Preparing for mon deuxième voyage au Nunavik✈️❄️

The excitement is palpable as I gear up for another expedition to Nunavik, this time venturing into four communities along the Ungava coast. I have been to two before (Kangirsiuk and Kuujjuaq) and two are new (Aupaluk and Kangiqsujuaq). Leading me on this Arctic adventure is Dr. Johanne Morel, the experienced pediatrician who has spent the past forty years serving the North. Joining our medical team is Alyse Diamond, a premed student from Tulane University, who is also here on her second trip.

When it comes to traveling in the North, I have learned to anticipate the unexpected and roll with the punches better. Bringing a book also helps :) This time around, I've upped my game in preparations. A substantial shipment of skin prick test reagents, dried and fresh foods for prick-to-prick tests, an emergency anaphylaxis kit, and an array of supplies for skin prick testing are packed and ready. A stack of protocols, patient handouts, and medical education info sheets will hopefully be helpful resources for the doctors and nurses stationed there.

Our primary goal is, of course, to see patients. Yet, we're also embarking on a preliminary survey—test running simplified anaphylaxis and amoxicillin challenge protocols, gathering insights on patient perspectives about telemedicine, and identifying potential collaborators for video consultation initiatives. And if time permits, which I’m sure it will, to experience the exceptional beauty of the north and to document this entire journey.

While the weather forecast seems about 10 degrees warmer than last year (in the -20’s degrees Celcius), heavy-duty winter gear is a must, especially as we trek daily from the lodge to the clinic. I wonder if I’ll see the northern lights this time? Last time unfortunately they did not appear during my visit.

On our trip, we have a tradition of sharing dinners, and I'm eager to taste the contributions from my colleagues. This time I packed Ghanaian specialties (kontomire, egg stew, vegetables and gravy, banku), and a touch of heat with Rwandan Akabanga chili oil. I wanted to pack some Chinese food (bean curd roll 腐皮卷, vegetarian glutinous rice 素糯米鸡, dumplings 餃子, steamed mushroom buns 素包子) , but the weight restrictions did not allow me to take them. The food in my cooler will still last me eleven days but it's a bit hard to juggle when I also have to pack the large box of skin prick testing reagents. Ah, next time.

As we set off on this journey, anticipation fills the air. À bientôt!

This journey wouldn't be possible without the incredible support from those who have made it happen—my profound acknowledgments to each one of them. Nobody achieves anything significant alone. Special thanks to:

• My incredible team, the driving force behind our endeavours: Dr. Michael Fein (Program Director), Dr. Adnan Al Ali, Dr. Clara Long, Dr. Michael Aw, Danielle Ben-Shoshan, Megan Park, and Maryam El Alaoui. Stay tuned for more about these remarkable individuals!

• The dedicated allergy/immunology team at the Montreal General Hospital - doctors, nurses, and support staff.

• Marie-Reine Guirguis for facilitating a contribution from Stallergenes Greer, providing essential skin prick testing reagents.

• Makafui Okyere-Twum, your thoughtful Ghanaian food care package brings a taste of Ghana to the northernmost reaches of Canada. Also Dr. Asantewaa Okyere-Folson for the homemade banku from Kitchener ON. Although I thought this would be the northernmost Canadian Ghanaian culinary experience, that honour goes to (as far as I know), Dr. Ekua Agyemang in Iqaluit (63.74°N)

• Rosannah Dwarka, thank you for the Indo-Caribbean food care package. Although we couldn't receive it this time, it will hopefully fly on the next trip!

• Danielle Klingelhofer for your help in packing.

• To all those in the background, you know who you are and how you have helped.