Today, all 66 of us ran our clinic right on the NEA compound for the many, many, many villages that surround the Carpenter area. We were shocked by the crowd already gathered outside the gate as we walked to breakfast at 0615 today.
It was so lovely for all of us to be working so closely together on the compound with the luxuries of bathrooms, hand washing sinks and improved crowd control due to the fence around the NEA compound.
Preliminary numbers from yesterday indicated that today was the largest clinic ever run in the history of our Ghana Health Team with approximately 750 patients being cared for by our medical, surgical, dental, eye and laser team. At 3:30 pm I snuck away from my workstation to pay a little visit to tall our teams. I’m hoping I can take you all on a little tour.
Our triage and weights and temp team were packing up for the day when Dave pulled a very sick little girl out of the crowd. Her temperature was 39 degrees and she had severe malaria. Thank God that mom got Dave’s attention and his tender heart insisted we add just one more.
Our diagnostics station was humming. This station, led by our lab technician Tracey, has run like a finely oiled machine this year as they dealt with a constant stream of testing for malaria and HIV as well as urine, pregnancy and glucose tests. These tests, often ordered by triage nurses before seeing the physicians, allow us to get to our diagnoses so quickly. It is an invaluable tool to help us provide the best care to large volumes of patients. Tracey and Elena had a thermometer propped up on their table. It was actually 40 degrees under her canopy today!
The physicians were spoiled as our consultation room was the large, air-conditioned training centre. We felt so guilty (well.. kind of) as we worked so comfortably. Our translators were not comfortable at all. It was far too cold in there for them!
The big NEA gazebo was our nursing station today and once again our nursing team were busy dressing many terrible wounds and skin ulcers, giving oral rehydration to sick babies and IV lines were hanging once again from the rafters.
I then popped into the eye clinic. Their home base is the peanut storage facility which we like to call the ‘nut house.’ This eye team was processing patients at top efficiency it was a joy to watch.
Meanwhile, Dr. Toylin and Dr. Angela were busy restoring sight to 35 glaucoma patients in Margaret’s well run laser clinic. To finish off their day with a bang, Dr. Toylin talked the surgeons into giving her one OR and 2 nurses and together they performed a bilateral ectropion surgery with the assistance of Dr. Stephen.
Pharmacy was cheerfully in very high gear today. On the wall of the pharmacy there is a big poster containing the list the drugs we have run out of and those that we are getting low on. With only one day left to go, there were only 4 non-essential drugs on that list and a small handful of drugs we are getting low on. This confounds me that after the numbers of patients we have seen, our pharmacy still has everything we need. It feels a bit like the Bible story of the loaves and fishes. Way to go Sherry! As soon as clinic ends, we have an “all hands on deck” rule that everyone helps everyone prepare for the next day. After such a gruelling day I was touched to see our team docs and even our Team Leader Abraham helping pharmacy pack pills for our final day.
The dental team had a constant stream of patients under the mango tree and it appears that Francois received his first marriage proposal. In medicine we have a term called “last case syndrome” meaning that just when you think you are done for the day, your most serious case arrives. Well the last case syndrome hit the dental team today when Garrett pointed out a man “with an unusually big face” to his dentists. Sure enough, a serious dental abscess needed to be dealt with. Way to go Garrett!
Our surgeons too were hit with a last case syndrome as a small child needed surgery right at the end of the day. He had a rocky recovery but thanks to our incredible anaesthetic and recovery room team all was well.
The team broke the 250 procedure mark and a large of number of children received operations today.
Dr. David Hunter, Aaron and Emilia stayed late to drain two serious finger infections that were seen by the medical team.
One of the funniest stories of the day requires a small explanation. When a surgeon is examining a groin hernia, they place their hands on the patients’s groin and they ask the patient to cough. This manoeuvre pushes the intestines down through the hernia opening so that the surgeon can determine the true size of the hernia and type of operation required. Because this is done over and over again in the preop clinic, our surgeons quickly learn the word for “cough” which is “boa.” Today it was pointed out by a translator that for the past two weeks, while examining their patients, the surgeons have inadvertently been adding an “a” to boa. When they have been place their hands on the groin hernia and saying “ABOA!” they have been actually been saying “ANIMAL!” David Mensah was almost on the floor with laughter when he heard about this.
As darkness fell, Soale and I left the operating theatres and he repeated, “There are no cowards in this place; there are no cowards in this place.” It was a profound statement that I had never really processed before. Soale is right. It takes a special kind of health professional who is courageous enough to work in this place. It is one thing to care for patients with all of the resources of our health care systems back home but working in a low resource setting with all the challenges I have written about over the last fortnight takes a lot of guts. I believe that the courage that we have been able to muster up comes from the constant support and collaboration we receive from this multidisciplinary team and from God himself.
One of our 3pm quotes today was Joshua 1:9:
Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord God will be with you wherever you go.
Despite all that happened today, we were so happy to join one other for dinner by 7:00 pm, and I’m sure you have realized by the title of this blog what was on the menu. That’s right. One of the emus who many of us love to visit regularly “took one for the team.”
We felt bad for the poor guy until we tasted how delicious he was — as was the carrot and ginger soup, whole wheat rolls, chicken stir fry with rice, salad garnished with beets, beans and carrots, french fries, roast potatoes and fresh watermelon. Teams of NEA kitchen staff are essentially working around the clock to prepare our food every day.
Although today was an amazing day for me, it was also very difficult. Some of the cases I saw involved so much suffering. After consulting on a group of women who had very serious but easily treatable conditions that they had been suffering with for years, I needed to take a minute to compose myself. Even my translator was rocked. “The women really suffer in this place,” he said to me. He is right. I’m beginning to understand why so many of NEA’s programs focus on the women, as the suffering they endure is beyond my comprehension at times.
As we walked out of the main gates to our residence tonight, many men and women and children were already sleeping on mats by the front gate, trying to secure a place in our last clinic tomorrow. It seems a good part of the country knows tomorrow is our last day and my prayer, as this day ends, is that tomorrow we will finish well and our hands will get to those who really need our care.
Sue Warner says
Thank you so much for the regular updates. It is lovely to hear all the stories from Ghana and the wonderful work that you have all done and changed the lives of so many along the way. You must all be exhausted. It is great to see the photographs of all the work going on and the queues of people waiting to be seen – all dressed so colourful and all waiting with such patience.
I am looking forward to seeing Team Hicks/Three Shires back home and hear all the stories you have to tell. We have missed you very much and are all so very proud of you all. Safe journey home and see you soon. PS Don’t forget to put the layers on – it’s very cold here. Lots of love to Rob, Jo, Ted and Nichola XXXX
Agnes Lobbezoo says
I can see why going back every year blesses you all with the funny stories and amazing things that happen! And the bonding you all do as a team and with the locals. And the miracles that happen because you are there.
Steph says
You continue to amaze with all that you have accomplished and the many lives that have been helped, healed and touched. With one more clinic to go, I selfishly look forward to seeing our daughter (pumpkin) return home to tell us of her experience and wonder how the good people in and around Carpenter will cope without having the wonderful/caring 66 around . Jennifer, It has been a pleasure to live our daughter’s experience (at least a little) vicariously through your blogs. The pictures you have provided (it was great to see her smiling face with the pharmacy team) have been worth every single one of their thousand words. Thank you for taking the time to do this and thank you to all 66 of the team for making that little corner of the world a better place to be.
Tracy Bees says
Hi Melissa and to you all in Ghana.
You have come to the end of a amazing journey which i have followed you through your blogs. Daily i long to receive them. Everyone i come into contact with at Kgh who know you Melissa have had to listen to me go on about the fantastic things you are all doing for the people of Ghana.
I want to say THANK YOU for looking after my daughter, allowing her to be part of these amazing two weeks. I know she will never forget them or the people of Ghana
Jo Smith says
Thank you for all the updates over the last two weeks, well done to you all,safe journey home . You j
Tom and Julie Eustace says
We have thoroughly enjoyed your updates, and are remain inspired by your courage, compassion and generousity. Thank you. So looking forward to Leslie’s safe return. God bless.
Steph Feddery says
I continue to be so moved and impressed by all that the team is able to accomplish in what are often some challenging conditions. I can’t tell you how proud I am of my mom, nurse Leslie and I am so happy that she gets to continue doing what she loves and what she was clearly born to do. I know that she takes such pride in her work and that she provides such loving care to each patient. They are lucky to have her there. Looking forward to more stories when she returns on Sunday.
Hello to Sue, Judy, Rob, Jo and Ted!
Marjorie Miller says
Thank you for the updates
You should all be proud of the work you do
Helping the people who need you,
Love to Di Dugdale it’s her 2nd year I’m sure it’s not her
last.
Wrap up warm on the journey home it’s freezing here.
Cathy Duncan says
With everything else happening over the course of a day, I am deeply grateful to you Jennifer that you found the energy and time to keep in touch with all the team’s family and friends back home. To the team, your decision to go to Ghana was such an act of compassion. May you continue to be an inspiration and beacon of hope to all you meet in your life. God bless and keep you safe as you journey back to your loved ones.
Young Yoon says
I’m so touched by your efficient and well
prepared organized medical help given to people in Ghana. I’m sure they are so glad all of you come to help and heal them!
God Bless you all!!
Sandra Stark says
Hi Carlye and team;
One more day. So much more joy to give. Thank you for representing the human race in such an inspiring way. It fills my heart with love. We will be happy to see you soon Carlye. Think of the nice cool air we now have. Ahhhh!
Elijah, Debs &Simon says
Incredible stories – keep up the energy for the last day !! Love to you all xx
Ian Gayton says
As a non religious person or believer in any god I admire wholeheartedly the work you do.
Until my son joined your team this year I, as with many others, did not know of the work you do.
As I said previously, Unnoticed, Unpraised and Unrewarded for your efforts, to make the lives of others better. It is my “belief” that, in a world without religion, your endeavours would be no different, that kindness and care of others would not be decided by God but by individuals acts of care and compassion, such as yours, in giving their free time to the benefit of others. To make that world a better place.
I am proud of the impact you have had, in such a short time, in the lives of others on this planet and look forward to the VERY big hug I intend giving Ashley for his tiny part in this year’s support for Ghana.
A safe journey home to all in the team
Ian Gayton
Christine Harding says
Hi Jenny and Amelia, Thank you thank you, Jenny, for the marvellous updates, and so many. The two photos I saw of the lineups for people to be seen was so very large. The first thought I had was Carpenter must have a hospital! Dearest Amelia, I cannot wait to hear about your adventure working with the health team. Love you both, Mom and Dad and Baba
Sandra Stark says
Hello to Greg! Nice to see your picture. Hopefully we will see you at the cottage this summer.
So glad you got to be a part of this experience.
Always leaves me feeling humbled.
Thanks to everybody.
Helen says
What an amazing group of kind, generous, talented people you are! The gift of time, skill and compassion you offer your patients is so very special and precious.
You transport us to your clinics with this blog and move us with all with your stories.
Love, prayers and a safe journey home to you all after your final day tomorrow.
Extra love to Rob, Jo & Ted, can’t wait to see you!
The Gavins
Peter says
The comments really capture how we feel about who you all are and the incredible work you are doing. These blogs are very inspirational yes but they are also beautifully written. Jennifer it is also amazing that you take the time at the end of such physically draining day to capture so beautifully all that has happened that day and create a picture for us. Thank you and a safe journey home to all.
Elsa Hicks says
Good Luck for your last clinic tommorow! I hope all of the team are well and are very excited for your last clinic of the 2017 Ghana Health Team mission.
I have loved reading the blogs every night and I am so looking forward to all the stories you have to tell me!
Have a safe journey home
Lots of love to Robbie, Mum and ted xxx
Ashley Duncan says
What a bitter sweet day. How encouraging to know how much these people depend on your team but also saddened to know that tomorrow will be the last day until next time. I commend you and the teams efforts throughout your journey. KATIE D: we are so very proud of you and can’t wait to hug you. Love you so much sissy
Nancy Morley says
Thank you Dr Jennifer that at the end of an incredibly busy emotional day u write !!! Thank you Team for including my girls …Esther and Renee Thank you God for the Team’s strength ,willingness to serve and safety
Lauren Meservia says
Love reading these updates and gaining an insight into all of the amazing stories and adventures over there in Ghana!! Can’t wait to hear more stories in person as this trip comes to a close. Such an awesome thing this crew has done, take care all!
P.S. Paramedic Greg, glad to see the headlamp is working for you!
Lots of love, you sister,
Lauren
Sharon Omotani-Newton says
I look forward to reading about the incredible work you are all doing. We are so proud of all the hard work you have provided.
A special birthday wish to Dr. Bill on Nov. 24. Wishing you a wonderful day and waiting anxiously for your safe return. Hugs and kisses! Safe journey home to all!
Graham Wilson says
It’s amazing that the incredible stories keep coming day after day, year after year! It clearly shows the need and the amazing service you all provide. We’re proud of the team and super proud to be related to Jenn, Kathleen, and Amelia!
Great job with the blogs, I’m glad you didn’t listen to that jerk that said they were books.
I hope the last days go well and we’ll see you in Toronto.
Tell Dave the Chargers won again.
Love,
G
Jennifer Harper says
Jennifer you paint the most wonderful picture. We feel we are right with you. I do feel sorry for that poor emu 🙂 Safe trip home and love to Martha B (pharmacy).’
Jennifer H
Aly Fowlie says
Great pictures today and love seeing you all at work.
Wish you all a good lady day tomorrow and a safe journey home.
Alex Steele says
It has been so inspiring reading about the life changing work you all have been doing. You are all incredibly caring and selfless individuals. Keep up the amazing work and Safe travels!
Esther, I love you and am so proud of you. You truly are the better half 🙂
Colin & Diana Hicks says
Your commitment and dedication to the people of Ghana @ the many various tasks you take on is truly astonishing
As a team , giving of your very best to whatever problem you are presented with is something you should all be very proud of
Have a safe journey home & to Rob Jo & Ted speak to you soon
Love Mum& Dad.
Mauriece says
Way to finish off strong team! Toy…way to step up, get in the OR and take care of business! That’s my girl! We’re all so proud of you. Love you lots. God bless you all. Mauriece
Andrea Baynton says
Thank you for the wonderful news of your day. I am exhausted reading about your day and all the great people on this team have had to work through the day. It must be so rewarding to see how many people you have all treated over the past two weeks. So proud of all of you.