Here are just a couple of pics Jeff sent.  I got his messages and am currently
trying to get a hold of the ortho surgeon Jeff always texts when one of our boys gets a fracture!  Unfortunately we've had 5 broken bones this year so we've kept him a little busy.  Hopefully, they will connect and be able to help this kid.

The antiquated x-ray equipment!

one of the xrays from the kid with the old femur fracture.  Jeff says they will wait to try to fix the femur until next week to give him time to recover from the completed amputation today.

Truly a Humbling Day

Ive always believed everyday in the OR is different, but today strengthened that conviction. We were able to do 3 fairly standard cases efficiently, however that came to a screeching halt due to our next new consult. We were asked to evaluate a 17 year old boy who was struck by a drunk driver 6 wks ago. There were approximately a dozen related fatalities at the scene. He was scooped up and taken to a nearby hospital and was found to have a badly fractured ankle. This was unfortunately treated by amputating his leg immediately above the ankle with the wound left open. His parents heard about Hope and drove him here today for help. He also has a left femur fracture that was not reduced appropriately, and the bones are not aligned. He appears to have a wrist fracture as well. We were able to convert his amputated leg to a more formal below the knee amputation, that when healed, will allow him to be fit with a prosthesis to walk again. However, there is the issue of his femur fracture... I have been attempting all day to send Jen pics of his X-rays so that she can show them to an ortho surgeon. The Internet connection has been difficult today. There are no ortho surgeons in Guinea. My hope is that he can instruct me in the best way to manage this femur fracture. I have not been involved in a femur repair for @ 15 years, thus am out of my element on this one. Fortunately, the surgeon here has two excellent ortho texts that I am currently reviewing. Some of you have asked how you can pray... Please pray that the Internet connection here will allow for transfer of these X-rays to the US for review and consultation. Also, please pray that we will be able to help this young man as best we can to allow him an opportunity to walk again. James 1:5 says, If any of you lacks wisdom, ask God... And it will be given to you. Again, thank you to all who have been sending notes of encouragement, and who have been upholding us here at Hope, in your prayers. If I miss answering any of you, please stick with me, and I will keep trying to become blog-savvy. Jeff

Here are a few new pics from Jeff...

the picture hanging above the entrance to the OR



Agnes is a very good scrub tech

OR

Recovery

 Central Clinic Courtyard

Eighty degrees and sunny again...

The people at Hope continue to amaze me with their ability to show love and concern for every individual who arrives to be evaluated. Today was a slow but profitable day in the OR, which allowed us to evaluate several walk-in pts for surgery tomorrow and next week. Some folks come from 100's of miles away, from towns that have bigger hospitals, choosing to be seen here because of the impeccable reputation of Hope Clinic. People come prepared to stay for surgery the following day in order to avoid the added expense of returning home. Some are dropped off at the clinic and instructed not to call for a ride home until they are "fixed". The OR team is a very friendly and eager group that is prepared to work longer hours in order to learn more about surgical technique. Jairus, the anesthetist, has served as my interpreter for every pt interaction since my arrival, and finds a way to keep smiling despite the quick pace that we maintain in order to see as many pts as possible. Pray for rest for him at night and renewed energy each day in order to put up with me! Guinea is currently enjoying the dry season and most days see bright sun and 80-85 temps with nighttime temps of @60 degrees. I have been promised that it will rain while I'm here, and that there is no rain comparable to an early season African downpour. I'm slowly acclimating to the heat and now able to see pts or operate without losing 5 lbs/day due to fluid losses. Thanks to all of you who have been responding on the blog or sending other Emails. We have plans to go to the village for dinner again this evening, so until tomorrow... Jeff

First Day in the OR

Hello to all! It was a very good first day in the OR. The crew is quite well trained and hungry for knowledge and very willing to help and improve. The room is spacious, the supplies quite good, and the atmosphere one of true concern for the patients. It is difficult not to fall in love with the patients here as they are so desperate for help and willing to do anything to get better. The family members are incredibly grateful and work very hard to support their sick relatives. All pts admitted to the clinic are fed by their families and most family members will crowd into the room and sleep on the floor to be available to the pt at a beckoned call. I'm trying to curb my enthusiasm to be more productive and see more pts in order to honor the African culture which allows for a more relaxed and carefree pace. It is hard for me to leave at 4:30pm when I'm aware of so many others who need to be seen. It has been said that music is the one great universal language, but I wish to point out that human anatomy is dependably consistent regardless of the individual's ethnicity or chosen language. I have been invited to dinner this pm off of the compound, thus must prepare to go. Thank you all so much for your support. If you see my wife or one of my kids, give em a hug for me! Jeff

Here are some pics Jeff sent me on email.  He can't put them directly on the blog from his ipad, so I'm doing it for him.  We've skyped a couple of times now.  Connection isn't perfect but it's still pretty amazing that we can do that!  Today we left the video off to have better sound connection.  He is in his element!  He is loving being there and feels very welcome!  First day of surgery tomorrow! - Jen

Dr. Jean Yarauondo and Jeff.  This is the surgeon Jeff is filling in for.

 This Outpatient clinic building is on the left, OR on the right.

This is his room in the guesthouse.  He said it is so big it deserved 3 pics!

View from back porch of guesthouse.



A Fantastic First Day

What a great first day! I met with the entire clinic staff at 7:30 am for a devotional time which included prayer, music, and a short lesson from I Kings 6 (all in French). Then Dr. Jean Yaraduondo, their general surgeon, was cordial enough to give me a tour of the clinic prior to lending me the keys to his office in order to leave for a conference in Kenya. Monday's are dedicated to clinic evaluations and allowed me to see 10 new pts with the help of my translator, Jairus, who is the nurse anesthetist. The variety of cases is amazing, lending itself to a busy dat in the OR tomorrow and hopefully the rest of the week as well. the clinic shuts down promptly at 4:30pm, which allowed me to catch up on a small bit of paperwork and do some light reading on African dermatological diseases(I've never been good with rashes!). My thoughts turn now towards a good night's rest having not slept more than 4hrs/day since my departure. Jen should be able to post pics on the blog soon. Thank you all, Jeff