As soon as the Health Desk starts dishing out July invites, I get a setback. *sigh*
So I’ll start with the big scare: I was in class when my brother sends me a text, “oh you have a letter from peace corps at home.” WHAT??? Of course he has already left the house and doesn’t remember what it looked liked, ugh. So my mind starts reeling, what in the world can it be?? I never got a call from placement, no email, no toolkit update… Rejection letter?? My heart sunk when I thought it was the only explination. Instantly I’m in shock, getting mad I didn’t apply to grad school. I’m racing home in a flurry of panic and misery. On the drive home I hit some construction and decided to just check my toolkit to see what it said, surely it would say something if I didn’t make it. I log on to discover a medical hold back on my application… Huh? Suddenly it’s all clear and I can breathe again. I totally forgot I sent in a medication update to OMS last week and the letter was most likely from them. That was not a fun experience.. And sure enough the envelope has the familiar OMS stamp on the front..
Now my minor setback:
I changed a medication I am on, and the letter I got today from OMS is requesting more info. Apparently just telling them what I was on wasn’t enough. Blah… So untill I can get the paper work filled out and signed I have a medical hold back on my account and Placement cannot proceed to review my file until the hold is lifted. It sucks, but I guess ya gatta do, what ya gatta do right?
At least it’s not THAT much of a setback. I’m just sad becuase other nominees who share my nomination are being contacted by their POs and on the Facebook group for Future PCVs, someone just got an invite to Mali, leaving July 1st for Health Extension.
This means not only are they starting to review our files but they’re actually sending out invites now, and I’m put on hold. Bummer…
On a happier note, after having TWO seperate French classes cancelled on me, I finally got into one that had enough people to continue and attended the first day last Saturday. Yes, it’s a saturday morning class 
but it’s only for 4 Saturdays, so I can manage. I’m really excited though, because its a French communication class and I think it will really help me gain a better ear for French. I can read it pretty well, but it’s been 5 years since I took it in high school so I’ve lost a lot of comprehension and vocabulary. I’m excited about the class and becoming more fluent in French and being ready for my post! 
Well, this is just a small update. Hopefully I can get my paperwork filled out and faxed in soon and be back on track for an invite!
Till next time..
Bad timing but shouldn’t set you back too much.
I hope you hear something from a placement officer soon
Hey, I haven’t heard anything either, so at least we’re not alone in the health extension/francophone SSA/July group.
The application process has to be the most nerve racking experience ever! Don’t worry though, I really think at this point they can’t deny you unless you’re horribly ill or something absolutely insane happens to you.
I wanted to pass along an RPCV’s blog. She was stationed in Mali and had some really bad things happened to her. I found her to be rather inspiring despite this fact. Though all these bad things happened to her she still enjoyed her PC experience which must mean that the payoff is worth it. http://www.whenim65.blogspot.com/
Anyway good luck with your application process!
Val,
Thank you for sharing her blog with me. I cannot believe what a strong woman she is. Again we see the issue of assault and/or rape is not being addressed properly by Peace Corps, but I am glad to see that her wounds were one’s that will heal. Her story brought such mixed emotions to my heart. I was smiling but kept tearing up. To have experienced all that and still love Mali so much… amazing.
Again, thank you for sharing. I hope we can all be that strong in the end
ASHLEIGH!!!!! Our problems are similar, except when I started my new medication they told me i had to be on it for 3 months to make sure it was working. Perhaps it depends on the condition. I, too, have spent the better part of this week and gathering paperwork from inattentive doctors. Good luck to you! i know the feeling of the possibility of a “set-back”! KEEP YOUR HEAD UP!!!!