Today was Day 3 of our Tanzanian adventure at Muhimbili National Hospital! Highlights of the day included our impromptu wound clinic, our first teaching session on ALL, reviewing roadmaps and how chemotherapy is administered, and our daily canteen and coca-cola hut visit.
Kristina was changing the dressing of a patient and then suddenly a cue began. We found ourselves changing multiple chilren's wound dressings that were in need of changing until we met our match and got the nurses to help!
We were knee deep in roadmap chart review in clinic, when all of a sudden, the lights and AC went out and I screamed! We sat in silence and I was getting ready to pack up my charts, but Kristina wouldn't budge....Then it was namazing! The lights turned on and we got back to work.
I've eaten chips (or french fries) with sea salt at the canteen for the past two days. I'm getting up the courage to eat the food at the canteen which looks delicious. Kristina claims she will try the white rice. We secretly are waiting to see if the new medical students from London who tried out the canteen today get sick tomorrow. And if they don't, game on.
We have been learning a lot because of the sheer volume of patients inpatient and outpatient. Because it takes longer for the patients to reach the hospital, their disease are more advanced than we typically see. The families, patients, doctors, and nurses are so gracious, friendly, and happy. No matter what is going on, the children seem to always have a bright smile on their faces.
Tomorrow we are bringing the lovely art supplies donated by the Child Life program and the artwork our patients on 10S made. I'll shortly thereafter be opening up my Tanzanian branch of Nameeta's nail salon (similar the Camp Ukandu version).
Kristina was changing the dressing of a patient and then suddenly a cue began. We found ourselves changing multiple chilren's wound dressings that were in need of changing until we met our match and got the nurses to help!
We were knee deep in roadmap chart review in clinic, when all of a sudden, the lights and AC went out and I screamed! We sat in silence and I was getting ready to pack up my charts, but Kristina wouldn't budge....Then it was namazing! The lights turned on and we got back to work.
I've eaten chips (or french fries) with sea salt at the canteen for the past two days. I'm getting up the courage to eat the food at the canteen which looks delicious. Kristina claims she will try the white rice. We secretly are waiting to see if the new medical students from London who tried out the canteen today get sick tomorrow. And if they don't, game on.
We have been learning a lot because of the sheer volume of patients inpatient and outpatient. Because it takes longer for the patients to reach the hospital, their disease are more advanced than we typically see. The families, patients, doctors, and nurses are so gracious, friendly, and happy. No matter what is going on, the children seem to always have a bright smile on their faces.
Tomorrow we are bringing the lovely art supplies donated by the Child Life program and the artwork our patients on 10S made. I'll shortly thereafter be opening up my Tanzanian branch of Nameeta's nail salon (similar the Camp Ukandu version).
Wonderful to see all of your real-time reports. You all have such a passion for your work even when you are exhausted and probably hungry. Thank you for sharing this experience.
ReplyDeleteJulie Aufranc, M.O.M., R.N.
Good work team Doernbecher! I am highly impressed. Hope the canteen worked out for you all. Work on getting the camera situation figured out - I need a picture of Sue for our facebook page. Thanks for keeping us updated. See you all in a couple weeks. - Kitt
ReplyDeleteJust remember that famous Minnesota poverb: man cannot live on chips alone. Seriously, we are so proud of you and the work you are doing. Take care, try to have some fun, and get some rest!
ReplyDeleteWow--you all are rock stars!! And I'm sure Nameeta's nail salon will be a big hit! :-)
ReplyDeleteSuresh Penkar(Nameeta's dad) I am so proud of 3 of you. Looks like you are having fun
ReplyDeleteand enjoying your work too. Through these blogs we know that you are safe and doing well. Keep writing