Friday, 9-1-09

January 9th, 2009 Posted in Uncategorized

Yesterday was market day and my first in Africa!  There have been a lot of “firsts” since coming to this new place and many more to come, I’m sure.  I met the wife of Esa (manager of the guesthouse) at the market, she makes clothing, purses, etc.  Both Sarah and I picked out some fabric and she’s going to make us a skirt for 15cedis (approx $15).  Later on Thursday we were called to the hospital because of a “lori” (big truck) accident with many injuries.  There were at least 10 women who were scraped up and required stitches, dressings and x-rays.

Today was clinic again and I saw several patients with “waist pain” = back pain and was able to do some OMT on them which will hopefully help with all their chronic pain.  Also saw more HTN patients and a patient with likely Malaria and another with gastroenteritis.  Was working with Dr. Earl Hewitt today and he let me listen to a young girl’s lungs.  She had decreased breath sounds in her left lower quadrant and we took her to the theatre (procedure room/operating room area) for a thoracentesis (put needle in between the ribs and aspirate for blood or pus).  Dr. Hewitt got several cc/ml of pus immediately!  So later in the afternoon she got a chest tube which immediately drained quite an impressive amount of pus.  She’s been tachypenic (breathing at a fast rate), but after getting the empyema (pus pocket) drained she will have more space so that her lungs can expand more and she will be able to breathe easier!

Below is the picture of my first lumbar puncture!  Thanks again for your prayers! :)

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  1. 3 Responses to “Friday, 9-1-09”

  2. By Grandma Bev on Jan 9, 2009

    Your Dad had to help me this evening to find
    the “Post a Comment”. So many people are praying for you and asking about you!

    So enjoy hearing what you are doing. What a
    priceless opportunity to have HANDS that God
    can use—-as well as a TONGUE to speak to the spiritual needs of people—-and FEET to
    carry you to the places He has ordained for you. Always know how much you are loved!!!!

  3. By Grandma Bev on Jan 10, 2009

    As I was thinking about Psalm 139 this morning, God “reemphasized” the 15th & 16th verses to me…..”My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place.When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them
    came to be.” God chose YOU to be His servant in Africa before you were born. Neat!! Love to read your blog. Much Love to you my dearest one.

  4. By Mendi on Jan 10, 2009

    We looked at Scott’s blog and saw that he had this same picture posted and labeled,
    “Dr. Thornton”!!!! Woo-hoo! :o) How exciting to hear that title! You’ve worked so hard to get where you are and now you are using your gifts, time and knowledge for the Kingdom’s work! We praise God for you!

    Love~
    Kyle, Mendi, MaKayla & Mallary

    P.S.) Kyle and I are so intrigued by all the procedures you are doing to patients however it about makes MaKayla sick to her stomach to listen/read the details!?!

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