Letter from the Hakes

Dear Ed,
 
You probably thought the Hake’s were a couple of ingrates.  With utmost delight I send you the news that your box arrived today.  With the Dec 12 postmark that makes it the longest ever to get here but it made for a great treat this afternoon after I finished OPD.  Thanks for all the treats and the teas look great.
 
Ed, I was thinking of you yesterday and had planned to write you.  The Nursery is empty which is one of the few times there has not been from 1-7 premies in the last 6 months.  The survival rate on all these premies and the terms with sepsis the last 6 months has been well over 90% which I think is at least 3 times higher than what I saw before you came last May.  You deserve a pat on the back.  I think you really got the Nurse’s to believe that they could make a difference and save lives by being observant and reacting when they found something not right.  It got me making daily rounds in Maternity so the Nurses have me see anyone they have questions about.  I know Dr Dabo is relieved not to have the primary responsibility for the wee ones.  Feel good that your visit here continues to produce good fruit.
 
I will be forwarding the envelope to Germar and Petra.
 
Hope your new year is going well.  Hi to Mary Lou.
 
God Bless,
 
Jim and Terry

Who but YOU can stand up for children's needs?

I was called from the children's ward yesterday morning to go to the Maternity ward where I had admitted the 12 day old male infant with the severe staph skin infection that looks like scalded skin.  The father had arrived and was wanting to take the child out of the hospital and seek the care of a 'Traditional Healer' ( a local healer who treats with herbs and other tribal remedies).  The staff was quite upset and very negative about this whole issue, but best to get the story first.  Dr. Jim asked if I wanted him to go with me to speak to the dad as I had only been local for a few days, but I said if I can be ok in South Central L.A. then I could probably handle this.   

 

In the end the man was quite complimentary towards the care but was concerned about the bill he might receive (after all it is about $2 a day for the room fee about equivalent to the average daily wage in Cameroon).  The infant might well have had the infection become more severe without the proper treatment, especially returning to the environment that had fostered the infection.
 

I was able to allay both the father's concerns and the mother's worries supported by all you who have so kindly donated to my mission through this web site.  I am happy to report that little Desmond is continuing with his treatment and all seems to be on track.

Arrival

I have arrived after an almost 48 hour trip and am now in a remote area of Cameroon in West Africa.  This has been such an incredible trip and now I am on site at St. Martin de Porres Catholic Mission Hospital in Njinikom.  It is in a beautiful green mountain region with beautiful flowers and singing birds and my hosts, Jim and Terry Hake along with the nuns here at the hospital, have extended a warm invitation and quick orientation to life and activities here.  I rounded with Dr. Hake at the hospital and have seen some unbelievably interesting patients along with their families.   Some very sad cases, such as cerebral malaria, and some happy little patients that are showing quick responses to their treatments for pneumonia and simple malaria. 
 

It can be a very far distance for some of the patients to reach the hospital,  one young man came comatose on the back of a motorcycle...what an ambulance that made but no sirens like the ones along Santa Monica Blvd down from the office.  Thank you all for reading this blog and stay tuned. 
 

Best to All

Thanksgiving

This is my final posting before I actually depart on my mission and adventure.  As I leave Los Angeles I would like to thank all the folks that have been so wonderful in allowing me to make this trip.  I of course want to thank my dear wife, Mary Lou, for all her support and understanding that makes me free to go and assist in Njinikom, Cameroon.  My associate, Dr. Sheila Phillips, for holding down the fort at the office while I jet away to distant lands.  Elise Frederick at Mission Doctors Association (MDA) and the Board for their support.  And all the fantastic individuals who have contributed to my mission, which is allowing me to take some much needed medicines and medical supplies.  And of course to all my dear friends who have wished me well and hosted and toasted me before I depart.    

On the other end of my journey I wish to thank Dr. Jim Hake and his wife Terry for hosting me at the Mission Hospital and Sister Xaveria for extending the invitation for my mission.

And thank you to all my patients and their families for their enthusiastic interest and encouragement. Patients, Sophia and Stevie share a parting song below.

And thanks, Jessica, in the MDA office for establishing and maintaining this blog site
 
Next Stop...Cameroon!!

Countdown 3 Weeks

As the time for my departure to Cameroon approaches I am very touched by the warm and open responses that I have received from patients' families and of course my dear friends.  Thank you all very much, you will be with me everyday.

I would invite all of you to also view Dr. Jim Hake's blog and see the incredible work he and his wife, Terry, are already performing in Cameroon.  I will be joining the Hakes and living with them and working alongside Jim at the hospital in Njinikom.  I expect to see some challenging cases and would love to share them with all of my blog followers.  And yes I will try to take some photos to share along the way.