Not So Lost In the Translation

The day began with a candlelight breakfast.  I other words the power went out as we were having our breakfast.  Thankfully my hair was dried and the coffee was made.

Today we saw about 110 patients. Things went amazingly smooth, we weren't so lost in the translations.  People actually came in with specific complaints.  There were some interesting issues to deal with.  I had a pregnant lady come in with her prenatal book with her lab results.  It said that her blood type was O +, and her HIV was non reactive. I couldn't make her understand that everything was normal.  She was really stuck on the + for positive.  I think she thought she was HIV positive.  She got sent to the doctor for reassurance that everything was okay.

We have seen a lot of patients with worms and parasites.  It is a  big problem. If a family comes in we test one, if positive we treat the whole family.  We believe the reason we are seeing so many patients with worms and parasites is that there is a drought here and people are drinking bad water.  The staff has all been advised to take medicine once we get home.

Today I got to go shopping with some of the Kenyan volunteers. One of the volunteers had some very interesting jewelry and she volunteered to take 3 of us to the shop where she got it.   We were given permission to go with her to Mwiki. There were 3 of us with 3 of the volunteers who were very protective of us. I did not take my camera because I knew pictures would not do justice to the experience.  We didn't find any jewelry we liked but I would not trade the experience.  I have to "unpack" this one. 

Tomorrow is the last day of clinic, we will be saying a lot of good byes. Some are heading home, Dr. Bob is heading for Uganda.  Four of us leave for Tanzania friday morning, Dr Elaine is going to the Rafiki Village and 3 of us are going on a Safari.  We return to Nairobi on Sunday afternoon.  After Monday it is  just Elaine and I left here.  Yeen-Lan, the village director will be going to Ethiopia with Elaine and I .

I will probably be off the radar till Sunday night.

Another African Proverb:

You think of water when the well is dry. (Ethiopian)  In other words , you don't appreciate what you have till what you have is gone.

Na Munga Akubarikai.