Liberia #11
Yesterday AM
“Dokta, da katata no kam aut!” I had an immediate, sinking feeling replaced by anger. Which patient? M4 bed 3. My prostatectomy patient, that it was SO difficult to pass the urinary catheter because of urinary false tracts. I have never sutured in the catheter like I had this one. I guess it was a Holy Spirit prompting when I decided to do it. I sutured the tip of the catheter, inside the bladder, all the way out to the skin on the abdominal wall with a long suture. So as he tried to remove it he was pulling on the abdominal skin. I explained to the nurses aid that it was CRITICAL that it be left in place and that only the doctor was to remove that catheter, then I told the patient the same thing.
TODAY
It’s Sabbath and I’m off. Dr. Seton took call last night. I got to be by 11pm but couldn’t sleep till about 1PM. Couldn’t turn off my brain. Finally slept till about 6AM when my brain said it was time to wake, even though my body wasn’t ready. After 7:30 when the power went off and the fan stopped, the body agreed, from overheating. I had my own devotions then went to church. Today was a special day at church with the vice president of the country in attendance and one of the senators. They had a balcony above the pulpit with a choir, and awesome music with harmony and a keyboard that was played well. Screens on the sides noted the words being sung. To get in, we did the habitual bleach hand washing at the door. UN armed guards from Nigeria walked slowly around guarding the church. They finished at 1-1:30.
Lunch Dr. Seton and I shared, rice and lentils. Then we decided to go to a beach about 40 minutes away called Silver Beach. She picked up Devine, a 6 month old boy she has become a second mom to. Apparently the mom is very young and didn’t want to be pregnant much less deliver a premature baby. So refused to even go home with the child for, I think, for a week. The beach had very few people. A few walked by every half hour or so. The sky was hazy and it was hot. But it was a nice evening. No one bothered us, which was surprising to me. Then on the way back, we were talking about supper, she mentioned a cheap falafel sandwich. HERE? Yep, they had a great falafel sandwiches. Ate there, she is taking tonight, so I’m home, trying to skype with Sarah. Audrey is at work. Got to talk to my sister and mom for a minute, till the connection quit. The internet can be a great form of communication, but also frustrating if the connection is poor. I start call tomorrow.
Audrey gave me some cards to look at while I’m here. Today was Isiah 6:8 “Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying: Who should I send? Who will go for Us? I said: Here I am. Send me.” Are you available to be sent by God to do His bidding?