Up date, mid-week 2 (probably 6, November, 2018):
So far, it has been a good week, but lots of work from the
whole team. We are all pretty tired. We had two big surgeries – one on Monday
and Tuesday. Our little patients seem to be doing well, but please pray for
them – they have gone through a lot! And pray for us – it is a lot of work and
stressful for planning. I’m especially feeling added pressure of new
responsibilities and so much learning! The tiredness is understandable, but I
would appreciate your prayers.
(Update from a month & a half later - it took a while, but our baby was finally deemed well enough to go to the Hope Center with her momma in the middle of December! It was a long time to be in the hospital, but the prognosis is good now and she can grow up normally. Also, we all got to snuggle her for a long time. No pictures, but one evening during rounds, she just fell asleep on my shoulder in about 20 seconds. She reminds me of my niece, Pinkie.)
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| This is not the patient I was talking about, but she has the same fun & enthusiastic spirit. Also, who doesn't like a happy baby photo?! *a photo from Mercy Ships Guinea 2018 archives |
As an OR Nurse Team Leader, I get to visit with my patient
the night before surgery (evening rounds). This is mainly to make sure all the paperwork is in order
and they will be ready for surgery the next day. I also help the surgeons
getting the consents for surgery right and a few other things (that I have not
quite figured out yet!). Monday night, I met one charming little guy – he was
showing me his drawing and wanting whatever I had or anybody else had – typical
toddler. Tuesday afternoon, my translator and I were able to “bribe” him into
not crying for his dad and coming with us by letting him keep his toys. Then,
we exchanged them for his anesthetic oxygen mask swabbed with a little bubble
gum flavor. Tuesday evening after surgery, he was up playing with his dad on
his bed – so great to see!
I mentioned our translator – we have several translators in
the OR and then lots spread throughout the hospital. We have had a couple of
days where we thought our translators might not be able to make it onto the
ship (they are day-workers, so as native Guineans, they live in town). If that
had happened, our surgical cases would have to be delayed or even cancelled.
They are invaluable!
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| An old photo, but here are our translators & me from Benin in 2016 |
There are so many languages spoken here in Guinea. French is
the official language, but it is usually taught in school, so many of our
patients speak their own languages. Some I can think of (and spell!) are Fullah
& Susu. Each translator has his or her own language strengths, so we have
to make sure we ask the right person to come to the ward to pick up our
patients. They are all wonderful. Today, one sang to our baby girl patient and
another played keep-away with the anesthesia mask – it makes it pretty
irresistible to those little kids when they can’t have it!
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| One of our ward translators & a baby recovering from cleft lip/palate surgery *a photo from Mercy Ships Guinea 2018 archives |
Again, this is where I’ll end. Thank you all so much for praying
for and supporting me!
Much love,
Amaanda
PS: A
disclaimer: Although I am currently serving
with Mercy Ships, everything communicated here strictly reflects my personal
opinions and is neither reviewed nor endorsed by Mercy Ships. Opinions,
conclusions and other information expressed here do not necessarily reflect the
views of Mercy Ships. ~ Amaanda
PSS: Wednesday
night – I was just down in A Ward getting ready for tomorrow and all our
patients are up an practically running around. God is so good!
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