my work wants me to go to Haiti for two months!

[proudmamanow]

what do I do?
This is an incredible opportunity for me...at any other moment I would be jumping at the chance...they are giving me all these great files that I am really interested in and the chance to a 'temporary duty' is much sought after...and this might be the best chance I have to do it in a long time.

BUT--my dw won't be able to come and I know it would be incredibly hard to be away from her....if it was a bit less time...which I could perhaps negotiate...then it might be better....

And as a Cdn. Govt employee, I would be guaranteed safe, healthy accommodation, good medical care, great access to phone and internet etc.

this is a dream opportunity....BUT....the timing...
(OTOH, I would be into the 2nd tri and my risk would be down and I would be feeling great!) what to do???

thanks for letting me vent!

[Stream]

Wow! How completely exciting! And what a tough decision...

Good luck with it, whichever way you decide. I really think you could do it if it's what you want to do (and what a cool story to tell your little one down the road), but on the other hand, I completely understand the need to stay home and be with dw. Yikes-- serious dilemma!

Let us know when you decide. Would you have internet access?

[proudmamanow]

thanks stream!

Dw just left me the most wonderful message saying essentially that while she would miss both of us (me & bean) terribly, she thinks I should do whatever I think is best. I'm going to try and gather more info and we will talk later.

Still not sure what to do, but feeling a bit calmer. At least this distracts me from worrying about our u/s tomorrow|

[speedknitter]

Jesse,
I spent two weeks in Haiti during my senior year in high school and it was one of the greatest experiences of my life. It was a country of contrasts - rich vs poor (with nothing in between), beautiful landscape and countryside and cities with no real infrastructure, etc. I would love to go back there and see how it has changed over the last 20+ years.

However, in order to go there, our group had to take malaria pills. You might want to check to see if that is still required and if that is compatible with your pregnancy. Would you be able to make one visit back home during the two month trip?

Good luck,

[proudmamanow]

Thanks Susan,

It's great to hear of your own experience in Haiti. What a wonderful opportunity you had! Sadly I don't think much has changed in the last 20 years, at least from what my colleagues tell me.

Yeah, malaria & the possible need for medications &/or any vaccinations are one of my main worries. As far as I can tell, if I stay in the capital, I shouldn't need any malaria medications, but I'm just not sure.

After TTCing or at least actively planning for at least 2 years I wouldn't want to do anything to jeopardize this pg. But I also wouldn't want to give up this opportunity needlessly...
As for the visit back home...that's a good idea... I think I will ask about that. I think I will tell our director my news tomorrow & talk to him about my concerns to some extent and see what he has to say.
lots of food for thought...

[speedknitter]

Our group was in Port-au-Prince and we still had to take the malaria pills. We took a few day-trips outside the city but other than that we were there in the capital. I was there in January 1981.

If you do go I'm glad you will have internet access so you can keep us all posted on your adventures!

[danaalex]

um there's not a whole lot left to haiti anymore. after hurricane jeanne beat them up. i don't think i'd be in a hurry to head that way right now. they had over 1100 deaths from jeanne, and mudslides, rioting, cities under water. doesn't sound like too much fun to me. but that's just my opinion.

[proudmamanow]

thanks danaalex--actually I work for the Cdn Govt's Haiti aid program so I'm pretty up to date on what the current situation is

fwiw, it's only one town that's been destroyed, the rest of the country was not hit by the storm & is in okay shape. But if anyone wants to give money to Haiti, I would definitely encourage you to donate to your favourite international aid organization, as this storm was the last thing the people of Gonaives needed and the news from this area is heartbreaking.

Update--I talked to my (other) boss last week and gave him my good news & he said that it was completely up to me, but that he'd probably not go under the circumstances. It's looking less likely that they may want me to go in general, and while I'm a bit dissapointed, I'm mostly relieved. Which is a good indication of what I'm really feeling deep down...

thanks to all for your support, experiences & information!

[speedknitter]

I'm sorry you are going to miss the experience, but a bit relieved that you are not going, too. Maybe you will get the chance again someday!!! Next time I go home to visit my mom I am going to have to dig out my pictures of my trip!

Take care,

[danaalex]

Originally Posted by wan2bemama

thanks danaalex--actually I work for the Cdn Govt's Haiti aid program so I'm pretty up to date on what the current situation is

fwiw, it's only one town that's been destroyed, the rest of the country was not hit by the storm & is in okay shape. But if anyone wants to give money to Haiti, I would definitely encourage you to donate to your favourite international aid organization, as this storm was the last thing the people of Gonaives needed and the news from this area is heartbreaking.

how big is haiti? it looks to me to be a not large island, but i'm only going by what is all over the news channels in Florida. jeanne was a large enough storm to cover the entire florida panhandle when it made landfall yesterday morning. i guess i figured that haiti was about the same size as florida.

[sunbaby]

sorry for your dissapointment, glad for your relief. what a tough call. it does sound like more than i could handle while pregnant, but you know yourself best.