6/29/11
The song above is the only sentiment I could think of for some of my patients today. I am absolutely exhausted, but I desperately wanted to write about today, because I saw so much in a day. I woke up cranky, because, again, there was rain, and let’s face it, my caffeine shortage is not helpful. But I got to the clinic and Amir asked me if I wanted to go on ward rounds, which is where the doctors go visit and assess each patient in the clinic for long term care. I learned a lot about ‘blind care’ which means if the patient doesn’t have the money, the tests don’t get run and you treat the patient with what you think they have. I know every person who reads this has access to drugs and doctors and hospitals, so please thank God for that. Also, my hospital at home looks like the Ritz compared to the clinic, and I never once saw any of the doctors wash their hands between patients. There was a lot of sadness on that ward. A man with end stage AIDS came in for pain control and just broke my heart. He couldn’t follow the conversation, and when Amir listened to his lungs, I could see them inflating under his skin. His eyes were yellow from liver dysfunction, and it is an image that will haunt me tonight, and I’ve seen a lot of sad things in my day. A kid with pneumonia also had a newly diagnosed heart murmur, but his parents couldn’t afford any tests, so Amir is going to have to follow up with them later to see if it “worries him” 50,000 schillings worth ($25) to tell the parents their son needs tests. $25!!! I wanted to hand him the cash right then, but then I realized every patient there needed a test, and that added up to a little more than $25.
After rounds, Dr. Alex drove me to another district where I did school visits and interviewed several people about the school insurance programs, and I got a ton of good stuff, and I think my report (fingers crossed) might actually lead to something useful. I also got to hold a sweet baby for awhile, and I got so homesick for my sweet bald babies (aka patients) at home. We ran some errands too, and I met a man who had not only heard of Georgia, but knew we grew peanuts, and knew that Jimmy Carter had started out a as peanut farmer. Turns out there’s a world renowned lecturer walking the streets of the Bushyeni district, and I had no clue. Oh, and within five minutes I got an invitation to his daughter’s wedding in September. The people here amaze me. Alex also drove me by a neat Catholic church that had a beautiful outdoor sanctuary.
I came home, joined Dani and Verity at the pool until we got rained out, and then Adam, the physician/lecturer that rode with us to the island, had us over for dinner tonight. He made Indian food (in Uganda, go figure), and it was fantastic! He promised he’d send me very simple (vegetarian, hmm) recipes that even I can’t screw up.
Oh, and I’m going to try giving blood while I’m here. That’s something free that I can donate. I’m O positive, they need it, and if I pass out (which I’ve done every time), I know who to call. I’ll keep you posted on that. If you feel so inspired to donate blood at home, please do it! My kids at home need transfusions and platelets every day!
I’m thankful...
1. for my health and the wealth to maintain my health. I wish fairness existed, but I am so lucky for all I’ve been given, and I hope I never forget that.
2. for FINALLY feeling useful. I think even Alex was surprised at all we uncovered today.
3. for a full stomach. I’m pretty sure that even with all my sickness, I’m still gaining weight. I’m thrilled to feel full, though.
Love you all!
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