So on the 17th September I said my goodbyes to the Africa Mercy. I was absolutely torn I can tell you. i have been stretched and challenged, laughed and cried, and experienced every emotional high and low I can possibly think of. Often times it can feel that these experiences have been more of a blessing to yourself than you blessing others, and this is no different. I wish I could share every single moment I have had with you, but I hope this blog has helped give you a bit of an insight into my beautiful world of the last 6 months. I will sorely miss everything, but mostly the sense of making a difference and being part of something out of this world, and not of my doing!
So to anyone who has prayed, thought about me, assisted financially, been on the ship or at home encouraging me, I thank you so much for being part of this amazing experience.
Many people have asked me 'what next?' Honestly right now I am not sure. I do know that Africa and nursing those in need have become even deeper set in my heart and I hope and pray it won't be long before I am 'living my dream' again. Watch this space!
Monday, 22 September 2008
A new life
The day I left the ship we had some very exciting news... during the night one of our children's mums (the child being the patient) began complaining of abdominal pain at 2am. She was 8 months pregnant but denied that he pain she was feeling was 'having a baby pain'. Our nurses called the doctor, and on the 'braking of the waters' called in one of our lovely nurses who is also a trained midwife. She arrived at around 4 am to examine the mum, and by 4.40 the baby was squeezed into the world, with mere paracetamol and a few 'it hurting plenty-o's'. No problems, super nurse Mandy was absolutely ecstatic to have helped bring this amazing new life into the world at just 4 pounds 9 ounces.
Not one patient on the ward batted an eyelid..perfectly normal occurrence in this culture! The baby was aptly named 'Mercy' and is doing well, although a little small. What a beautiful story to end my time!
Not one patient on the ward batted an eyelid..perfectly normal occurrence in this culture! The baby was aptly named 'Mercy' and is doing well, although a little small. What a beautiful story to end my time!
My VVF ladies and their dress ceremony
I had the awesome privilege of being at the dress ceremony of several of my patients a few days before I left the ship. 4 of the ladies I had been looking after were squeezed into a little room to be prepared. As I peeked through the glass panel of the door, I saw an excited bunch of ladies, putting on make up, spraying perfume, having their hair done, and beautiful vibrant patterned fabric being wrapped around them - their new garments.
As I headed down to the ward, Finda (32), one of my 'live wire' patients popped out of the room. Spotting Dr Steve her surgeon in the distance she bounds up to him, shouting 'look no pee pee!!!' as she danced in a circle showing us her dry legs and feet. We all laughed and danced together.
I settled into my seat on the ward and waited for the familiar drumming to begin as the ladies came down the corridor singing. Dr Steve the surgeon sitting opposite me, having been to many ceremonies before, was clearly just as excited about this one as the first one he had ever been to! The music got louder and the singing more joyous, eventually the ladies bounding in the room and taking their seats at the end of the ward. After a word from our beautiful Clementine who works closely with the ladies every day, each of the ladies gave their testimony.
Garmai has had VVF for 26 years!!! She is amazing. Every day in the ward at least twice she would begin leading the ladies in worship and she would preach God's word to all those around her. She was so faithful to everything she knew and so vibrant and such a character on the ward. She has had a ministry of healing for years and years, and through her time in her church she has been able to pray for many people and see them healed of many afflictions. She explained to us how her first husband had left, but then how she became remarried despite her sickness. Still she asked God why He could heal so many others through her, but she was still sick. Now she was standing there, dry, proclaiming how faithful God had been to her, and realising how her story would be for the encouragement of so many others, with her adamant that God's timing was perfect! Garmai then became so excited as she proclaimed 'now I can stand at the front of my church because I won't have a wet butt!'
Next came Finda who is such a character. We had so much fun with her coining the phrase I used one day in jest 'you try it lady...' when I jokingly challenged one of my patients to do something she knew she couldn't. Day after day as I walked on the ward adn went about my nursing activities, there would be Finda in the background 'hey lady, you just try it lady!!' Many of my colleagues still haven't forgiven me for that little gem ;-) She sang so beautifully and then told us how she had been leaking for 13 years. Her husband had left her and her baby had died. Now she had new life and she was going to live it to the full!
In the corner of the room was Baby, who I have talked about before. The surgeons had done everything they could for the hole between her bladder, vagina and rectum, and after her catheter had been removed, she was tragically still leaking. She was so brave. She was offered a dress ceremony as a sign of God giving her life even though she was still wet. Understandably she declined but she came to support her friends. She quietly celebrated with them, and then at the end, tears in her eyes she sat very still. Our hearts were breaking for this poor sweet 19 year old. We prayed for her and cried with her, empathising with the image in her mind of her future. But, in true style, Garmai drew close to her, someone who had suffered for 26 years, encouraging her not to give up hope and thank God that he was going to use her. I was shaken to my core. I have it so good, and the faith of those who have it so bad is above and beyond anything I have ever dreamed of. These women have taught me so much it is unbelievable.
As I headed down to the ward, Finda (32), one of my 'live wire' patients popped out of the room. Spotting Dr Steve her surgeon in the distance she bounds up to him, shouting 'look no pee pee!!!' as she danced in a circle showing us her dry legs and feet. We all laughed and danced together.
I settled into my seat on the ward and waited for the familiar drumming to begin as the ladies came down the corridor singing. Dr Steve the surgeon sitting opposite me, having been to many ceremonies before, was clearly just as excited about this one as the first one he had ever been to! The music got louder and the singing more joyous, eventually the ladies bounding in the room and taking their seats at the end of the ward. After a word from our beautiful Clementine who works closely with the ladies every day, each of the ladies gave their testimony.
Garmai has had VVF for 26 years!!! She is amazing. Every day in the ward at least twice she would begin leading the ladies in worship and she would preach God's word to all those around her. She was so faithful to everything she knew and so vibrant and such a character on the ward. She has had a ministry of healing for years and years, and through her time in her church she has been able to pray for many people and see them healed of many afflictions. She explained to us how her first husband had left, but then how she became remarried despite her sickness. Still she asked God why He could heal so many others through her, but she was still sick. Now she was standing there, dry, proclaiming how faithful God had been to her, and realising how her story would be for the encouragement of so many others, with her adamant that God's timing was perfect! Garmai then became so excited as she proclaimed 'now I can stand at the front of my church because I won't have a wet butt!'
Next came Finda who is such a character. We had so much fun with her coining the phrase I used one day in jest 'you try it lady...' when I jokingly challenged one of my patients to do something she knew she couldn't. Day after day as I walked on the ward adn went about my nursing activities, there would be Finda in the background 'hey lady, you just try it lady!!' Many of my colleagues still haven't forgiven me for that little gem ;-) She sang so beautifully and then told us how she had been leaking for 13 years. Her husband had left her and her baby had died. Now she had new life and she was going to live it to the full!
In the corner of the room was Baby, who I have talked about before. The surgeons had done everything they could for the hole between her bladder, vagina and rectum, and after her catheter had been removed, she was tragically still leaking. She was so brave. She was offered a dress ceremony as a sign of God giving her life even though she was still wet. Understandably she declined but she came to support her friends. She quietly celebrated with them, and then at the end, tears in her eyes she sat very still. Our hearts were breaking for this poor sweet 19 year old. We prayed for her and cried with her, empathising with the image in her mind of her future. But, in true style, Garmai drew close to her, someone who had suffered for 26 years, encouraging her not to give up hope and thank God that he was going to use her. I was shaken to my core. I have it so good, and the faith of those who have it so bad is above and beyond anything I have ever dreamed of. These women have taught me so much it is unbelievable.
Before I left...
I am now back in sunny (??!!) UK and yearning to be back in my 'home'. I had a crazy time my last few weeks so I just had a few little gems I didn't get chance to write about...
My VVF ladies continued to be a huge source of inspiration to me. We had a hilarious moment taking some of the ladies up to deck 7. Several of the slightly older ladies were clearly bewildered by the concept of the lift... we crammed them into the dark lift, mainly used for the kitchens, and their faces were a picture. Hands gripped to the rails and wide eyes bored into the door of the lift. Many of them were unable to speak any English so just kept looking at me questioningly as the lift began... the ding of the lift as the doors swooshed open signified the moment for an exhaling of held breath on the part of the ladies and a bit of a chuckle from me :)
On returning to the ward a little later (after a slightly more giggle some trip down in the lift), the ladies went hurriedly around telling each other about the 'lift events'. the giggling, laughing and arms waving and pretending to leap in the air as if the lift were going up were obvious story telling moments. Oh how I laughed too!
It's amazing what we take for granted, a simple lift and even flights of stairs never encountered by other people...
My VVF ladies continued to be a huge source of inspiration to me. We had a hilarious moment taking some of the ladies up to deck 7. Several of the slightly older ladies were clearly bewildered by the concept of the lift... we crammed them into the dark lift, mainly used for the kitchens, and their faces were a picture. Hands gripped to the rails and wide eyes bored into the door of the lift. Many of them were unable to speak any English so just kept looking at me questioningly as the lift began... the ding of the lift as the doors swooshed open signified the moment for an exhaling of held breath on the part of the ladies and a bit of a chuckle from me :)
On returning to the ward a little later (after a slightly more giggle some trip down in the lift), the ladies went hurriedly around telling each other about the 'lift events'. the giggling, laughing and arms waving and pretending to leap in the air as if the lift were going up were obvious story telling moments. Oh how I laughed too!
It's amazing what we take for granted, a simple lift and even flights of stairs never encountered by other people...
Sunday, 7 September 2008
Imagine...
This weekend I have been working again with the ladies with vaginal fistulas. This morning we had our church service and alaso a dress ceremony for 4 of our ladies who have had surgery, and are now 'dry'. It was a beautiful morning, The ward was packed with crew and all the patients from the wards. 4 red chairs had pride of place for those having their dress ceremony. The service began with the distant beat of an African drum, as the ladies came down the corridor. They had been spending time getting their new clothes, make up and jewellry on - a gift to signify their new start and how precious they are. As they came in the ward dressed up to the nines in vivid coloured fabrics, the worship continued.
Imagine - 26 years since having a baby and leaking urine constantly since then. Repeated surgeries failing, being disowned and rejected by family and friends. This was was the story of one of our ladies today. She is a muslim. Beautifully tall and elegant in her new clothes she told her story, all the time thanking God. She is now dry. A lady with a strong personality, she knows her mind. Everyone she knew warned her that Mercy Ships is a Christian Ship and that because of that she shouldn't go. Knowing she might finally have an operation to heal her, she ignored them and battled to come. She told us how she had vowed that if God healed her on the ship, she would become a Christian. Her husband, would disown her. Today she told us that was the decision she had made, because God was the one who created her, so He was the one she wanted to follow. I have never seen such commitment ever. Now she may suffer rejection for a different reason, yet she still chose it.
On the other side of the ward is my beautiful 'little girl'. Not such a happy story. She has a small childlike voice, her features so pretty yet so young, dimples in her beautiful cheeks. She is 19 and aptly named 'Baby'. She developed a tear between her bladder vagina and urethra. Not only has this girl lost a baby at so young an age, a baby growing likely in a far too underdeveloped body, she has been leaking urine and faeces. She has had very complex surgery, and has is still leaking urine and occasionally faeces too. Most of the time she giggles and laughs. We paint her toenails and giggle at the songs from the movie 'Madagascar'...that's what really get s me, she is still a child at heart, the youngest of 9 children I believe. Then I have to change her 'adult diaper' and the harsh reality of her situation comes flooding back to us both. She recounts stories of her frinds laughing and teasing her. My heart breaks a little bit more everytime she speaks. She breaks down in tears at her situation, and the worst of it is that the surgeons have come to the point where there is nothing more that they can do. All I can do is pray and cry with her, not knowing what her future holds.
19. Lost a baby. May never be able to have a child again. May never have anyone who wants to come near them. I have it good, really good.
These are the moments that break my heart over and over again, but oh what a privelage to do what I can do - pray and hope and love each of my beautiful ladies with all my heart. Sometimes that is all I can do.
Imagine - 26 years since having a baby and leaking urine constantly since then. Repeated surgeries failing, being disowned and rejected by family and friends. This was was the story of one of our ladies today. She is a muslim. Beautifully tall and elegant in her new clothes she told her story, all the time thanking God. She is now dry. A lady with a strong personality, she knows her mind. Everyone she knew warned her that Mercy Ships is a Christian Ship and that because of that she shouldn't go. Knowing she might finally have an operation to heal her, she ignored them and battled to come. She told us how she had vowed that if God healed her on the ship, she would become a Christian. Her husband, would disown her. Today she told us that was the decision she had made, because God was the one who created her, so He was the one she wanted to follow. I have never seen such commitment ever. Now she may suffer rejection for a different reason, yet she still chose it.
On the other side of the ward is my beautiful 'little girl'. Not such a happy story. She has a small childlike voice, her features so pretty yet so young, dimples in her beautiful cheeks. She is 19 and aptly named 'Baby'. She developed a tear between her bladder vagina and urethra. Not only has this girl lost a baby at so young an age, a baby growing likely in a far too underdeveloped body, she has been leaking urine and faeces. She has had very complex surgery, and has is still leaking urine and occasionally faeces too. Most of the time she giggles and laughs. We paint her toenails and giggle at the songs from the movie 'Madagascar'...that's what really get s me, she is still a child at heart, the youngest of 9 children I believe. Then I have to change her 'adult diaper' and the harsh reality of her situation comes flooding back to us both. She recounts stories of her frinds laughing and teasing her. My heart breaks a little bit more everytime she speaks. She breaks down in tears at her situation, and the worst of it is that the surgeons have come to the point where there is nothing more that they can do. All I can do is pray and cry with her, not knowing what her future holds.
19. Lost a baby. May never be able to have a child again. May never have anyone who wants to come near them. I have it good, really good.
These are the moments that break my heart over and over again, but oh what a privelage to do what I can do - pray and hope and love each of my beautiful ladies with all my heart. Sometimes that is all I can do.
Friday, 5 September 2008
Missionaries of charity
As time is drawing to a close for me here, i am still trying to do as many things as I can...
I went again to Missionaries of Charity this week and we have 3 new very very tiny babies :)
Tene is a baby who came in at a mere 1kg in weight. His Mama came to the sisters of charity very sick, apparently not with HIV however. She died 2 weeks after she arrived. The babies father was around but has not been seen since the mother died. The sisters are focusing on trying to help the baby become strong and healthy and they will try and get him back to his father. Even in 2 weeks he has become much stronger, and with a very precarius weighing method on kitchen scales I managed to weigh him this week and he is now just over 2kg which is really so much better. One of the girls who came for a short time was a paediatric nurse so gave the sisters some advice on adding some oil to his feed to build up his fat stores somewhat.
There are also a set of twins that have been taken in who are basically malnourished. It is very difficult sometimes to appreciate the way of thinking here. One of the twins is doing better than the other so the mum has been spending all her time nurturing and cuddling and feeding taht one. The other one she ignores. She was trying to feed it with a bottle with a split teet which meant the milk was going everywhere, so instead of doing anything else she just stopped feeding the child! We were quite upset so asked the sisters to talk to her, which she did thankfully and mum was shown how to feed her properly. It seemed she has really just 'given up' on the smallest baby.
I am continuing to be amazed at the improvement of some of the children. One young boy probably around 7 or 8 was so listless and fragile just a few weeks ago, with open sores on his body. This week, although he was very shy, he was interacting, able to hold his own body weight and even sneaked out a smile as we did face paints :)
I went again to Missionaries of Charity this week and we have 3 new very very tiny babies :)
Tene is a baby who came in at a mere 1kg in weight. His Mama came to the sisters of charity very sick, apparently not with HIV however. She died 2 weeks after she arrived. The babies father was around but has not been seen since the mother died. The sisters are focusing on trying to help the baby become strong and healthy and they will try and get him back to his father. Even in 2 weeks he has become much stronger, and with a very precarius weighing method on kitchen scales I managed to weigh him this week and he is now just over 2kg which is really so much better. One of the girls who came for a short time was a paediatric nurse so gave the sisters some advice on adding some oil to his feed to build up his fat stores somewhat.
There are also a set of twins that have been taken in who are basically malnourished. It is very difficult sometimes to appreciate the way of thinking here. One of the twins is doing better than the other so the mum has been spending all her time nurturing and cuddling and feeding taht one. The other one she ignores. She was trying to feed it with a bottle with a split teet which meant the milk was going everywhere, so instead of doing anything else she just stopped feeding the child! We were quite upset so asked the sisters to talk to her, which she did thankfully and mum was shown how to feed her properly. It seemed she has really just 'given up' on the smallest baby.
I am continuing to be amazed at the improvement of some of the children. One young boy probably around 7 or 8 was so listless and fragile just a few weeks ago, with open sores on his body. This week, although he was very shy, he was interacting, able to hold his own body weight and even sneaked out a smile as we did face paints :)
Sunday, 31 August 2008
A day out
Yesterday I went for a day trip to an old hydro plant about an hour and a halfs drive away. A group of 18 of us packed our bags and set off stuffed into 2 landrovers, running to them to escape the torrential rain. thankfully as we departed from the port the rain lessened and eventually stopped. We dashed through our end of town, then headed off deeper into the country, along horrendously pot holed roads. We passed through many tiny villages and communities, and the waves and staring peering eyes and curious yelps from many children continued all the way there.
We arrived to the bombed out building of the old hydro plant, net by two men who 'guard' the area by the massive gushing river behind the building. After trekking around the building , we set off with the two locals and our 'guides' Lourens and Carl from the ship. We walked through the old river bed and looked at the old dam where once the river had flown through. After the rebels had destryoed the dam and through the war it's parts had been salvaged for metal, very little of it remained.
The beginning of our adventure introduced us to fire ants by the millions! They were everywhere, and as we started down craggy rocks and through the greenery, we found they were everywhere, and got everywhere, particularly at that area just around the ankles above your socks...yak and ouch :) The greenery was so lush and as I clung onto a rock, face virtually touching it as I slipped down to the ground beneath me, I was so thankful to be outdoors. I had forgotten how much I liked being outside and facing those heart rate raising moments of the outdoor adventure.
We carried on up the side of the old river bed on reasonably well worn tracks, with absolutely amazing views of the river, which dropped markedly in many places producing huge waterfalls. Then we reached one of the first heart beating moments - a wade through some fairly fast moving water. We had been warned! So one by one we launched ourselves bags over our heads through the water, neck deep, and for the shorter of the group...swam to the other side. Then began the passing of bags and cameras and much hilarity as legs were caught in tree roots. Impressed that we all made it unscathed and still in good spirits we carried on the track through much denser vegetation, eventually reaching a huge plateau of rocks right next to the top of the largest waterfall. As we ate I was astounded of the beautuy of this place, and reminded of the remoteness of those living in the villages. Some of us took a different route back, climbing high up from the river, we had time to look back on stunning views. We came out in a small village, with several hut houses around an open area. Kids were playing, chics and chickens roamed around and people sat outside their huts, shy little children poking heads out from behind mum's lappa, intrigued at the 'white sight'. Again, it struck me as i saw a mamas swelling belly, how remote these places are, and my heart felt how easy it was for us to receive all taht we need medically, and here, how help is so rare. If this mama had any problems in childbirth she would have hours to the nearest hospital, even then she may well not have the money to receive that help.
After lots of hellos, we continued back to the hydro plant. Some very soggy wet people relaxing after a very physically challenging few hours trek. It was so much fun to be outside and really in the beauty of this country. I didn't break anything, for those of you who know me well that's a pretty big feat!! Many fire ant bites and quite a few bruises, not bad for a days work!!
On our return journey, it had become very much muddier and we had to pull the other landrover out at one point as it got stuck in the mud. Holding on to our seats was about all we could do to bear the jostling of the landrovers.
As we returned through one small community we were stopped by a huge family. They had a lady who was sick and wanted us to help. Well stocked with nurses and doctors, a small group went into the dingy house. Sadly after examing her it seemed she had had a stroke and was unresponsive. There was little we could do. We prayed and left, reminded again of the need of these people.
As we neared the ship, we passed a large group of kids by a huge flooded area of muddy water which we often saw them using to wash the cars. Our very much worse for wear vehicles needed a good scrub, so much to the delight of the kids we stopped and payed them to clean the cars. The mayhem ensuing was amazing! Every one wanted to join in, to the point of some of the kids stripping to their nothings so they could use their shorts to wash the cars. Unfortunately, the landrovers we had are pretty old, so their water-tightness is questionable! Those of us in the vehicle I think got about as wet through the doors adn roof and windows as the kids playing in the water! They loved it and it was a great way to end a hugely challenging day.
I think I need to be reminded toget out and enjoy our beautiful british countryside when I get home :) Friends, you can hold me to that. there's nothing like being outside!!
We arrived to the bombed out building of the old hydro plant, net by two men who 'guard' the area by the massive gushing river behind the building. After trekking around the building , we set off with the two locals and our 'guides' Lourens and Carl from the ship. We walked through the old river bed and looked at the old dam where once the river had flown through. After the rebels had destryoed the dam and through the war it's parts had been salvaged for metal, very little of it remained.
The beginning of our adventure introduced us to fire ants by the millions! They were everywhere, and as we started down craggy rocks and through the greenery, we found they were everywhere, and got everywhere, particularly at that area just around the ankles above your socks...yak and ouch :) The greenery was so lush and as I clung onto a rock, face virtually touching it as I slipped down to the ground beneath me, I was so thankful to be outdoors. I had forgotten how much I liked being outside and facing those heart rate raising moments of the outdoor adventure.
We carried on up the side of the old river bed on reasonably well worn tracks, with absolutely amazing views of the river, which dropped markedly in many places producing huge waterfalls. Then we reached one of the first heart beating moments - a wade through some fairly fast moving water. We had been warned! So one by one we launched ourselves bags over our heads through the water, neck deep, and for the shorter of the group...swam to the other side. Then began the passing of bags and cameras and much hilarity as legs were caught in tree roots. Impressed that we all made it unscathed and still in good spirits we carried on the track through much denser vegetation, eventually reaching a huge plateau of rocks right next to the top of the largest waterfall. As we ate I was astounded of the beautuy of this place, and reminded of the remoteness of those living in the villages. Some of us took a different route back, climbing high up from the river, we had time to look back on stunning views. We came out in a small village, with several hut houses around an open area. Kids were playing, chics and chickens roamed around and people sat outside their huts, shy little children poking heads out from behind mum's lappa, intrigued at the 'white sight'. Again, it struck me as i saw a mamas swelling belly, how remote these places are, and my heart felt how easy it was for us to receive all taht we need medically, and here, how help is so rare. If this mama had any problems in childbirth she would have hours to the nearest hospital, even then she may well not have the money to receive that help.
After lots of hellos, we continued back to the hydro plant. Some very soggy wet people relaxing after a very physically challenging few hours trek. It was so much fun to be outside and really in the beauty of this country. I didn't break anything, for those of you who know me well that's a pretty big feat!! Many fire ant bites and quite a few bruises, not bad for a days work!!
On our return journey, it had become very much muddier and we had to pull the other landrover out at one point as it got stuck in the mud. Holding on to our seats was about all we could do to bear the jostling of the landrovers.
As we returned through one small community we were stopped by a huge family. They had a lady who was sick and wanted us to help. Well stocked with nurses and doctors, a small group went into the dingy house. Sadly after examing her it seemed she had had a stroke and was unresponsive. There was little we could do. We prayed and left, reminded again of the need of these people.
As we neared the ship, we passed a large group of kids by a huge flooded area of muddy water which we often saw them using to wash the cars. Our very much worse for wear vehicles needed a good scrub, so much to the delight of the kids we stopped and payed them to clean the cars. The mayhem ensuing was amazing! Every one wanted to join in, to the point of some of the kids stripping to their nothings so they could use their shorts to wash the cars. Unfortunately, the landrovers we had are pretty old, so their water-tightness is questionable! Those of us in the vehicle I think got about as wet through the doors adn roof and windows as the kids playing in the water! They loved it and it was a great way to end a hugely challenging day.
I think I need to be reminded toget out and enjoy our beautiful british countryside when I get home :) Friends, you can hold me to that. there's nothing like being outside!!
Monday, 25 August 2008
Yeme
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Looking at these pictures you could be forgiven for thinking this little girl is not the one I spoke about in a previos entry. Yeme is the little girl who arrived with extensive neurofibroma to her leg, and a smaller one to her head (you can see it in this picture!). She is a little girl who I wrote about as a scared, frightened little girl, with no English to speak of, left at the Ship's Mercy to have her surgery, with no caregiver with her.
This little girl had a 7kg smelly ulcerated tumor extending from upper thigh to mid calf removed in surgery. She walked hunched over, unable to lie or sit, constant ooze from her wounds. Since her first surgery this little girl has truly become a gem and a shining light in the ward.
She now stands tall for most of the time, her limp lessening by the day. Her frightened look is now replaced with the cheekiest of grins, and her tears replaced with th emost delightful and infectious laugh. She loves to peer around the door frame and giggle whilst we hand over. She has become queen bee at making bracelets, and at plaiting barbie dolls (and nurses!) hair! she is beautiful and becomes more so by the day. She will soon be having surgery for a skin graft to a small patch on her leg that needs a bit of help along the way to heal, and her characteristic lump to her head will be removed. This young girl is such an inspiration, makes me wonder how I complain about such little things as I witness her plight daily!
Noma
Noma is a flesh eating disease which has been the reason several of our patients come through our doors. One such young lady was my patient last week. In the west the condition if treated early with antibiotics will not develop into anything serious. Here where medicine is costly and treatment and consultation is also at a price, noma takes it's holds regularly.
Beindhu is a young girl with a 4 month old baby. She arrived to us with a hole in her cheek, through which you could see the inside of her mouth and her tongue. After extensive surgery she has had a muscle flap and skin grafts to reconstruct her face.
As her case was handed over to me I was more than a little apprehensive. She would be a complex case to care for. She had a drain, NG feeds (food through a tube in her nose) and medication to be given via her NG tube, dresssings to be done, intravenous antibiotics to be given, a catheter for her to pee, a nasal 'trumpet' through which to suction her airway, nebulisers to give, regular mouth suctioning and mouth washes needed doing, plus her baby needed looking after! Her baby, Mary, had been a little distressed as her mum was in surgery so would not have milk from a bottle spoon or by any other means, but was crying out in hunger. She in true '2 for the price of 1 patient' style, ended up having an NG tube inserted so we could make sure she got fed! So I had feeds for her to give, as well as 3 other patients to care for. It was however, a challenge I need not have worried about. As Beindhu looked at me through puffed up lips and tight head bandages and drips and drains of all kinds, she was clearly overwhelmed, but quickly we were able to get into a pattern of pointing and prompting so I could suction her when she needed it. As I organised myself I found that I loved every minute of the busyness!
As the shift progressed, so did her condition, she became more alert and ready to hold her baby. I had the task of trying to get Mary to breastfeed without yanking at Mama's various tubes adn drains, and without her getting upset at her Mama's looks. Thankfully it went like clockwork and a look of contentment passed over both Mary and Beindhu's face as she snuggled once again with her Mum. Beindhu was able to have her drip down and her catheter out during my shift, and I was able to take her for her first walk. Now she will continue to be cared for as her wounds heal.
Her first dressing change was done after I left, but was reported to be looking very good. It will be a long recovery, but quite an amazing feat!
Beindhu is a young girl with a 4 month old baby. She arrived to us with a hole in her cheek, through which you could see the inside of her mouth and her tongue. After extensive surgery she has had a muscle flap and skin grafts to reconstruct her face.
As her case was handed over to me I was more than a little apprehensive. She would be a complex case to care for. She had a drain, NG feeds (food through a tube in her nose) and medication to be given via her NG tube, dresssings to be done, intravenous antibiotics to be given, a catheter for her to pee, a nasal 'trumpet' through which to suction her airway, nebulisers to give, regular mouth suctioning and mouth washes needed doing, plus her baby needed looking after! Her baby, Mary, had been a little distressed as her mum was in surgery so would not have milk from a bottle spoon or by any other means, but was crying out in hunger. She in true '2 for the price of 1 patient' style, ended up having an NG tube inserted so we could make sure she got fed! So I had feeds for her to give, as well as 3 other patients to care for. It was however, a challenge I need not have worried about. As Beindhu looked at me through puffed up lips and tight head bandages and drips and drains of all kinds, she was clearly overwhelmed, but quickly we were able to get into a pattern of pointing and prompting so I could suction her when she needed it. As I organised myself I found that I loved every minute of the busyness!
As the shift progressed, so did her condition, she became more alert and ready to hold her baby. I had the task of trying to get Mary to breastfeed without yanking at Mama's various tubes adn drains, and without her getting upset at her Mama's looks. Thankfully it went like clockwork and a look of contentment passed over both Mary and Beindhu's face as she snuggled once again with her Mum. Beindhu was able to have her drip down and her catheter out during my shift, and I was able to take her for her first walk. Now she will continue to be cared for as her wounds heal.
Her first dressing change was done after I left, but was reported to be looking very good. It will be a long recovery, but quite an amazing feat!
Oscar and I
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Quite possibly the most beautiful little boy! His newly cast corrected club feet. Sadly Oscar's Dad left him and his Mama when he was born because of his feet!!
It's a small world...
One of my new admissions over last weekend was a story in itself! His name was Amos from Zimbabwee, and as I admitted him for the second surgery to reconstruct his jaw, we talked. He asked if this was my first trip to Africa. I explained about my several other trips, and my trip to Swaziland, and the project we visited. As we talked, I explained that the man who we met who ran the project was from South Africa, now living in Swaziland. As we continued to chat about the name of the project, he explained to me that he had travelled from Zimbabwee to a conference in South Africa, and that he was pretty sure he had met this man.
I couldn't believe it, a girl from the UK, a man from Zimbabwee, meeting in a hopsital ship in Liberia, talking about a guy from Swaziland that Amos had met in South Africa. I CAN'T BELIEVE IT!!!
I couldn't believe it, a girl from the UK, a man from Zimbabwee, meeting in a hopsital ship in Liberia, talking about a guy from Swaziland that Amos had met in South Africa. I CAN'T BELIEVE IT!!!
Some more orthopaedics
Between my VVF shifts, I have had several days on B ward where most of the orthopaedic surgery is. In fact, over the ships holiday weekend I had 4 days in a row with the same patients. 2 of them were toddlers who had had club feet repairs, the adults were gentlemen who had had serious accidents causing non union of femur and humerus which our surgeons were endeavouring to fix. One of the men had had a below knee amputation. The days were very intense, despite being quite quiet. I spent time with the gentleman who had had his leg amputated. He had adapted so well to the surgery and was really keen to get up and about. He will eventually have surgery to his arm also.
My two youngest patients (Oscar and Prince) were waiting for cast changes and so were very well and full of fun and antics. trying to keep two 2 year olds off their casts and not allow them to crawl and even try to walk on them was impossible! Oscar, one of the boys is an absolute bundle of giggles. A very very strong willed young boy, but absolutely beautiful. Both Oscar and Princes mum's were very young. Oscar and Prince's mums spoke Kpelle/Basa and very very little English. Somehow over those 4 days we all bonded incredibly. Each of us laughing at the other whilst trying to work out what all the arm flailing was about. I was in awe of these two young mums (much younger than me). Both boys clearly a handful, and Prince's mum 7 months pregnant with her 2nd child. I saw the struggle in their eyes at times, especially Prince's mum. The children here can be quite 'attached' to their mum's as they are virtually never away from them, normally in a lappa on their back or sleeping next to them. I saw that Prince especially was very demanding of his mother, and being 7 months pregnant her patience at times wore thin. The other patients made 'comments' and I just really felt for her as I could see she at times was made to feel inadequate. I determined to spend time just investing in encouraging her and nurturing her and telling her she was a good mum, for her new baby's sake as well as Prince's. I have no clue about motherhood but I do know when people need some love and attention. It was such a privelage to be th eone to spend time doing that. This is on e ofthe things I love most about being here - the opportunity to invest time adn love in people other than the patients. Investing in family life and futures.
My two youngest patients (Oscar and Prince) were waiting for cast changes and so were very well and full of fun and antics. trying to keep two 2 year olds off their casts and not allow them to crawl and even try to walk on them was impossible! Oscar, one of the boys is an absolute bundle of giggles. A very very strong willed young boy, but absolutely beautiful. Both Oscar and Princes mum's were very young. Oscar and Prince's mums spoke Kpelle/Basa and very very little English. Somehow over those 4 days we all bonded incredibly. Each of us laughing at the other whilst trying to work out what all the arm flailing was about. I was in awe of these two young mums (much younger than me). Both boys clearly a handful, and Prince's mum 7 months pregnant with her 2nd child. I saw the struggle in their eyes at times, especially Prince's mum. The children here can be quite 'attached' to their mum's as they are virtually never away from them, normally in a lappa on their back or sleeping next to them. I saw that Prince especially was very demanding of his mother, and being 7 months pregnant her patience at times wore thin. The other patients made 'comments' and I just really felt for her as I could see she at times was made to feel inadequate. I determined to spend time just investing in encouraging her and nurturing her and telling her she was a good mum, for her new baby's sake as well as Prince's. I have no clue about motherhood but I do know when people need some love and attention. It was such a privelage to be th eone to spend time doing that. This is on e ofthe things I love most about being here - the opportunity to invest time adn love in people other than the patients. Investing in family life and futures.
VVF
I had a very challenging experience last week as, unbeknowns to me, a new group of VVF ladies arrived, a week in advance of their operations. As I walked down the corridor to the hospital wards, I was struck by a phenomenol smell, one I had never smelt before. It took my breath away. A little later I had the same thought again as I was walking down the corridor. I mentioned it to someone, and she said, 'the new VVF ladies have arrived'. The bottom seemed to fall out of my stomach. I felt sick. The thought hadn't even crossed my mind. It was then that I had a new appreciation for what the ladies experience every day. The disgust of others, their judgement and the reason that they are belittled in their society. Believe me, at that moment I felt hideous. It took me a few days to really take stock and try and process that event, trying to use it to make sense of so much going on in my mind.
A little later that day, I went along to D ward (currently closed) where the new VVF ladies had been admitted to from another hospital, a week prior to their surgery. I went along to help with the mountain of admission paperwork. I was only there for an hour but it was a great time. I didn't notice the smell that had earlier been so intense. As I pottered around filling in papers and putting on wristbands, I chatted to the ladies. They were all curled up in their beds with their blankets tight up around their necks. Quiet, and looking a little apprehensive. Clearly they were very cold with the airconditioning! So I did a round of giving out blankets. As I did so, I asked how each lady was and their smiles grew as we talked. Some giggled nervously, others needed new pads, and others snuck off to the bathroom. The tension in the room became less and less.
A few hours later I returned to put on the televisions in the ward with the afternoon movie for them to watch. I popped my head in later and each one had rearranged their pilow and their bed so they could see the screen well. There was much giggling as they laughed at the 'muppets' (cartoons!) in the movie Madagascar.
It was such a beautiful sight to see these ladies that had felt so alone in their plight, surrounded bythose in the same situation as them. Their emotional healing begins just by meeting eachother, and it is such a privelage to be a small part of that.
A little later that day, I went along to D ward (currently closed) where the new VVF ladies had been admitted to from another hospital, a week prior to their surgery. I went along to help with the mountain of admission paperwork. I was only there for an hour but it was a great time. I didn't notice the smell that had earlier been so intense. As I pottered around filling in papers and putting on wristbands, I chatted to the ladies. They were all curled up in their beds with their blankets tight up around their necks. Quiet, and looking a little apprehensive. Clearly they were very cold with the airconditioning! So I did a round of giving out blankets. As I did so, I asked how each lady was and their smiles grew as we talked. Some giggled nervously, others needed new pads, and others snuck off to the bathroom. The tension in the room became less and less.
A few hours later I returned to put on the televisions in the ward with the afternoon movie for them to watch. I popped my head in later and each one had rearranged their pilow and their bed so they could see the screen well. There was much giggling as they laughed at the 'muppets' (cartoons!) in the movie Madagascar.
It was such a beautiful sight to see these ladies that had felt so alone in their plight, surrounded bythose in the same situation as them. Their emotional healing begins just by meeting eachother, and it is such a privelage to be a small part of that.
Thursday, 14 August 2008
My first day back at work...
Well, after my whirlwind trip back to the UK, I arrived back in Monrovia at 9pm on Monday. Unfrtunately, my luggage didn't arrive, but aside from that the journey was fine. I was back in the deep end with my first shift back being Tuesday at 2pm! I was working with the ladies who have had vesico-vaginal-fistula surgery.
The ladies have gone through labour which has for whatever reason become obstructed. As a result the baby is left in the birth canal for too long, tissue becomes ischaemic (dies) because of the pressure of the baby in the birth canal. This develops and causes a hole between the bladder and vagina and results in the permanent leaking of urine. In the western world, a lady would have had assistnace to give birth or a C-section long before any tissue was damaged. Not only do these ladies lose their babies because of the traumatic birth, they are left with the constant leaking of urine. Their 'purpose' in a country such as Liberia - to have sex with their husbands whenever they want, to produce children to provide for their future and to be mother and wife, is destroyed. Their inability to fulfill their 'purpose' means they become outcasts, and along with their constant pungent smell due to leaking urine, they become the despised of society. These women are destroyed physically mentally and spiritually.
To be honest, I was pretty daunted at the prospect having not yet looked after them, I wasn't quite sure what I was doing. But, I loved it!!! It was an incredibly busy shift, as their care takes a lot more intense nursing: checking of urine output and their fluid intake. The primary aim is to give the ladies wounds time to heal. The leaking of urine that has occured around the tissues means that it takes a very long time to heal. Another important aspect of their care is teaching them pelvic floor exercises, to enable them to have good control once their catheter is removed. The whole process is such a delicate experience. We spend a lot of time just being with these ladies because they have been void of personal touch and interaction because of their ailments. They are taught to knit and crochet too.
I spent a lot of time with my ladies teaching them to do their exercises, it is a very intimate thing for me to be involved with and we have to check very carefully they are doing it well. So I tried to make it as comfortable as possible, reiterating how important it was, and really encouraging them as they did it right. I even agreed to do the exercises at the same time with them (I am going to have the best pelvic floor I can tell you!), which caused lots of giggling and laughter as I empathised at how difficult the exercises are to do!
Tomorrow we will have a dress ceremony. More on that after it happens!!
The ladies have gone through labour which has for whatever reason become obstructed. As a result the baby is left in the birth canal for too long, tissue becomes ischaemic (dies) because of the pressure of the baby in the birth canal. This develops and causes a hole between the bladder and vagina and results in the permanent leaking of urine. In the western world, a lady would have had assistnace to give birth or a C-section long before any tissue was damaged. Not only do these ladies lose their babies because of the traumatic birth, they are left with the constant leaking of urine. Their 'purpose' in a country such as Liberia - to have sex with their husbands whenever they want, to produce children to provide for their future and to be mother and wife, is destroyed. Their inability to fulfill their 'purpose' means they become outcasts, and along with their constant pungent smell due to leaking urine, they become the despised of society. These women are destroyed physically mentally and spiritually.
To be honest, I was pretty daunted at the prospect having not yet looked after them, I wasn't quite sure what I was doing. But, I loved it!!! It was an incredibly busy shift, as their care takes a lot more intense nursing: checking of urine output and their fluid intake. The primary aim is to give the ladies wounds time to heal. The leaking of urine that has occured around the tissues means that it takes a very long time to heal. Another important aspect of their care is teaching them pelvic floor exercises, to enable them to have good control once their catheter is removed. The whole process is such a delicate experience. We spend a lot of time just being with these ladies because they have been void of personal touch and interaction because of their ailments. They are taught to knit and crochet too.
I spent a lot of time with my ladies teaching them to do their exercises, it is a very intimate thing for me to be involved with and we have to check very carefully they are doing it well. So I tried to make it as comfortable as possible, reiterating how important it was, and really encouraging them as they did it right. I even agreed to do the exercises at the same time with them (I am going to have the best pelvic floor I can tell you!), which caused lots of giggling and laughter as I empathised at how difficult the exercises are to do!
Tomorrow we will have a dress ceremony. More on that after it happens!!
Monday, 4 August 2008
Before I have a week away...
well, I am just 2 hours from setting off back to the UK for just a 6 day visit to be bridesmaid at my sisters wedding so I thought I'd fill you in on my weekend antics.
It has been a busy weekend with two of my closest friends having birthdays. We started Thursday night by decorating my frined Claire's door and floor with balloons and happy birthday signs. The next day we had mid morning tea party for her, then dinner on the dock, followed by a barbeque to melt marshmallows and have chocolate digestives with them (AKA: 'Smores') - very yummy! The life of a missionary huh...
That evening we celebreated Claire's and Hannah's birthday going to a restaurant and having sushi and chocolate fondu. This place called the 'Living Room' made us all feel like we were somewhere out of Liberia...however the pencil used as the 'roller' inside the toilet roll holder in the bathroom did remind me where we actually were! A group of 12 of us went and had a great time just enjoying being off ship.
Sunday I went to an awesome church which is in the process of being passed over from the American founding pastor to the local Liberian pastor. His sermon was really amazing, and so encouraging. It is quite an international church in that many other west Africans attend and a few from NGO's but it was really refreshing to be there!
In the afternoon we were spoiled again and went to a farm an hours drive from us. We went and saw crocodiles, emu's and best of all, monkeys! They just appeared from nowhere bouding up the road and leapt up into our arms for a cuddle. It was just like holding a baby...if a little more surreal! We finished the visit off by leaping into the pool at the small restaurant at the farm. It was so nice to not be in sea that you had to spend all your concentrationon staying upright because of huge waves. It has been a lovely but exhausting weekend so i hope I'll be tired enough to sleep on the plane...more soon!
It has been a busy weekend with two of my closest friends having birthdays. We started Thursday night by decorating my frined Claire's door and floor with balloons and happy birthday signs. The next day we had mid morning tea party for her, then dinner on the dock, followed by a barbeque to melt marshmallows and have chocolate digestives with them (AKA: 'Smores') - very yummy! The life of a missionary huh...
That evening we celebreated Claire's and Hannah's birthday going to a restaurant and having sushi and chocolate fondu. This place called the 'Living Room' made us all feel like we were somewhere out of Liberia...however the pencil used as the 'roller' inside the toilet roll holder in the bathroom did remind me where we actually were! A group of 12 of us went and had a great time just enjoying being off ship.
Sunday I went to an awesome church which is in the process of being passed over from the American founding pastor to the local Liberian pastor. His sermon was really amazing, and so encouraging. It is quite an international church in that many other west Africans attend and a few from NGO's but it was really refreshing to be there!
In the afternoon we were spoiled again and went to a farm an hours drive from us. We went and saw crocodiles, emu's and best of all, monkeys! They just appeared from nowhere bouding up the road and leapt up into our arms for a cuddle. It was just like holding a baby...if a little more surreal! We finished the visit off by leaping into the pool at the small restaurant at the farm. It was so nice to not be in sea that you had to spend all your concentrationon staying upright because of huge waves. It has been a lovely but exhausting weekend so i hope I'll be tired enough to sleep on the plane...more soon!
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