Monday April 13th
May 9th, 2009 Posted in UncategorizedA Baby on My Back
Kim and I went into the hospital today for rounds. She started on the Female Surgical Ward (FSW) and I on the Child Surgical Ward (CSW). We both agreed: ALL our patients are doing much better! Our patient with the open skull fracture was playing outside with his dressing already removed, and all the kids with fractures have decreased pain, even with readjusting the extremity in traction (a painful movement that last week left more than one child crying and pushing us away). We did a couple quick, minor cases: casting, I&D, and a foreign body removal from one’s abdominal wall. Then we went to see all the patients on the Male Surgical Ward (MSW).
Afterward, we made it to an internet cafe before meeting Cynthia and Belita at the museum. It was rather neat learning the history of the Tonga and Ila peoples. From there we walked to their home and visited with the whole family for a half hour or so. When we left, they sent us home with a large pumpkin! Along the way back, Cynthia allowed Kim and me to carry her 9 month old son on our backs with her chitenge- just like my dream of carrying my own child around on my back as I work in Africa. I feel like it was an encouragement from the Lord that He will bring it to pass one day.
We passed through an open air market as it was closing up, and I cannot wait to go back during the day and see what all they have to sell. Back at home, we met a Mennonite couple having dinner at the Lodge. They are working with a Brethren in Christ church and school, and I enjoyed discussing with them the efforts they are involved in for whole-person economic development. Truly interesting folk!