Posting late because of troublesome internet connectivity I continue:
We had a busy and somewhat routine day of surgery on Wednesday (if any day here can be called routine). There were hernias, assorted lumps and bumps, a couple of C-sections and a D&C. This was the first day where we had no catastrophic cases to deal with. Stacey continues to gain confidence in the OR and, as with any beginning 2nd year student, has a long way to go in the understanding of surgical disease. That will come, of course, but sometimes I worry that I’m putting the cart before the horse. Oh well, the whole medical curriculum seems to be going in that direction anyway. This light day gave me an opportunity to make ward rounds with Rob, Grace and the assistant medical officers. Grace has been a gift to the medical staff here. I never stop marveling at the depth of her medical knowledge and her passion for applying it. She will be missed but since she is now hooked on this type of work I’m sure she will return.
Rob, or Robie as he is called, is a very interesting fellow. Only 27, he came here with his nurse girlfriend, Danielle, right out of internship. In Holland they go to school for six years and then intern for one prior to any specialty training. His commitment to the foundation that supports the hospital is for 2 years, one of which has passed, and he and Danielle are paid for their work. They choose to pass as married only because her life as a single young white woman living here would be unbearable as she would be fair game for every local Don Juan and Robbie would be constantly challenged. Rob does things medically that a generalist in Europe or America would not even dare think about. He’s called upon to do everything from cardioversion and treating malaria to operating on acute abdomens and bowel obstructions. His surgical technique is logical but not sophisticated and his decision making is sometimes flawed. Nevertheless he gets the job done, not always with the best results but way better than if no one had tried. I enjoyed teaching him this trip and I can’t say I didn’t learn a few things too just based on his experience. For a while I was wishing I had brought up to date disposable staplers and such with me but really, Rob was way better served by my having used the materials at hand properly. By the way, when he leaves here he plans to train in OBGYN.
On our next to last night there was a party at Rob and Danielle’s house. It is quite a house with running water, six rooms and a beautiful garden. They have a maid/cook to take care of things and actually live quite nicely with their 2 thoroughly 
undisciplined dogs and a very forbearing cat. Rob, Danielle, Grace, Stacey, the 3 medical students from Holland and I sat around in the garden drinking beer and swapping outrageous stories. It was a great evening. Then it was time to go back to the convent, begin getting our things together and plan the last day of work. As we came through the door Sister Georgiana was waiting with a laundry basket insisting we fill it our clothes would be clean for the road. It’s so nice to be taken care of.
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