Our family's heart is filled with the hope of our calling in Christ Jesus and we want to share! Our home town and now Hope Clinic is where we are called. We want to share our adventure with you!

Tuesday, February 7, 2012

A great day in the OR...

We had a very profitable day here in the OR. We were able to help a lady today who has been bleeding uncontrollably for years that has also had significant abdominal pain as well, by performing a hysterectomy. Another gentlemen had a huge mass on the back of his head for 30 yrs, and we were able to remove this well. He insisted we do it under local anesthesia, and then he tolerated this without a single complaint. Tough as nails... We were also able to see 5 new consult in b/t cases as well. Tomorrow, we have 4 cases, which may be a stretch, but should prove to be a good day. If we can locate the power drill, we plan to repair the young man's femur. We received another young man with a fibular fx that is two months old, that we hope to address on Thurs. All of our postoperative pts are doing well thus far due to consistent prayer. We awoke this morning to overcast skies, however, it wasn't due to clouds or fog, but instead, it is due to massive duststorms that are blowing in country from the Sahara, called the Hamartan(sp?). According to the staff here, it has never been this bad. We all walked around today with dust filtering into our nasal passages, coating our tongues, and filling our lungs. Someone believes there were a few raindrops today, but not the storms to which they are accustomed. We ate dinner in the village tonight which was white rice, with a spicy chicken based sauce and green salad. It was excellent. We are eating well, to the point where I'm not losing as much weight as I had hoped. The folks here are wonderful hosts and have bent over backward for us. Thanks again, for all of your prayers and heartfelt words of encouragement. Until tomorrow... Jeff
Posted by at

10 comments:

  1. JEvansFebruary 7, 2012 at 1:26 PM

    So I meant to post here but accidentally posted under Monday...

    ReplyDelete
  2. Jeff MathisenFebruary 7, 2012 at 1:49 PM

    Not a problem, you were easy to find...

    ReplyDelete
  3. AnonymousFebruary 7, 2012 at 3:30 PM

    Jeff,
    Finally got on your blog and just finished catching up on your adventures. Sounds as if you are seeing an incredible amount of pathology. Just remember for the skin diseases that they are either steroid sensitive or steroid resistant! Also next time you will know to bring your bone sets. It is great that you are able to use your skills to truly contribute to what sounds to be a very grateful community with a lot of health care needs. I would love to be there with you.
    Take care and stay safe!
    WCH

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jeff MathisenFebruary 7, 2012 at 10:19 PM

      Hey Bill, The pathology here is mind-blowing... They had an ortho guy come and stay a year here and he brought an amazing amount of supplies and instruments. If we can find the power drill this am, we will be in business. They don't use long acting paralytics here... yet. Thus, all belly cases are down with spinal or strictly ketamine sedation. Any general cases are done with halothane and ketamine. Have a ped hernia, ovarian mass, scalp mass, and femur to fix today! It would be great to have you here as well. I think you would enjoy it. Will have to catch up when I'm back. Hello to Darcey for me. Jeff

      Delete
  4. Grandma MathisenFebruary 7, 2012 at 4:48 PM

    Praying you find that power drill soon! Have you checked with the maintenance man?:) We are so thankful for your willing heart and hands to serve people and God. Get some rest and take care of yourself. You are needed and loved. Mom

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jeff MathisenFebruary 7, 2012 at 10:23 PM

      You're not gonna believe this, but they checked with the maintenance guy FIRST! There is a guy here from Ketchikan, Alaska who has wired and plumbed the whole place who has several drills and we have been discussing how to place them in sterile plastic bags to accomplish our tasks... Makes everything I know about sterility slam right into my brain! I slept incredibly well and am happy to be here serving God today. It will be a great day... Love, jeff

      Delete
  5. UnknownFebruary 7, 2012 at 4:52 PM

    Mattie - I just finished with a crazy day of work and am off to a Youth Center Coalition Meeting. Ugh. I am beat, but not as tired as you I am sure. Has it started raining there?? How is the sandy mouth doing?? I believe you are sleeping now and I pray for good peaceful rest so you are ready to face the day tomorrow. From the sounds of it, God's wisdom and grace is all abounding and ever surrounding. I am so excited for you and your experience. You are in my prayers constantly and I wish you all the best on your next day of work (are you ahead or behind us by a half of a day??).

    Well God bless and you Rock. So proud of you and what you are doing.

    Ryan

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jeff MathisenFebruary 7, 2012 at 10:27 PM

      I am ahead of you by 8 hrs here and just awoke with the same sandy tongue with which I went to sleep! I believe you could probably lay out on my lungs and get a great tan, except the sand is obstructing the sun! Sounds like you are running at the same frenetic pace as usual... I will pray for rest, time to eat and exercise, wisdom to make sound diagnoses, and energy to go home and give your best to your family. We will be rockin in the OR today! Thanks for the love and prayer! Matty

      Delete
  6. judiaroseFebruary 7, 2012 at 11:50 PM

    Jeff, so good to catch up on all your adventures. Our internet has been down for about a week. Just found out today that our antenna was blown over by the wind - so now it's fixed. Jen has been keeping us informed. All pre-op is done and will consult with Dr.Petite tomorrow. Glad he has been able to help you too. We miss you and love you and are praying for you. Jen and the boys are doing great. Con and team all played great last nite and beat HR. Girls lost.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Jeff MathisenFebruary 8, 2012 at 9:47 AM

    Hi guys! Glad to hear you're Internet is up and running. Had a good day here today. I learned a lot and believe, by Gods grace, we did some good today. Glad Jen and the boys are well. Thx for helping out so much with the taxi cab driving! God bless, Jeff

    ReplyDelete

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)