Kim Reaves’ Blog

Day 13 Middle of the week in Africa

Greetings from Ghana!

It is Wednesday afternoon and we just finished up clinic. Yesterday after writing my blog we went back to the house to change for the pool and were called by the secretaries shortly after changing into our swimsuits. They let us know that there was a Doctor’s Meeting and that we needed to attend.  We quickly changed back into our scrubs and darted back to the hospital. In the meeting, Dr. Aborhl was discussing the challenges that physicians face in developing countries.  He expressed that there is often difficulty getting supplies for the laboratory and that often the laboratory findings are not very reliable.  He expressed that it was very important for there to be donations from Missionary groups and other people from the states.  Dr. Aborhl asked us about the upcoming match and how apply for residency differed from the Ghana.  Dr. Aborhl actually did medical school in Tulsa (with Emily’s Father) but I am not sure where he did his residency.  Dr. Akosua was also in the meeting. She will be giving a presentation next week on Otitis Media and upper respiratory tract infections.  There was some confusion between Ashley and I as to if the doctors have done residency or just intern year. Dr. Akosua mentioned doing procedures during her intern year but then when asked later by Dr. Aborhl what specialty she wanted to do in residency later she suggested she liked Internal Medicine. I am not sure where she is in the training process.

After the meeting, Ashley and I darted back to the mission house again to quickly change into our swimsuits. David was available to give us a ride to one of the local hotels for dinner. We arrived at Labodi beach hotel a little after 5 pm.  We walked through the gift shop and then decided we were both starving and it was time for dinner. I basically ordered the same meal at this hotel as I had the night before at the Ramada at Coco beach: spicy chicken and jolof rice. It is hard to try something new when you skip lunch.  We ate dinner and had a great dessert with icecream and a chocolate brownie. We planned to walk along the beach but didn’t feel like paying the entrance fee for such a short visit so we gave David a call to come back and get us.

Back at the mission house, I was very tired and had a headache so I didn’t do much. I was asleep by 10:15 but woke up around midnight and couldn’t get back to sleep. Ashley was also having trouble sleeping.  We were both very tired this morning.

Wednesday (today): We started the morning slowly. We were both very tired. I have not been feeling quite myself today and I am hoping that I am not getting sick.  Dr. Akosua was running late this morning because her son was sick. She got to the hospital around 10 and then we starting seeing patients. It was a light morning. We had two patients to see on the wards: a patient in sickle cell crisis and the patient that was hit by the car two days ago. The sickle cell patient had malaria and we helped manage his pain and hydration status. The man hit by the car was feeling better but still having times when he was not completely lucid. I think Dr. Akosua might transfer him to the larger hospital in Accra where she did her residency. They have access to a neurosurgeon and a CT scanner. Dr. Akosua is planning on taking us to visit this hospital on Tuesday because she wants us to see a larger hospital in Ghana.

I wanted to clarify a few things from yesterday: The dry dusty wind from the Sahara is called the “Harmattan” according to my book on Ghana. I did not spell it correctly yesterday.  Also, I was asked about how the beaches are here and I wanted to say they are very nice. Not the crystal clear blue water you see in Destin but very nice in their own right. Please keep your questions coming and I will try to answer them.

Today I think the plan is to rest and relax. We are also planning on making more pasta for dinner. I will probably take a nap and read my book. I am keeping my fingers crossed that my exhaustion is not a hint that I am getting sick.

Miss you all!

Kim