Sometime around three o’clock in the morning, I returned from an MRI and was finally able to eat and drink a little. I had barely slept in days, was exhausted, and was still trying to understand exactly what was happening. As I sat in a hospital room in Salvador, Brazil, I found myself reflecting on how quickly life can change.
I assumed I was dealing with a routine illness that would pass with a little rest and some medication. Instead, the fever persisted, the headaches worsened, my energy disappeared, and I eventually reached a point where I knew I needed medical attention. Looking back, I pushed myself longer than I should have. There was work to do and all of the other responsibilities that come with leading a school.
Eventually, my body made it clear that slowing down was no longer optional.
As I write this, I am thankfully doing much better and the finish line appears to be in sight. While I am still waiting for some answers and follow up conversations with physicians, I have reached the point where I can reflect on the experience rather than simply endure it.
One significant takeaway has been my appreciation for the quality of medical care I have received in Brazil.
Before moving here, I carried some of the same assumptions many Americans have about healthcare systems outside the United States. Those assumptions were challenged almost immediately. The physicians who have cared for me have been thorough, patient, and thoughtful. The nurses have been exceptional. Every technician, support staff member, housekeeper, and employee I encountered treated me with professionalism and kindness.
What stood out most was the consistent sense that everyone involved genuinely cared about the wellbeing of their patients. During a week when I often felt tired, frustrated, uncomfortable, and occasionally scared, that human element mattered more than I can adequately express.
Being hospitalized in another country also brings its own challenges. My Portuguese has improved considerably since arriving in Brazil, but when you are sick, tired, and trying to understand complex medical information, even basic communication can become difficult. There were moments when I found myself wishing I could simply switch back into English and fully understand every conversation taking place around me. The physicians and staff were incredibly patient throughout that process, and I am grateful for their understanding.
As meaningful as the medical care has been, the greatest lesson from this experience has been about people.
When I moved to Brazil, I knew I would build relationships and hopefully make a few friends along the way. What I did not fully appreciate was how much those friendships would come to mean during a difficult moment.
Over the past week, I have received messages from family, friends, colleagues, board members, parents, and members of the PASB community. People from Brazil, the United States, and other parts of the world have reached out to check on me. Many have offered encouragement, support, advice, and prayers.
Several friends have spent significant time with me at the hospital. They sat with me when the days felt long. They helped me stay positive when I was frustrated. They listened when I needed someone to talk to. Most importantly, they reminded me that I was not going through the experience alone.
As someone who moved to Brazil less than a year ago, that support has meant more than I can adequately express. There are times when living abroad can feel isolating. Family members are far away. Lifelong friends are thousands of miles from where you are. During a health scare, those realities become even more noticeable.
At the same time, this experience helped me realize how much of a life I have built here. Over the past year, Salvador has become much more than the city where I work. It has become home. The support I have received throughout this experience reminded me of that fact repeatedly.
I have often written about the importance of relationships in schools. Educators know that learning is built on trust, connection, and human relationships. What I was reminded of this week is that those same principles extend well beyond schools. When life becomes difficult, relationships matter.
I am grateful to the healthcare professionals who have cared for me. I am equally grateful to the friends, colleagues, and family members who have supported me throughout this experience. Their kindness made a difficult week much easier to navigate.
I certainly would not have chosen to spend the week in a hospital room. However, as strange as it may sound, I will leave this experience with a greater appreciation for my adopted country, a deeper respect for the people who work in healthcare, and an even stronger appreciation for the friendships that have become such an important part of my life in Brazil.
Sometimes our most meaningful lessons arrive in unexpected places. For me, one of those lessons came from a hospital room in Salvador.
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