I’ve told a number of people how great our time here has
already been, in large part because from a situational standpoint this may be
the most stress-free Gavin and my time together has been. Previously, we’ve
spent the past six years either in med school, working multiple jobs, or in residency. Since we’ve gotten here we spend every weekend together, and each evening
it's dinner and plans just like normal people. It’s been pretty fabu, to say
the least. So with that in mind, I thought I would turn full attention to my
cool as a cucumber, footloose and fancy free for the first time in nearly a
decade, husband. The following is a forced interrogation about some of the key points of his life right now:
(Ed. Note—There was a lot of “bickering” involved in this
process.. Who knew that a guy who is naturally uncomfortable talking about
himself wouldn’t want to be interviewed?)
Leah: Gavin, are you happy to be doing this interview?
Gavin: Moderately.
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| Off to a good start! |
L: What did we do today?
G: We woke up, made some phone calls, made breakfast, and
then took a tuk tuk to play soccer with a bunch of people including us that
cant play soccer.
L: What about that kid?
G: There was an 8 yr old there that may or may not have
gotten the better of me.
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| 3 ft tall and winning. |
L: Do you remember what you were doing a year ago? Because I
do.
G: No...
L: You were getting beasted in residency. Tell me about your
quality of life now.
G: Quality of life is very good. My weekends are free, and….
(this is where we had a little argument about proceeding with this interview)
(G resuming): I’m just trying to enjoy and appreciate how
things stand now, before going back to training when we leave here.
L: What has been your least favorite thing about PP?
G: Sitting in traffic breathing in the bad air. It gives me
a headache. (ed. note- makes him crabby)
L: Not to dwell on the negative, your favorite?
G: Probably the people. The people are very friendly and
fair.
L: Tell the fans a little about your work. Give us a rundown
of your average day, saving all the lives.
G: I don’t save any lives. Our workday is from 7-4. The bulk of NAMRU2’s work is in Infectious Disease
surveillance in Cambodia, basically trying to figure out what people are getting
sick with by enrolling them in studies; getting samples from them when they
present with a fever and consent to participate. Currently the focus is on Malaria,
Dengue fever, Influenza, and Chikungunya. But there are many other infectious
diseases that are tested for more sporadically.
L: So what do you do?
G: Currently I am the lead investigator on our largest study
called “The Febrile Illness Surveillance Study”.
L: Really?
G: Yeah. It doesn’t mean much. This study has been going on
since 2006, with no foreseeable end date. It’s been challenging being thrown
into such a large ongoing project. I’m slowly starting to understand it more.
L: Do you look at a lot of poo?
G: Only when the mood strikes me. I am also a
co-investigator in a Chronic Wound study. Chronic wounds are a big problem in
Cambodia because people get injured in a lot of different ways and due to poor
access to care and few means to pay for it, they often go untreated until the
injury is pretty advanced.
 |
| Declining. |
L: What about clinical time?
G: At this point, my clinical time is limited. I round at a
charitable surgical center once a week, and take informal consults on patients
if they have Infectious Disease or other non-surgical type questions. I’ll also be serving as the Assistant Medical Liaison
Officer for the Embassy during the next several weeks around the time when the
President and Secretary of State visits happen in November. I’m also waiting to
hear back about some volunteer work at a charitable hospital in the city.
L: Why don’t you tell us a little bit about “the hole in the
fence” as we call it, since it’s become such a significant part of your life.
G: The hole in the fence is just as the name suggests.
There’s a little street corner restaurant next to our building that we share a
wall/fence with. At some point, somebody cut a hole in the fence, ran some
string that goes to a bell in the kitchen, and then somebody squeezes through a
small space and takes your order.
L: And then what do you get?
G: I order vegetable fried rice, with two fried eggs, for $1
and it’s probably the best fried rice I’ve ever had.
L: Would you say it’s a highlight?
G: *nods* (tension
rising)
L: On average, how many times per week do the ladies tell
you you’re the most handsome man in Cambodia, if not SE Asia? Not counting my
daily affirmations.
G: None yet. But I have heard I’m the most awkward.
L: Why am I so awesome?
G: *silence* …Because
you’ve made a home for us in Phnom Penh, very quickly, and have integrated
yourself very well. Babe, I’m not good at this!
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| My subject begins to revolt. |
L: If Daisy and I were both drowning in a raging river, whom
would you save?
G: What kind of &%#$^% question is that?? You have to
answer for me, before I answer that for you!
L: No! I like that it’s taking so long to respond though!
G: So, is that question generated in the same part of your
brain that always thinks you or Daisy has cancer/worms/flesh-eating bacteria
and are going to die?
L: Whatever. How about closing with a little “Goodbye, we
love you!” or maybe just “Goodbye, we like you!” since we haven’t learned how
to say “love” in Khmer yet…
G: I hate this interview. Joom reap lia, yoon choulchet neak!
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| A shoe to make it all better? |
