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Best First Day Ever

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NEA decided to treat us to a “sleep-in” after our long journey, so our day began at 7:30am under the gazebo. The NEA staff gather every morning to pray before they start their work and this morning, they invited us and all our translators to attend. Beautiful multi-part harmonies rang out as the staff led us in a song called “My God is Good.” David, who is an NEA accountant, shared a message from the Bible from Matthew 25 that talks about how whatever we do for the least of humanity we do for God himself.

A superb breakfast of oatmeal, omelettes, beans, fresh bread, peanut butter, watermelon and bananas along with Tim Horton’s coffee (we don’t leave home without it) was enjoyed by all. Dr. David joined us for breakfast. David is a young Ghanaian physician who is one of NEA’s scholars. He will be working with both the medical and surgical team for the second year in a row and we are excited about the mutual transfer of skills that will take place. “We will never forget this. We will always have you in our hearts,” he told us.

Dr. David and Dr. Kate discussing ultrasound images of a trauma patient.

After breakfast, all the teams made their final preparations to begin our work and our automated pharmacy went live. The physicians spent a good hour with our local medical assistant Ernestina reviewing illnesses we are less familiar with, such as malaria, HIV and tropical ulcers to name a few.

The operating theatres were up and running by 10:30am, and despite the later than normal start, the team completed 35 hernia successful surgeries with zero complications. It is unusual for Day 1 to be so efficient, especially with so many first time surgical team members, but, Dr. Rob (aka Mr. Rob in the UK) declared it the “best first day ever.” Way to go surgical team! Imagine what they can do with a full day work.

We ran a very important medical clinic this afternoon for the NEA staff and their family members. What an honour for us to care for and provide medicine to these dear friends and their families. As seems to be the pattern, the clinic began with an emergency when a pregnant patient fell off a motorcycle on the road outside the compound. We were thankful that Dr. Kate brought an ultrasound machine from Edmonton which was a key diagnostic tool in this situation. Thankfully mom and baby are doing well.

Emergencies continued and today’s rapid response team of our paramedic Greg and Dr. Sue and Joan responded to a collapsed patient in the eye clinic as well as a toddler who was convulsing with cerebral malaria. The child was stabilized and after consulting with our paediatrician Dr. Anne, was transferred to the nearest hospital. We were thankful to receive word that the child was still alive this evening, but the situation is critical, and we pray she will survive the night. (Malaria is a leading cause of death among children under 5 in Ghana.)

Nursing leaders Joan and Sandra poring over clinic maps.

The eye clinic worked until the sun went down (no power in their building), and they too had an exceptional first day — including a lovely fireworks show when their sterilizer sort of blew up. Thankfully, Ashley in the OR is a really, really nice guy who offered to provide sterilization services to our eye team for a nominal fee.

Our dental team were extremely busy and were faced with some challenging cases that Dr. Francois admitted were very humbling. I think we would all agree, this is humbling work for all of us. None of us are foolish enough to feel overconfident — we simply do our best one patient at a time.

Dr. Neil and Dr. Carolyn under the dental tent.

According to the queen of logistics (BTW isn’t Kim looking fabulous in the new logistical team color of bright yellow), we saw 386 medical, surgical, dental and eye patients on this compound today. I’m just so glad it was the best first day ever. Not so much for us, but for NEA. The men and women and their families who do the very, very hard work of development 365 days a year deserve nothing less.

Queen of Logistics

This post is one in a series of Ghana Health Team 2018 Updates. You can subscribe to receive these updates by email.

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Comments

  1. Hi Ash hope you arm is holding up? Are you ok with the heat.
    Just want you to know how proud of you I am.
    This is your second year, I know how much you sacrefied to finally get there .this year. How hard things have been for you.
    You enjoy the work you love so much
    Love Sandra. Ashley’s mum
    Take care.xxxxxxxxx

  3. Well, today was hot in Florida as well and I can just imagine how wearing the work could be…but God lifts your hands to the tasks given and he makes your loads acceptable because he has put love in your hearts.
    Dr Kate – all of your challenges are worth the trials – you were meant to be exactly where you are. My tears are joyous as they roll down my cheeks. Emily and Donnie listen to the blogs as I read them aloud.
    Thank you for the messages.

  4. Great work. That’s a lot of surgeries! Hello to Carlye. It’s a cold morning. Light snow. All is well on the home front. Thinking of you.

  6. Inspiring update as ever Jen, thank-you for sharing. Hopefully Jane didn’t melt in the heat! If it’s any consolation, it’s -9 in Uxbridge, we’ve had 4 inches of snow overnight and it’s still snowing. First big shovel and it’s not yet Winter!

  7. Great to hear all the good work you are all doing. Well done surgical team on your first day.
    Love from the Atkinsons.!!

  9. Love to get the daily blog. So proud of my sister, Anna, who is on her first nursing trip to Ghana.

  10. What an amazing first day!! Keep up the great work! Awesome blogs Mom, love to you and Jess. Miss you both lots!!

  11. Thank you for your continued reporting of your days of work. It is so inspirational to hear the stories of helping the patients.

  12. Hello from Newcastle , England and wow ! What an incredible first day . Sending our love and thinking of you all – David , Rob , Debbie – lots of love from the Cresseys xx

  13. Hello!
    Wonderful to see all the great work here all in support of others.
    Love to my sister Martha.
    Best
    Jennifer

  14. Kudos to this team pointedly doing so much good. Keep up the amazing work. Blessings to all including Dan and Barb. John and Nicki in Calgary.

  15. Reading the first day update was so inspiring! It sounds like you guys are an amazing team! Your love and humility will radically impact so many people’s lives. Being able to help in such a real way will completely transform your lives!
    Thank you for taking the time to record all the details. I’ll read it to the kids at breakfast tomorrow morning. Please pass on big hugs to Barb and Dan from the du Preez gang!

  16. Message for Barb & Dan.

    All of Vancouver Island and Salt spring Island are so very proud of you
    for being a part of the amazing work that is being done. Truly you are all making a difference!!
    It is wonderful and inspiring to see “Humanity” at work.

    Hugs, love, health to you both and the team you are a part of.

    Love the daily updates,

    Kosh & Gord

  17. Sounds like the team is off and running! We are sending a special hi to Tookie, Barb, Dan, Jessica, and especially to our daughter Helen who is celebrating her daughters 16th birthday today using her skills to help others.

  18. Know that the work this amazing team is doing is changing the lives of so many.
    YOU ARE ALL MAKING A DIFFERENCE!!! And I am in awe.
    Keep up the great work . ?
    Sending a hug for Leslie

  20. Our daily rosary is well underway now as we dedicate it to Team Ghana and their patients. Stay strong, loving and compassionate and may God continue to bless you while your best work is offered in every assignment. Thinking of you so much Greg & Carlye! . Much love Mum & Dad & Uncle Jig & Auntie Mary from Maui xxoo

  21. Dr. Josh…fireworks your first day? I’m glad you aren’t phased by surprises. On your feet problem solving is what you do best! Here’s hoping the team’s fabulous first day is a good omen for the days ahead.
    Heather aka Dr. Josh’s mom

  22. Glad you had an exceptional first day. I so look forward to these updates. Special hello & hug to ‘Dr. Kate’. Keeping you all in prayer!

  23. Thanks be to God! Thank you for your updates and pictures. Prayers for continued “best days”, for the lives you are touching and for the fruits Our Lord is blessing each of your team members with.

  24. Good going guys,let’s hope you keep up the good work throughout the rest of the trip. Special mention to Dr Anne, keep saving lives.

  25. You are all such an inspiration!!
    So proud of all the amazing work you do!
    Sending love to our Wee Jenny !
    A-M

  28. Praise God for the way things came together for Day One and that even with the unexpected emergencies everyone pulls together and with God’s assistance they work through them.
    Our prayers continue to be with all the team and for the patients that you see.
    Much love from the Wiles in Orillia xo

  29. Grateful and in awe that Our God is big enough to go before you guys and us here— wherever you came from— as well.
    He is ever present and ever faithful.
    To Him be honour, glory and all the praise.

  30. Wow! It just fills my heart hearing and seeing how far things have come since the first year. A clinic map? An ultrasound machine? Soooo exciting!

  31. From all of us at Shepherd Village (pharmacy staff, residents, and friends) we say a great big wonderful hello to Martha! We are very grateful everyone arrived safe and started their day with fast speedy feet. We are all very proud of everyone and wish nothing but the best of love, luck and lots lots of health to the team and to our amazing pharmacist Martha! Amazing and wonderful job everyone is doing. Much love!

  32. I think it is amazing that 386 people were helped on your first day, especially with all the challenges along the way.
    I will be praying for the young girl with cerebral malaria. I trust she will recover quickly.
    God bless the work of your hand and your minds, as you tackle the challenges of each individual patient.

  33. Such an amazing start to the first day! Great teamwork guys!
    Shout out to my favourite dentist, Neil!

  35. Good morning from the wintery land of Muskoka. You all deserve a pat on the back. I hope day 2 goes as well.

  36. So proud of our Queen of Logistics! – Brittany & the Lawson Home Improvements Team

  37. Glad to hear everything is going smoothly! Wishing you all the best over the next two weeks. Special shoutout to the pharmacy team, may your feet stay happy! 🙂