Hey all!
We've been having lots of experiences, and learning lots about tropical diseases and all sorts of other things. Our favorite is babies. And today, we delivered our second one! It was a joint effort between the two of us, and it was exciting. Lynn, if you're reading this, we think you'd be pleased at how much we've learned :) We love the after birthing traditions...the women gather and sing and dance. They make us do it too. And then they laugh at us :) We've also been practicing monitoring women in labor, fetal heart rate (fetoscope and doppler), contractions, vaginal exams, the whole nine yards (where does that expressino come from anyways?). We continue to observe lots of other things - rounds, outpatients, surgery...and doctor is letting us scrub for theatre sometimes now! We've each gotten to assist him twice, and we also usually get to recieve the baby (and sometimes resuscitate it) for C-sections. We've also seen some gruesome wounds (fan belt snapping, child vs ax, epileptic vs fire, etc). It is amazing how different the hospital is from American hospitals. The list of meds we were out of for today was 30 strong, and we've had no rabies or leprosy meds since we've been here. The government hospital in Kabompo, however, lacks a blood pressure cuff and cardiac monitor, so we're rather richly blessed.
And for those of you who don't like the hospital stuff so much...we went to Kabompo and got the tour of the city. We attended an agricultural fair. We've found that children LOVE it if we take their picture and then show them what it looks like. At the ag fair, we had a veritable army of them following us around...which was fun :) We are learning to eat lots of shima - which isn't as bad as we'd feared (perhaps because it's mostly corn meal so far), though we can't eat nearly enough to satisfy the Zambians, and they laugh at our technique (and Ali putting sugar on hers). We went out to Bruce's (the hospital administrator) plot one evening with about 15 other people and had a meal of shima and a camp fire (which we brought marshmallows to!). We sang hymns around it and just generally had a good time. It is beautiful out there along the Kabompo river with all the planting and cultivating going on. We attend a Zambian young people's group (in English, thankfully. Luvale church services get a little long) every wednesday night, and Friday, we're going to have some of the nurses over to hang out at the Canada House (where we live).
We're taking lots (really, lots) of pictures and both of us (but especially Ali) are journaling lots, so we'll be able to tell/show you pretty much anything when we get home. Good night all!
Love (and so on) from,
Carolyn and Ali
Your experiences sound amazing.. I am very jealous of all the different things you are doing and learning. Glad you both are having fun and staying safe!
ReplyDeleteAli, Ali, Ali ... Carolyn, Carolyn, Carolyn ...
ReplyDeleteYou ladies are gonna have to practice up on your ceremonial dancing! Sounds like you might just get to deliver another baby or two, and thanks to your commentary, we all know what that means!
I had the biggest laugh when I read of your first delivery, Ali. I could just imagine your reaction when, at one of the most serious of all times of your life, you are intently doing everything by the book, making sure this is there, and that is there, and the baby is coming, and cutting the umbilical cord, and resuscitating (if necessary) and gazing in awe at this miraculous wonder of God, when all of a sudden the doors burst open, and several powdered up women come blasting into your serene, sterile world screaming and jumping all around, powder dust flying all over the place, and you not knowing just what is going on... I'm laughing again as I write this and visualize your predicament!
You are as precious to us as the babies are to you. Please take great care of yourselves, both of you, and come home safely.
We can't wait to see and hear about all of your adventures. We love, love, love you and miss, miss, miss you. Please be careful, enjoy yourselves, stay safely togther, and learn a lot!
Love to both,
Dad-n-Jane
Carolyn and Ali,
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like you are still having a great time. My nursing students love hearing about your adventures! I think the whole class wants to go to Zambia next summer. I tell them to see if their church supports a mission hospital that might appreciate their help! I do have one suggestion. Apparently Ali finds sugar helps shima. I think shima rolled in cinnamon sugar sounds good!
Much love,
Mom(Carolyn)
Dear Carolyn~
ReplyDeleteWe are excited to hear about your trip...you should really post more often, by the way :) we all want to know what shenanigans you will get into next!
Harry and Matt