Yesterday (1/18/16) was a LONG day! It was a Monday, which means rounds, then clinic all day. We were lucky that we got done by 5:30pm…but that was because there were at least 12 doctors and who knows how many physician assistants seeing lots of patients. I saw at least 20 on my own! In the room I was in, there was one translator/secretary and three to four doctors interviewing and examining patients at the same time. Talk about efficient (but not so patient centered or private)! It was nuts! Then, when I thought we were done at dinner, I heard that we were on call and had to go back to the hospital at 8:30pm…which is usually my bedtime! Last night, we also had a record number of new admissions and sick people to see. We were all exhausted after rounds were over.
A sampling of some of the things I saw include: hypertension, COPD, an open tibia (lower leg) fracture that has been open for months, a young girl with a mass in her neck, women (many) with infertility issues, body pains, urinary tract infections, and others. On the inpatient wards, I have been taking care of several children with malaria, adults with hypertension, pregnancy induced cardiomyopathy (heart failure), people with acid reflux and stomach ulcers, and a man with liver cancer, who went home today on palliative care.
The man with the perforated stomach ulcer who went to surgery the other day was found to have a 5cmx6cm hole in his stomach! It is definitely a miracle that he is even alive. He was doing well for a day or so, but now is having some problems with delirium and hallucinations; pray that his hallucinations stop and that he continues to improve day by day.
Other people on the wards include a kid with a snakebite, another child with massive burns, lots of people with anemia from poor nutrition, several with liver failure and its complications including shortness of breath, fluid build-up in the stomach, and abdominal pain.
Today, after rounds, we had the afternoon off. I definitely needed that time to recharge spiritually and physically. God is so good! During that time, I chatted with some short-term volunteers and one volunteer who served here for an entire year as a surgeon and is now back for 2 weeks. It was great to discuss the health care system in Ghana, cultural beliefs, and how to improve communication with the patients.
Afterwards, I went to the wards with David and Chelsea (other short-term volunteers) and passed out coloring books and crayons to the kids. It was great to see the smiles on their faces and to know that they would have something to do when they are bored sitting in the hospital bed. I also passed out cards that some of you wrote telling the children that you are praying for them; the nurses translated them so the kids could understand. Thank you for being faithful to pray months ago and to this present day and beyond.
One young man in particular was especially happy to receive the coloring book…this morning on rounds, I played peek-a-boo with him, so it was great to continue our friendship. This kid is incredible, he fell into a fire and is burned on his arm, torso, and back; he is covered in bandages, yet he still smiles and plays like any other kid. They are so resilient. Another child is really sick with Shigella, which is a bacteria in her stool that causes blood loss, abdominal pain, weakness, and even death; she is on antibiotics now and we are praying for her to get better…I asked the mom if I could pray with her today and she was grateful. It is so great to be able to do that here without fear. If only I could have such confidence in the US.
It has been an incredible, exhausting, yet invigorating past few days. Tomorrow is another busy clinic day. Things are going well. I appreciate your prayers; currently everyone is well and I pray that no one else falls sick. I also pray that the long term missionaries here have strength to endure the work load daily and for their families who are far away. Pray for Solomon, our translator in clinic, who has an appointment for surgery on his leg Thursday that things go well and that the surgery will fix his pain; I pray that in this experience he comes to know the Great Healer and starts a relationship with Jesus.
God is good, all the time; even when we do not know what to do, or say, or think, He is there guiding our every step (even when we put our foot in our mouth and get laughed at by 20 ladies in the nutrition center). I am so thankful to have this experience to serve Him and practice medicine. I hope all is well with your families and that you all stay safe with the cold temperatures and snow! Here, it is a cool 90 degrees most days lol, but beautiful none the less.