I know I already dubbed Brody Indiana Bones in a prior post, but I’m stealing the nom de plume for my upcoming trip to Peru with Amazon Cares. I am Indiana Bones, slogging through anacondas and tarantulas in search of the elusive capybara. It’s the largest rodent in the world, and I want to see one.
It’s not a photoshopped guinea pig: It’s the world’s largest rodent. *squish*
I admit it will take a bit of luck, since I’m going to be pretty busy doing veterinary work- the main reason for going. But if someone just happens to bring a capybara to the street clinics in Iquitos for medical attention, I just want everyone on the trip to know I have dibs.
I’ve been so distracted with other things that I haven’t really had the opportunity to allow myself to be excited about the trip, but trust me, I’m over the moon. Getting to go somewhere like the Amazon while giving back to the community is something I have wanted to do for years, so this is quite literally a dream come true. Molly Mednikow, the founder of Amazon Cares, has been just wonderful in helping me put this together on fairly short notice. She’s on my list of “People who have done amazing things and leave me feeling incredibly unaccomplished.”
I had the joy of going to the travel clinic last week for the rather long list of associated vaccinations, drugs, and workup recommended before travelling to tropical climes. My doctor, having realized I hadn’t been in for a while, ordered up some routine bloodwork to go along with it, just for giggles.
She called me the next day. “Wow,” I thought to myself with glee, “I must be lucky! It’s always the NURSE who calls me!”
My reverie was to be short lived, however, when the first words out of her mouth were, “Have you been feeling okay lately?”
“Uh, yes….” I stammered, “I actually am probably the healthiest I have ever been. Why do you ask?”
“Oh, your white blood cell count is low,” she replied. “Quite low.”
As I immediately started compiling my bucket list in panic, she gave me the details. “It might be a lab error,” she said, “so before we do anything else, let’s just repeat the test in a week. If it’s still off, you can go to a hematologist.”
“A week,” I said. “Because I have this trip coming up to the Equator, and I imagine going into Dengue fever territory might not be the wisest idea if one is immunosuppressed.” And I really really want to pet a capybara.
Long pause. “Yes. Well, let’s test you on Monday.”
So I waited one tortured week, studiously avoiding the horrors of Dr. Google, before presenting my vein promptly at 8 am on Monday.
On Tuesday, I sat by the phone for a good 5 hours before starting to pester the doctor’s office.
“Oh,” the receptionist chirped, “Yes, the results are in. No, I can’t tell you what they are and the doctor isn’t in until tomorrow. They usually just send them, though, unless there’s a problem.”
“Oh, there’s a problem,” I informed her. “Last week I had no white blood cells and I need to know if that was real or not before I go to the deepest murkiest depths of the Amazon and expose myself to the stifling herds of pestilence bearing mosquitoes that will be feasting on my immune deficient blood.”
See, working in medicine has taught me the importance of self-advocacy.
Needless to say, at 5:45 the other doctor on staff promptly called to tell me, somewhat tersely, that my bloodwork was perfectly normal.
“I’m not normally a pest,” I told her, “It’s just that it was really not normal last week and there’s this capybara-”
“OK,” she interjected. “Well, it’s great now! Bye!” And that was that.
Perhaps my white blood cells had played a mischievous prank on me, squirreling away in my spleen just to give me a good scare. Perhaps they were afraid of the things I found on the net about tarantulas, piranhas, or Dengue fever.
But then I showed them the capybara, and apparently that was enough to tip the scales and lure them out of hiding like a toddler chasing after a fluffy kitten. Voila! My fully equipped team of leukocytes will be happily accompanying me on my quest to pet this elusive beast. And of course, of COURSE, you know I will be blogging all about it.
So glad to hear the good news about your bloodwork! But you really want to PET a capybara? Are they “pet-able”? Looks like it’s big enough to bite your arm off if it doesn’t want to be bothered. The word rodent is what scares me. 😉
I head they’re like a big guinea pig. Hopefully they will love me as much as I love them. If I find one.
What an amazing adventure this will be for you (and us if you have an internet connection). Can’t wait to read about it.
I know at least one of the places we’re staying will probably have an internet connection. Dr. Mahaney plans to vblog, me- not interested in being videotaped with no makeup. The question is, do I want to lug the computer? Decisions decsions.
Well, DUH. You should have told your white blood cells about the capybara from the start. They’re not going to get all excited if you tell them about all the WORK they have to do while there. Give them the fun stuff! What are you, an amateur?
I had no idea they were so emotionally invested in it all. They lead a pretty posh life, truth be told.
as i guinea pig owner, i too, lurve the Capybara (that, and the patagonian cavy). i’ve only ever seen them in captivity, so if you get to pet one i will be all full of jealous
One of my friends this summer went somewhere tropical and came back with Dengue Fever. Only it took them weeks to figure out why she was so sick. Finally one of her friends diagnosed her symtpoms via facebook- she went to the Dr, told them to check for Dengue, and voila- that’s what it was. Healthy a week later.
I will be the opposite. No matter what common cold I get for the next year, I will be convinced I have Dengue.
Fun! We went to Peru a couple years ago and saw those! They are really cute! We didn’t get close enough to pet one but we were able to feed them nuts!
Feeding nuts will work. I’ll take it.
Glad your count is ok! Can’t wait to hear about Peru. Not to burts a bubble but they have a Capybara at Sea World SD now where the Clydesdales use to be in case you don’t encounter one in the wild. It’s cute too. 🙂
Hmmm. But then I have to go to Sea World. I wonder if the zoo has one.
the zoo has tons of them! and a baby one was just born recently
http://tinyurl.com/4hb3zsb
Oh, now see this is why I love my readers. I don’t even have to do any work to get my questions answered.
PHEW! that was close. and holy crap if you get to pet a capybara??? i will plotz on your behalf. srsly. if you want to see some other cuties, check out the Zooborns blog. there are pictures of mama capybaras with their BABIES!!! that are massive. and cute. snorgle worthy stuff there. 🙂 verrrrry excited for you.
Oooh! A new blog to check out!
Capybara’s are fascinating, I’m with you there wanting to pet one.
Now I feel compelled to research them exhaustively.
I guarantee you will get to see, pet and hold one.
SERIOUSLY??!!! You’ve just made me jump for joy!!
SOOOOOO glad that your counts are where they belong – trip aside, we don’t want you ailing! Can’t wait to hear all about this fantastic trip. Good Luck!
Thank you! It’s super exciting!!
You’re hilarious! Hey, I need to contact you about what sponsors are doing. When is the trip? Totally forgot back when you posted it the first time!
April 9-24- right around the corner!
What an awesome opportunity! Glad to hear your white count is back to normal. Now just time to buff your hands into readiness for all that capybara petting.
You’re right. Fortunately Brody volunteers for buff duty.
Glad to hear you got the ‘all clear’ 🙂 What an adventure! I hope your trip down the Amazon is memorable in all the best ways.
Ah, so by memorable we mean “not eaten by a crocodile”, right?
I always think about the ROUS of Princess Bride when I see Capybara. They really don’t look like they could possibly be real! I hope you do get to see one, and share a photo here, of course!! 🙂 Glad your blood is all normal and you’re set to go!!
hee hee the ROUS mention made me laugh.
I most certainly hope they are less bloodthirsty.
Wow Dr. V. I just read the whole blog through and am sorry about your blood count. I had to get massive iron infusions through an IV before I got the all clear for this trip. I can’t wait to see you again. For info on another volunteer that got up close and personal with this special rodent read http://amazoncares.blogspot.com/2009/10/nurses-dream-is-to-hold-huge-rodent.html
Niiiice! I love it!
Ugh that you had to deal with the iron infusion. I suppose if nothing else it’s good to know and to arrive in the best of health, right?
Very relieved that your blood tests were ok second time around. Hope you find your Capybara
go to brazil – tons of capys in amazonia! they are awfully cute, aren’t they? and seem slike they are proliferating as pets!