One final interesting story from our year #2 in Hong Kong came during our last week before leaving for the US. We had been dealing with some sickness, probably stemming from burn out, not enough sleep, and extra busyness with end of the school year activities. Grace had been loosely diagnosed with strept, or the beginning of strept, the week before. She had been put on Augmentin, an antibiotic, by a doctor who took all of two minutes (not at all exaggerating) to feel the glands in her neck and look at her throat. It took about 24 hours for her to feel better (yeah!), but then about five days later, Josh came home after the second to last day of school with a low grade temperature. I should have taken him to the clinic right then, but with awards ceremonies and hosting a farewell party, this trip got postponed until Sunday, because by then, Andy needed to go, too.
Andy took Josh to a new clinic closer to us in Tai Po. After he waited in line, filled out paperwork and then was told to call for an appointment, he couldn't get an appointment until the next day. So Andy became his own doctor and took things into his own hands. We had been told that some, if not most pharmacies sold antibiotics over the counter. Andy didn't have a problem finding some drugs for Josh (using the dosage we had for Grace as a baseline) and himself. Now, we realize that this is not safe, nor recommended, but when you have a 15 hour flight looming for your family of seven, you don't need to be sharing germs...they just need to be eradicated:) The only problem was that Andy only bought enough drugs for about four days, and he wasn't able to get augmentin, just another generic amoxicillian. So, when two days had come and gone, and Josh still wasn't feeling well, it was my turn. First, I texted my pediatrician friend to confirm that I needed to find Augmentin. Then, I went in search myself...the day before we were leaving. So with Grace's dosage in hand, I went on my way:)
The first dispensary I went to was very helpful. I shared my needs, the pharmacist listened, and checked in the back for the Augmentin. Unfotunately, they didn't have any at that time, but he thought that the pharmacy next door would have it. When I went next door, the first person I spoke to passed me off to another person, who passed me off again. Finally, I was told very clearly "no". I decided to ask in a different way just to be sure there wasn't a "lost in translation" situation, and he assured me they did not have Augmentin. Finally, I went to one more pharmacy that I knew about...my last resort...and I was desperate. At this point, I just needed more antibiotic.
As I walked in, I started to share what I needed, and again I was passed on to someone else. I really do appreciate this practice because I get very uncomfortable when I am talking to people who have no idea what I am saying. When I showed the pharmacist what I had and what I was looking for, he came back after checking, and said he only had a generic antibiotic. So I explained that I needed a dosage for my husband and a dosage for my son, who is younger and smaller than my daughter. He went to the back again and came back with two different dosages. When I looked at the dosages, I was a bit confused and looked for some clarification. Both dosages he brought back were smaller than Grace's dosage. When I asked if the smaller dosage was for my son, he said that the larger dosage was for Josh. While this made sense in the respect that it was still smaller than Grace's dosage, I didn't understand how the smaller dosage was for Andy. I then asked asked why the other dosage was less? He looked at me with a strange tilt to his head and asked, "Well, how big is your dog?" I started laughing and said, "I don't have a dog. This medicine is for my husband." He laughed, too, and then went back to get an appropriate dosage for my 6'4'' husband:) You just never know...
Wednesday, July 30, 2014
Monday, July 7, 2014
Bittersweet Goodbyes
It's hard to believe that we finished year #2 in Hong Kong. Its been quite a year, and as usual, it has flown by. We have had more amazing opportunities, but I think what always defines these experiences is who you have experienced them with...your relationships.
As I have mentioned earlier, we have made some wonderful relationships. The Lord has clearly placed specific families in our path and we have been so blessed. One of those families has been our foundation, here from the start. They have just about finished their adventure in Hong Kong, and they will be back in Australia by the time we return after our summer stint in the States.
When we first started talking about the possibility of moving to Hong Kong, people would sharet about their own experiences there or share about a connection they might have. One of those connections happened to be one of our favorite babysitters, who just happens to be our pastor/friend's daughter. She was finishing up her freshman year at Wheaton, and one of her closest friends had parents and family living in Hong Kong. They were only there until August because they were moving back to California, but we were put in touch with them via email. It turned out that Andy had business in Hong Kong in July, and he was able to meet the Lahr's in person. They introduced Andy to their good friends, the Savonoff's, and that is where our friendship was born.
Robb and Bernadette have been so gracious from the get go. They immediately showed an interest in our family, skyping us before we even had Sarah. They have four amazing kiddos that we have loved getting to know, and who my children love like siblings. God has used them powerfully in our lives...most clearly during our transition with our move. I think Andy lost count how many times either Robb or Bernadette went to Ikea with him, and we are extremely grateful that they were visiting Andy and the kids at the Hyatt when Josh slipped on the pool deck and cracked his head...Bernadette helped Andy navigate the Hong Kong health system that first week they were on the ground.
And this was only the beginning. Through the last two years (hard to believe its only been two years) we have done life together. We've done a junk boat, hiking, multiple birthday parties, countless Sunday lunches after church, babysat each other's kids, a trip to Beijing, holidays and so much more. Last but not least, we lived together for almost two weeks before we left for the US. But through all that we have done together, it's been our connection through our faith in Christ Jesus that has bonded us. Our times of worship and prayer, as well as all the joy and laughter...and more laughter...has been what has defined our relationship. And it is this foundation that ensures our friendship, wherever we are living:)
So as we packed up and flew off to the US for the summer...something we looked forward to...it was a very bittersweet goodbye, filled with tears. We had to say goodbye to a life that we have thoroughly enjoyed for the last two years. We had to say goodbye to a family that has been ingrained in the hearts of our children and us. We had to say goodbye to friends that have changed our lives and who will always be an important part of our story. We had to say goodbye to the instruments that God used to give us a good beginning to our Hong Kong adventure. We are extremely grateful to this family who was so willing and available to take on our crazy family of seven. Thank you, Savy's, for teaching us Australian lingo, sharing some of your tasty recipes, and showing us the best parts of Hong Kong. We will always remember the many wonderful memories we made together. Our Hong Kong experience will always be defined by our relationship with you...and we look forward to visiting you in Oz!!!!
As I have mentioned earlier, we have made some wonderful relationships. The Lord has clearly placed specific families in our path and we have been so blessed. One of those families has been our foundation, here from the start. They have just about finished their adventure in Hong Kong, and they will be back in Australia by the time we return after our summer stint in the States.
When we first started talking about the possibility of moving to Hong Kong, people would sharet about their own experiences there or share about a connection they might have. One of those connections happened to be one of our favorite babysitters, who just happens to be our pastor/friend's daughter. She was finishing up her freshman year at Wheaton, and one of her closest friends had parents and family living in Hong Kong. They were only there until August because they were moving back to California, but we were put in touch with them via email. It turned out that Andy had business in Hong Kong in July, and he was able to meet the Lahr's in person. They introduced Andy to their good friends, the Savonoff's, and that is where our friendship was born.
Robb and Bernadette have been so gracious from the get go. They immediately showed an interest in our family, skyping us before we even had Sarah. They have four amazing kiddos that we have loved getting to know, and who my children love like siblings. God has used them powerfully in our lives...most clearly during our transition with our move. I think Andy lost count how many times either Robb or Bernadette went to Ikea with him, and we are extremely grateful that they were visiting Andy and the kids at the Hyatt when Josh slipped on the pool deck and cracked his head...Bernadette helped Andy navigate the Hong Kong health system that first week they were on the ground.
And this was only the beginning. Through the last two years (hard to believe its only been two years) we have done life together. We've done a junk boat, hiking, multiple birthday parties, countless Sunday lunches after church, babysat each other's kids, a trip to Beijing, holidays and so much more. Last but not least, we lived together for almost two weeks before we left for the US. But through all that we have done together, it's been our connection through our faith in Christ Jesus that has bonded us. Our times of worship and prayer, as well as all the joy and laughter...and more laughter...has been what has defined our relationship. And it is this foundation that ensures our friendship, wherever we are living:)
So as we packed up and flew off to the US for the summer...something we looked forward to...it was a very bittersweet goodbye, filled with tears. We had to say goodbye to a life that we have thoroughly enjoyed for the last two years. We had to say goodbye to a family that has been ingrained in the hearts of our children and us. We had to say goodbye to friends that have changed our lives and who will always be an important part of our story. We had to say goodbye to the instruments that God used to give us a good beginning to our Hong Kong adventure. We are extremely grateful to this family who was so willing and available to take on our crazy family of seven. Thank you, Savy's, for teaching us Australian lingo, sharing some of your tasty recipes, and showing us the best parts of Hong Kong. We will always remember the many wonderful memories we made together. Our Hong Kong experience will always be defined by our relationship with you...and we look forward to visiting you in Oz!!!!
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