Baby Greg who has been quite sick has had a good weekend. In fact, on Sunday when I went to ward church, I found out that he had actually had a bottle feed and had spent several hours on nasal cannulae rather than the CPAP mask. A pretty exciting moment for us all, and quite frankly, a miracle in his little life. He is still ill adn only time will tell how he will do, but for now, his Mama and Papa can rejoice in these miracles.
Last week, Greg's Mama had wanted to share her testimony with us, but Clementine one of our crew who runs ward church said she could share the next week as we didn't have time left. Several of us were pretty distressed, thinking that Greg may not be here this Sunday, and that his Mum would not have had a chance to share her thanks to God despite everything. I guess we all learned that sometimes God wants us to hold back until the right time and we need to trust the wisdom of others, because this week Greg's Mum had an amazing opportunity to rejoice for God's hand at work in her baby's life.
Monday, 7 July 2008
Courage and something a whole lot more powerful
This last week I was listening to some stories one of the Mercy Ships crew had gleaned from some of our patients. They were remarkable stories. Often the people here are suspicious of what we do, possible from a lack of knowledge and maybe from the stories made up by other people. One person was told that if she came to the ship she would have her hea completely shaved by us. Another man was needing an operation and believed he would be circumcised whilst he was having his other surgery that he needed. Another lady had been told that the ship would sail away with her still on it.
But you know what, each of these people still came, so desperate for their surgery and for some hope, they were willing to come anyway. What is even more remarkable is that the lady who was told she would have her head shaved, shaved her own head before she came to the ship...
To know that people come despite their fears, tells something about the need here. So many of our patients tell us of how God has spoken to them and told them to come to the ship.
One of our patients told us about his journey to the ship in ward church yesterday. He had had to wait and take a long time to get here to be seen, but he was determined and has had his surgery and is so thankful.
But you know what, each of these people still came, so desperate for their surgery and for some hope, they were willing to come anyway. What is even more remarkable is that the lady who was told she would have her head shaved, shaved her own head before she came to the ship...
To know that people come despite their fears, tells something about the need here. So many of our patients tell us of how God has spoken to them and told them to come to the ship.
One of our patients told us about his journey to the ship in ward church yesterday. He had had to wait and take a long time to get here to be seen, but he was determined and has had his surgery and is so thankful.
Saturday, 5 July 2008
Running on the dock!
Well, I am pretty sure many of you will be quite surprised but I have started running several times a week now. I don't mind telling you that muscles I didn't even know I had are hurting, but my word it's pretty satisfying!
Days as I am sure you can imagine can be quite intense, and getting some time out to go and pound my frustration out on the dock is a lifesaver!
Normally I try to go in early evening or when it's dark, but that dock has heard many a thought about my day, and been subjected to many a cry out to God. It's quite freeing to be alone with my thoughts and God, and I certainly need it.
The dock from the end to the main gate by the road and back is a mile apparently. I am managing to run between 2 and 5 of those depending on the day, amidst a bit of walking. Also gives me time to discover songs I don't even know I have on my MP3 player!! Thanks to Emma for many of those!!
Hopefully I'll be bringing this habit home with me...watch out the streets of Brum, my orange t shirt will be coming!!
Days as I am sure you can imagine can be quite intense, and getting some time out to go and pound my frustration out on the dock is a lifesaver!
Normally I try to go in early evening or when it's dark, but that dock has heard many a thought about my day, and been subjected to many a cry out to God. It's quite freeing to be alone with my thoughts and God, and I certainly need it.
The dock from the end to the main gate by the road and back is a mile apparently. I am managing to run between 2 and 5 of those depending on the day, amidst a bit of walking. Also gives me time to discover songs I don't even know I have on my MP3 player!! Thanks to Emma for many of those!!
Hopefully I'll be bringing this habit home with me...watch out the streets of Brum, my orange t shirt will be coming!!
Baby twin Moses
I heard a little sad news yesterday. One of the gorgeous twins who had a hernia repair that I wrote about a few days back was readmitted yesterday. Overnight at home he began to have seizures and was fitting for the majority of the night.
He was brought back to us and was diagnosed with cerebral malaria. It is obviously not to do with his surgery, and ironically I believe he was tested for Malaria whilst he was with us and nothing showed up.
Right now his fits have settled, but it's not exactly what you want to hear. Because of rainy season, Malaria is around in abundance. Patients arrive to the ship with fevers and we have to test a large number of them. Many of them end up having surgery cancelled or delayed until they have had treatment. Although obviously there is always some risk, it is hard when you think that so many people contract malaria which could be preventable, and with it there are so many deats. Mosquito nets are as far as I can tell not widely used. Another factor is that actually trying to afford or get to clinics for treatment here is difficult, especially for those in far off villages. Thankfully we are able to try and help Moses, but in reality if he hadn't just been a patient with us it is likely it would have been a very different story.
What we take for granted just being able to pop to the chemist in a car eh?!
He was brought back to us and was diagnosed with cerebral malaria. It is obviously not to do with his surgery, and ironically I believe he was tested for Malaria whilst he was with us and nothing showed up.
Right now his fits have settled, but it's not exactly what you want to hear. Because of rainy season, Malaria is around in abundance. Patients arrive to the ship with fevers and we have to test a large number of them. Many of them end up having surgery cancelled or delayed until they have had treatment. Although obviously there is always some risk, it is hard when you think that so many people contract malaria which could be preventable, and with it there are so many deats. Mosquito nets are as far as I can tell not widely used. Another factor is that actually trying to afford or get to clinics for treatment here is difficult, especially for those in far off villages. Thankfully we are able to try and help Moses, but in reality if he hadn't just been a patient with us it is likely it would have been a very different story.
What we take for granted just being able to pop to the chemist in a car eh?!
Thursday, 3 July 2008
Baby Greg
One of the great things I witness every day is our ward disciplers. They come around the ward to talk to each person, to lead them in a time of prayer and to sing with them. It always happens when you need it most. Well this week has been no exception. We have a tiny tiny baby called Greg who has been with us for several weeks now. He had a large mass attached to his trachea which was removed in major surgery. He appeared to recover quite well from it initially, but in the last weeks his situation is becoming more desperate. His trachea is such that it is too 'floppy' to support itself for him to breath and do everything else his body does. He is on a mask which assists in forcing the air into his lungs.
At home there would be more that could be done for this little one, but sadly the country does not have the hospital care needed to go down such routes, because the care he would need after we left could not be given.
We are doing the best that we can right now, but the situation is so hard. His parents are young and frightened. The disciplers on the ward have been an absolute beacon of light. Every day they pray for Greg and every patient is interested and concerned for him, and asked to join in with praying. Each day the prayers that go up in the ward from patients for patients gets me right in the gut. Why we have so little gusto and faith when we pray sometimes is beyond me when I see these guys!
People may well ask me how I can believe that what is hapening to this little baby is right, all I can say is that I can only trust in My Creator, that he has this little boy in his hand. He needs a miracle, and I can only continue to pray for that miracle to happen, and soon.
At home there would be more that could be done for this little one, but sadly the country does not have the hospital care needed to go down such routes, because the care he would need after we left could not be given.
We are doing the best that we can right now, but the situation is so hard. His parents are young and frightened. The disciplers on the ward have been an absolute beacon of light. Every day they pray for Greg and every patient is interested and concerned for him, and asked to join in with praying. Each day the prayers that go up in the ward from patients for patients gets me right in the gut. Why we have so little gusto and faith when we pray sometimes is beyond me when I see these guys!
People may well ask me how I can believe that what is hapening to this little baby is right, all I can say is that I can only trust in My Creator, that he has this little boy in his hand. He needs a miracle, and I can only continue to pray for that miracle to happen, and soon.
Thyroidectomys........ Eeeeeeeeeeek!
Ok so, along with the new 'general surgeries' has come thyroid problems. Around here, thyroid problems are not uncommon. For me, this probably has to be one of the most nerve racking post op care situations...
Thyroidectomys involve removing massive swelling from peoples necks. Because of where the surgery takes place the airway is something that has to be carefully thought about. Having not been party to caring for such a patient before I was given lots of information on what to look for, incase bleeding or a drop in calcium occured. There is the potential for massive bleeding in the neck which can occlude the person's airway pretty quickly (ie less than a minute). You have to keep an eye on swelling so that if needed you can open up the incision line straight away there at the bedside...
Hmmm...not so keen on that idea I can tell you. So I guess you could say i am learning new skills at the very least...
Oo, in case you wondered, my patient was fine, all went to plan and I didn't have to get my scalpel out - thank the Lord!!
Thyroidectomys involve removing massive swelling from peoples necks. Because of where the surgery takes place the airway is something that has to be carefully thought about. Having not been party to caring for such a patient before I was given lots of information on what to look for, incase bleeding or a drop in calcium occured. There is the potential for massive bleeding in the neck which can occlude the person's airway pretty quickly (ie less than a minute). You have to keep an eye on swelling so that if needed you can open up the incision line straight away there at the bedside...
Hmmm...not so keen on that idea I can tell you. So I guess you could say i am learning new skills at the very least...
Oo, in case you wondered, my patient was fine, all went to plan and I didn't have to get my scalpel out - thank the Lord!!
A different kind of surgery
This last week has seen a change in the surgery that we do. Sadly, all the orthopaedics have finished for now, but general surgery has begun. Yesterday I had several patients going for hernia repairs. Many of them are young little ones.
I had one of a set of twins, James and Moses. James was the 'chubbier' of the two twins, but before their surgery they were playing together so beautifully with our huge yellow exercise ball which the physios use. One of our nurses was telling me that she remembered the twins from screening, The smaller of the two had been quite sick, but Moses was actually looking really well right now.
When tey came in we pushed 2 beds together so Mama could continue to look after both boys in close proximity, so there was a big family set up in the corner of the ward. The boys are 18 months old, but here it is common for Mama's to continue breast feeding for a long time or until another child comes along (they may even continue feeding different aged children!). So we figured, having this set up would make life easier.
They are a funny pair. As part of a premedication, both of the boys were required to have some pain relief and a mild sedative. James, the twin I was looking after went second, and had a little longer for the medication to work. Consequently he had a few minutes desperately trying to sit up and comically rolling over on the bed instead. The things we do!! What was really lovely was that James started to call out for Moses about 10 or so minutes after Moses had gone for his surgery, realising his twin wasn't there.
When they had both returned to the ward they greeted each other with drowsy nudges and the pair settled to sleep wrapped up in their fleece blankets. The patients here often complain of the coldness because of the air conditioning. As the boys came around, Mama did a great job of handling the twins, consoling and feeding the pair of them. Pretty admirable! Their crys were exactly the same whch was a little disconcerting for the other nurse and I (who happens to be called Grace too...!) because we kept looking to see if it was our patient crying!
I had one of a set of twins, James and Moses. James was the 'chubbier' of the two twins, but before their surgery they were playing together so beautifully with our huge yellow exercise ball which the physios use. One of our nurses was telling me that she remembered the twins from screening, The smaller of the two had been quite sick, but Moses was actually looking really well right now.
When tey came in we pushed 2 beds together so Mama could continue to look after both boys in close proximity, so there was a big family set up in the corner of the ward. The boys are 18 months old, but here it is common for Mama's to continue breast feeding for a long time or until another child comes along (they may even continue feeding different aged children!). So we figured, having this set up would make life easier.
They are a funny pair. As part of a premedication, both of the boys were required to have some pain relief and a mild sedative. James, the twin I was looking after went second, and had a little longer for the medication to work. Consequently he had a few minutes desperately trying to sit up and comically rolling over on the bed instead. The things we do!! What was really lovely was that James started to call out for Moses about 10 or so minutes after Moses had gone for his surgery, realising his twin wasn't there.
When they had both returned to the ward they greeted each other with drowsy nudges and the pair settled to sleep wrapped up in their fleece blankets. The patients here often complain of the coldness because of the air conditioning. As the boys came around, Mama did a great job of handling the twins, consoling and feeding the pair of them. Pretty admirable! Their crys were exactly the same whch was a little disconcerting for the other nurse and I (who happens to be called Grace too...!) because we kept looking to see if it was our patient crying!
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