Lag Time

I know I have been absent for the past week, but I have been busy and run down.  This may be a long one, so I can catch you up on my past week. 

Wednesday, I went to a clinic in Mosoriot which is about 1 hour from Eldoret.  I went with Dr. Joe Mamlin, one of the 3 men who is responsible for starting the AMPATH Program here, and my med student friend, Sarah.  Joe is an amazing guy.  He is also responsible for starting all the satellite clinics that Wishard has in the Indianapolis area.  He has quite an impressive resume.  I think he has been nominted for the Nobel Peace Prize 2 times.  I had this idea about him that he was going to be this prestigeous doctor with a big ego, and he is NOT at all.  He is the most down to earth person. 

On the drive to the clinic he told us about his family, and they are quite impressive as well.  He has a son who designed the computer system for Wishard called Gopher, which they still use today.  He is also the one who created the medical record system for the AMPATH program here.  He modified it so it can be used in all the developing volunteer clinics in the region.  AMPATH is the most stable/sustainable program in Africa.  His daughter is an OBGYN.  He has an adopted son from Afghanistan who did something awesome, dont remember what.  And a son from Kenya who is now a biologist studying the Kenyan butterflies who is published in National Geographic and world renouned for his work.  He accredits his childrens' accomplishments all to his wife Sarah Ellen.  She is a sweet woman.  She is incharge of the Sally Test Pediatric Center at the hospital.  I talked about it when I went to visit the kids and pushed them on their bikes.  Amazing family. 

When we were seeing patients in Mosoriot, I spent time with Sego, a clinical technician (like a physician's assistant), and Joe.  Every patient was interesting.  I got to meet Selena, she is the reason they started the food prescription part of AMPATH.  She has a huge 3rd degree burn and was needing no pain medication.  Unbelieveable.  She did not even want to go to the hospital because she needed to work and make money.  Joe offered to pay for her stay there because it was so bad she might need grafting.  He is so generous to everyone he meets.

After we got back from Webuye, we went to a concert in the AMPATH courtyard featuring Sylvia McNair.  She is a 2 time Grammy winning opera singer.  Who by the way, is amazing as well.  She was invited to sing all over the world as a guest and grew to great stardom.  She is now battling breast cancer, changed her priorities, and is giving back to the community here in Eldoret.  When she was singing during the concert, with another doctor here, Juli McGowan, I was almost brought to tears.  It was wonderful what they were doing for others, as well as what they were doing for God.  I loved every minute of that concert, and I will never forget it.

Thursday I was back on the wards, and had 13 new patients!  We have had many patients pass, and many discharged as well.  I didnt really know what was going on.  I felt lost the whole time.  Thank the lord for my Kenyan counterpart.  But I will not always be able to count on her as she will be going to Mother Baby Hospital next week.  Damn, I guess I will struggle on my own.

Today, I went to a clinic in Webuye.  It is about 2 hours from Eldoret.  I went with my preceptor, Sonak.  We packed the car full of Kenyan colleagues, and headed to set up diabetes clinic.  In clinic, I got to see many interesting patients.  I saw a patient with 'white coat syndrome', meaning that their BP was very high because she was nervous around us.  I got to do alot of foot exams, which are not my favorite.  It was a great experience with great people.

Tonight we ordered dinner in from Mamma Mia's.  I had spaghetti alfredo and garlic bread that was super yummy.  Dinner was accompanied by Chardonnay :)  I am missing some good wine from home.  After dinner, we played a game of Uno (I won!!) and then headed out to sit and chat with the guards around a bonfire. 

We talled about many differnt things.  Homosexualism, religion, politics, marshmallows...etc.  It was very interesting.  I learned alot about how they view things here.

This weekend I plan on taking some pictures of the IU House and my room and such.  Have some patience and I will post them ASAP.