I spent most of today in labor and delivery. There was an 18 year old that had to go to c-section when I first got there, so I got to watch that whole process. The first thing that struck me (no pun intended…read on) was that when they were checking her cervix (sorry to all of you for whom that’s too graphic), she was obviously yelling (which is to be expected, that’s painful when you’re in labor without an epidural!), and one of the nurses reached over and SMACKED her on the thigh to get her to stop yelling. I’m sure there is a very good explanation for it, and it is just part of the culture, but it shocked me! The noise alone sounded really painful! They took her to the theatre, and I got to watch the operation, which was done, mind you, by the general surgeon.
This hospital has two surgeons, both Ghanian, and they do all the operations, no matter what it is. Their form of sterile draping is washed sheets that have had squares cut out of the middle of them for the surgical field. The suction canister still had fluid from the last operation in it, and the suction tubing was an old, yellowing, rubber tube with an open end. There was no drape to split the anesthesia area from the operating area, and the only cansiter of inhaled anesthetic (obviously not used on her) was halothane, something that is not used in the US anymore because it’s toxic to the liver (correct me if I’m wrong, all you doctor types!). There wasn’t much special to the c-section, except that there was a lot more ripping by blunt force than cutting with a scalpel, which makes me wonder how the suturing after the fact goes. I didn’t stick around, because surgery bores me. I headed off with the baby back to the labor and delivery room. Sterile technique outside of the theatre is also grossly missing, but I guess that’s to be expected.
One of the ‘helpers’ told us she’s going to make foo-foo for us. It’s this casaba and yam based staple here that everyone eats, and it’s supposed to be pretty good. There are a couple other staples that I can’t remember the name of, one of them is maize-based, and we’ll hopefully get to try them too….
We went on the TB rounds today to the village, and it was so enlightening. These people live in absolute poverty. They live in these cement buildings, with sheets for doors and windows, sitting in the dirt preparing meals or playing or just sitting. There are flies and bugs everywhere, and most things are pretty dirty. But everyone is so friendly, and they run to get us chairs to sit in, which are always offered to the white (albruni) girls first. We got to chat with the patients while the pharmacist interpreted for us, and learn about how they are doing, and how the medicines are helping, etc. Then we would get asked a bunch of medical questions by whoever was around, and we would just end up telling them to go to clinic so we could see them. They get this look of absolute joy whenever we use the Twi words we know, and I know we must sound so foolish saying them, but it’s so fun to make them laugh! Seeing how they live, part of me feels really guilty for the relative luxury we are living in here. We really are these rich white people who have descended upon them to help them. Erica (a teacher whose sole purpose is to be here and teach Kaylor, Cam and Anne’s daughter) told us that there is this old saying that if you see an Albruni walking down the street, you can pretty much just die, because that is the closest you will ever get to seeing heaven on this side of death. I just can’t even comprehend that kind of thinking. I know that my worth is no different than theirs, but they have been raised with such a different line of thinking. It’s astounding.
The evenings are filled with sitting around, journaling, doing devotionals, and reading our books, which was great for the first few days, but I’m starting to get really tired of the monotony, and am hoping that the weekend, will bring a much-needed change of pace. With that said though, the days are nothing if not amazingly varied and totally unpredictable, which is awesome! I think it’s just the American way of life instilled in me, where I feel like I have to have something to do every minute of every day. Sitting still is something I have never been that great at….