Just another day at the hospital (in Chitokoloki)

Some of the boys that have been here for awhile

-might be a few pictures that if people don't have stomachs for, might find gross, sorry.

Wednesday was another great day at the mission hospital, how can it not be when your helping these amazing people! Working with Dr. McAdam was a challenge but a great adventure. He is a good teacher and really likes to ask questions and make you think and use your knowledge. I saw a few disturbing things today that made me cringe with sadness! There was a boy that got his leg run over by an ox cart (which is a real problem here). He is 10 years old and came from Loloma and had to have his leg re-dressed. I was holding this little boys hand as the Dr was trying to literally peal off the gauze from his leg. He is screaming and crying in pain and I had to beg the Dr to give this poor boy some Ketamine, thank goodness mid way through he gave the boy some medications. It gave the boy some relief but after you see the pictures you will see why he was crying so bad. The doctor finally peeled off the layers and I was in shock of what the boys leg looked like, nothing like I have ever seen. After we re-dressed it, I stayed with the boy till he woke up. I couldn't let him leave the way he came in. So I took some wipes and soap and cleaned him up, he looked much better. Then I let him listen to some christian music on my phone and he loved that. Gave him my phone to play with and he told me he wasn't in anymore pain, I was very pleased. After 15 min we returned him back to his room. He reached for my hand and I held it for a sec and he looked right at me and you could see in his eyes he was really thankful for staying with him. Things like that make you love your job, I walked away with tears in my eyes. How will I leave this place on Saturday? 

The smell just hits you, he barely has a leg. He will probably lose it.

After lunch I got a chance to see a few of the pediatric patients and play with then a bit! That's always my favorite part of the day. I enjoy ped's when the kids are happy and smiling but hate it when I have to deal with a kid crying and screaming in pain. I found some bubbles and the kids just adored that and kept trying to catch the bubbles. I let them try and blow the bubbles and they thought that was so cool! Can you believe that this is my job? The kids here are something else, they just love attention and love, and I am happy to give it to them! You walk by and kids wave at you, if you hold out your hand they come running to touch your hand! If you stay and talk a little with them, they actually thank you. 

Playing with the kids

Thursday is theater day and that is always an exciting day. On the first surgery I got to actually get to scrub in. Which means that I do the full sterile scrub and get to assist the surgeon by handing him utensils and helping cut. This was cool, I never gotten to do this before. JR, one of the nurses here taught me so much, she is a great teacher. The first surgery was a removal of an ovarian cyst, this thing was about 10 pounds full of fluid, it was huge. Andrew, one of the doctors son's scrubbed in also and got to assist in part of the surgery, he told me that was his first one, he did a good job. Chitokoloki is a really good teaching hospital, learning and seeing so much after two days. 

The cyst

My professional Anaesthetist record

After tea break there was a hysterectomy, which I have seen before so I didn't scrub in for it. But I acted as the Anaesthetist, which was exciting. I gave the patient some medications and hung the fluids. I watched the vitals and recorded them every 15 minutes. I had to notify the surgeon if the pulse or blood pressure dropped to much. I had more medications ready in case we needed them for a drop of vitals. 

Here we are in the first surgery!

After lunch I went to visit the little boy from Wednesday. I walked in and smiled at him and he just grinned from ear to ear and held out his hand. I held it and asked him how he was doing, he said he was doing better and he asked if he could play with my phone again. Then I helped some of the nurses plaster club feet. Then after they we were all done, I had to give the little kids little baths. They were so dirty I just love making the kids clean, even if it is for a few minutes. Finally to finish the day I scrubbed in another surgery and handed all the tools to the doctor. By 6 I was all done and very exhausted. Tanis, one of the nurses here brought over some pizza for dinner. Emma, the girl I was staying with left for a girls camp and it was just me in the house. Then after dinner I went to Tanis's house and had a movie night with her and her 2 girls! Friday I am leaving in the morning to head back to Loloma. I am excited to go back, it feels more like home there, I am much more comfortable there! But I am so glad I got to come here and get this experience in Chitokoloki. I will write another time on my trip home to America! Can't believe I am only a few days away from seeing my  family and friends!!

Kids all knocked out, bathed and plastered!