some are going away (to Cordoba, Patagonia or others), others are having their parents visit which is cool. I am thinking of relaxing, maybe doing a day trip or two. I am pretty happy with this plan. I then talked to my Spanish teacher and explained why I wouldn't be in class.

I then headed out and toward the doctor's office. Her office was in an apartment complex. I waited for her to come back from lunch/siesta. She was really nice. She is real versed in Crohn's and speaks English really well. The system here is very interesting. I have to go and order the Remicade from a Pharmacy and have it delivered to the hospital or something of the sorts. It will be interesting. She teased me about not really looking into reading much about Crohn's in Argentina. It is a lot more rare than I thought. I went home after and rested. I ate dinner and skyped with my dad. Now going to a friend's apartment while I hope more of my photos upload. They are taking FOREVER

The Day of Band Aids

Today started off with my Remicade treatment. Got to the hospital in Bellevue where I chilled than met with doctor here where we talked about study abroad and socialized medicine and how it pretty much kicks ass. Then I during my two and a half hours of Remicade, I read a good portion of my book, probably will finish tomorrow morning before my dentist appointment (UGH). Afterwards, I went to drop my prescription and film. Than grabbed lunch before I left for the travel clinic. There I learned a lot about the places I am going and what to watch out for. It shall be interesting. I have to stay clear of the jungle so I don't get yellow fever. I ended up getting 6 shots, three per arm which sucked but they only lasted for like 5 minutes.

After I got back, I went bowling where I pretty decent considering my arms were stiff from the shots. After three games, I went home only to get texted by my cousin Hank. We met up at his house and him, his sister, Ellis and I went to a restaurant/bar where Hank's friends met us. It was really chill. Ellis, who is going Brazil, and I talked about our respected trips. Then we all met this older couple from North Carolina. The man is a big basketball person who coached Stephen Curry and some others. Pretty cool. Even cooler is that the guy, Joe Frazier, went to Greensboro College. So we talked Guilford basketball. Such a small world. We all talked for like 30-45 minutes and he and his wife bought us all a round of whatever. It was really chill. Then I had a Skype date. Then bed.

"Beside the ashes of the fire"

Today, was the first step in getting ready for my time away. I talked to a girl who seemed pretty chill. She goes down earlier than when I start because she didn't want to sit around for a month. Which is reasonable. After this, my mom and I worked magic and started to figure out health things like my pills and Remicade treatments. After lunch, my mom and I went to the bank to set up an account for me to get money. After I failed to get photos from my new Holga. I am in the process of getting a roll shot and processed. Then I talked to Hallie for a bit. Then I tried to fetch Nicky but I had to wait so I listened to ESPN radio. After getting back I read most, and later finished, my book, Angler, by Barton Gellman. It was real interesting. Now to read the controversial book, Open Veins of Latin America by Eduardo Galeano. It looks real interested and I am excited to read it. Later after dinner and a good game of Jeopardy, I watched Heroes, one of many shows I will not see live for sometime. Then I skyped with Abbey and imed with my friend Rachel. A pretty relaxing night considering I have my Remicade treatment in the morning and getting shots in the afternoon.
Wish me luck.
Now some soothing music