carolinkenya

 Unfortunately I am having to end my mission trip prematurely. I thought I had contracted traveler's diarrhea for which I was prepared for but  it progressed to something worse. Despite 2 rounds of antibiotics, lots of lomotil and over 15 pounds. I have been unable to function for almost 2 weeks. The fatigue and body aches are horrible, I was tested for things like malaria, typhoid and samonella at the hospital everything came back negative Praise God but doesn't explain what is going on. They wanted me to see a GI specialist in Nairobi and I declined, I just want to come home, see my own physician. It is no fun being sick in a foreign country and not having anyone with me.  So I am heading back home Monday night. I am disappointed that I did not accomplish all that I had hoped but I am proud of the things I was able to contribute including updating the policy and procedures of the maternity department to the latest WHO standards, that alone if they implement it will be h...

 Have you seen the Chewy commercial where the Saint Bernard is excited when he sees the Chewy box because he knows he is going to get  peanut butter.  The peanut butter  box is here. My package finally arrived  and I was so excited for Jif extracrunchy peanut butter and  Ritz crackers!! The weather has cooled off a bit and I am loving it.  The locals act like they are in the artic wearing  parkas,sweaters  and winter hats.  It was a challenging  week.  There was a  still birth. The family came to get the body,they wrapped him up in a colorful  cloth then put him in a cardboard cracker box wrapped  that up in more colorful fabric and took him to  bury him. It was so sad. On a more positive note  one of our premie babies got to go home. He was born 3 months early weighed alittle over a  pound. Now 3 pounds and going home thanks to kangaroo care.   I have enjoyed following  folks on Fac...

 Starting week 4, getting into a routine. Last week I tried goat and I liked it. This week I have mastered Spam in several ways. Prior to my leaving for Africa, I had mailed myself 2 packages filled with books and snacks. The first one arrived and I was so excited to see canned chicken breast and precooked bacon, as well as granola bars. There was some confusion as to my role here just some miscommunication between the hospital and cmmb. I am really limited as to what I can do clinically because of the language barrier and just the way they do things. The nurses are highly skilled just need to be brought into this century. The hospital has asked me to rewrite their policy and procedures for the maternity department. As much as I love delivering babies, and I will still have the opportunity to do that. Making policy change and staff education can improve maternity care, save money and save lives long after I leave.  I also started teaching at the college one afternoon a week. I...

 My laundry room.  My  clothes dryer

 I finished my first week here in Mutomo.  Delivered  4 babies.  I tried goat and I  liked it!!! It was in a stew, pleasant taste and texture. The chicken on the other hand was  inedible,  it was so tough that you  couldn't  chew it. It lived up to  the  name road runner.   My housemate left on Monday and  the  pediatric  residents  left on Friday  so I  am the only  volunteer  here and I  think the only white person in town so it is  hard to be inconspicuous!. My typical day  starts with climbing out of my mosquito net cocoon  over my bed and survey the amount of  dead bugs that my mosquito  night light took care during the night.  Then a very cold shower which certainly  wakes one up! There is no mirrors in the house so don't know what my hair looks like! I have a cup of tea  with an egg, do my morning  devotions.  If I  h...

 Had my first delivery in Kenya. Mary was a beautiful, strong woman,she has a little boy at home. She walked to the delivery room, climbed up on the table with 4 pushed  birthed Carol Ann! I never had a baby named  after me before. After a few minutes she climbed off the table went back to her bed and nursed the  baby. She went home today. These Kenyan women  are tough! Thy don't  ask for pain medication  because there isn't  any!  Had a breech  delivery  today.  Am getting  pretty  settled  into my house, the goats visited me for lunch today. My house mate left  on Monday.  Got a housekeeper to come clean up and  she will help with laundry.  I may kidnap her when it is  time to  leave.