Bonfire

Monday, October 21

I have sat down to blog about the day.  My brain and heart have not processed it yet and today was a lot.  I think I am just going to give the blow by blow and no doubt I will have thoughts and reflections over the next several days.

Today was my last day at the hospital.  I had already decided that after morning rounds I would start the goodbyes and be gone before lunch.  I honestly did not want to have admissions through the afternoon that I would be worried about and feel the need to follow. My first text was from the Malawian surgeon with the pictures he took of me Friday.

Morning report was difficult like they always are on Mondays.  The pediatric nurse had caught me before it started when I unlocked the room.  Wisdom had passed away in the early morning hours. I am grieved for the family but also relieved that their miserable waiting for the inevitable is over.  Still, those were the first tears of the day. There were many other deaths to report, some with terrible suffering, and some with the possibility of being prevented.

At the close of morning report, we have introductions and departures.  We have three new guests that came in last night to the inn, a cardiologist, infectious disease specialist, and his son an EMT.  There were also 2 new residents. Then it was my turn. I was able to share my thanks, my honor in being a part of the team, and some praise.These medical professionals have been tasked by God with a very difficult assignment.  I shared 2 Corinthians 15:58 and encouraged them to conintue in their good works knowing that God would use it and bless it. I received a lot of affirmation and Sam spoke amazing words of affections and praise. I was a little stunned.  He called me his “best friend”. It was all sweet and touching. I am hopeful that I have repaired some of the damage that ex-pat consults have incurred in the past.

There was a long meeting of the clinical officers with the new medical director after this.  It went about an hour and I was encouraged to hear a lot of frank and direct conversation. I am very hopeful that they will make sustainable changes together.  There was much talk of moving together not fast but far. All very encouraging.

I went to the wards.  We only had 9 patients today.  I think God was allowing me an easy and clean break with few kids to worry about.  We did rounds with one of the new residents and a few students. We made good plans and then took polaroids and handed out toys.  This is why pediatrics is the best field! I handed off my medical supplies and last donations to Dr. Catherine and said my goodbyes with hugs and tears to her and Christina.  I handed off my stethoscope to Sam. I left white coats and scrubs. Then I said the goodbyes to the nurses. I was shocked by the tenderness, hugs, and sweet words. I did in fact get a lot of Malawian hugs!!!!!

A little side note, Melissa has had an abscess that has been worsening and needed to be drained.  So, I worked with Catherine to help facilitate that for her. She was super tough but it was awful and she is sore.  Afterwards, I met her, she was white as a sheet and nauseated. I was able to by some mandazis (Malawian donuts) and find some water.  Once she was able, I got her back to her room and in bed. Then I headed back to pay for her lab and get the results. I waited on the bench for almost 2 hours.  The nice thing is everyone in the hospital passed by during that time so I had personal goodbyes with everyone.  

After I had the lab results I headed back to the inn.  I checked on Melissa and the watched the girls for awhile as I ate lunch.  It was so hot I guzzled two big glasses of water. Then I went to the PB&J plant.  I had a tour scheduled with Ethel.

PB&J (Peanut Butter and Jelly) is a company started in 2012 here in Malawi.  It produces satchels of ready to use therapeutic food. RUTF is a fancy term for a vitamin fortified peanut butter product with milk and fat added.  It is made in perfect proportions to use for malnourished children. The company has several contracts with areas and health centers, but also donates a lot of product to areas that can’t afford it.  It is officially a non-profit. So Ethel, who is very pregnant, gave me a tour of the factory. That meant dawning the hair net, shoe covers, and white coat. The process is great and smart with the machines that roast, grind, mix, heat, cool, and stuff the chiponde (peanut butter).  I really enjoyed it and got a satchel to show the kids back at Beech Street who raised money for them.

After that side adventure, I headed back to the hospital to get the prescription and medicine for Melissa.  I looked for the clinical officer for a long time but finally had to get Catherine to write the medications. Then I went and paid for them and picked up the medication.  It is actually a fairly complex system and I am a little surprised that patients can navigate it. But I feel that I got the complete experience getting to be the patient today.  

By this time it was the end of the day.  I left the hospital to high fives, hugs, and well wishes.  I must admit that it was far more than I expected, especially from what I have seen in this culture.  I feel reassured and my time here feels validated. It is a good feeling.

The last walk out the gate caught me a little off guard.  I have been counting down to it as this has been so difficult and stressful, but today my eyes were full of tears and my heart was full of fondness.  I am definitely leaving a part of me here.

At the inn, I spent the evening making supper and watching the girls so Melissa could have just a little more down time.  She is recovering well and hopefully will be improved tomorrow. I sat with the kids from the home at dusk and pulled out a package of glow sticks.  MAGIC!!!! Squealing and laughing and colors dancing in the yard.

The kids were put to bed.  Then everyone surprised me with a goodbye bonfire!  Stan had gone early to Dedza and gotten firewood, Priscilla arranged for the guards to bring in the fire pit and start the fire.  The Dutch students had made guacamole and managed to find the components for s’mores. The Swedish and Cutch had never had a snore before so Stan gave some lessons.  We laughed and told stories around the fire for a few hours. It was delightful and the smell of the fire and the taste of the s’mores were really the first hints of Fall for me.  It feel loved and treated and it does make leaving a little more bitter sweet.

Now, I am tucked in for my last night at Hope’s Inn!