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You are here: Home / Ghana Health Team / 2019 Health Team / It Was So Wonderful

It Was So Wonderful

2019/11/15 By Dr. Jennifer Wilson

At the end of the day today, I asked one of our Ghanaian colleagues how his day went and he replied, “It was so wonderful”. I agree with him.

The three theatres ran extremely smoothly and Dr. Karen reported that all of the children who had surgeries yesterday, including the boy who had the anaphylactic reaction, returned to their villages. She gave a big shout out to our Recovery Room team of Becky and Lee-Anne whose small recovery room contains one stretcher, one mattress on the floor and one reclining chair.

One of today’s patients has been a peanut farmer all his life but had never tasted peanut butter as he could not afford to use his income-generating peanuts for this delicacy. It just so happened that peanut butter sandwiches were on the surgical team’s lunch menu, so of course, they offered one to him.

This week, 148 surgeries have been performed by this amazing team. The crowd in Asantekwa was massive, but our approach did not change — give your best to one patient at a time. Everyone had a “let’s do this” attitude and in the end, we didn’t have to turn away anyone who needed care. At one point this afternoon, I simply needed to clear my head and get a breath of air. I walked out to the porch and must have been away from my desk for no more than two minutes when an NEA staff member named Collins tapped me on the shoulder, “Dr. Jennifer, it is now time for you to go back to your desk.” Yes, Collins!

At about 4:30 pm, I heard Dr. Carlye across the room say, “My brain is starting to shut down”. I think we all could have echoed that sentiment due to the intensity of our task today. In the midst of the hard work from all stations, there was much laughter and camaraderie, especially during Uber Hour, which I will explain another time.

As usual, the compound kids were cheering for us as we arrived back and Patience and the hospitality team, who start their day at 4:00 am, had prepared a feast. Tomato soup with homemade croutons, beef stew over rice, salad, yam balls and fresh pineapple was thoroughly enjoyed by all. Everything we eat is grown or raised right here on the compound and is absolutely delicious.

Kim advised me this evening that our medical, dental, eye, laser and surgical teams have provided cared for 3,387 patients so far. Our leadership team all had high expectations for this mission, but honestly, this team is blowing our expectations out of the water on so many levels. It has not been easy and there have been many challenges, but we have fought through them and grown from them. We didn’t know how we would do it without our colleagues Ashley, Sue, Joan and Tracey, but they prepared and equipped us so very well.

Now it is time to rest. We will take the weekend off, and NEA and our team social convenor Leslie have some activities planned so that we can refuel and recharge our batteries for what will be a big second week for sure.

Until Monday….

A Queue
Triage
Logistics and Operations
Weights and Temps
Diagnostics Imaging
Elsa and her mum, Dr. Jo.
Nursing Station
Nursing Station
Physicians and Translators in one large classroom.
Trying to cool off.
Supper’s ready!
The Menu: tomato soup, beef stew and rice, salad, yam balls and fresh pineapple.
Cheers!

Dr. Jennifer Wilson, MD, CCFP(EM), FCFP, DIMPH

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Filed Under: 2019 Health Team, Ghana Health Team

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Ella Valentino says

    2019/11/18 at 8:55 am

    To Elsa
    We hope you’re having an amazing time and we can’t wait to see you.
    We miss you so much xx

    Lots of love
    Ella, Sophie , Sophie , Immy and Grace xxx

  2. Jim Cunningham says

    2019/11/17 at 3:27 pm

    Hi Peter, have you sussed out the market for Specsavers in Ghana yet !!

    On a serious note what wonderful work you are doing, showing us all up.

    Love Ann and Jim

  3. Caro-Claire Wiles says

    2019/11/17 at 7:21 am

    Dear Jennifer
    Your daily updates are so wonderful to read and we sure do get the feel of the excitement that goes on for the work that is being accomplished each day and the way everyone has a job to do and you all work together from morning to night .
    We pray that as you have the weekend to get some much needed rest that you will be able to feel the refreshment as you return to work on Monday.
    I am sure that the Sunday services will be so uplifting and we can feel the excitement that goes along with them!
    The daily pictures are great too and good to see Graham today’s.
    Hugs from “Mr. Martin and Mrs Caro”.
    Love and prayers to all .

  4. Brian Austin says

    2019/11/17 at 5:47 am

    My wife has stolen my thunder (above), but, as Helen’s Dad, I want to say how impressive the whole show is – 3387 patients treated including 148 surgeries – that’s awesome (an over used word, but apprpriate here). You are all wonderful. I have been following the posts every day – thank you for that – and especially appreciate the pictures (especially when Helen is in them, of course!). Both of us thank God for the work you are doing and continue to pray for you every day.
    (PS I saw a post about the increase in the number of ‘tin’ roofs as a sign of development. But is it really better than the traditional thatch? Tin (corrugated iron) is expensive, eventually rusts away and can be very noisy in torrential downpours. In Sierra Leone (with which I am more familiar) they went for tin for security, though, as thieves could get through the thatch. Just a thought!)

  5. Janice Austin says

    2019/11/17 at 4:40 am

    overwhelming wonderful. The numbers you are all treating are unbelievingly. The smiling photos show your internal happiness and joy
    in being able to make a difference to so many lives.Good to see my daughter Dr Helen Warwick who is radiant on the pictures. None of the family had any idea of the practicalities of this project and it has been a real learning curve for us all. Have a rest this weekend

  6. Mercedes says

    2019/11/17 at 2:15 am

    Wow amazing job to this wonderful team!

    Toni-Anne you’re doing a GREAT job!!

  7. Estelle & Dan says

    2019/11/16 at 11:31 pm

    You are all so amazing! Totally enjoy reading all you do. Incredible how many you are able to help! What strength you all have. Hope you are enjoying your weekend. Special big hug to Leslie guess you are helping out with the weekend activities. Should be entertaining! We here ALWAYS enjoy your company and know how fortunate everyone in Ghana are to have you helping out! To all the team God bless each and every one of you!
    Estelle & Dan

  8. Lois Irwin says

    2019/11/16 at 10:32 pm

    Wow what a week you’ve had. To get so much accomplished in such a short time, enjoy your weekend. Looking forward to what you will accomplish next week. We are all so proud of you. God bless you all, prayers are with you

  9. Jennifer says

    2019/11/16 at 6:40 pm

    Wow, that is huge progress in a very short time!
    Love to my sister Martha
    Jennifer, Christopher & Spyro

  10. Nurse Kaitlin says

    2019/11/16 at 5:00 pm

    What a week!! I’m not even there and feel just as amazed/ accomplished as I’m sure all of you already do.
    Enjoy a much needed weekend to refresh and blow week 2 out of the water!!

    Sending lots of love.

    Wish I was there,
    Kaitlin

  11. Tracey says

    2019/11/16 at 4:20 pm

    I am so thankful to catch up on the blogs. I hadn’t seen anything since Mon and thought you went off grid. No pun intended! Then I wondered if Jenn was at a loss for words but that just couldn’t be. I was checking in with Joan and discovered I had been missing them in my emails. I made a peanut butter and banana sandwich and sat down to read them all. How fitting I shared the same lunch!
    Joan and I both read the quotes each day at the same time you receive them. We both commented on the lack of candy!
    Thankful for a good week. Continue to keep you all in my prayers.
    A special shout out to Loretta. Can’t wait to catch up on your experience.
    Hope the weekend brings much rest.
    Miss you,
    Tracey

  12. Ruth Oppenheim says

    2019/11/16 at 4:05 pm

    You all mightily deserve this brief rest over the weekend.
    What an incredible impact you are having on so many lives!
    So my beautiful sister Leslie is your social convenor??
    She has been well trained from years on a Canadian island with lots of kids, adults , dogs and assorted wildlife. Look out!! Los of love to her and all you marvellous people

  13. Don Bailkowski says

    2019/11/16 at 3:08 pm

    Unbelievable numbers to date! Keep up the great work and enjoy a weekend of rest.

    Hugs & kisses to Martha from Don and Riley!!

  14. Ingrid Otter says

    2019/11/16 at 2:56 pm

    Look forward to your reports in my email daily. Dr. Jennifer your wit ceases to amaze me, with everything you do. Glad to hear you are not mentioning the issues that you seem all to have experienced, hopefully that’s a sign they are not an issue anymore. Looking forward to hearing more about your Uber comment. Shout out to Dan and Barb!! What a great thing you and all the others are doing to help the people of Ghana. Enjoy your weekend.

  15. Sandra S says

    2019/11/16 at 2:40 pm

    If Carlye’s brain was shutting down you guys were definitely on overload by end of day. Good thing the weekend is upon you. Sounds like a difficult but incredible day. It reminds me of one of my favourite quotes: “If you aren’t in over your head how will you know how tall you are.”
    You guys are all finding out just how tall you are. It is a privilege and inspiring to read just a few of your many stories. Thank you. Can’t wait to find out what Uber hour is.

  16. Doneath says

    2019/11/16 at 1:37 pm

    Thank you Jennifer for your wonderful posts and your national geographic taken pictures?. You have made us feel as if we are there with you all. Well deserved rest for everyone, enjoy your downtime.

    Toni-ann, as always, wonderful to see you. Longing to hear your voice. One down, one to go, together you will all get there. Love Mom XOXOXO.

  17. Sean Elliott says

    2019/11/16 at 12:07 pm

    Amazing updates and pictures! Thank you Dr. Jennifer for sharing these. Hey Jessica – shout out to you from your Fam Jam & especially your little neice Abrielle – who’s shouting for you from a full diaper now – lol. So glad to hear of all the lives that you’re impacting – with all your tiredness and immense amount of work to do – know that every bit you do is making a difference. Even when it’s not possible to change something in your power, God can do something else. Blessings to all the team & looking forward to seeing you when you return Jessica!

  18. Alexa Blakney says

    2019/11/16 at 12:02 pm

    I love reading these updates every morning, hearing about the good work you are all doing in Ghana.
    Seeing the pharmacy team standing in what will one day be the hospital’s pharmacy makes my heart happy.
    Keep up the amazing work, and a shout out to the pharmacy team; wish I could be there with you all!

  19. Alice and Jason Mah says

    2019/11/16 at 12:00 pm

    Special hello to the Pharmacy team and nurse Loretta! Thanks for the updates, we love reading them!

  20. Chad /Jo. says

    2019/11/16 at 11:47 am

    Well done a great weeks work try to relax over the weekend.looking forward to next weeks blogs.

  21. Tom and Julie says

    2019/11/16 at 10:52 am

    3,387 souls have been enriched through your caring and professionalism; it has been wonderful indeed.

    Hoping you all enjoy much well earned rest and relaxation this weekend; and a talent show to boot!! What happens in Ghana, stays in Ghana???

    Hugs to our dear Nurse Leslie.

  22. Tiara Folkes says

    2019/11/16 at 10:32 am

    Thank you for the daily updates, you have away with words and to make us feel part of this incredible journey. I always cross my fingers for an update or picture of Josh.

    T.

  23. Trevor, Ellie and Jess says

    2019/11/16 at 10:27 am

    Another inspirational update, well done to everyone. Any chance we could see a piccy of the eye team, just so we can see that they didn’t stay in Amsterdam to party?

  24. Linda Dove says

    2019/11/16 at 10:18 am

    That would be proud of !!

  25. Linda Dove says

    2019/11/16 at 10:17 am

    Miss you Cheryl Dove! Proud of your efforts on behalf of others ??
    Stay well all!
    Linda and Gary xx

  26. Christine says

    2019/11/16 at 10:10 am

    Thanks for all the updates it’s wonderful to hear about the inspirational work that the team carries out every year. You are all amazing, such hard work but the photos show many happy faces. Good to see my sister Anne, hope the talent show is a success..

  27. Joan says

    2019/11/16 at 10:08 am

    Well done team! Enjoy your weekend and make the most of your free time to refresh and recharge. I’m looking forward to seeing pictures of the “Ghana’s Got Talent” show you will participate in on Saturday night.

  28. Sean Morrison says

    2019/11/16 at 9:56 am

    Thank you, Jennifer. I look forward to your updates every morning. You do such a great job painting a picture of the group’s daily activities over there. I especially love going through the photo attachments, looking for familiar faces. My fingers are always crossed with hopes that I will see Carlye.

    Carlye, we miss you lots and are so proud of you!

    Sean, Lucas, Aiden & Brandon

  29. James Doran says

    2019/11/16 at 9:52 am

    What a fantastic week bulletins depicting the work and activity vital to us, Family and friends, to share from a distance, all the great work you are doing on the mission. The bulletins are so welcomed each day lie waiting for the postman with a special delivery .
    Best wishes to you all for some well earned rest before round two next week.

    Love to ‘Gilly’ D from James and all their Girls.

    Great to hear your voice yesterday and today see you in print. Xxxxxxx

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