Friday, May 02, 2008
Last days. . .
Today was my last official day at WAFF, as tomorrow I am headed Up Country again to Bo with Dr. Maggi, Amanda, Sam, John and Poppa the driver to assess new horizons for WAFF. Sunday I depart Sierra Leone.
Today was a big day. I observed about a two hour surgery of the removal of a uterine fibroid, very impressive to watch Dr. Maggi in action with the great assistance of Dr. Lewis and Dr. George. The woman looked as though she was about 6 months pregnant and lo and behold the fibroid was huge. Dr. Maggi reckons on a scale of 10 it was about a 7-7.5. It was great to watch all the theatre nurses in action too. There were always a few extra challenges to deal with such as procurement of supplies and having the power cut out twice during the op. The woman is doing fine post op. Even though she did not have a fistula, WAFF has been doing a few ‘extra’ surgeries for women who have fibroids, etc. . .
Later in the afternoon there was a "discharge ceremony" for 10 women who have been here for the month that I have been here. Hawa Sesay was one of the women I picked up in Kagbere three weeks ago and delivered to WAFF. I also observed her fistula repair and spent a lot of time with her postoperatively. Today I presented the presents at their graduation, including farming tools: a cutlass, rake, shovel and hoe which I purchased with some of my birthday donations. All 10 women were thrilled and looked so beautiful in their newly sewn dresses. They all danced and sang their traditional songs with the nurses and it was very festive. At one point the floor was shaking considerably! It was a lovely time and they gave me a special "Tenk-hee" song and blessing which left me in a puddle. I will miss them all.
Click on the photos to enlarge.
Last days. . .
Today was my last official day at WAFF, as tomorrow I am headed Up Country again to Bo with Dr. Maggi, Amanda, Sam, John and Poppa the driver to assess new horizons for WAFF. Sunday I depart Sierra Leone.
Today was a big day. I observed about a two hour surgery of the removal of a uterine fibroid, very impressive to watch Dr. Maggi in action with the great assistance of Dr. Lewis and Dr. George. The woman looked as though she was about 6 months pregnant and lo and behold the fibroid was huge. Dr. Maggi reckons on a scale of 10 it was about a 7-7.5. It was great to watch all the theatre nurses in action too. There were always a few extra challenges to deal with such as procurement of supplies and having the power cut out twice during the op. The woman is doing fine post op. Even though she did not have a fistula, WAFF has been doing a few ‘extra’ surgeries for women who have fibroids, etc. . .
Later in the afternoon there was a "discharge ceremony" for 10 women who have been here for the month that I have been here. Hawa Sesay was one of the women I picked up in Kagbere three weeks ago and delivered to WAFF. I also observed her fistula repair and spent a lot of time with her postoperatively. Today I presented the presents at their graduation, including farming tools: a cutlass, rake, shovel and hoe which I purchased with some of my birthday donations. All 10 women were thrilled and looked so beautiful in their newly sewn dresses. They all danced and sang their traditional songs with the nurses and it was very festive. At one point the floor was shaking considerably! It was a lovely time and they gave me a special "Tenk-hee" song and blessing which left me in a puddle. I will miss them all.
Click on the photos to enlarge.
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