The medical clinic was up and running by 0800 in Nyamboi village and we enjoyed overcast skies which lowered the temperature by a few degrees for a few hours. By midday the heat was blistering once again. According to Dr. Mensah, “November isn’t the best month to come to Ghana.” Right.
Val was in charge of our nursing station today and together with Toni-Ann, our Ghanaian nurses, and “doctor of the day” Carlye, they had to kick into action with five very sick kids with malaria all requiring injectable antimalarials and rehydration. It was so busy that Jen McLoughlin (aka wee Jenny) had to be pulled from triage for reinforcement. Miraculously, these five kids walked out of the clinic on their own two feet by lunchtime.
Our triage team of Greg, Megan, Leslie, and Jen worked non-stop treating minor problems and sending the more serious patients through. Our diagnostic station run by Alisha, Anne and Anna had a full waiting room all day long and did a marvellous job providing the physicians with important information to assist our decision making.
Dr. Andy had a very unusual case of a pre-teen boy with what appeared to be an infected shoulder joint. When faced with a case like this that is beyond our capacity, we do everything possible to help. Using our connections at the nearest hospital and funds raised through our generous donors he was transported for the care he will need. Dr. Duncan was kept extremely busy with listing hernia patients for next year and accepting referrals from the physician team for procedures such as drainage of abscesses. Surgical nurse Becky dove right in and was a huge help to our nursing team.
Dr. Francois reminded us at breakfast that dentists take Wednesdays off work but we convinced him to join us anyway. These four amazing professionals worked steadily under the canopy with Dr. Carolyn keeping extremely busy with fillings.
Our eye clinic saw just shy off 100 patients today and a few special cases were shared with all at dinner. Dr. Josh had a patient who was blind in one eye and whose “good” eye was severely affected by glaucoma. Due to the generosity of our donors, he was able to supply her with one year supply of medications to preserve her vision. Dr. Mai looked after a young woman who was also blind in one eye and about to lose sight in the other eye due to an infection. Dr. Pete saw a 3 month old who was blind from congenital cataracts. We will work with NEA to support this child receiving surgery in Accra, hopeful that a life of blindness will be averted in all three of these patients.
While their colleagues sweated in out in the village, Dr. Martin and Marion preserved vision for 30 patients in the laser clinic. The laser clinic is known as the “country club” as the laser needs air conditioning.
Our clinic day ended with the Nyamboi village presenting our team with a mound of yams, a huge bowl of bananas and a beautiful white ram. It was an incredible display of generosity from this farming community.
The surgical team were faced with some massive hernias today. By repairing them, they are not just preventing death from hernia — they are restoring families’ incomes. These men can barely walk, let alone work on the farm. A hernia repair transforms their lives and thirty-seven lives were transformed on this day alone.
Our anaesthesia program is expanding by the hour and is now capable of administering general anaesthetics, spinal anaesthetics and sedation in all three theatres. Using the second ultrasound machine that we have, Dr. David is now teaching Eric how to do regional anaesthesia (nerve blocks). Eric is over the moon with the training he is receiving and loves working with Dr. David, Dr. Karen and Debbie.
One of our surgical nurses Bex had a birthday today and she received a lovely gift presented by Katie — a special box (empty box of gloves) filled with some treasures (bar of soap, toothpaste and some rocks). She was thrilled.
After dinner, our team was inspired and moved by an address by Dr. Mensah who thanked us for coming to Ghana again and again and again. He thanked us for raising funds again and again and again. He thanked us for our overwhelming professionalism that is displayed again and again and again. He concluded by thanking God for answering a prayer he began to pray in 1972 about his dream to bring medical services to Ghana. Tomorrow, he meets with the architects that will be building NEA’s model hospital called the Leyaata Hospital.
It’s happening again — my blogs are becoming books but there was no way that this day could be described in less than these 800-ish words.
This post is one in a series of Ghana Health Team 2018 Updates. You can subscribe to receive these updates by email.
Lydia says
Kudos to the team… God bless you for the good work done
G/J says
I’m late to the blog trail this year, but hugely impressed by all the good work recorded … it puts the “trivia” reported in “World News” into perspective – we should count our blessings while we admire the healing, comfort & encouragement you all give to such deserving people who are our brothers & sisters in God’s world
Simon Hale says
“Surgical nurse Becky dived right in and was a huge help to our nursing team.”
Go Bex.
xxx
Anna and Helen Cressey says
Great to hear things going well. Sounds like the team are doing a great job.
Adrienne Grant says
Hello team! So great to hear your updates and know how much of an impact you are making. We here back home are very proud of you.
I know Martin often feels the accolaides are too much; that the work is no big deal and that the constant praise makes him uncomfortable BUT….stepping back this time, I have decided that each of you with your donation of time, talents and treasures is deserving of a big thank you and a tonne of admiration. It would be easy to stay home in your cozy beds and focus on yourselves and your families and friends but you have decided to look outside yourselves and serve others. It is often said that in giving you receive and I know that a lot about this Ghana experience feeds your soul and gives your year purpose. But still…..Thank you and bless you -each and every one of you.
Martin we love you deeply and miss you but we are all well and having a great time together.
Jane May says
It’s so nice to see the smiles on the faces of the nurses, especially my sister’s smile, Anna.
It shows that she is having an amazing adventure and is loving what she is doing in Ghana.
Fabulous!!!!
Rob Drury says
Great to see the picture of Alexandria helping the nursing team. I really enjoyed working with her last year …. Obviously say hi.
It sounds like you again have a great team, please say hi to the returning members.
Good luck and enjoy the heat …. We now have 10 cm of snow on the ground.
Rob and Elena Drury
Caro-Claire and Martin Wiles says
I am late reading your blog of the day, so you are likely now already preparing the words from today’s operations and treatments.
As I read through the various comments already written , every one has already said the words my heart is feeling, so I will just let you know how much we love you all and our prayers will continue to be with each and everyone.
Big hugs from the Wiles in Orillia
Karen Monaghan says
A note to all my fellow pill pushers- How are the rehearsals for the talent show going?
Cmon Linda you know you want to- Line dancing is just like curling!
And Sheri I’m sure you hum when you sew just like singing and it’s not a stretch in front of a friendly audience!
Get the newbies performing too
Wish I could be with all you guys
Miss the foo foo and moo moos
By the way Stayner is on lock down tonight- roads like ice rinks and zero viz
Best wishes
Karen
Zach Cunningham says
Missed you at the football tonight we beat Coventry 3-2 in the fa cup. Crystal Palace next round! Glad you’ll be back for that. Hope your having a good time
Zach
Helen Streeter says
Have enjoyed reading daily updates of amazing work you are all doing and the impact it will have on people’s quality of life. Truly humbling.
Special best wishes to Dr Karen
Helen
Jonah, Zoe, Kaleb, Levi says
we love you Megan. #Jonah, Zoe, Kaleb, Levi and Uxbridge
Tiara Folkes says
I know that being able to give the patient a years worth of medicine would have made Dr. Smith happy and beam with pride.
Great job.
Tiara
Sandra Stark says
So great to hear the details of a typical day. Warms my heart to hear of suffering waylaid. Such a great focus. Lucky you. And thank you, again and again. It does seem like a miracle how this mission has evolved. All is well back in Canada. Definitely not as exciting as your days. Weather getting colder by the day. Imagine snow. It might cool you down.. Big hug to Carlye. Keep a lock on the diarrhea :). Sandra
Jackie Harden says
This is a wonderful work that you all are doing! God bless you & prosper your time, resources & results!
I am a friend of Dr. Martin’s sister, Judith, and she invited me to follow this blog. I’m finding it very encouraging.
Lindsay Cressey says
Lovely to hear of the amazing work by all the teams. Sending lots of love to Dr David and the anaesthetic team. Lindsay x
Russ and Cathy says
……yours are the hands with which he blesses all the world…..Christ has no body now but yours….Mother Teresa
Praying for your safety and good health and the work of your hands.
Big ole hug to you , Leslie.
Cathy and Russ in Rifle, Colorado
Susan Duckett says
Yours are the eyes through which the compassion of Christ must look out on the world. Yours are the feet with which he is to go about doing good. Yours are the hands with which he is to bless his people. –St. Teresa of Avila
We are in awe of what you are doing and the conditions in which you are doing it.
Love and Blessings, Susan & John (Carlye’s parents and Greg’s Aunt and Uncle) manning the fort in snowy Uxbridge
Donna McKenney says
After sending my comment, I read all posts from the previous days. It was overwhelming to see how far around the world your team work has reached. Thanks for sharing
Olivia Wilson says
Looks amazing!! Keep up the good work – miss you mom and Jess!
Diana says
Everyone at Shepherd Village Pharmacy is always thrilled to read the blogs! All residents (and staff) definitely agree the longer the better for the blogs. We always have a bit of line to ask how GRID is doing is and how Martha is doing. We all love seeing the pictures of the kids and the great work! It sounds like it was very busy but wonderful day, keep up the amazing work and think “cool” thoughts.
Judith Gooding says
Keep writing, please.
This is very interesting always, and it is amazing to hear that so many people are getting the help they need. Life changing for them…and for you…God bless you all.
Donna McKenney says
Thank you for your stories, Dr. Jen. It is amazing to follow how God has taken the prayers and vision of one dedicated individual from Ghana, added in a doctor and team from small town Uxbridge, expanded to a hernia team from England. This world wide team has pulled together and continues to expand providing healing and training.
God bless you all and keep you safe.
tom leyden says
Well done to all of you – shows what is important in life.
Reading this account of your inspiring work puts into perspective all the hot air we in Britain are hearing now !
Fantastic timing for all the Brits there to be away now.
Hope Dr Karen not finding it too hot there.
Best wishes from Tom ,John ,Mark, Peter & Robert Leyden
Darlene says
This is a special message for Aunt Alisha and Sherry
I hope you are helping lots of little boy and girls. Can you take a picture for me and Lalayla of some kids wearing our hats. Miss you, have good day
Love Keegan and Lalayla
Darlene says
Good morning from Muskoka, it is a little brisk this morning but beautiful. I look forward to reading your blog everyday, thank you. I am happy that you are helping so many people over there, as I am happy that I help seniors here in Muskoka. I love job just much as you love your job.
Take care
Darlene
Agnes Lobbezoo says
Reading your blog brings tears to my eyes. I think we take things for granted here too easily! You should seriously consider putting all your pages into a real book! All the 10 years worth and more! I think the world needs to read about all that the medical team is doing and the dedication from all of you and the generosity from donors that makes this happen. This should really be broadcasted on TV! All to the glory of God and what He is doing.
Doneath Stewart says
Good morning, ee-echo’ everyone,
To hear that those five children were able to walk away brought tears to my eyes. As the team continues to bring hope and health to Ghanaians please remember, to also take care of yourselves.
Thanks for sharing photographs Jen, and thank you for allowing me to live through your articles! They are amazing.
Toni-ann, it was wonderful to see you. Steven, Jodi and I miss you but, sharing you is this way enriches our lives. XOXO.
jan’-jam all!
Doneath –
Sam Luinstra says
At Alpha program last night, the subject was, “Does God heal today?”.
Nicky Gumbel (Vicar of Holy Trinity Brompton, London, UK) talked about how God heals explicably—through the medical profession, and how God heals inexplicably and directly – miraculously!
The GHT is a testimony to the effectiveness of both methods with more than enough physical, emotional, and spiritual healing examples to fill a book, right (write)?
“When we prayed for no one, no one was healed.
Now we pray for lots of people and some are healed.”
(JOHN WIMBER)
Let us pray . . .
Roger Pugsley says
Dear Jenn,
Thank you so much for your blog. It helps us stay connected with our loved ones who are doing such great work in Ghana.
Please let the team know we miss them; but remain supportive of the great effort.
All the best
Roger
Karen Ingram says
Good Morning from Muskoka where it is -11 degrees.
Reading of this dedicated team is inspirational . Know that you are changing the lives of many.
Keep up the great work . You are all amazing !!
Be safe . Karen
Barbara says
With windchill it is minus 7 this morning in Bradford with snow on the way this afternoon! Thank you for your daily ‘book’ Dr Wilson. I am amazed how much this team is able to accomplish, and how the team is transforming the lives of the people you treat and their families!
I love seeing the pictures especially seeing pictures of Val in action. Val, I’m so proud of you and i totally understand the pull you feel to keep going to Ghana with this team! Love you Sis.
Stay well everyone
Barb
Karlie says
I look forward to reading these blogs every morning, what an incredible job everyone is doing!
Toni-ann – we all miss you and don’t worry we are keeping the temperatures nice and cold here for your return.
stay safe!
Karlie
Jennifer Harper says
Sounds like a wonderful day and great work!
Jennifer
Sean Morriso says
It is -4 in Newmarket this morning. Reading last night’s blog warms my core. Kudos to all of the NEA GRID Team for the fine work you do. Your selfless commitment to helping and healing is inspiring.
I must add that I do miss the Doctor of the day” Carlye though…Be safe, my love.
Best wishes all,
Sean
Sue Warner says
I look forward to opening the computer every morning to see the latest news from Ghana. It is so easy to feel the love that is shared by everyone and the extra mile given by all to help those less fortunate than ourselves. We are so very proud of our own Rob Hicks and the team from Northampton. No doubt lots of hernias have been repaired already and differences made to the lives of so many. Keep up the good work team….
To witness the kindness, love, compassion, hard work and skill given freely to those in need is very humbling from this end.
God bless you all and stay safe.
Lots of love from Sue and all at Three Shires XXXX
Tom and Julie Eustace says
Very moved by the inspirational work you all do, and the profound impact you are having on so many lives. It reminds us of how fortunate we are here at home. We look forward to reading your blog; thank you for sharing. Loved seeing our girl Leslie in the pics. The “gang” has completed your roof, and Lovey has been doing some “buffing”. You make us all so very proud.
Elsa Hicks says
Wow – sounds like an amazing day! I am so proud of you all especially Robbie. Keep working hard and transforming lives xxx
P.s- Dr. David, it sounds like Eric has made some new best friends.
Sam Zeidler says
I’m quite happy to read a book a day of it means I know what’s going on out there. Keep going you amazing people, save lives.
The Bacons says
And Jenn we are thrilled your blogs are 800 words-ish! Brings such joy to our hearts hearing about your days and the love and compassion you are continuing to give to the people of these rural communities! Thank you for being you…all of you! Sending huge hugs from our side of the “Pond”