Hump Day

Wednesday, October 2

Today felt long.  This morning was the first time I was emotional about not being at home.  There wasn’t anything big. It was a combination of seeing pictures from a parade I would have liked to have attended with a friend, knowing I was unavailable for a call home from Brett, having things I want to sit and discuss with Wayne, and just the fatigue of being the middle of the week.  You know it has been a long trip when your phone starts playing advertisements for the Malawian grocery chain!

We did have about 90 seconds of rain this morning.  I may have missed it except for the squealing of the kids in the yard.  It was glorious.  

Chapel started off the day.  I recorded a group of nursing student men that call themselves “God’s Weapons”.  I was half way expecting a rock song but the were great. I love that young men in this culture are brave enough to volunteer to sing in front of patients and peers.  Chapel was also great because the chaplain preached using the story of the Good Samaritan. I had talked through that story with two medical students and it was fun to watch their eyes get big and turn around to make eye contact with me.  First time either of them had heard it, and now twice in 24 hours. God is fun!

In pediatric clinic, we saw over 40 kids and went until after 1 pm.  It was just a long, sweaty, and urine soaked morning. Nicole has started having the families that she helps with milk and other supplies come on Wednesday.  That way we can see the kids, make the recommendations, and she can help with the milk and transport for the ones who get help from her. It is good but crazy.  Several of the small babies at her house are just struggling to gain weight and many have a gastroenteritis. As I snuggle I can’t help but think, it is just a matter of time before it hits me as well.

Lunch was quick.  We don’t have power again, so peanut butter and jelly is the lunch special. The grey chicken from yesterday has crossed my path numerous times today.  I think he is looking for me at this point.

The afternoon was spent rounding with the intern and med students.  This morning the intern did the rounding himself and the clinical officer saw only a few and did not address many of the issues.  Stella, with heart failure, is not looking good. I think she is just deteriorating. While I know there is nothing else for us to do, it just is awful to watch her fade away.   The child with nephrotic/nephrotic syndrome seems a little improved with the edema but her blood pressure is very high. It had not even been checked this morning and no treatment was given.  I gave her a quick acting medication and then started a long acting medication this evening. It just makes me concerned when I don’t feel like I can be gone-because I will be gone soon.

This evening the air is cool again, which is wonderful after a day of sweating.  Much of the heat is just being in the hospital ward where there is no air movement.  The children are playing. One tree has bright red seed pods hanging from it and it looks like red bells in the wind.

My spirits are higher than they were at the start of the day.  I suppose that means I got over the hump.