...to the end of the earth!
My son, our only child, recently moved to the Philippines and married a beautiful young filipino woman. They live in a small village on Samar, a rural area where they grow rice and fish for a living...and raise pigs. We were planning on visiting them this year. Unfortunately rural areas in 3rd world countries in the tropics is on the top of the list of places I shouldn't go...especially since I can't take some of the recommended vaccines. My RD felt it was OK to go to Manila so we planned to meet them there and stay in a hotel. Now, the dilemna, we're going to be grandparents. The baby is due this summer. Happy news but...sigh...our only grandchild 10,000 miles away in the middle of nowhere. I'm not sure what we're going to do...wait a couple months after the baby is born and still meet them in Manila...or take my chances and go to their house in Samar...about a 24hr journey from here. It's a bit intimidating...my son recently was hospitalized for a few days with Dengue Fever...not something a person on immune suppressing drugs should take lightly. I'm trying to talk him in to coming here in the fall with his family at our expense too. Just thinking out loud...
Alan
I think bringing them to you is a great idea. Costly, I'm sure.....but ya know!
Personally..........I'd be fighting tooth and nail to visit them! I know, I'm nuts. Dengue Fever is NOT something to mess with....but by god, it's your GRANDBABY, ya know? But I'm insane that way. It's not for everyone. ;-)
Yea...I know what you mean...I hate having this disease keep me from doing the things that really matter. We're definitely going to meet them in Manila if we decide not to go all the way to Samar. Here's a couple of pictures of his house. It was their wedding gift from us.
My wife and I are going to a travel clinic soon to see what they recommend and what my options are for alternatives to the live vaccines. In that area of the Philippines they typically recommend Hepatitis A and Typhoid...Cholera and malaria can also be a problem. There's no vaccine and no treatment for Dengue Fever. In their village there's no water treatment facilities and no running water in the houses...though they do have electricity...when it works!
Alan
Oh, Alan, what a dilemma! I agree that you absolutely must see the new baby! Grandchildren are such a wonderful gift. But it worries me to think of you going to the rural area, with your health issues. I'm sure your son wants you to see their home (what a lovely gift!), But if you raised him, I'm sure he is a kind, gentle soul, who would not want you to jeopardize your health.
I think maybe meeting you and Mom in Manila could be a lovely reunion for all of you. Have you met his wife face-to-face yet? It sounds like you have taken her into the family, which is such a good thing. I'm sure it means the world to him.
I know you will make the right decision, whatever it is. Let us know what you decide to do.
Have a good evening. Gentle hugs, Nini
No we haven't met her yet. We weren't able to go to the wedding, so we're really looking forward to this trip. They really are a lovely and warm hearted people. My son and his wife have 3 orphan girls living with them now. Here's a picture from the wedding.
Good luck making a decision on traveling.
Karen
Alan, I really feel your pain. Being a grandmother myself it would make me so sad to have to stay away. But I believe your plan to meet in Manila or better, having them come to you, is the only way to go. It's much better for your entire family to have you alive and healthy than to risk a dangerous illness or worse in order to see your grandchild. Please don't take any chances. Maybe in the meantime your son can send some videos of the baby. Also, my friend "visits" her grandson every week by computer. I'm not sure how it's done, I know you need special equipment at both ends, but it's certainly something to consider for some real time viewing.