Tuesday, April 21, 2009

cold, heat, biopsy, vanity, blessings

So, we've been cold, cold, cold since we left Arusha. The temperatures were hovering in the low 80's as we departed.

The brisk Atlantic breezes in Portugal had us shivering like a bunch of sillies who left their socks and jackets in Africa. That's because we are a bunch of sillies who left our socks and jackets in Africa. Good thing our friends were happy to share.

California greeted us with sunshine but we were still cold... until today. Today has been just flat out baking hot. I refuse to complain when I've been so chilled of late.

No news on the biopsy of the questionable spot on my nose. I must have heard wrong when I thought she said "end of the week." I think she said "end of next week."

In the mean time, the biopsy site has become infected and inflamed and ugly. I'm 100 miles from the dermatologist but another doctor friend here told me to go ahead and drain the infection and keep disinfecting it etc.

Here are 2 lessons I've learned in the last few days...

First off, Americans are incredibly polite. I have met A LOT Of people in the last few days, as well as greeted many old friends. Only one person asked me what was going on with my face. Everyone else chatted nicely, while they must have wondered at my sore red lower nose and bunged up bridge of nose. The dark blister on the bridge of my nose if where the doctor froze something off. The angry looking lower part is the infection that developed around the biopsy site. Now I'm putting make-up on the red part so it just looks weird, lumpy and chalky. Ha!

I can't help but think fondly of my African friends who would be asking if I walked into a branch or if my husband beat me or something. So funny how cultures do politeness differently.

The second thing I learned is that I'm vainer than I think. I don't like meeting and greeting all these people with my nose all alarming. (But I have to say that it's so, so worth it to be here at Westmont with our boys and all their friends and to have attended SBCC's annual retreat over the weekend.)

Finally, I've been touched by many sweet gestures from friends since we've arrived back in the States. To be honest, I have been quite surprised by love.

Love feels good. And that cheers even my nose up :-)

5 comments:

Carrie said...

I do think that African politeness is quite hilarious. You will no doubt be told countless times when you return just how fat you've gotten while you were gone...even if you didn't gain a pound. Enjoy another scorching day in lovely SoCal!

Darrelle said...

Blessings on your nose. Every thing's gunna be alright. It's so good you all being around campus. Love you guys.

dana said...

oh golly...your nose is surely beautiful, whatever the condition...but I am thinking very peaceful thoughts about its recovery...

and it is so lovely to consider you moving about in this grand state of ours...

I want to figure out how to see you!

love you

Rebecca said...

Yes, health to your nose and admiration for your new hat

pearl said...

And it's totally normal and not vain to feel that way, but honestly, probably a lot of people just see your eyes and smile and don't even notice. But here's to its quick healing!

And hooray for African politeness! I always love to hear Erica's and Jesse and Trevor's stories. Erica says her host mom always described her as, "She is the one who is fat and looks like a man," because Erica is so tall. She tells this in the context of how much freedom it brought from western notions of beauty, so I like it:)

Love to you.