August 26th, 2017 by jenniferolmstead

Rice pancakes with jam for breakfast quite tasty. As usual I was up before the others so I took some time to just relax and contemplate. Not sure what I got out of it this morning as I kept distracting myself. I did enjoy my reading time though. I have read through the book of John and have decided to read Romans next.
I walked by self this morning as the others were not ready yet, which meant no quick internet check. That only happens if we all go stand out in the yard, normally on the stairs as the yard is full of leaches. They are everywhere and this exploring the jungle is strongly ill advised. I have chosen to heed this warning. Especially since I came home with a leech on my shoe one day and never even got off the road. Not a pleasant thing those leeches.
So today I was I the high dependency unit. This is not an ICU area.it s for anyone that needs frequent vital checks, is on certain medications, or needs more than 2 liters of oxygen. That tends to include post-surgical, high fever with seizure, and those who take fertilizer. I was surprised how many suicide attempts they have here, usually by ingesting a fertilizer. It is smoked or drank, neither has a very good outcome. It does horrendous damage to your body and depending on the method it went in determines what is most damaged. It was quite different than the pediatric ward. We did have two children though, and 1 was in postsurgical from the peds floor. He was even happy to see me. The nurses were wonderful and encouraged me to read the charts to help me better understand why each patient was there. All the cases were routine for them, but unusual for me. They often get children with high fever and seizures for days to weeks before they are brought in. I don’t know how to describe the feeling that gives me. And the sad thing is they are not neglectful, they truly do not know or understand. Many who grow up in the villages may have no or minimal education. For the Muslims, the education may involve nothing more than Koran teaching. Thus, even if you try to educate them on danger sign and when to have your child seen, they simply do not understand why that is important. It makes it very difficult. Those who are more educated are almost all Christians. This helps to explain why the school offered here at the hospital is so important. Children from other villages stay in live in the dorms with the nurses during school times and go home on school breaks. It is the only opportunity most of them will ever have for an education. And for the girls they are then offered nursing assistant or nursing school if they choose.
During lunch, I was able to meet up with my roommates and catch up on everyone’s day. Helen and Naomi are doing ultrasound for prenatal today. The 9th of every month is free prenatal care throughout India and since it fell on a Sunday today was super busy in that department. Holly was in the maternity ward. After lunch, I took a little time to watch a couple ultrasounds being done. I had quite a time trying to figure out what they were seeing. I gave up and went back to the high dependency ward, at least I kinda know what is going on there. I was able to get a few pictures of some things you will probably never see in the states. I also got a picture with my little patient. I was teasing about him being my little boyfriend and the girls were laughing so hard they couldn’t contain themselves. I asked them afterward if that is not normal here and they said definitely not. So, note to self no more teasing little boys. He wants to be a doctor you know. The sad thing is he is Muslim and his education comes only what he gets at the mosque. His mother is so proud of him for being so eager to learn, yet he may never get the opportunity to learn what he needs to get into medical school. His family would never have money to send him either.
The girls are going to be working late today so I picked up holly and we walked home together. It was a good day. Now a relaxing evening and if they’re not too tired maybe some games.