I’ve had two full days of surgery under difficult conditions and yet felt little if any stress. Maybe living this monastic existence is good for me. But equanimity comes at a price. I’m dreaming about food, a good steak, Roka Akor sushi and a good old Waffle House breakfast. Perhaps I’ll be able to take the lessons of simplicity with me. I know I’ll never look at water use quite the same way again and will try not to take electricity for granted. I’ve often wondered what it would be like to conduct one’s life in the nineteenth century without modern amenities. Now I’m getting some idea and strangely enough, it’s not all that bad.
Doing surgery with mid 20th century equipment, however, is not ideal. The only reliable blood tests we have are a hemoglobin level, pregnancy determination and HIV tests. There is an old ultrasound machine that no one knows exactly how to use so the results are iffy at best. So diagnosis, as in most places in the third world, depends on old fashioned physical examination skills. What an eye opener this is for Stacey. Innately bright and a quick learner, she’s been assisting on some heavy cases. Unavoidably clumsy at first she is gaining skill quickly and I don’t have to tell her the same thing twice. She had the universal newbie experience today when she removed a clamp from an artery too soon and nearly passed out from fright as I regained control.
Wonder of wonders, all of the really sick postops – about 8 – are doing well. This is as much a testimony of genetic resilience and a strong immune system as it is to any skill I brought along. In baseball terms this is my best ERA since I joined the African League back in ’07.
Today, Wednesday, is a quiet day with no surgery scheduled though I suspect there are a couple of emergencies brewing down in the OPD. I will have to do clinic this afternoon. As my son, Ara, is fond of saying, “If surgery is the game then clinic is the penalty box.” Tomorrow is our last day to work and we will operate dawn till dusk to get everything done.
Friday 4am we leave for Shinyanga to catch an 8:30 plane to Dar and then to Arusha where we will actually have a real shower in a real hotel and eat something besides rice and beans. Then into one of those pop-top vans to ride around for a few days and take animal pictures. After that home. I’ll try to post a wrap-up from here tomorrow.
Congratulations, Skip on your successful patients' recovery. What a gift you are to them and our world...one person at a time. I'll join you at Waffle House, but don't tell Susan or Marcia. I look forward to celebrating your return state side and spending time in August in Minnesota (where?), yes I said Minnesota.
Safe travels, my fiend.
Posted by: Barry | July 14, 2011 at 04:15 PM