Back Home?

I just realized I left everything hanging from Paita, Peru, where I spotted the Humboldt's penguin. I had moved on to Cabo Blanco where I got very sick from food, then went to Mancora to get better, and, finally, back to Ecuador and Vilcabamba. I made my reservation to fly home and then spent a good week in Ayampe watching whales and setting bird records for the local Jocotoco Reserve. I have seen more species there than anyone else. I also went to Shaime and Cabanas Yankuam to find the orange-throated tanager. It took 3 days but I found the bird- three of them. I thought I had written about this trip but I must not have hit 'publish'. It was a  very remote area along the Peruvian border and a fantastic trip. Read about Arutam. I met Arutam. Google Arutam.
There is a book on the NYT bestseller list by Paul Kalanithi. When Breath Becomes Air.  I haven't read it, nor will I. He was a  surgeon with a promising career when he was diagnosed with terminal cancer at age 36. He kept himself busy until he died. When I came back home I had to jump through the hoops to have a P.E.T. scan. I went to the Lynn Cancer Institute for treatment. That was my second mistake. The first mistake was coming home. But I didn't know it at the time. It took 2 weeks to get an 'opinion' from a doctor. I have 4 tumors- two on my liver and two on my right lung. My surgeon at Shands decided an operation on my liver was not an option. I was given a prescription for a chemo drug with a $3,200 co-pay. I decided to go to Cleveland Clinic for another opinion. The doctors there were quick and efficient. My lung tumors are just too large and the only option was for Xeloda, which I have taken before. It makes you fatigued and nauseous. It possibly would slow down tumor growth. But then I found out there was a $500 co-pay. When I had a different health plan it was free. Humana sucks. I have decided to go bird watching instead. My doctor approves. Why fight what you cant win. Embrace it.
I bought the Field Guide to the Birds of Colombia. There are more than 1,900 species in Colombia. I intend to go to Santa Marta, which has the highest percentage of endemics in the world. It also has the highest mountains closest to the ocean. Snow-capped peaks visible from the beach. My resident visa for Ecuador will be invalidated today, September 10th., because I have been out of the country for more than 90 days during the first year of residency. I could do paper work and get a waiver, but I have seen the majority of birds in Ecuador. Time for new ones. I must admit that I am a bit more concerned about safety in Colombia, especially being so close to the Venezuelan border. I do not authorize any ransom more than $50. I'm just not worth it.
I fly on the 18th to Cartagena. I do not intend to come back until I truly must. I very much doubt I will see a Blue-bearded helmetcrest- a bird just recently re-discovered after 70 years. But I better see a fucking Royal flycatcher this time!

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