Looking back on these past few weeks, I am coming to terms
with the incredible amount of information I have been learning at the hospital.
I have spent time in phlebotomy, general medicine, labor, delivery, casualty,
and have been privileged with the opportunity to spend this week in surgery.
What an incredible opportunity to have as a pre-med student! Thanks to Ben and
some friendships formed with the nurses, we were able to wiggle are way into
the ward even though they typically only allow 4th and 5th
year med students. Shhh don’t tell!
On Monday, we spent the morning in the surgical halls where
they keep pre and post-op patients. One doctor invited us into the “plaster
room,” where they perform orthopedic reductions and manipulations for a variety
of fractures and dislocations. Sadly, many patients have to choose this option
for bad breaks when they can’t afford surgery. Not only do they have to live
with poorly healing bones, but the patients have to be manipulated without any
pain meds! Ouchy! The screams were so bad from a guy with a broken tibia and
fibula that the nurse ran over to shut all of the windows. A pretty intense
thing to watch! I can't forget another elderly man who came in with a
broken toe and ankle…he said, “I am so fortunate to have this happen
to me, it could have been much worse…some patients do not walk for months or
years. But me, I know I will be better in no time!” Such a humble, selfless
man.
X-Ray of broken tibia and fibula
preparing to plaster
cutting a hole in the plaster for an open wound
Mechanical traction
Tuesdays are big surgery days and we were able to join the
surgeons to watch an appendectomy and hip relocation surgery. The woman with
the dislocated hip was very overweight and also had a broken tibia, fibula, and
4 fractures in her pelvis. Advice for the day – don’t ride pikipikis (motor
cycles). They are dangerous!This morning we watched three hysterectomies on women with fibroids. I am hesitant to post this picture because it is a little gross..but what the heck, here is a pic of the huge fibrotic uterus!
dislocated hip and four fractures in the pelvis
Bringing out the household power drill!
I have been keeping up with some American news and like
everyone else, I am sad to hear about the loss of one of our favorite
comedians. In honor of the great actor, we attempted to watch a Robin Williams
movie from a fabricated and poorly copied Tanzanian DVD. We had never heard of
the movie title, the sound hardly worked, and after multiple tries to pop our
own popcorn, we were left with a pile of burnt kernels and oil. Ben was insistent
on a successful movie night, so we managed to salvage a few kernels of
corn and reluctantly sat there while the movie was playing. Just for you
Benjamin and your cute hospital teddy bear jammies lol!
Cute Benjamin! haha
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