We started surgery yesterday. All six operating rooms had lists and although not working to full capacity on our first day we their was an excited air of expectancy as we met together. There is a large whiteboard in the operating department corridor where we hold our "board meetings" each day with all staff including the sterilising room, doctors translators and nurses. We have this meeting before any of us move into our respective rooms. Any problems and plans for the day can be discussed such as changes to lists/staff or on-call rotas. Then as a department we pray together - just one person leads the group in prayer and then it's off to work.
I shall be working in the eye rooms for most of my time here and shall be helping to teach staff the way we work on the ship and also having the privilege of training the translators how to scrub for our eye cases. We are always busy but we pace ourselves as the surgeons are also training some of the local doctors in the techniques they have developed which work well in Africa. So not only are giving fish, we are teaching people to fish.
The max fax rooms will always be busy as there are so many poor who have large tumours who wold never be able to afford the surgery and in eyes, being able to give the gift of sight will change a persons life as they are then more easily able to work and support themselves. With VVF surgery, orthopaedics and general surgery being carried out too we have a wide variety to challenge us. Where possible we will use staff with the specialist knowledge in those areas but learnig a new area is fun too - ask me about it, I only seem to be in eye ORs in the ship!
We have had one very sad incident with a previous patient had had a cleft lip and palate repaired some 17 years ago. She had returned to the ship because she was having problems with her heart. On Monday she collapsed as she was at the bus station buying her ticket to return to her home in the Cote D'Ivorie. Brought to the hospital we managed to stabilize her for a while but later on Father called her home. In the days she had spent with us she had been able to see old friends and had gone to church Sunday morning and joined in the community service onboard in the evening.
As medical staff with a heart of compassion there is always a question of whether we could have done more and we have to remind our selves that we do not make those ultimate decisions. We can only follow the advice of Micah the old testament prophet who said, " What does the Lord require of you, to act justly, love mercy and to walk humbly with your God".
Wednesday, 25 February 2009
Saturday, 21 February 2009
Saturday Februay 21
They came in their thousands - over 2000 people attended the main screening in Cotonou on Thursday and Friday. The atmosphere in the Halle des Arts was electric at 7.00am Thursday morning as so many staff involved with screening made their way to their respective areas of work in the stadium.
Security staff had arrived at 3.30am and already there were lines of people waiting. As the vehicle I was in drove towards the stadium it took me a moment to realise that the line of people I could see were for the screening.
Nursing staff took on a variety of roles offering water, comfort, escorting patients to the various areas and generally helping out. Staff in a variety of other roles on the ship joined with us to help guide patients, to pray with them, to keep the children occupied. Seeing dining room staff running around a hot hall with a small truck filled with children, laughing and giggling. Balloons going asunder, kicking balls around and dancing to the beat of the drum.
Histories were taken, patients seen by nurses and doctors as appropriate and then for some the all important green card - not the work permit for the US but the card which said "we can help you with surgery". Some patients were referred to further screening clinics to be seen by specialists such as eye, orthopaedic and VVF. Some had to gently told that what was wrong with them could not be helped by surgery and we saw mixed reactions. relief that someone had simply listened and had been able to put a name to their problem, others totally despondent that they or their child could not be helped. They were all offered an opportunity for someone to pray with them. Where we can not help Father can give comfort , relief and healing.
I suppose that I was fortunate in some ways as I was at the point of completing and giving out the all important green cards. My colleague and I were at the end of, what for some was, a long line and yet still they had smiles on their faces. One more elderly man in particular I remember who was just so grateful for what had happened that he took his card as if it were his most prized possession, of more worth than anything else he had ever owned.
Earlier in the week I had been showing doctors and nurses the operating department. There were several of us and we all had a room or two to show our visitors who came from the local area around Cotonou. They had all been invited to a reception when presentations were made about what the ship can offer in the way of surgery. The walk around the OR department was just a small part of the evening but it gave me chance to practice my French again.
On Tuesday I was able to visit a local hospital with Dr Glenn Strauss the eye surgeon. He was visiting a local surgeon aho is coming on board to undertake further training with Glenn. My role? I have been asked to help train 2 nurses to scrub for eye surgery. I went to see the kind of conditions the nurses are currently working with so that I can help train them appropriately.
Much as it may seem all hard work it has been a real joy and privilege to be here for this and I wouldn't have missed it for the world. There have been lighter moments too as I've found a swimming pool and friends who are as keen as me to keep fit. I've even had an offer for free swimming lessons in return for guitar lessons, a fair swop to me. So, a busy week and the reason for slackness in adding to this blog. Next Tuesday we commence surgery and we have a busy week. Til next time TTFN as Tigger would say.
Security staff had arrived at 3.30am and already there were lines of people waiting. As the vehicle I was in drove towards the stadium it took me a moment to realise that the line of people I could see were for the screening.
Nursing staff took on a variety of roles offering water, comfort, escorting patients to the various areas and generally helping out. Staff in a variety of other roles on the ship joined with us to help guide patients, to pray with them, to keep the children occupied. Seeing dining room staff running around a hot hall with a small truck filled with children, laughing and giggling. Balloons going asunder, kicking balls around and dancing to the beat of the drum.
Histories were taken, patients seen by nurses and doctors as appropriate and then for some the all important green card - not the work permit for the US but the card which said "we can help you with surgery". Some patients were referred to further screening clinics to be seen by specialists such as eye, orthopaedic and VVF. Some had to gently told that what was wrong with them could not be helped by surgery and we saw mixed reactions. relief that someone had simply listened and had been able to put a name to their problem, others totally despondent that they or their child could not be helped. They were all offered an opportunity for someone to pray with them. Where we can not help Father can give comfort , relief and healing.
I suppose that I was fortunate in some ways as I was at the point of completing and giving out the all important green cards. My colleague and I were at the end of, what for some was, a long line and yet still they had smiles on their faces. One more elderly man in particular I remember who was just so grateful for what had happened that he took his card as if it were his most prized possession, of more worth than anything else he had ever owned.
Earlier in the week I had been showing doctors and nurses the operating department. There were several of us and we all had a room or two to show our visitors who came from the local area around Cotonou. They had all been invited to a reception when presentations were made about what the ship can offer in the way of surgery. The walk around the OR department was just a small part of the evening but it gave me chance to practice my French again.
On Tuesday I was able to visit a local hospital with Dr Glenn Strauss the eye surgeon. He was visiting a local surgeon aho is coming on board to undertake further training with Glenn. My role? I have been asked to help train 2 nurses to scrub for eye surgery. I went to see the kind of conditions the nurses are currently working with so that I can help train them appropriately.
Much as it may seem all hard work it has been a real joy and privilege to be here for this and I wouldn't have missed it for the world. There have been lighter moments too as I've found a swimming pool and friends who are as keen as me to keep fit. I've even had an offer for free swimming lessons in return for guitar lessons, a fair swop to me. So, a busy week and the reason for slackness in adding to this blog. Next Tuesday we commence surgery and we have a busy week. Til next time TTFN as Tigger would say.
Monday, 16 February 2009
Monday February 16
Back safe. We arrived back at the ship at 3.40pm Sunday afternoon after an 8 hour journey from Natitingou. Well, what an experience. The expression "This Is Africa" or TIA for short really did apply.
Originally we were supposed to leave the ship on Tuesday and everyone busted a gut to have us ready - this included completing shore leave passes etc. At 7pm the ministry finally contact us to say that they would pick us up at 10.30 Wednesday morning. We left at 2.30pm for a 6 hour drive. Arrived at the Parakou University hospital and met the medical director who informed us that he was expecting us the previous day.....my tongue had zig zags in it from the effort of keeping it still. But they did at least have consulting rooms ready for us and hotel rooms for us to stay in.
The following day (Thursday) we saw about 100 patients of which 57 were scheduled for surgery and 18 for further screening by specialists. We had asked for coffee and sandwiches......the coffee finally arrived at 1.00pm after we had asked again but lunch did not appear. The translators who should have been there never did appear, but Father knows our need and boy, did he answer prayer.
A youngish man - maybe late twenties, early thirties called Paul, had brought 15 or so patients, could speak french but no english stayed all day and translated into the local languages for me as I was trying to tell patients about coming to the ship for surgery and tablets that they need to take. I haven't spoken much french since I left school 32 years ago other than a bit when I've been to Paris. Father gently put the words into my mouth and reminded me of words and phrases that I had learned and so we were able to communicate quite successfully.
Another young man, Yousebi, just appeared. He was a social worker in the hospital who spoke both french and english and he just stayed helping one of the other staff who spoke no french. Father provided for us. The doctor who came with us speaks Spanish 1st French 2nd and English 3rd. He was outstanding. If I didn't know how to explain something he would write down a phrase for me, if someone was rattling off in french he would come to my rescue. In fairness the lack of lunch was made up as the Ministry did organize a good dinner for us, the restaurant was set for us when we arrived and the menu already sorted. During the day we had seen a variety of patients with max fax, orthopaedic, general surgical needs and also some VVF patients. VVF stands for vesico vaginal fistula and happens when a woman has a protracted labour, typically of several days because of the breech position of the baby. Lack of health care facilities means that she cannot reach a hospital for help. The babies are born dead and if the woman develops a fistula she will constantly leak urine. If you want to read a fascinating book about a doctor who has made a real difference in this field can I suggest you read The Hospital by the River by Catherine Hamlin.
On Friday morning we set of for Katitingou via the coffee shack opposite the hospital for breakfast where Yousebi came to meet us and say goodbye not that we had told him we were calling in there - how do the Africans manage that, and arrived at 11.30am to be told we had arrived a day early. In the original schedule we were supposed to have started screening at 8am that day, never mind arrive at 11.30am. It was quickly apparent that they were not at all prepared. There was no hotel booked, no advertising of the screening had been done and they had nothing organised. They finally took us to a hotel where we had to wait while the rooms were made ready, then took us for lunch . We went back to the hospital at about 3.00pm met the medical director were shown around the small hospital - I was itching to see inside the Operating Theatre but didn't ask - maybe I should have, and we made arrangements for setting up the next day. He organised translators again only French to local dialects but of course with so little advertising - they put out a message on the local radio and had a man going around with a tannoy on a bike Friday evening, we had few patients. However they may be the starfish that are rescued! - I have told you that story haven't I?
We then got taken on a short "sightseeing tour" including the local museum which was actually very interesting. At least our drivers were good fun. The driver of my vehicle only spoke French and about ten words of english. We had a couple of meals with them and they joined us for drinks etc so we had some fun then they dropped us at a decent restaurant last night where we had a relaxing meal just the 7 of us that went.
We left at 7am Sunday morning, returned to where we had breakfast the day before but it was closed but we found somewhere else for breakfast further on the road. Unfortunately there was an accident on the road at one point and the poor girl was dead but we had to just drive on passed it. We could not have done anything even if we had stopped. It was pretty upsetting but a reminder of the fragility of life. There was a sombre mood for some time in the vehicle. Anyway I'm back safe now and raring to go. main screening is later this week on Thursday and Friday and they will be busy hot days....
Tuesday, 10 February 2009
Tuesday February 10
I'm in here in Benin. This is just a quick entry today as I shall be away for 5 days traveling up country to Parakou and Natitingou as part of the screening team.
One story just to relate before I go. Yesterday there was a technical problem with one of the engines. It prevented us from being able to enter the port. The anchor was dropped. But the most amazing thing that happened, and what I love about the ship, is the way the small groups began to pray immediately. The was a real sense of us wrestling with God in prayer about the situation.
As we are now in port with the engine sorted I leave it to you the reader to decide how it happened. Certainly the engineers working on the problem were aware of God helping them....
One story just to relate before I go. Yesterday there was a technical problem with one of the engines. It prevented us from being able to enter the port. The anchor was dropped. But the most amazing thing that happened, and what I love about the ship, is the way the small groups began to pray immediately. The was a real sense of us wrestling with God in prayer about the situation.
As we are now in port with the engine sorted I leave it to you the reader to decide how it happened. Certainly the engineers working on the problem were aware of God helping them....
Saturday, 7 February 2009
Saturday February 7
Goodness, where has the week gone? Sorry to those of you who are following my blog. We are still sailing but are now passing the border of Cote d'Ivorie and Ghana. I've had to put my clock forward one hour as we've gone 7 degrees 30minutes over from 0 degrees longitude. Consequently it's not dark until 7.30pm which makes a nice change. it gives chance to enjoy a post dinner coffee while watching the glorious sunsets. A couple of evenings ago not only was the sunset beautiful but in the background one of the surgeons was practising his classical guitar playing up on the deck. It was truly wonderful.
We have continued with the orientation program for new staff in the department and I even undertook a little teaching on Friday as Esther, Paul and I covered some of the anaesthetic side of the work. All 3 of us spent considerable amounts of time preparing for the session and it was well worth it.
As the days have passed I have seen dolphins, flying fish and today the piece de resistance was to see killer whales. They were incredibly graceful. The sighting of such animals is helped by the bridge officers who let us know by tannoy if they sight anything. There then follows a rush to the appropriate side of the ship. On a couple of accasions the dolphins have been "riding the bow" which is such fun to watch as they dive underneath the bow and follow the ship.
In accordance with maritime requirements we have had several drills while at sea. Todays exercise was for a "man overboard". It certainly added interest to the day. Tomorrow should be the last full day of sailing as the plan is to arrive in Benin on Monday. With the sea as calm as it is that should be acheived. There will be a special ceremony at the dockside to welcome us. It's the fourth time that the ship will have been to Benin so we are known there. I shall be returning to deck 2 on Monday but will only be in my cabin for one night as I am then going up country to help with screening.
This is a small team that is traveling north to 2 different towns, Parakou and Natitingou. We shall be away for 5 nights 3 days traveling and 3 days screening. I am very excited about the trip although a little nrevous as I shall be helping to schedule patients for surgey. It's a wonderful opportunity to see the country so soon after we arrive. I suspect that my guiding experience will be widely used again including beating Heath Robinson at putting up a mosquito net. Sadly there will undoubtable be patients that we will not be able to help and I hope the sense of helplessness will not overwhelm me. To see patients come with so much hope and to see those hopes devastated will be hard. There is no easy way to tell a person that you can not help them. But there will be many that we can help.
I'm reminded of the story that Don Stephens relates in his book about the history of Mercyships. A small girl on the ward of the Anastasis was telling a nurse how she loved to put starfish back in the sea when they were on the beach When the futility of the activity was pointed out since there were so many starfish on the beach, the little girl commented that to the starfish she threw back in the sea it made a difference. I believe that this is how we must view our work. Looking at the difference we can make. More importantly for me is the difference I can make because God has put me here to complete the work.
We have continued with the orientation program for new staff in the department and I even undertook a little teaching on Friday as Esther, Paul and I covered some of the anaesthetic side of the work. All 3 of us spent considerable amounts of time preparing for the session and it was well worth it.
As the days have passed I have seen dolphins, flying fish and today the piece de resistance was to see killer whales. They were incredibly graceful. The sighting of such animals is helped by the bridge officers who let us know by tannoy if they sight anything. There then follows a rush to the appropriate side of the ship. On a couple of accasions the dolphins have been "riding the bow" which is such fun to watch as they dive underneath the bow and follow the ship.
In accordance with maritime requirements we have had several drills while at sea. Todays exercise was for a "man overboard". It certainly added interest to the day. Tomorrow should be the last full day of sailing as the plan is to arrive in Benin on Monday. With the sea as calm as it is that should be acheived. There will be a special ceremony at the dockside to welcome us. It's the fourth time that the ship will have been to Benin so we are known there. I shall be returning to deck 2 on Monday but will only be in my cabin for one night as I am then going up country to help with screening.
This is a small team that is traveling north to 2 different towns, Parakou and Natitingou. We shall be away for 5 nights 3 days traveling and 3 days screening. I am very excited about the trip although a little nrevous as I shall be helping to schedule patients for surgey. It's a wonderful opportunity to see the country so soon after we arrive. I suspect that my guiding experience will be widely used again including beating Heath Robinson at putting up a mosquito net. Sadly there will undoubtable be patients that we will not be able to help and I hope the sense of helplessness will not overwhelm me. To see patients come with so much hope and to see those hopes devastated will be hard. There is no easy way to tell a person that you can not help them. But there will be many that we can help.
I'm reminded of the story that Don Stephens relates in his book about the history of Mercyships. A small girl on the ward of the Anastasis was telling a nurse how she loved to put starfish back in the sea when they were on the beach When the futility of the activity was pointed out since there were so many starfish on the beach, the little girl commented that to the starfish she threw back in the sea it made a difference. I believe that this is how we must view our work. Looking at the difference we can make. More importantly for me is the difference I can make because God has put me here to complete the work.
Tuesday, 3 February 2009
Tuesday February 3
Life continues at pace - albeit quite slow at present in terms of speed. Apparently we passed Dakar at about 2 am this morning. Sorry I didn't see it but I was tucked up in bed asleep. So far the sail has been remarkably smooth for which I am very grateful. I really didn't want to see just how good my sea legs were and I'd be quite happy to not have to see how tough they are.
After the weekend it was back to work having spent time sunning myself and catching up on chores, including moving home temporarily. The bow on deck 5 has been opened up for us to use as a rest area. This is normally closed when we are in port but has a great vantage point. I have seen dolphins "riding the bow".
As we have staff new to the OR department sailing with us the opportunity of time has been used to give them a very thorough orientation. They will have to help the new staff who arrive once we are in Benin so will need to know about the paperwork and where things are. The staff development team have made sure that all staff have orientation to Benin too, so each morning this week there is an aspect of life in Benin that is being covered. Looking at cultures, security and various other matters.
Thankfully Starbucks is open as usual and as the price of an americano is not prohibitive I have one each day - just to keep up the caffeine levels! I am kept busy trying to help write new manuals with our German lead nurse for anaesthetics. This is paperwork and as such means that I have to have a drink in hand. Starbucks fits the bill nicely.
Tonight I joined with about 100 others in our international lounge to watch a film made by an american former member of the peace corps who returned to Benin and at least some more of the country. Voodoo has quite a strong influence among some of the population and we saw a little of that in the film. Earlier as an OR team we watched a DVD made about 5 years ago now onboard the Anastasis (the ship used before Africa Mercy) made by BBC3 and featuring a BBC presenter who went to the ship for 2 weeks while it was in Sierra Leone. It showed the screening days, a little of the surgery and balanced out the joys and sorrows of the work.
So tomorrow is another day and we continue to sail south....
After the weekend it was back to work having spent time sunning myself and catching up on chores, including moving home temporarily. The bow on deck 5 has been opened up for us to use as a rest area. This is normally closed when we are in port but has a great vantage point. I have seen dolphins "riding the bow".
As we have staff new to the OR department sailing with us the opportunity of time has been used to give them a very thorough orientation. They will have to help the new staff who arrive once we are in Benin so will need to know about the paperwork and where things are. The staff development team have made sure that all staff have orientation to Benin too, so each morning this week there is an aspect of life in Benin that is being covered. Looking at cultures, security and various other matters.
Thankfully Starbucks is open as usual and as the price of an americano is not prohibitive I have one each day - just to keep up the caffeine levels! I am kept busy trying to help write new manuals with our German lead nurse for anaesthetics. This is paperwork and as such means that I have to have a drink in hand. Starbucks fits the bill nicely.
Tonight I joined with about 100 others in our international lounge to watch a film made by an american former member of the peace corps who returned to Benin and at least some more of the country. Voodoo has quite a strong influence among some of the population and we saw a little of that in the film. Earlier as an OR team we watched a DVD made about 5 years ago now onboard the Anastasis (the ship used before Africa Mercy) made by BBC3 and featuring a BBC presenter who went to the ship for 2 weeks while it was in Sierra Leone. It showed the screening days, a little of the surgery and balanced out the joys and sorrows of the work.
So tomorrow is another day and we continue to sail south....
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