We awoke to an overcast morning and a light mist that followed a persistent downpour that dominated most of the night. I believe I might have made it across the clinic grounds more efficiently this morning if I had donned my flippers and snorkel! We are amazed at the volume of rain we have received during our short stay here, especially while reading of the drought that has crippled much of the States this summer. Somehow, patients still found a way to maneuver over the slippery, muddy roadways to seek care for many maladies.
The guys finished their remodeling project in the warehouse as well as the inventory process that was required. They then helped the Bohimbos recover from the weekend wedding by transporting mattresses and other furniture from the village back to its original point of origin. The sun did appear this afternoon, which lent it self to 90 minutes of sand volleyball-- a great way to blow off some steam after a long work day.
The clinic was busy, with a few new patients, that has resulted in a rather robust OR schedule for this week. Believe it or not, all three cases for tomorrow are general surgery in nature, and all three patients arrived today in preparation for tomorrow. Sadly I met a young woman today with a 16 mth old son who we diagnosed with metastatic ovarian cancer, for which we could offer no curative measures. We prayed with her and her brother, and he assured us he would do his best to get her to Conakry for a chemotherapy consult. Another young woman, who had been in another hospital for three weeks with a terrible infection, arrived today in early septic shock with an abscess of her scalp that encompassed the entire left side of her skull. We were able to drain the infection in the OR, and are praying that she will survive the night, and make a full recovery. We sent many patients home this am, but will have a full inpatient census by the end of the week.
We will appreciate your prayers this week as schedules become busier. We hope not to lose sight of the opportunity to build upon relationships that have been established. We hope all of you are somewhere cool tonight and appreciate your kind words and support.
I think we should start praying for the rain to stop, otherwise you will look like "three drowned rats" arriving at the airport next week! Hopefully, the vehicle you ride in has a roof and big tires to get through the mud.
ReplyDeleteThe boys should feel a sense of accomplishment having finished the warehouse remodel and inventory work. Sounds like a very big job. I'm proud of them for willingly working so hard.
You certainly had two sad cases today. Praying for those women, that they will get care needed and healing as well. Praying for you as the clinic and OR schedule gets busier this week too. Maybe Connor and Kellen will help you out.
It must feel great to get out and play with the kids after working and volleyball is great exercise. Who won? You or the boys?
It was about 88 degrees here in Salem today, but is cooling off nicely now. We had the airconditioning on yesterday but not today.
We are hoping that Jen and the boys stop by here on their way home from Winston tomorrow. We will be glad to hear all about their camping trip and visit with the little cousins.:)
Time for bed...love you and praying for you. Mom
Ps.103:13 & 17 "As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him;...But from everlasting to everlasting the Lord's love is with those who fear him and his righteousness with their children's children." Ps. 33:11"But the plans of the Lord stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations."
Fortunately we will be riding to the airport in a good vehicle. The guys took a break today and observed in the OR and took photos. I'm so tired running around in the sand after the ball that I'm not sure of the score! Good day in the OR today. Will be busy again tomorrow. Saw 7 consults between cases today. Will try to fix a hip fracture on Thursday... Cool here again today, but no big rains. Thanks for the verses, great encouragement. Hope ya got to see Jen and the boys today. Missing them here...
ReplyDeleteLove, Jeff