We are halfway there!!!!
Hello everyone!!!!
I know I haven’t updated this in a while but last week was a week full of work and drama so I didn’t really have time. But THINGS ARE WELL!! Last week was a lot easier to handle in the hospital because I think I am finally used to the smell, the people, the procedures, the craziness. We spent most of the time working in the maternity ward, which is the craziest place I have ever been. There are literally babies popping out left and right. Everyday in this hospital and in this place there is something that shocks me everytime. Last Monday was one of the most shocking days I think I have had ever. I witnessed a woman in the middle of labor and getting ready to push be forced to chug an entire glass bottle of Fanta Orange Soda. She needed fluids and this is what they resorted to because she didn’t bring her own saline. YES YOU HEARD ME RIGHT Everyone here has to go and buy their own saline bottles before they come to the hospital. And it doesn’t matter what the reason, giving birth or having an operation. There was a woman the week before that had to have her c-section delayed because her husband had to run out and get some saline….CRAZY!!! Then the same day, Cate and I were sitting and talking to some of the students learning about this incredible culture here and we heard this scream that was bellowing down the ward. We didn’t see what it could be until a woman came out of the bathroom (which is a disgusting mud filled space with just a hole in the ground) and had this shocked look on her face because SHE HAD JUST GIVIN BIRTH IN THE TOILET!!! Yea, she didn’t follow instructions because the women are told to not go to the bathroom even they feel the urge to go and if they have to go they will just insert a catheter to drain the bladder, and she went anyway and this is what happened. The baby was fine but I couldn’t help but call it the toilet baby the whole day. The entire hospital is basically covered with mud on the ground because it rains here in Kisii on a daily basis and there is seriously mud EVERYWHERE. I am getting used to it but I have to roll my pants up all the time. Then on the same day a woman gave birth in the examination room because the student who was doing the vaginal examination ruptured the membrance and then baby basically just slipped out because it was at least 6-7 weeks premature. The baby was then rushed to the nursery (NICU)where we will be working at for a few days next week. So that day was insane.
The next couple of days were pretty slow and we spent most of Tuesday and Wednesday dealing with another problem, but then Thursday we scrubbed in with the OB/GYN in the main theatre day and we watched him do a hysterectomy. He then preceeded to take the uterus and get down on his hands and knees on the ground with a scalpel in his hands and started to tear apart and dissect the uterus. I have never seen anything like it before. This surgeon is the coolest guy I have ever met and he is one of two OB/GYNs in the entire district…He was cracking jokes during surgery and rounds with him are hysterical.
The rest of the week went really well and we just got to know the students that are here and the interns and talked to them about the government, marriage (which it is EXTREMELY common here for men to have more than 1 wife), school, culture, etc. Talking to these young students have been so amazing getting to know what life here in Kenya and in Africa is really about.
Last weekend we didn’t do anything but play volleyball with the boys that we live with and this weekend was soooo much fun!! We went to the Kisii Soapstone Village called Tabaka. This stone is extremely rare and we went on a shopping spree..we are not sure how we are going to bring it all home because it is extremely fragile and heavy so it will be a challenge but totally worth it because the beauty of these pieces is incredible!!
This week at the hospital we will be spending the whole time in the maternity ward and our goal is to conduct a delivery on our own by the end of the week!! Then the last 2 weeks and 3 days will be spent going to each department and watching the general surgeon in theatre for at least one or two days a week and then making our way around the hospital to get a little piece of everything. The time is going fast and we can’t believe we only have a little over 4 weeks until we will be home!!!
I also wanted to ask if any of you have something special that you have always wanted from Africa for me to bring home for you. Just email me and let me know! ash1ey1207@yahoo.com
I miss you all sooooo much!!! Nakupenda sana!! =)
Kwaheri,
Ashley
