No Bank, No Phone, School

This weekend is all focused on Jenn and Mike with the wedding, which I want to cherish. I think this the hardest part about being away will be missing important events with my family and friends. I am so thankful I get to be a part of Jenn's special day and have the opportunity to sing again with Chad Naumann.  It is definitely going to be an awesome weekend. Then, I fly out to Atlanta for the NEA conference. I do have a paper due Sunday that I have not started on, but I will be sitting in the airport a while, so I imagine I can write it then. We'll see. I have a little free time today before the wedding festivities start tonight, so I thought I would start investigating how various services will be affected while I am living Uganda.

I love, love, love my bank. It has amazing features and has always been accessible everywhere...until now. B of A does not have any affiliations with any banks in Uganda and the fees are enormous to use ATMs. I wonder how I will get access to my money? This should be interesting! I receive a stipend and living allowance from the state department, but they only deposit it into a U.S. bank. I guess I will need to inquire more from my embassy contact. B of A does offer a $0 transaction fee credit card, so I did apply for that. Do you think I can use a credit card to buy food? I did put a travel alert on my account because otherwise I will not be able to access my account outside the U.S. I did learn that the hard way in Italy. I also want to add Mom and Joe to my account, but we will have to do that in person.

Then, I called at&t to find out about phone access. There is basically no phone access because the fees are so high. Here is an example of the fees:$10 for 50 text messages
$120 for 100 minutes
I go through upwards of 3,000 texts a month, so that won't work. At&t has agreed to unlock my phone so that I can put a local SIM card with a plan in Uganda. My phone will work with wifi to facetime or imessage...thank God!! My phone plan can be placed on a "reduced rate suspension" plan for 6 months which is $10 a month. Then, I can request an extension for an additional 4 months. This would allow me to avoid the cancellation fee and still maintain my account.

My biggest concern is continuing my doctoral program. I called my academic advisor and he recommended that I continue my program, but I do have the option to drop my course within the first week without penalty. He recommended that I see how the course goes for the first week while I am there and then email him if there is a problem. I have 2 more academic courses left before working on my dissertation. So, I will probably just delay my dissertation until the fall of 2014 and graduate in May 2015. I can take a leave of absence for up to 180 days. I am so thankful that Walden is flexible and accessible any where in the world. They will even ship my books internationally! Definitely a win-win!
Have a great weekend everyone!!

Never Fear...Malaria Meds Are Here!

Although the insurance approved my malaria medicine over a week ago, I just received the supply on Friday, 6/21. I guess there were a few underlying issues with filling my prescription after I dropped it off last Monday (6/17) foolishly thinking it would be filled the next day. First, the Walgreens by my house lost power last Monday when we had storms with a couple inches of rain. That caused the systems to reset into a Safe Mode and prescriptions were not being filled in a timely manner. Walgreens didn't actually recognize the issue until Tuesday, which put me another day behind. I called them on Wednesday and Thursday afternoons and they said they were working on it, but were having difficult finding the tablets versus the caplets. My doctor ordered tablets because caplets melt in the heat and are less effective. On Friday I called and the entire order was filled, but they had to use two manufacturers to fill the order. The total cost of the medicine was $863.29, but I only paid $55...thank God for insurance!

This is all of my medicine that I am going to take other than over the counter meds. Doesn't look like much huh?

Although this summer was going to be my summer of smut which included Fifty Shades of Grey, I decided instead to read some stories about Americans who have had experiences in Uganda. Yesterday I started reading a book called First Comes Love, Then Comes Malaria by Eve Brown-Waite. The author writes about her experience in working with the Peace Corps in Uganda and finding true love during her time there. I've only read the first few chapters, but I do understand the severity of malaria based on the author's note at the beginning of the book. More than a million people in Africa die from malaria each year, and it's the number one killer of children under five years old in Uganda. That startling statistic put things in perspective for me. I am fortunate to have access to everything I need. I know I am not a parent, but I can't imagine watching my child die from a preventable disease which requires a little pill. How did I become so fortunate when other are suffering so much? Sometimes it just doesn't make sense to me.

The author donates 10% of her earnings from the book to organizations doing malaria prevention work in Uganda. If you are interested in learning more about how to help with malaria efforts in Uganda, you can visit the following organizations:

CARE http://www.care.org/index.asp?

African Medical And Research Foundation (AMREF) http://www.amref.org/

Medicins San Frontieres (Doctors Without Borders) http://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/

Malaria Meds...Good Grief!!

After work yesterday,  I stopped by Walgreens to pick up my prescriptions. The insurance FINALLY approved 10 months of malaria medication, so I expected to pick up 60 pills of Cipro (infections), 2 doses of Fluconazole (yeast infections), and 320 pills of Doxycycline. I roll up to the Walgreens window and asked for my prescriptions. Here is our conversation:

Good afternoon, welcome to Walgreens. How can I help you?
Hello. I am picking up prescriptions for Jamie Cardwell.
What is your date of birth, address?
3/20/77, 6427 Winona Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63109
That will be $15.
Wait, what? It should be about $60-70. What prescriptions do you have?"
I have Cipro, Fluconazole, Doxycycline.
How many pills of the Dioxyclene were authorized?
90 days worth
Could you please check the prescription again because my insurance authorized 10 months worth of medicine?
Sure. Oh yes, it does say 10 months here. Okay, it will take me 5-10 minutes to fill the prescription.
Okay. I don't have time to wait for it right now, but I will come back later. Could I go ahead and get the other two prescriptions?
Sure. No problem.

Once I received the medicine, I noticed that there was only one prescription in the bag. When, I buzzed her again, she had forgotten to put the Cipro back in the bag after counting it. Good grief!

So, today I called to find out the status of the rest of my meds. The pharmacist told me that because they had lost power on Monday, their systems are still trying to catch up with all of the orders. She also said that she has no idea when the prescription will be filled because she is having a hard time finding the tablets instead of the capsules. Apparently the capsules melt in the heat and make the medicine ineffective. I wonder if I will ever get my malaria meds? To be continued...

Saved By the County Health Department & Insurance

As I blogged about the vaccines the other day, I was a bit bothered by having to spend $545 on vaccinations even though I know I am lucky to be able to get them when millions of people in the world don't even have access to these medicines. I truly began to consider if I really needed these vaccines. I mean, I know my doctor was very insistent about getting the vaccines, but millions of people survive without them every year. I am a healthy person. I can survive typhoid, right? Shouldn't they be free?

Once I came back to reality, I began to check out other avenues to administer the vaccines to me. Since the city does not offer vaccines, I thought I would try the county. Guess what? They offer vaccines at a reduced rate! So, here are the details (new info in blue):

Hepatitis A $85/$37
Polio $50/$30
Typhoid $87/$55 (oral too - double win!!)
Yellow Fever $148/$111
Meningitis $175/$111
*New one - Tdap (diphtheria-pertussis-tetanus) $45

All of the vaccines total $389 versus $545, plus I am getting an additional shot for that price and the typhoid is an oral administration instead of injection! Yeah me! My appointment for them is July 11. I can't wait to have sore arms and be immunized from virtually everything.

My next challenge was getting my malaria medicine. I happily walked myself up to the counter at Walgreens and proudly gave them my two prescriptions, one for malaria prevention and one for Cipro (in case I get infections). The pharmacist told me that she needed to call to get authorization on them because usually insurance companies only approve one month of medication at a time. I told her that I needed 10 months and she told me that was impossible. Apparently, insurance companies have a vacation override that will approve three months, but I needed TEN. I told the pharmacist that I would call my insurance company and figure this out. So, a few minutes later, I was talking with Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield about my needs. The representative, Cybil, tells me she understands, but that they will probably not approve it. She asked me if someone could pick up my prescription monthly and I politely reminded her that I would be in U-G-A-N-D-A so the likelihood of finding a Walgreens on the corner would be slim to none. After two hours, Cybil had finally talked with her supervisor and composed a detailed email to the "powers that be" in order to request approval of my prescriptions. Now, I am not sure if I mentioned this or not, but my insurance runs out at the end of this month - that is June 30. So, I need everything done by that date. Because I am on foreign leave next year, my contract benefits end at the end of this month, so I have to find gap insurance to cover me until I leave for the fellowship in September. I have already been to my OB/GYN and my primary doctor. I have dentist and vision appointments next week. It is vital that I get these prescriptions filled in the next two weeks or I would have to pay full price for them, which is around $900.

When I woke up yesterday morning, there were two missed called from Cybil. So, on the third call, she caught me and explained that my request HAS BEEN APPROVED. I just knew for sure that she was going to tell me it was denied and then I would have to figure out another way to get these meds. I am elated and my faith in Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield has been renewed.

Holy Expensive Vaccines!

My status for becoming a fellow is conditional on submitting a health verification form to the program which states I am healthy and fit for the project within ten business days of receiving my placement. So, yesterday I had my appointment with my favorite doctor, Dr. Daniels, at the Center for Advanced Medicine (CAM)  to complete the form and get all of my vaccines. Did you know that doctors do not stock immunizations for travel? I thought I was going to walk out of the doctor's office with very sore arms, but apparently I was wrong. Dr. Daniels and I discussed most of the items on the health form and then he asked for my shot record. Do you have your shot record? I do not. I don't even know when I last received an immunization, but I do remember that I HATE them. I hate them with a passion. I am not really afraid of needles, I just would rather have sore arms from strength training. I had to track down my shot record from Alton High School and still need to email it to him after the TB test check. After our discussion, a TB test, a prescription for 320 malaria pills and 60 Cipro pills (just in case I get three possible infections), Dr. Daniels referred me to the health department which then referred me to Barnes Care which is a Travelers' Health Service offered by BJC. The St. Louis City health department does not offer travelers' vaccines. Based on the information from my doctor and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, I knew that I needed immunizations for hepatitis A, polio, typhoid, yellow fever, and meningitis. I opted out of the rabies shot because I figured if I actually am bitten by a wandering animal, I will get the shot at that time. Barnes Care told me that I would need to file a claim for my insurance for the vaccines. Here is what I know about the vaccines.

Hepatitis A ($85) - Hepatitis A is transferred through contaminated food or water, so apparently I need it. This immunization is a series of two shots...oh joy!

Polio ($50) - I already had this vaccine as a child, but need a booster which is good for a lifetime.

Typhoid ($87) - This is also transferred through contaminated food or water and is only good for 2 years.

Yellow Fever ($148) - I must have this vaccine and show proof of it to enter Uganda. Apparently Barnes Care is a certified yellow fever administration center...whatever that means! This immunization is good for 10 years.

Meningitis ($175) - This immunization is good for a lifetime. Since Uganda is considered part of the "meningitis belt" of sub-Saharan Africa and I will be there during the most common time to contract this disease (December - June), I obviously need it. 

Then, I called my insurance to inquire about filing a claim. NO TRAVEL VACCINES ARE COVERED!! What? Are you serious? So, if you are good at math, that is $545!! Now, I understand why the fellowship program provides $700 for pre-departure expenses.

 Do you think I have TB?

The nurse told me the band aide is just in case I forget where she administered the test.

The Birth of My Fellowship

"Where is Uganda?" was my dad's first question when I told him I had been matched up to Uganda for my English Language Fellowship. His second question was, "Why would you want to go there?" 

I love my mom and dad. They are overprotective and small-town-minded, but they love me unconditionally with all of their hearts and no matter what crazy, hair-brained idea I come up with, they still jump on board and support me. Even though my parents are scared to death that I am going to be in a foreign country for 10 months, I am ecstatic! I learned about the English Language Fellow program three years ago at a TESOL conference in Denver, Colorado. I attended a session where fellows were talking about their experiences teaching in another country. The program is sponsored through the state department and Georgetown University. The purpose of the program is to "assist U.S. Embassies throughout the world in their goals of facilitating democratic institution building and encouraging participation in the global economy" (English Language Fellow Program, 2013). Teachers are placed throughout the world to teach and establish relationships with other countries for ten months. When I heard about the program, I was married at the time and didn't really think it was the best timing for me to go off to another country for a year. But in the back of my mind, I knew that I needed to complete a fellowship. Maybe it was God tugging at my heart or maybe it was my love for travel or other cultures, but every time I saw the English Language Fellow booth, I could not look away. I talked to the recruiter, Brian, each time I saw him and every year, I became more and more interested in becoming a fellow. In October, I saw Brian again and after talking to him extensively, I decided this was my year. Before applying, I prayed and asked God to open every door clearly so that I would know that this is the right decision at this point in my career. So, I began the process of applying. Applying to the program is time-consuming and requires more patience than I have on most days. The application requires the following:

• Online application
• Resume
• Two Lesson Plans
• Statement of Purpose
• Two Reference Letters
• Graduate Transcripts
• Professional Publications

Needless to say, the program is selective and requires teaching experience with a Master's degree. There are many benefits to the program including a stipend and living expenses, but the greatest advantage for me is learning about other cultures and having the opportunity to travel. 

After submitting my application online, I contacted my district human resources person to make sure I could actually take a year of absence without losing my tenure. I work for an amazing district that offers many incredible benefits for its employees. Teachers are allowed to take a year of unpaid leave for foreign teaching without any adverse affects to salary, position, etc. Once I received approval from my district, it was full speed ahead. I applied in February and had a Skype interview with the recruiter in March. After our interview, Brian said he would finish my application and send it to Georgetown. I guess Brian functions as a gatekeeper for applicants. After our interview, I received an email on May 16 that I had been matched to a project in Uganda. At the time, I was on my way to Six Flags with 300 middle school students and I actually shouted for joy on the bus. My kids were confused and wondered what the heck was going on. I had not told them that I was applying for the position because I didn't want them to deal with me being gone for a year if it didn't actually materialize. The coordinator of the program matches several prospects to the same project and then the U.S. Embassy closest to that particular project chooses their top candidate. This particular project is based at Uganda Christian University in Mukono, Uganda. I received a questionnaire from the U.S. Embassy in Kampala, Uganda on May 30 which asked all sorts of questions including:

Are you interested/willing to do your Fellowship in Uganda?

Have you spent one semester or more living or working in a developing nation? If yes, how were you able to adapt to living conditions such as unreliable transportation, or limited electricity and internet?

Would you be able to conform to the requirements of dress code and conduct in a conservative, private university?

Would you be willing to occasionally travel to other parts of Uganda for teacher training or for other duties related to your position at the university?

Would you be willing to teach classes with a large number of students and/or with limited resources?

Do you have experience assisting Freshman students with study skills and academic writing techniques?

Would you be willing to help out with matters pertaining to curriculum review and materials development?

Are you willing to walk in a mountainous/hilly terrain on a daily basis? Do you have dietary restrictions?

I did not share these questions with my parents because as I have already stated, they worry...all the time! I guess it won't be a secret now! Anyway, after submitting the questionnaire, I had an interview with Shannon at the embassy in Kampala. She gave me the opportunity to ask a lot of questions and she told me I was their top candidate. So, about 15 minutes after the phone call, I received an email saying I had been offered a fellowship and had two days to accept the position. The position I have accepted is working with students who are studying to be teachers, which is supposed to take about 70% of my time. The other portion of my time will be spent running the on-campus writing center and conducting workshops throughout the country. 

Now, the fun really begins! I have to go to the doctor within 10 business days (so my appointment is tomorrow) to certify that I am healthy and begin the process of applying for a visa from the government in Uganda.


English Language Fellow Program. 2013. What do fellows do? Retrieved from http://www.elfellowprogram.org/elf/prospective/assignment.cfm