Hospital happenings

This week felt exceptionally busy, I guess in comparison to the previous travelling week. But each day I have wondered where the time went! Sarah and I have been working with the surgery patients for the past week and a half, so we have gotten to know them a bit and talk with them more. I have been speaking to them in French, but my language skills are that of a five year old, or perhaps three. But nevertheless, it’s been fun and even though I can understand most of what everyone is saying, I don’t have the vocabulary to respond well... I hope there is a change in that situation soon. So, in the men’s surgery house, they are mostly adolescent to early 20s boys, and a few older men. Some just have infected wounds; while others have bones that are trying to be salvaged, but in the mean time are sticking out of their bodies, which is a little unsettling (I feel orthopedics would be big business here); and then there are three that are recovering from gunshot wounds. They have gotten quite chatty over the past week and yesterday when I was making my rounds and giving meds, they started singing. It was so beautiful, and probably to most peaceful rounding I have done in there so far. Usually, they are asking me to give them money, my watch, my shoes, with a few marriage proposals thrown in. But that ceased for the time being, and the last song they sung was a hymn (all the songs were in French, but I picked up on a couple of key worship words and phrases). After they finished, they asked me to pray for them. Even though these guys joke with us all the time, they sounded serious, and I felt honored they asked me to do that for them. I told them I had to pray in English or I would never finish, so I did, and even though I half expected them to start chuckling or making remarks during my prayer, they were all silent. It was a cherished experience.

As for other events of the week: the Trinity College team arrived on Tuesday which included the nursing instructor, five nursing students, and one premed student. They are staying for six weeks and will be rotating through the various areas around the hospital. So it’s been fun having more mandeles (“white people” in Lingala) around and getting extra help around the hospital. Also there was an emergency strangulated hernia repair surgery to be done the other night, so Dr. Harvey asked if Sarah and I wanted to assist. I didn’t realize assist was going to be so literal…Sarah performed her first spinal anesthesia admin and got it on her first try! I was so impressed, and I hope I get to have a try at that at some point! I then helped with fluids and anesthesia monitoring, so I was functioning as an anesthetist assist, which was cool to do during my first week there. However, I would love to be functioning as the nurse anesthetist at some point, which is apparently an attainable goal here. It was a full week, and the weekend may have been at a slower pace, but still filled with bread making (6 loaves and cinnamon bread!), laundry, bike rides to the hospital for soccer games and church, and perhaps some P&P. Feel free to email me updates on happenings in the states! I don’t want to be culture shocked on my return!