Dr. Chase

During my time away, I have been fortunate enough to receive emails from my patients and their parents.
  

I wanted to share a couple photos from one patient in particular, Chase.  Apparently, he enjoys playing doctor and always insists on being "like Dr. Malphus" in Africa, even pointing out Cameroon on a map.

Last Day in Njinikom

My time here at St. Martin de Porres Hospital in Njinikom, Cameroon is coming to an end.  This has been one of the most memorable months of my life.  I have seen some incredibly interesting diagnoses including malaria, HIV disease, malnutrition and all sorts of parasitic infestations that I had only read about in medical school.  But most of all the people have been the most endearing aspect of my stay.  They are so resilient and appreciative of everything that you do for them.  I discharged a little 15 month old from the hospital today  who had been admitted for malnutrition last week.  I know that a week’s stay can hardly put a dent in his total recovery but the plan was in place and mom could continue to feed him some special formulation that we were able to provide for her.  She was most appreciative and flagged me down in the hallway of the the clinic building to thank me.  This makes it all worth while, and I want to thank all of you who have been supportive of my blog both by your interest and also by your kind and generous donations which has helped me provide specific care to those that otherwise would have not allowed their children to be admitted for financial concerns.

Today, on my last day there was a truly touching ceremony thanking me for my month of work attending to the infants in maternity in addition to caring for the patients on the children’s ward.  The female staff members performed a song and tribal dance commemorating Dr. Edward’s work with the infants and children, WOW  I was so thrilled.  I will miss this special place and all the work that is being done for such patients in a true place of need.  And now I am looking forward to returning to all my wonderful patients and families in Santa Monica...After a bit of R and R!

Here are some pics of my last day.

Count Our Blessings

The days here are so full of many things both wonderful and not so wonderful, but one always looks for the beauty in each encounter.  There is joy, strength, and so often knowledge to access from those around us.  This past week I had two Blessings in my life.  

 

Blessing (that is her name) number one is an 11 yr old girl who was admitted with fever and pneumonia.  She is HIV positive from birth and her mother has passed so she is cared for most lovingly by her grandmother, this not an uncommon scenario here in sub-saharan Africa.  Blessing responded well to her treatment and her immune system is holding strong so far as she was able to go home after a few days.  She so kindly allowed me to take her picture in the sunshine outside the ward.  Her outfit is quite lovely, isn't it?  She is so poor however, that she had no other clothes and wore it 24 hours a day while in hospital.
 

Blessing number two was admitted the day Blessing number one was discharged.  Sweet little Blessing is 1 yr old and was brought to the clinic with a fever by her mom.  She looked like a limp dish rag and was so sad hanging a ride on her mom's back.  She turned out to have malaria and was admitted and treated and was feeling so much better by the next morning.  After she was treated and ready to go home I discussed malaria with mom as she did not know that this illness is exclusively transmitted by mosquitoes,  hopefully she will get a mosquito net and place over the bed she and Blessing share. 
 

We should all count our numerous blessings that we have so many medical problems that we are virtually free from and have access to some of the best care in the world. 
 

Give your little ones an big hug tonight.

The Name Game

In all my years in practice I have never been asked to name a child.  Well, I hit the jackpot here in Njinikom, Cameroon.  This is a land of twins, without any help from medicos.  I have never seen so many twin births in all my life.  So, I was asked to name a set of girl twins last week.  The mother had delivered premature girls who had been in one incubator together until big enough to be in an open crib.  

Mom asked me one day if I would give her two English names and write them down for her.  This is a country that has both English and French speaking regions, we are in the English region here in the Northwest area near Nigeria.  I thought it only fair that I pick both an English and a French set of names and let her decide which she actually liked.  My English names, a bit on the Royal side, were Elizabeth and Margaret and the French names I thought were quite catchy: Marie and Cherie.  She chose Marie and Cherie(my favorite too). 

We wish Marie and Cherie long, happy, and healthy lives.  Thanks, mom, for allowing me to play the name game.

A Trip to the Big City

I have had a few requests to know what my environs are like.  I had a trip to the big city of Bamenda this past weekend, I had been here 2 weeks and a side excursion was most welcomed.  

The trip through the lovely countryside was absolutely a blessing.  The green mountainsides, small farms of corn, beans, yams, and people walking everywhere along the side of the road.  

In town we went to a "supermarket", and I must use the word loosely, called the Vatican I eyed the goods and bought a couple of packs of biscuits (cookies) to have with my tea.  Then we went to the local open air style market which was fascinating, much like a SOUK in the middle east.  I bought some Cameroonian tea from a nice gent in his little stall and  then toured around looking at sacks of beans, live chickens in baskets.  Certainly not Gelsons or the Safeway but WAY more fun.  

 Lunch was at Dreamland Restaurant (pic of me with Terry and Jim), T and J had a 'hamburger' (a rare treat in a land where they know not of McDonald's), I settled for more local fare of beans and rice.  On the way home we had plenty of rain and the road had a few fallen trees that needed to be maneuvered around.  Hope you enjoy the pics!!!

911

Last night I was called out into the pouring rain to go and see a 2 week old twin girl who was brought here from many miles away on the back of a motorbike(the major means of transport here).  The little thing was barely breathing and was very cold to the touch.  We had grandmother put her against her body to try and warm her up while we drew up some antibiotics and called Maternity to prepare a bed for her.  Antibiotic given, we rushed out into the rain as I was carrying the infant with entourage following behind. 

On arrival at the ward there were no more functional isolettes (incubators) so she was placed in a small crib with hot water bottles to try and warm her.  Blood studies and oxygen were adminstered but she was going downhill rapidly and resources were limited.  She was a very strong infant and rallied for a short while  but the infection and cold and long journey had taken its toll on our little Faith.  She succumbed a few hours later.  Fortunately, her twin sister, Faithful, has survived and we are treating her in time and the family is holding up well. 

When you call 911 don't expect a response here.   How fortunate we are.  Give thanks to our paramedics.

We are not in Kansas Anymore, Toto

It has now been 3 work days under my belt in Njinikom and I must say it is even more interesting than I could ever have imagined.  I am truly trying to 'work from my head' which makes the cases I am seeing so rewarding, yet my heart keeps pulling me too and this is good as I try to help my interesting charges here.  

The case of the 2 yr old girl who is about the size of a 1 yr old with severe malnutrition and skin lesions that was near death when her grandmother brought her to the hospital from a very far distance last nite, and the 12 day old with a severe staph skin infection that looks like someone dropped him in boiling water, and the 14 yr old girl who presents with weakness, unable to stand up without support who most likely has a brain tumor but the family cannot afford to take her to the 'City' for the CAT scan to make a diagnosis, let alone the treatment.  It is a different world where you cannot always make things perfect again, like we are so often expected to do at home but trying and providing the best one can is rewarding and goes far. 

Thanks for all your support and well wishes.  This is a wonderful experience and opportunity for me and the people I am privileged to help.

Bon Voyage

Leaving LAX and bound for Douola, Cameroon via Paris.

 
Do they have a shot for jet lag, kids?

Reflections

It is now less than 2 weeks left before my departure to Cameroon.  I have received so many wonderful well wishes from friends and patients and have even connected with a childhood friend through this blog site.  Preparations are coming together in a timely fashion, my visas arrived at the office last week while I was out so they  will be on my desk when I go in today.  My immunizations are completed and I am starting my malaria prophylaxis today...Bugs here I come so beware I am prepared.

What all this preparation and the initiation of this blogspot has made me realize is that each and everyone of you that are reading this blog are participating along with me in my mission.  Your interest, your well wishes, and even just your curiosity travels with me and you will be there with me in helping each and everyone of the patients that seek our help.

So stay tuned as we countdown for take off.

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.

My Prepartions

It is now just four weeks from tomorrow that I leave on my medical mission to Cameroon.  My travel immunizations(ouch..just kidding) are in progress, only 2 more injections to go.  I attended a weekend retreat with Mission Doctors Association last week and heard a wonderful talk by Dr. Joe Llwellyn from Alaska who had been to the same hospital as I will be attending.  Trials and tribulations of being in a remote hospital but with many rewards from the work one can do.  I am taking a mantra with me: 'work from the mind and not the heart' as one of the Sisters at the hospital reminded Dr. Joe following a difficult case.  My heart will be my driving force, but I will remember to WORK from the mind.