tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-67638542894815554312024-03-05T10:24:42.133-08:00Doctor D in PNGReflections on my time in Papua New Guinea. Thank you so much for your support and prayers! If you would like to support me, please go to https://give.nazarene.org/pledge/dyerDanielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03646777935244150309noreply@blogger.comBlogger30125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6763854289481555431.post-41388906519029856112024-02-14T03:07:00.000-08:002024-02-14T03:07:33.077-08:00The Father's Love<p> </p><p class="MsoNormal">The overwhelming wave of realization slowly crested and came
crashing down on the young man. He slowly folded inward as his strength to hold
up a strong front crumbled. But then he turned into the embrace of his father
who was kneeling next to the bench he sat on. The new diagnosis of HIV had
shattered him, three months into his new marriage, both with what it meant for
his future and the shame he felt. Like two figures carved form the same block
of wood, the young man turned into his father’s chest, tears flowing down his
old blue jacket. His father stared out, like the mother from Dorothea Lange’s
famous photo. I sat for a few minutes, a stranger on the outside of this
intimate scene.</p><p class="MsoNormal"> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Florence Owens Thompson - Wikipedia" aria-hidden="false" class="sFlh5c pT0Scc iPVvYb" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/54/Lange-MigrantMother02.jpg/800px-Lange-MigrantMother02.jpg" style="height: 341px; margin: 0px; max-width: 800px; width: 262px;" /> <br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">She was carried into the ER in his strong arms, the blood flowing
down his bare arms. She had been hit by a car and it was apparent that she was
not going to be with us much longer. Blood streamed from her ears, nose, and
mouth. We started to try to stabilize her, protecting her airway and obtaining
intravenous access, but we knew that there was nothing we could do to halt the process
that had begun. Her father, sensing what was happening, anxiously followed each
breath. As they began to slow, he cried out again and again, “Lewa, no can
lusim mi,” “My heart, don’t leave me.”</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">In the love of these two earthly fathers, I glimpsed the
smallest picture of what our Father’s love is like for us. These two fathers
would have done anything for their children, gladly taken their place. In Isaiah
49:15-17a, God is speaking to Zion, answering their complaints of feeling
forgotten: “<span class="hgkelc"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;">Can a
mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she
has borne? <b>Though she may forget, I will not forget you!</b> See, I have
engraved you on the palms of my hands…”</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="hgkelc"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="hgkelc"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj6kfCFPlnmWRO-lnByoyokLaGrDOO8dLZ-FHSTwCl6gPej0gSBgdmemvloeW26e27t4fBNCxKeyZHSBktNjCaeHstbDsxzKjsp6Xkk-z-RG6OuKVhQbm6zw_IqcOzCpIoTndYeMfoGrBtUuQQupsD83WVycspF1L-Ukx-OlddKvEPIhTVk4d99JZBWm1Q" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj6kfCFPlnmWRO-lnByoyokLaGrDOO8dLZ-FHSTwCl6gPej0gSBgdmemvloeW26e27t4fBNCxKeyZHSBktNjCaeHstbDsxzKjsp6Xkk-z-RG6OuKVhQbm6zw_IqcOzCpIoTndYeMfoGrBtUuQQupsD83WVycspF1L-Ukx-OlddKvEPIhTVk4d99JZBWm1Q" width="320" /></a></div><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="hgkelc"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="hgkelc"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;">As we enter this season of Lent, I pray that you would know and feel the
love of the Father for you. Even in the midst of darkness and suffering, He is
with us.</span></span></p>
<p><style>@font-face
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{page:WordSection1;}</style></p>Danielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03646777935244150309noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6763854289481555431.post-70528322715342562132023-12-21T22:16:00.000-08:002023-12-21T22:16:59.861-08:00Approaching Advent in the Dark<p>
</p><p class="MsoNormal">My grandmother on my mother’s side was a true southern lady.
She had a certain sense of propriety about the way things were done. She could
cook mean collard greens and black-eyed peas. But she also had a saucy side and
a bag full of sayings that she would love to pull out, “Y’all eat like birds.
Next time I’m making birdseed!” Towards the end of her life when she would have
to visit the doctor, she would put on her nicest clothes and make sure that her
hair had been done at the hairdresser.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The old lady sitting in my office had a smile missing several
teeth and the pearl necklace around her neck was obviously fake, however it was
clear that she had put on her best clothes for the visit. She didn’t speak Pidgin,
but her eyes lit up when I said hello with the “Kawi” of her local Tok Place.
She wrapped me in a tight, encompassing hug taking me back to the ones my
grandmother used to give and a feeling I didn’t know that I had missed.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">She had been feeling some abdominal pain for a few months
and had blood in her stool, something that was becoming increasingly harder to
do. Her daughter had brought her in out of concern, a concern that had
developed not through the patient’s complaints about her symptoms but out of
the daughter’s careful observation of her mother. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">As we moved into the ultrasound room and the picture of her
illness began to become clear, I began to seek a way to break the news to them.
Tears brimmed my eyes as I saw understanding alight in the daughter’s eyes. But
as the heaviness settled in the room, it didn’t seem to touch the patient. Even
as her daughter explained the cancer that had grown in her pelvis, she reached
out to me and her. She was at peace.</p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlUwXNXJ2AM-q8AOPWfwLgoRLjmGoN-Cxy66VGyIYP5zi-99mB45g2SrJ6pcQ8-Zvj5FCWcv-vww9tfKfEFeFO7N6118FdW_qhYJIovhXa_8iFB9lvdWNciYgj-S8cDdBDXBy5pswyo4yYnDu-g0JvbdY3_B6Cn5kf-qK1h7qeN7_-BwgPUhKG8ob8q7o/s2048/8fbd3936-033b-4919-b7c5-9713bc491838%202.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="690" data-original-width="2048" height="108" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlUwXNXJ2AM-q8AOPWfwLgoRLjmGoN-Cxy66VGyIYP5zi-99mB45g2SrJ6pcQ8-Zvj5FCWcv-vww9tfKfEFeFO7N6118FdW_qhYJIovhXa_8iFB9lvdWNciYgj-S8cDdBDXBy5pswyo4yYnDu-g0JvbdY3_B6Cn5kf-qK1h7qeN7_-BwgPUhKG8ob8q7o/s320/8fbd3936-033b-4919-b7c5-9713bc491838%202.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Rita comes every Wednesday to clean my house and help me
with some of the housework that gets neglected while I am at the hospital. I
hadn’t seen her for several weeks because of vacation and a difficulty that had
come up in her family. She and her husband had faithfully cared for his mother
over the last few months as she navigated one after another health crises. When
she passed away the rest of the family became very angry, threatening Rita and
her husband with violence and destroying her pineapple garden, the product of
lots of time and money and the main source of income to help cover expenses
like school fees for the children.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfu_P803zxoC1z89TGaibISYjr-LzyxY2OOEFJlOSTGaTh6dyr0u0rGKoRqLMicMIGXv_iif-xPWyBczqowgv1lmJTZ17tFz6ibQpPuH6cbn-LLoHu5CeVxNGnWu8raJt1U08M1qNP_mHEwq8gQ6ON__BsQQ12YO-uRRny4334htD1zMmHQt13IK_hPzI/s4032/IMG_2819.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfu_P803zxoC1z89TGaibISYjr-LzyxY2OOEFJlOSTGaTh6dyr0u0rGKoRqLMicMIGXv_iif-xPWyBczqowgv1lmJTZ17tFz6ibQpPuH6cbn-LLoHu5CeVxNGnWu8raJt1U08M1qNP_mHEwq8gQ6ON__BsQQ12YO-uRRny4334htD1zMmHQt13IK_hPzI/s320/IMG_2819.HEIC" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe83FeR3vhmrDAEIVUdjHeFukOlyfUm7qE-BVRbqvnVkh4fLpMsQlndAubamTxpnHafIPyNw6_XJKGSJEWtmTx5GKJ2CWDAwfxA1mfuGPKFvvtCGAh6vF2dLmggREA-Q32Ip_j8tR2Kc_oMRWRmtJYoEE65cxTowB5s8COAuVuiE3PllFOK_R0yWno7cU/s4032/IMG_2599%202.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe83FeR3vhmrDAEIVUdjHeFukOlyfUm7qE-BVRbqvnVkh4fLpMsQlndAubamTxpnHafIPyNw6_XJKGSJEWtmTx5GKJ2CWDAwfxA1mfuGPKFvvtCGAh6vF2dLmggREA-Q32Ip_j8tR2Kc_oMRWRmtJYoEE65cxTowB5s8COAuVuiE3PllFOK_R0yWno7cU/s320/IMG_2599%202.HEIC" width="320" /></a></div><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">As Rita was telling me the story over our weekly Maggi noodles,
I felt myself fuming inside desiring justice to be done. I couldn’t believe
that people would act that way and felt my anger ignite. But then Rita stunned
me with a simple sentence, “Mi lusim rong bilong ol” or literally I lost their
wrongs. She had forgiven those family members who had so unjustly hurt her. And
I felt immediately humbled at this lesson in forgiveness and love. Rita showed
me what Christ-like forgiveness looked like that day.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Looking through the NY Times pictures from the year, I was struck
by the incredible violence and pain across the world. I saw a picture of a
number of premature infants being prepared to transfer from a hospital in Gaza
to Egypt, and the advent phrase, ‘there was no room for them’ played through my
mind.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">As we prepare for Christmas this year, in the midst of the
brokenness of sin and hate, may the light of Jesus, his redeeming blood and forgiving
love, move us to help those around us, to be lights of peace and forgiveness to
our needy world. As he came in vulnerability and weakness to us, may we find
the strength to choose the way of surrender, the way of our Savior.</p><p class="MsoNormal"> </p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6rTzcUdidLomRH-OQ-5vPtCnAq62rIs_I1xJRAsyUMM735N8eODEEgpEUjVlAe0jXA1EviMESBfeYhJFMS_4OAHLUe8MjkuY-WLWd4rbFK4OKcsagij3KyRoNz-mSpqhna8z0_NEi9d1FGd4n8CPJZc2aZ16ZgS2fFJ652N2MVtD91JbPrJjhoGs5ixo/s4032/IMG_3525%202.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6rTzcUdidLomRH-OQ-5vPtCnAq62rIs_I1xJRAsyUMM735N8eODEEgpEUjVlAe0jXA1EviMESBfeYhJFMS_4OAHLUe8MjkuY-WLWd4rbFK4OKcsagij3KyRoNz-mSpqhna8z0_NEi9d1FGd4n8CPJZc2aZ16ZgS2fFJ652N2MVtD91JbPrJjhoGs5ixo/s320/IMG_3525%202.HEIC" width="320" /></a></div><p></p>
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{page:WordSection1;}</style></p>Danielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03646777935244150309noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6763854289481555431.post-64777307765420459932023-11-20T20:31:00.000-08:002023-11-20T20:36:26.680-08:00A Long Expected Blog<p><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">The last few months have run past me with only brief moments
for me to catch my breath. I apologize for the long gap since my last blog. I
do frequently think of my friends and family in the US and am so thankful for
the support that you provide.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The longer I go between blogs the more daunting the task
feels to try to write a new one. I will give a few highlights from the last
several months and hopefully in a couple weeks I will be able to reflect in
more detail.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Shortly after my last blog, our missionary doctor team met
to make schedule changes to try to decrease our burnout rates. It was a
powerful time of vulnerability and sharing. Our new schedule is an attempt to
allow everyone to fully use their gifts while having space for rest and other
God-given responsibilities. In this time of life, I have been blessed with
greater freedom and time, and so I am now trying to help support my teammates
with families and children. I also picked up the new responsibility of Medical
Education Coordinator. In this role I serve as a supervisor to all of the
residents and students that come to work with us at Kudjip. I have enjoyed
getting to work more closely with these students. I have also enjoyed reorganizing
our Friday lecture times as doctors to provide time for spiritual development in
addition to increasing our medical knowledge. In this process we also get to
model to our trainees what it looks like to be doctors who love and follow Jesus.</p><p class="MsoNormal"> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFCOR4o3O1E31ZB4njDBJtq4rMLV-66XHEQuV6xXVqUUDbRS-MVjq5IAMG44Mo1SVEFiepi0__MAtPaanZBwwXxkuUGZa04axamZ3qkeppxstw55XYwT7FgEGx9QZJLRiqbyau-KvQyQgz7tOMk5jtmnwxSB5hmv2baQ4_5n1pyWfAY8cwzpuueM_riJE/s912/5b49ae50-deb9-4a49-824c-dd436e4aa1f6.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="912" data-original-width="684" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFCOR4o3O1E31ZB4njDBJtq4rMLV-66XHEQuV6xXVqUUDbRS-MVjq5IAMG44Mo1SVEFiepi0__MAtPaanZBwwXxkuUGZa04axamZ3qkeppxstw55XYwT7FgEGx9QZJLRiqbyau-KvQyQgz7tOMk5jtmnwxSB5hmv2baQ4_5n1pyWfAY8cwzpuueM_riJE/s320/5b49ae50-deb9-4a49-824c-dd436e4aa1f6.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_5CJazfRwhSOMrg3AeH5lw36TVHb_VYURUu6wNyz003HhE_st-bHf47gAR-7-4KD_DLt3Mq5FzuMttO9j6YqJ-Py34LYVmVKkxvpA_lnfVqD14qmV271ZkBKEYWTUTr9SilmeRAr2LLdzN7HRqVj5FP6-Zpd1bvZkAYB9iB7uWys2zxLFXYpZWH5FQWQ/s4032/IMG_8687.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_5CJazfRwhSOMrg3AeH5lw36TVHb_VYURUu6wNyz003HhE_st-bHf47gAR-7-4KD_DLt3Mq5FzuMttO9j6YqJ-Py34LYVmVKkxvpA_lnfVqD14qmV271ZkBKEYWTUTr9SilmeRAr2LLdzN7HRqVj5FP6-Zpd1bvZkAYB9iB7uWys2zxLFXYpZWH5FQWQ/s320/IMG_8687.HEIC" width="320" /></a></div><p><span style="font-size: x-small;">Top: Spencer and I on PNG Independence Day. Bottom: Our awesome team of doctors</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span>
</p><p class="MsoNormal">In September, I was able to celebrate several baptisms at
our local church. It was powerful to see people that I work and live with and
some of their children being baptized into Christ’s body.</p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisdS1YlvQk2eiQ1SMbpqY5UsWRBOoFZdfFTbvMqHybtkm5oSXeDVUOaAhTZn4RkOB_1ZaguTMqLI97P2q3K6bAGY9E7t-QI1OUKwhpHIHXUlFslwm25IDp57RnZJCBkfJApe4YUrXNZyJbUy2nFyX46lSvEqFcFT33XjR6AMXkhA23uPVI8-LnUjEP8i4/s4032/IMG_2884.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisdS1YlvQk2eiQ1SMbpqY5UsWRBOoFZdfFTbvMqHybtkm5oSXeDVUOaAhTZn4RkOB_1ZaguTMqLI97P2q3K6bAGY9E7t-QI1OUKwhpHIHXUlFslwm25IDp57RnZJCBkfJApe4YUrXNZyJbUy2nFyX46lSvEqFcFT33XjR6AMXkhA23uPVI8-LnUjEP8i4/s320/IMG_2884.HEIC" width="320" /></a></div> <p></p><p class="MsoNormal">Also in September, I traveled to a leadership conference for
the Nazarene Church in Papua New Guinea. I met many leaders in the church here
in Papua New Guinea as well as leaders in <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>the colleges run by the church. I gained a deeper
appreciation for what God is doing in PNG and the many challenges that our
faced here. It is humbling to meet the ministers of Christ who are working with
next to nothing in the rural areas of PNG, walking miles every day to go to
different villages to share the love of Jesus.</p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicTTGhlxoMKUESjVlbTaLNc7YMoBDuVcKJVtOm6awbNV0vgbZemGKDl4tJHE-ezz4yz4Zys_7HxQHIv5-oZzTaQFIP3YWLbJS9TDdhdT76HPQwpHNjraaguizvjKNNI4BTOCbM4vBUYIpaNws-HW7DWnepctjybTuBEjG3ZV1morU4mxaBzTKqhu160Co/s4032/IMG_2906.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicTTGhlxoMKUESjVlbTaLNc7YMoBDuVcKJVtOm6awbNV0vgbZemGKDl4tJHE-ezz4yz4Zys_7HxQHIv5-oZzTaQFIP3YWLbJS9TDdhdT76HPQwpHNjraaguizvjKNNI4BTOCbM4vBUYIpaNws-HW7DWnepctjybTuBEjG3ZV1morU4mxaBzTKqhu160Co/s320/IMG_2906.HEIC" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBFFhLt5OA8BeKWLavReOt9hDnwbRQXxsHzFAf5ySCiPiObCqPoZrS-xpFrAov1HSzv3K4pPcZxmrAg5N6vRX8a7vG1YVz7SlCIVrNOafeoyFhJ-KElqo5BxpGjn2KXYncc2uVNYLpp2xOmc5RkpURqKFWCnlvNCTPEG5geCfooUow0F7aIAyr9wtfiwA/s4032/IMG_2910.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBFFhLt5OA8BeKWLavReOt9hDnwbRQXxsHzFAf5ySCiPiObCqPoZrS-xpFrAov1HSzv3K4pPcZxmrAg5N6vRX8a7vG1YVz7SlCIVrNOafeoyFhJ-KElqo5BxpGjn2KXYncc2uVNYLpp2xOmc5RkpURqKFWCnlvNCTPEG5geCfooUow0F7aIAyr9wtfiwA/s320/IMG_2910.heic" width="320" /></a></div><p><span style="font-size: x-small;">Top: Leadership Conference; Bottom: Sepik-style Stations of the Cross at conference center</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal">At the beginning of November I arranged for transportation
of 10 pediatric patients with heart disease to go down to Port Moresby to be
seen by Pediatric Cardiologists from the United States who were visiting for
the week. Two patients had operations, a mitral valvuloplasty and a PDA
closure. The others now have plans for their care, although several will need
surgical intervention outside of PNG.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Here are a few clinical cases from the last few months for
my healthcare friends.</p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxGF-3u6I_57ekEk26bdLhdh6XJR1c-hpYSWSSeZtk_AK1G8yE3o5jC01helQxM5KDh3VrtkaO_OM5FGFEJ2KVt3uuMxhz2xzyIGtH-ToqfKNKUO9tL4PRMJfUwYOUWENA2yRj-bNUCo8mJrI_fF3mNYSXwMQMPAkUMB7Li_9gv-dQ0P4D8kEho0TXPg8/s4032/IMG_2966.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxGF-3u6I_57ekEk26bdLhdh6XJR1c-hpYSWSSeZtk_AK1G8yE3o5jC01helQxM5KDh3VrtkaO_OM5FGFEJ2KVt3uuMxhz2xzyIGtH-ToqfKNKUO9tL4PRMJfUwYOUWENA2yRj-bNUCo8mJrI_fF3mNYSXwMQMPAkUMB7Li_9gv-dQ0P4D8kEho0TXPg8/s320/IMG_2966.HEIC" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUqwfxqkfgM5Q6nLiLKkLK9NYbnhBZSWtPvJbFpZjK1Cu03syFTGGFwyKa7paVDV5SJuTP0nW-loCENbqowdqqYQWu0YYmXvNDo-uWD-AxkfImKE20Lbpo3AHynqEIO4ef4LTw9scXGvhOOdN_HhKXFja9SMLbJggYgAnRc_R-Bv5XbMQQpyP2UG5-45g/s4032/IMG_2968.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUqwfxqkfgM5Q6nLiLKkLK9NYbnhBZSWtPvJbFpZjK1Cu03syFTGGFwyKa7paVDV5SJuTP0nW-loCENbqowdqqYQWu0YYmXvNDo-uWD-AxkfImKE20Lbpo3AHynqEIO4ef4LTw9scXGvhOOdN_HhKXFja9SMLbJggYgAnRc_R-Bv5XbMQQpyP2UG5-45g/s320/IMG_2968.HEIC" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0q1x9LO6gS8y1ZaOCxWiHBkY6o3awVDUHXC6YDn951EJQNkYWC_SdQymgDd3k9RZiX6Aw9A5EkG8jYqtivc1wLD8tbh1rO-fkmOMeU5m9WLs1CAhIplj127Oj9FQXST_7T_8AF0v2Cw4AJa1C80wq1qUJQobZHzrXT6V-0DqPtDdT4hHHfFb7Mx0gNQs/s4032/IMG_2969.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0q1x9LO6gS8y1ZaOCxWiHBkY6o3awVDUHXC6YDn951EJQNkYWC_SdQymgDd3k9RZiX6Aw9A5EkG8jYqtivc1wLD8tbh1rO-fkmOMeU5m9WLs1CAhIplj127Oj9FQXST_7T_8AF0v2Cw4AJa1C80wq1qUJQobZHzrXT6V-0DqPtDdT4hHHfFb7Mx0gNQs/s320/IMG_2969.HEIC" width="240" /></a></div><p><span style="font-size: x-small;">Top 2 pictures: 40yo M with cervical vertebral compression fracture secondary to either TB or metastatic cancer Bottom: MRSA sepsis in a 13yo F from a pyomyositis leading to bilateral pneumothoraces</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span><br /></p><p></p>
<p>
<span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Finally, a donor provided some funds for
vacations for the doctors at our hospital. I used this to go to New Zealand (hence the blog title for LOTR fans) for
the last week and a half. It was a much-needed break in a beautiful part of the
world.</span></p><p><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoa0_aYCyG37kSo1jnz0wJ3davEBQNNUyyIuKszDv0m13UVkp9Fq6rgGaMOt-KjMa2-0BKm2-eBegT6B3dTsr4aSRPEwWvaK2TBM_NTdkEimnl4F5bf6yoW1RLDtyoq3SlmRSTEox9vk9GO9YwuG-1kYzU1qEvuBOj7S8KX1n-f-pb7IskDq4JMeffCsA/s4032/IMG_3205.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoa0_aYCyG37kSo1jnz0wJ3davEBQNNUyyIuKszDv0m13UVkp9Fq6rgGaMOt-KjMa2-0BKm2-eBegT6B3dTsr4aSRPEwWvaK2TBM_NTdkEimnl4F5bf6yoW1RLDtyoq3SlmRSTEox9vk9GO9YwuG-1kYzU1qEvuBOj7S8KX1n-f-pb7IskDq4JMeffCsA/s320/IMG_3205.HEIC" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5YWjxk2-WX1kUzI7fiY6giLj9QM0lIzYNGlOHzcRpFRjeJq_nESTBBHir3y5-Yersqh1gH4UP1G4IWya59Yqyt7klgbq8RCXkccTvtLVkkJhrjlLdDvfTUhD7TXzyeizb2DmcWFltY1wsbxCOMTYruwEQtcIs8dWq3DDdFoeHsDHW8k767JET-KSjsm0/s4032/IMG_3066.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5YWjxk2-WX1kUzI7fiY6giLj9QM0lIzYNGlOHzcRpFRjeJq_nESTBBHir3y5-Yersqh1gH4UP1G4IWya59Yqyt7klgbq8RCXkccTvtLVkkJhrjlLdDvfTUhD7TXzyeizb2DmcWFltY1wsbxCOMTYruwEQtcIs8dWq3DDdFoeHsDHW8k767JET-KSjsm0/s320/IMG_3066.HEIC" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVdM4oT3Xnlc1jRe_7h5f2umHzGcVByz71Xan1RPX7aMOru7e_s3ysRQfBaKcUP5vHthmaWOx_Op-fu-jYGddFZYjZZ0dE9myCGbYSerPxD-GW4NbZMs4sMKQPDEqx_w-LscohAqgAQeBlyum9sBnakTdU77e1Jh7hXZOU2XyI4Pm2B3tcyLcDdNnadAk/s4032/IMG_3011.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVdM4oT3Xnlc1jRe_7h5f2umHzGcVByz71Xan1RPX7aMOru7e_s3ysRQfBaKcUP5vHthmaWOx_Op-fu-jYGddFZYjZZ0dE9myCGbYSerPxD-GW4NbZMs4sMKQPDEqx_w-LscohAqgAQeBlyum9sBnakTdU77e1Jh7hXZOU2XyI4Pm2B3tcyLcDdNnadAk/s320/IMG_3011.heic" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<p></p><p><style>@font-face
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{page:WordSection1;}</style></p>Danielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03646777935244150309noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6763854289481555431.post-53711440789426537982023-08-13T04:30:00.002-07:002023-08-13T04:30:40.113-07:00Annunciation<p><span style="font-family: georgia;"> <b>Annunciation</b><br />
by <b>Marie Howe</b><br />
<br />
Even if I don’t see it again—nor ever feel it<br />
I know it is—and that if once it hailed me<br />
it ever does—<br />
And so it is myself I want to turn in that direction<br />
not as towards a place, but it was a tilting<br />
within myself,<br />
as one turns a mirror to flash the light to where<br />
it isn’t—I was blinded like that—and swam<br />
in what shone at me<br />
only able to endure it by being no one and so<br />
specifically myself I thought I’d die<br />
from being loved like that.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;">I have had many times to reflect on that love that first
overwhelmed my heart so many years ago-how I have so poorly repaid it, how I
long for others to feel and know it, how I come so short of showing it to
others.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgheFQrpcrrvvkvXmjHIMeNmYGySSVeGR_8Azhtsu0dWRhBiR255jXFoFBTiLiwwBkzVHYxWBNxa8k4eH1C39Se-QAblJdAZIFUAbr1l1Rw6Nz8Fehd8ULEAbbwCv2-yEOeEhtjPl2Y84bDrbuP0R-DPoCrQXL8jwBVHaZm82jpc3kz6YRKfSLEUp1k1yc" style="font-family: georgia; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgheFQrpcrrvvkvXmjHIMeNmYGySSVeGR_8Azhtsu0dWRhBiR255jXFoFBTiLiwwBkzVHYxWBNxa8k4eH1C39Se-QAblJdAZIFUAbr1l1Rw6Nz8Fehd8ULEAbbwCv2-yEOeEhtjPl2Y84bDrbuP0R-DPoCrQXL8jwBVHaZm82jpc3kz6YRKfSLEUp1k1yc" width="180" /></a><span style="font-family: georgia;"> <br /></span></div><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;">As I prepared to share at our chapel service a couple weeks
ago, I could not help but use much of the time to ask forgiveness for my poor
ability to show God’s love faithfully and consistently to the staff and to my
patients. And yet there is something so different in this love, not of shame or
condemnation, that I am not discouraged but filled with hope and joy to be here
and to have the opportunity over and over again. To the young man with a new
diagnosis of HIV, to the elderly lady slowly dying from metastases to her
lungs, to the young boy with epilepsy and frequent seizures, I get chance after
chance to show God’s love to the people of PNG. I am truly blessed.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhQ1DyWBzj5P0TsuJTevD7bZ0dTjIq0CZAiYDrKrY_XuGWLKlHUyh_bzhM2ZDnK289Fbqcs-8oLDzgwpxyly9PcJcfarfSCX4XChoNtzZTF5M1v-haOWJ8jGcL8tyIzyWueZRE0e0OH2j-_Rlxkc0JxpowZJUzOi2Dv4_LU1xsr0J8DramUrzN6glCynC0" style="font-family: georgia; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhQ1DyWBzj5P0TsuJTevD7bZ0dTjIq0CZAiYDrKrY_XuGWLKlHUyh_bzhM2ZDnK289Fbqcs-8oLDzgwpxyly9PcJcfarfSCX4XChoNtzZTF5M1v-haOWJ8jGcL8tyIzyWueZRE0e0OH2j-_Rlxkc0JxpowZJUzOi2Dv4_LU1xsr0J8DramUrzN6glCynC0" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj3-FBA10Q57tYiimfUySRtyWpGBVG2OMzxFsdKG8EnLBlO4XGn3PQJ5sFJdhY-MNChNe4r86bCA9C8tjvGbHbywyEcBDv9ikRPVkgNAo8yOfC77V0jnKH4zlhg5Ty3JynFaEoFB5qu6rzbtiLDaHIVhIQrPFlmOHIHIbwL8E6fBw79Plm-DpjMTsxxuDE" style="font-family: georgia; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj3-FBA10Q57tYiimfUySRtyWpGBVG2OMzxFsdKG8EnLBlO4XGn3PQJ5sFJdhY-MNChNe4r86bCA9C8tjvGbHbywyEcBDv9ikRPVkgNAo8yOfC77V0jnKH4zlhg5Ty3JynFaEoFB5qu6rzbtiLDaHIVhIQrPFlmOHIHIbwL8E6fBw79Plm-DpjMTsxxuDE" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"> Top: Neighborhood boys helping me pick strawberries in my garden; Bottom: A generous gift of produce from a local church for the missionaries<br /></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;">The last two months have pushed me in new ways. I have been
the most senior general doctor for about a month and a half, which means I get questions
about our most difficult cases. It also means I have to decide how many
patients we will see every day. I constantly feel the tension between wanting
to help the biggest number while also trying to protect the well being of our
team of doctors. Additionally, I supervise the medical trainees currently
working at our hospital, following up on how they are meeting their requirements
and scheduling their lectures. I am part of a committee tasked with bringing an
EMR to our hospital and I continue to help with our medication inventory and
ordering. I have also had the privilege to be in a number of conversations as
we seek to make some foundational changes to the work we do at our hospital,
better tailoring our work to show the love of God to our patients and to create
sustainability through improved education and growth of the local healthcare
work force.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Some of you may remember a blog post I shared last year
about taking a trip to a rural health center called Waffa. I made good friends
with a local boy named Guam and did some education for the local nursing
officers about basic obstetric care. A couple weeks ago, Dr Spencer went back
to visit Waffa clinic. Below are pictures of the new obstetrical ward and Guam
with his family. It is fun to see new resources becoming available for the
remote areas of Papua New Guinea. I am hopeful to be more involved in this when
we have more doctors here for coverage.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhySt4TMXpdPKzEwN3DZc3BGDhse5RjBnRj43mlTF7uBQjlEkx31m8LkinhLXvngjghjSViM3UxOAx76ugruFgdY__3DkRzrV9nj7D5pFJq9KMgSeshjFy1sDkjPN1g2SHh-T18AvzriSp1NVrhyvc7ocLtX1LPWHtabzHubpWjoSvcysOEa3XxQ_HBtcI" style="font-family: georgia; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="756" data-original-width="1008" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhySt4TMXpdPKzEwN3DZc3BGDhse5RjBnRj43mlTF7uBQjlEkx31m8LkinhLXvngjghjSViM3UxOAx76ugruFgdY__3DkRzrV9nj7D5pFJq9KMgSeshjFy1sDkjPN1g2SHh-T18AvzriSp1NVrhyvc7ocLtX1LPWHtabzHubpWjoSvcysOEa3XxQ_HBtcI" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjkcFF5NEbpaD6UqRFyRC1vkqRhQ8R27qDRPJQXyziUExW6CspZKJxNNTOFc2-xvP0JpsIH7in_1GpbHNwEqwwDb9nvD0z027jFHrJ_-Jd6TSoLDjdIhSEVGc5Jw8NQ2K4qJ7L3OD3625edgoy05EubEaOL1e-40sQAE7bbY56JsYDcBbLzTNLN3dcbU6g" style="font-family: georgia; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjkcFF5NEbpaD6UqRFyRC1vkqRhQ8R27qDRPJQXyziUExW6CspZKJxNNTOFc2-xvP0JpsIH7in_1GpbHNwEqwwDb9nvD0z027jFHrJ_-Jd6TSoLDjdIhSEVGc5Jw8NQ2K4qJ7L3OD3625edgoy05EubEaOL1e-40sQAE7bbY56JsYDcBbLzTNLN3dcbU6g" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhPUklEnM5sTA1Ntyqu1nqJbG0Rb8Xzsk6U8lfUDkO7B2Le0hcT99wddei-yLkMv-TYQJ937f_PGH5bgRmokpHFD61tTwobsnkiY4HO5kwvuscogOnBYND-BRzO8TI2rAXy6UfG4geHCIVg51ZkbsbPEmWVpggRvG4c5T__RVy8d6Yct5G5_f50rTaeJq4" style="font-family: georgia; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhPUklEnM5sTA1Ntyqu1nqJbG0Rb8Xzsk6U8lfUDkO7B2Le0hcT99wddei-yLkMv-TYQJ937f_PGH5bgRmokpHFD61tTwobsnkiY4HO5kwvuscogOnBYND-BRzO8TI2rAXy6UfG4geHCIVg51ZkbsbPEmWVpggRvG4c5T__RVy8d6Yct5G5_f50rTaeJq4" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Top: The new OB Ward at Waffa; Middle: Guam and his family; Bottom: The truck without breaks that transported me to Waffa now at it's final rest<br /></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;">I shared at a small bush church a few weeks ago. My sermon
was based on Matthew 6, where your treasure is there your heart will be also. I
also was able to share part of my testimony and the way in which God
overwhelmed my heart, “ and swam/in what shone at me/only
able to endure it by being no one and so/specifically myself I thought I’d die/from
being loved like that.” It is such a privilege to worship with the
people in these churches whose treasure is so completely set on God. I
restarted our men’s group when I returned, and we have been studying James. I
have been struck at the frequent theme of how God has blessed the poor to be
rich in faith and to lead those who are rich in materials but poor in faith.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjDxcU41ypXDdih2atjWmfYqYqFr-yG7tI98XL9f6h9tIhsptbr-dMWp9Qi35PfA3PqPwJqlhAQ-ZVMaZZDQxSGWUErz2qY1nJhXbxKfwdZrBDfHPapCOTI14UsicoyjElsIC8IW7FLjKK_ZdfrlluMrDvEgM3wHuR2eiZ-4jLVHcR8DvGJqzgHnTTW3dQ" style="font-family: georgia; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjDxcU41ypXDdih2atjWmfYqYqFr-yG7tI98XL9f6h9tIhsptbr-dMWp9Qi35PfA3PqPwJqlhAQ-ZVMaZZDQxSGWUErz2qY1nJhXbxKfwdZrBDfHPapCOTI14UsicoyjElsIC8IW7FLjKK_ZdfrlluMrDvEgM3wHuR2eiZ-4jLVHcR8DvGJqzgHnTTW3dQ" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;">A couple quick cases for my medical friends</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;">An 8yo boy came with shoulder pain and an inability to move
his arm after falling while playing with friends. This was his Xray. He
required several surgeries to revise the fracture.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhtS0mRYT_LaJICdpZJmK7iuclma-iA0a4x7GNMk-f3N702X_Q6GvPOdheC-0PMntVO__z0mKn8w4e_1UzPbqrGF0ZKwNIv1998ihxc5eFsnkGMRx0GEv85O7aWbJoj3CAa03cZHCUevwKgenYJLEsFqCEnmrlMeqOdLZisUkm4mydPdCQ5RR5Bd03h-WY" style="font-family: georgia; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhtS0mRYT_LaJICdpZJmK7iuclma-iA0a4x7GNMk-f3N702X_Q6GvPOdheC-0PMntVO__z0mKn8w4e_1UzPbqrGF0ZKwNIv1998ihxc5eFsnkGMRx0GEv85O7aWbJoj3CAa03cZHCUevwKgenYJLEsFqCEnmrlMeqOdLZisUkm4mydPdCQ5RR5Bd03h-WY" width="180" /></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;">This is the chest Xray of a 50yo woman who came to clinic with
some chest pain and cough plus mild dysphagia. She had a large, calcified cyst
in her chest. I’m not entirely sure what has caused it. A CT scan would be helpful
in delineating the cause, but that is not readily available here and very expensive.
I started her on TB medications, and she is supposed to follow up this week.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgiMDgF1n7HsNkdAOQYpvardt3kKJGblKivTLY68hiambtKisScThiSne844jWhZd3JMw3GBjP8lOryDl-uAj4ke5WiXgRdo-2kVmiyzwIoLovaxFFeAWMn3FC1pT0thoj0eUoAt9J5x8c1wV2lLrs8VztiBXksd_BgKoXggOu_oN5YBR37Bc1GH8WLbM8" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgiMDgF1n7HsNkdAOQYpvardt3kKJGblKivTLY68hiambtKisScThiSne844jWhZd3JMw3GBjP8lOryDl-uAj4ke5WiXgRdo-2kVmiyzwIoLovaxFFeAWMn3FC1pT0thoj0eUoAt9J5x8c1wV2lLrs8VztiBXksd_BgKoXggOu_oN5YBR37Bc1GH8WLbM8" width="180" /></a></div><p></p>
<p><style>@font-face
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{page:WordSection1;}</style></p>Danielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03646777935244150309noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6763854289481555431.post-45707743318259260862023-06-17T20:17:00.000-07:002023-06-17T20:17:23.398-07:00Return to PNG<p class="MsoNormal">Familiar scenes flooded my senses as the car rolled down the
Highlands highway. I had finally arrived in Papua New Guinea after close to
three days of traveling, a missed connection in Manila extending the trip.
Taking in the deep greens, the backdrop of the mountains and the people walking
along the roadside, I felt in my heart that it was good to be back, maybe even
that it was good to be home.</p><p class="MsoNormal"> </p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhle-QBYV48Ua6Thu_iJAJTaYy0T9fPDxVo1n_Yi6VIjI4sP325lbJuipCR3GGqbbc_bb0Cfw-5iodRgdSWqDH5QiWtFEg7ogQTgCb6ARif1oSwlAjZitAjOyEXUdfRwvSb9PPpRiTdTWGtYxanIJjIU15wuPMkj9ikM-OeeCb3yxxbVGHvjYRtkFxa/s4032/IMG_2687.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhle-QBYV48Ua6Thu_iJAJTaYy0T9fPDxVo1n_Yi6VIjI4sP325lbJuipCR3GGqbbc_bb0Cfw-5iodRgdSWqDH5QiWtFEg7ogQTgCb6ARif1oSwlAjZitAjOyEXUdfRwvSb9PPpRiTdTWGtYxanIJjIU15wuPMkj9ikM-OeeCb3yxxbVGHvjYRtkFxa/s320/IMG_2687.HEIC" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I have now been back in PNG for two weeks. I am here for
another two-year term, although I think God may be calling me here for a longer
time. My program through Samaritan’s Purse is over so I have come back through
the Nazarene Church, which runs Kudjip Hospital, my place of work for the last
two years. It wasn’t long after my arrival that I was back in the hospital
seeing patients again. It is such a joy to be able to live and serve here.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">A huge blessing to me was being able to work with Dr Kirk, a
pediatric cardiologist from the US who has worked in PNG with our congenital
heart disease patients for years, but who has not been able to come recently
due to Covid. Last Friday, I spent the whole day doing echocardiograms with him,
learning how to better identify and treat our patients suffering from
congenital and rheumatic heart diseases. We identified 6-7 patients that would
benefit from surgical intervention, some of which will take place in November
in Port Moresby, the capital of PNG. Pictured is a patient who had a patent
ductus arteriosus (PDA) repaired with Dr Kirk a few years ago.</p><p class="MsoNormal"> </p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgs_mk5SZlGkxgcdRIldJLGt_1XLbgldeUrNNOlLRGF-hcxPON6PUmP987RBBNWiq5dV8e4o-BocXEb9kld2W3d6YJS6KyIDRgAw_mv4BQj-LdeRMUpP2LkJfkgDG4S16_ViTWipsrjdmzA2Nl3UKPfdxIQwAqW4ZDxXctB63nEioYgu6XMFahjyE7Q" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgs_mk5SZlGkxgcdRIldJLGt_1XLbgldeUrNNOlLRGF-hcxPON6PUmP987RBBNWiq5dV8e4o-BocXEb9kld2W3d6YJS6KyIDRgAw_mv4BQj-LdeRMUpP2LkJfkgDG4S16_ViTWipsrjdmzA2Nl3UKPfdxIQwAqW4ZDxXctB63nEioYgu6XMFahjyE7Q" width="320" /></a></div><br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgmxvkp2B38gcha5vtc-5yCyi4ZAJyijwsp8rw0iMl63IrDGpsm1ocqg4s09z_ihSa0rNPQdTFMVqcymyu0os-XQiw0gheZXhs0ag0JQVFHMiYibK9opZowTLWrTV8S4ObcWfPVFhpkx7tPCkKiU_JMSO9011vSQ3Vv0oJdzwePlrxZaLfqYeHNdZey" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgmxvkp2B38gcha5vtc-5yCyi4ZAJyijwsp8rw0iMl63IrDGpsm1ocqg4s09z_ihSa0rNPQdTFMVqcymyu0os-XQiw0gheZXhs0ag0JQVFHMiYibK9opZowTLWrTV8S4ObcWfPVFhpkx7tPCkKiU_JMSO9011vSQ3Vv0oJdzwePlrxZaLfqYeHNdZey" width="180" /></a></div><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">My second call shift was a good opportunity to remember some
of the breadth of my work here. The morning was busy in the ER with a variety
of illnesses from pneumonia to meningitis to heart failure. In the afternoon I
was called to see a young boy who had been hit in the eye with a stick. He had
a large tear in his cornea. I communicated with a Papua New Guinean colleague
in the nearby town of Hagen who is an Ophthalmologist and we arranged transport
for emergency surgery. Later in the evening, I took a woman for a C-section after
the baby was taking too long to come down. Both baby and mom did well. Around 1
in the morning, I got called in for a car accident involving 5 individuals,
several of whom needed suturing and one who’s hip had been dislocated and
required a reduction. As I finished rounds the next day, I was exhausted but
glad that I could use my skills to help the people here.</p><p class="MsoNormal"> </p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjZhksmXQXXIhVTuIgsP4r1XQyGYtl7N9sIkkiHLa6RP27u0Q_nWLrPZIlp02-sIDT9VDp9REMRTR43NBJoFISgOtV3LOqLb_jJoSxXRk52Dr28UgTTuJt6Oseeio5alQP9AQgUegsIE5OFIMbILx65xnP10KLSph1o5HDec_O4W8HBF0_ytKr7L93P" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="1000" height="144" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjZhksmXQXXIhVTuIgsP4r1XQyGYtl7N9sIkkiHLa6RP27u0Q_nWLrPZIlp02-sIDT9VDp9REMRTR43NBJoFISgOtV3LOqLb_jJoSxXRk52Dr28UgTTuJt6Oseeio5alQP9AQgUegsIE5OFIMbILx65xnP10KLSph1o5HDec_O4W8HBF0_ytKr7L93P" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p>
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</div>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Stella was excited to see me when I got back. It has been fun
to see her and all of the friends I had left here.</p><p class="MsoNormal"> </p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiwwPMfGwRiH1yo1XfCpkVWUkxEkdfNbGqF4no3zTP2QaRY_X6XoU7c1k7vddsAZ_U1IT_JB-7mja6S2995g5qrJtGatYn5gN5gV9Nre4Go8gG9ZG3gxd61CY7UspKvVYHY-U4DbpfOVGeqbLtLdBhftBLyMRR372QBwy7D_HKvDI0xDw_RsWMDcGOT" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3840" data-original-width="2160" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiwwPMfGwRiH1yo1XfCpkVWUkxEkdfNbGqF4no3zTP2QaRY_X6XoU7c1k7vddsAZ_U1IT_JB-7mja6S2995g5qrJtGatYn5gN5gV9Nre4Go8gG9ZG3gxd61CY7UspKvVYHY-U4DbpfOVGeqbLtLdBhftBLyMRR372QBwy7D_HKvDI0xDw_RsWMDcGOT" width="135" /></a></div><br /> <p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Prayer requests:</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">-For all of July and a good chunk of August I will be the most
experienced full-time general doctor at the hospital. We will also be short our
normal number of doctors. Please pray for wisdom and endurance as we do our
best to take care of our patients.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">-Deeper relationships with local PNGers</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">-A greater hunger for God among our community</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">-Protection and health (I have already been a little sick
and many in our community have been struggling with health. Additionally, I
have a stress injury in my right hip which prevents me from being able to walk
far or do any running. This has been difficult for me as I really enjoy getting
outside into the community and into nature)</p><p class="MsoNormal"> </p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg6ry2_pV6wNSuUwnH1fgIGnK_tFXBeCRPmi1k9GzVzrlKLEcDzOhATLy1OvLFTgqrbXxnjZZfXP6TQTa2twVFlIN8Xo5jeB39OrsACNkzjmEcdw1rdeCBSGTs5gFgH0I7MHZfT1nXq-x8cweltVKa3xCfwvqF_FM0-MkGgGCa0857DkniCWht8qBon" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg6ry2_pV6wNSuUwnH1fgIGnK_tFXBeCRPmi1k9GzVzrlKLEcDzOhATLy1OvLFTgqrbXxnjZZfXP6TQTa2twVFlIN8Xo5jeB39OrsACNkzjmEcdw1rdeCBSGTs5gFgH0I7MHZfT1nXq-x8cweltVKa3xCfwvqF_FM0-MkGgGCa0857DkniCWht8qBon" width="320" /></a></div><br /> <p></p>
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{page:WordSection1;}</style></p>Danielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03646777935244150309noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6763854289481555431.post-24471893285728996812023-02-20T01:50:00.000-08:002023-02-20T01:50:27.765-08:00Heading Home<p><br />
</p><p class="MsoNormal">As I have approached my return trip to the US, a number of
feelings have sprung up inside of me. I am excited to see family and friends
and to have some much-needed rest. I am sad to leave the many friends that I
have met here. I feel guilt over the workload that I am leaving behind to
others during my absence. I feel remorse over the ways that I have failed to be
the doctor and witness of Christ that this community needs. I am excited about
the vision and calling I feel for when I return in June. I am touched by the
many memories I have with patients and the friends that I have made here.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I have been thinking a lot about union recently. God has
created us for union with Him. We are only made whole, only able to serve and
love others out of union with Him. The work I do here in Papua New Guinea can
be exhausting and heavy sometimes, more than I can cope with on my own. When I
have attempted to go by myself, I have run into burnout and versions of myself
that I don’t like, that do not show Christ to the people here. But when I am
connected to Him, I feel His sustaining love and joy helping me in my work. It
helps me to listen patiently, to explore the pain others are feeling. It helps
me to be a better doctor and to see Jesus in those I serve.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I feel a deep ache as I leave. I will miss this place and
these people. But I am excited to reconnect with my family and friends in the
US as well. I could not do what I do without your support and prayers. Please
reach out to me while I am in the US. I would love to talk or video chat to
hear about how you are and what you are doing as well as share more of my life.</p><p class="MsoNormal"> </p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiqPx_h2k5kRMFcSV1AUq8MyBz20b_L5B1Ka8rh4ZcXX1qLyvmU2h8fsjaErsnmeaqf5hq-tIRQWtJTj_ik1KPBjHyWC6Kd-zVENYRwWHURww_Ea6xRSOj_FYCpBhlShkp6LVatqcr__Whlgz0RascZisxYJxPGnsNcf7lMhdENaUPC-BdPl-bFHFMp" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiqPx_h2k5kRMFcSV1AUq8MyBz20b_L5B1Ka8rh4ZcXX1qLyvmU2h8fsjaErsnmeaqf5hq-tIRQWtJTj_ik1KPBjHyWC6Kd-zVENYRwWHURww_Ea6xRSOj_FYCpBhlShkp6LVatqcr__Whlgz0RascZisxYJxPGnsNcf7lMhdENaUPC-BdPl-bFHFMp" width="320" /></a></div><p></p>
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</div>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Life Updates</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Stella loves our new chickens! She can’t quite
figure out why they do not want to play with her. She has tried to make other
friends as well.</p><p class="MsoNormal"> </p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhDJsnmzFUx7N8KrBhWx_KG5ki3wYYq0qQ4_8LTlW7p_3kR6eAr9FLX0USnyVfwIt822tcV6I1vbeQPKLHmx0XxMPqtBgSGefKmy_MnFIzMD82XMtr9kHEgxpw4K23gchHvthNgXLnqCwabQEXSVgAyZeNoW01tVGz0FxrjssHpWyJpxgfm7_KAgsbe" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhDJsnmzFUx7N8KrBhWx_KG5ki3wYYq0qQ4_8LTlW7p_3kR6eAr9FLX0USnyVfwIt822tcV6I1vbeQPKLHmx0XxMPqtBgSGefKmy_MnFIzMD82XMtr9kHEgxpw4K23gchHvthNgXLnqCwabQEXSVgAyZeNoW01tVGz0FxrjssHpWyJpxgfm7_KAgsbe" width="320" /></a></div><br /> <p></p><p class="MsoNormal"> </p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzL6E8Xv_pymNHXAKv0a0u0agZdgARHQlltonBdX4JABGMYVA4I0L2628OydLt_DMITDO11-mnuJkPJydDgbQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br /><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We saw a spike of patients in January as most hospitals
around the country had limited services due to the Christmas and school
holidays. With a limited crew of doctors, we routinely saw 100-150 patients a
day! </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">One of my patients was a little boy who had swallowed a coin
two days before coming to the hospital. Our surgery team was able to use a
catheter to get behind the coin, inflate a balloon and pull the coin out.
Another patient was a young man with months of abdominal pain with worsening
over a couple of days. All of his labs and his ultrasound were normal; however
I followed an impulse and got an Xray. Praise God that He gave me that impulse
because there was a large amount of free air on the Xray (an emergent finding
usually due to a hole somewhere in the bowel). In surgery he was found to have an
intestinal perforation, likely secondary to typhoid.</p><p class="MsoNormal"> </p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiXMaqEu4034kfmMLJonVYsS7Nu_bfpqU_MUdG8Te3SjFUWSTDCqmi4gG7cIiunVrlQsWiLSPZEL3hB2-BXDNMxvx9peN8sVZ2GcMrPZQXbPt__ob8TMM9h3_zVJnSkHNe26eI6kj0aTnJTpkiIpXSfzUfUnGD4rILoXzwwgWWCZPBtHV25f8-n1J3C" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiXMaqEu4034kfmMLJonVYsS7Nu_bfpqU_MUdG8Te3SjFUWSTDCqmi4gG7cIiunVrlQsWiLSPZEL3hB2-BXDNMxvx9peN8sVZ2GcMrPZQXbPt__ob8TMM9h3_zVJnSkHNe26eI6kj0aTnJTpkiIpXSfzUfUnGD4rILoXzwwgWWCZPBtHV25f8-n1J3C" width="180" /></a></div><br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh9pWAEWlXxWvpxLPtry8wmlUsUjDBoSeUeXXixL7P8cYv520oW2iin-2XDt8le-yR_5EtJ8wqw6ChkbZlV76YkwzbBhehkiKrhJFps2iN9XVE1c39gemdCz0XVdbMovIXJD4HH-PRdYSaKnDtoWUgko1h1SumByWiMZs1AeoxdTxFeF4d3I4e8QX8i" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh9pWAEWlXxWvpxLPtry8wmlUsUjDBoSeUeXXixL7P8cYv520oW2iin-2XDt8le-yR_5EtJ8wqw6ChkbZlV76YkwzbBhehkiKrhJFps2iN9XVE1c39gemdCz0XVdbMovIXJD4HH-PRdYSaKnDtoWUgko1h1SumByWiMZs1AeoxdTxFeF4d3I4e8QX8i" width="180" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I have been leading a book study for a few PNG guys that I
work with at the hospital. It has been so good to learn from them and to
process some deep questions together. One of the highlights of the last few
months was hearing one of them excited about getting a better understanding of
how good life with Jesus could be.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I work with a great group of doctors. Please be praying for
them, for strength for their work and encouragement as they take care of a
large volume of patients.</p><p class="MsoNormal"> </p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiePacJdbogSi38pASD-dWPCFdwK3VCPOsgE4uMNOrEdQjefxGtmKzqOvzuTn0xib1jmVLdIfsi8D-_tnVoxfREGNoaxuPqFZR69o1j9AoutslTsTL8dC8gptGevf69fkcH1Sx0pGYBN-dFcqa_LZ7Tlwv6NcZP-hdquUMDl9DRYmfJADqgbpNNzv1v" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiePacJdbogSi38pASD-dWPCFdwK3VCPOsgE4uMNOrEdQjefxGtmKzqOvzuTn0xib1jmVLdIfsi8D-_tnVoxfREGNoaxuPqFZR69o1j9AoutslTsTL8dC8gptGevf69fkcH1Sx0pGYBN-dFcqa_LZ7Tlwv6NcZP-hdquUMDl9DRYmfJADqgbpNNzv1v" width="320" /></a></div><br /> <p></p>
<p><style>@font-face
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{page:WordSection1;}</style></p>Danielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03646777935244150309noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6763854289481555431.post-21777575460652636132022-12-18T19:47:00.000-08:002022-12-18T19:47:28.962-08:00The Sound Keeps Coming Out<p> <strong>Untitled Haiku</strong><br />
by <strong>Basho</strong><br />
(Translated by Robert Bly)</p>
<p>The temple bell stops.<br />
But the sound keeps coming<br />
out of the flowers.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #4b4b4b; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Advent is a time of longing, expectation,
waiting. We remember the anticipation of those looking for hope and light to
come into the world. And we wait for God to come again, for His justice to be
established, for the end of war and suffering, the coming of His kingdom.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #4b4b4b; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #4b4b4b; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">But it is also a time of acknowledging his
presence, seeing it not just in Jesus’ presence in Bethlehem at one point in
time, but His continued presence among us now. Even though His physical
presence is gone, His Spirit is like the sound that continues to come from the
flowers, filling our hearts.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #4b4b4b; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #4b4b4b; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjCtSp3-Wy61NijkAi2XJY9pq0XvYnxkyeyzPqsQej6cnhnTHZnO6xgQJ4yl2ggpa4S6pifiS5N9ChE-VD_dOKKkJZqlf0fTXmq7tV6Owmeg_BGtbCTweMnyyeENjVN5wR1z3yTr7LRbEnBHt3-hdiIDiundGZ4u0CnK2VN7tiGgFtWQ8e9E089YI3m" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjCtSp3-Wy61NijkAi2XJY9pq0XvYnxkyeyzPqsQej6cnhnTHZnO6xgQJ4yl2ggpa4S6pifiS5N9ChE-VD_dOKKkJZqlf0fTXmq7tV6Owmeg_BGtbCTweMnyyeENjVN5wR1z3yTr7LRbEnBHt3-hdiIDiundGZ4u0CnK2VN7tiGgFtWQ8e9E089YI3m" width="180" /></a></div> <p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #4b4b4b; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I’ve seen God’s presence here. I’ve seen him
bring healing in situations beyond my hope. But I’ve also felt Him present in
the grieving of a young mother with her dead child. I don’t always understand
it. Sometimes I am angry or sad beyond words, but even then, He is present.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #4b4b4b; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #4b4b4b; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“God is a God of the present. God is always in
the moment, be that moment hard or easy, joyful or painful.” (Henri Nouwen, Life
of the Beloved)</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #4b4b4b; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #4b4b4b; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">In this advent, may you know God’s presence
even as we wait for Him to return to make all things right.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #4b4b4b; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #4b4b4b; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiJJBhSRbeNEUNUTjl1_lDmarUtaXdCy6mA3d7AdzevxlU8t4BkmvFqP_hXq3j_0mdGAu9fw9Uy91ns5Sn6JSi5lXxQSDYxSFsHIEU1USyR1J-oGOQU-y_Sx-e_vN5kZShKEubQj4333aZ6dH35TvQAL2hD9SoWj7fsWScLsoZtC1OFScPeIbxuuWtG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiJJBhSRbeNEUNUTjl1_lDmarUtaXdCy6mA3d7AdzevxlU8t4BkmvFqP_hXq3j_0mdGAu9fw9Uy91ns5Sn6JSi5lXxQSDYxSFsHIEU1USyR1J-oGOQU-y_Sx-e_vN5kZShKEubQj4333aZ6dH35TvQAL2hD9SoWj7fsWScLsoZtC1OFScPeIbxuuWtG" width="180" /></a></div><p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: dotted windowtext 3.0pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; padding: 0in;"><span style="color: #4b4b4b; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></p>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #4b4b4b; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #4b4b4b; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Some of you already know, but my time with
Samaritan’s Purse is quickly coming to an end. I am returning to the US in
February for 3 months before returning to PNG through the Nazarene Church. I
believe that God has called me here for a longer season. While Samaritan’s
Purse covered some of my costs, I now need to raise the full cost of my living
and working here. If you would like to donate to my work here, please use the
following link: </span><a href="https://give.nazarene.org/pledge/dyer"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">https://give.nazarene.org/pledge/dyer</span></a><span style="color: #4b4b4b; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #4b4b4b; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #4b4b4b; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjdKBC_b1nWsnMd4k5y-mRHjKsAFxEdf1MKR9grWf7nbUOJa62DZ4ckJW84O3HMRDMSakpzg0T765bFyZsz89uMHX-G6Oavxf2ZYPGyiTwR5rb8VTi_NuDVlOsB4nseWUXsk8rMGn-pm9op8skDSyEGQowxp1h-XwQPngJNhWj-Ix448VeX62RZUqYz" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjdKBC_b1nWsnMd4k5y-mRHjKsAFxEdf1MKR9grWf7nbUOJa62DZ4ckJW84O3HMRDMSakpzg0T765bFyZsz89uMHX-G6Oavxf2ZYPGyiTwR5rb8VTi_NuDVlOsB4nseWUXsk8rMGn-pm9op8skDSyEGQowxp1h-XwQPngJNhWj-Ix448VeX62RZUqYz" width="320" /></a></div><br /> <p></p>
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{page:WordSection1;}</style></p>Danielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03646777935244150309noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6763854289481555431.post-74048374903038353032022-11-15T03:34:00.000-08:002022-11-15T03:34:59.000-08:00Celebrating the Victories<p class="MsoNormal"> As I looked back over some recent blogposts, I realized that
I have dwelt a lot on the heavy and sad cases that happen here. Unfortunately,
these stories represent a too common experience here. Pain and suffering are
common. However, I perhaps haven’t reflected the victories as much as I should.
And I tend to pass over the routine care of diseases like hypertension, pneumonias,
and many others that we see and treat every day.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">But I wanted to share a few of the victories.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">One such was a young man who was admitted for progressive
confusion, weakness, and fevers. By the time of his arrival at our hospital, he
was comatose except for brief periods of agitation. I worried that he might
have come too late, or that if he survived, he would have severe cognitive
impairment afterwards. For days it looked as if I was right as he didn’t change
with our therapy. However, after a week of antibiotics he became less agitated.
On day 10, he was sitting up in his bed. On day 12 I could see the difference
in his eyes, the understanding and light was back. As I sat down on his bedside,
I introduced myself. I relayed that I had been taking care of him for the last
week and a half, but I felt that this was the first day I truly met him. After
that day his improvement was rapid, and he was able to leave the hospital soon
after. <br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgpXHBPM51vOeRRWlljbGSY-dMsWO0baRr71Lh6jRrfIJbCCALeECHLFc10V4Yw4UXNpNXWNmEUvpmjEDXTW_QbTgvvRNsRPBfvc6ggaTzdz9N3CcyfOFckn2io_7AUktUaDjoVX5rO5dK2X3d6-PceFTvN2MyCLsnAJkljLWiJ7H_yKP8Nitpp6BFn" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgpXHBPM51vOeRRWlljbGSY-dMsWO0baRr71Lh6jRrfIJbCCALeECHLFc10V4Yw4UXNpNXWNmEUvpmjEDXTW_QbTgvvRNsRPBfvc6ggaTzdz9N3CcyfOFckn2io_7AUktUaDjoVX5rO5dK2X3d6-PceFTvN2MyCLsnAJkljLWiJ7H_yKP8Nitpp6BFn" width="320" /></a></div><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Another night, during a busy call shift, a little boy was
brought into the ER by his parents. His name was John. He had fallen a couple
of meters and hit his head on a rock 10 hours before. Completely limp in his
father’s arms, he didn’t move, even as they placed him on the ER bed and
started an IV. An Xray revealed a depressed skull fracture, the bones of his
skull pushed down into space normally occupied by his brain. We started a few
interventions to try to decrease the pressure in his brain, but discouragement
hung heavy on my shoulders, adding to my weariness. Without much hope, I
gathered the family together to let them know my concern for his prognosis.
They nodded their understanding as I spoke. When I offered to pray, they were
thankful and full of faith, more than I felt capable of at that moment.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">With a heavy heart I walked back home. I prayed for John
again as I went to bed, leaving it in the hands of the great Physician. I
didn’t see him the next day, but that evening I found my colleague to ask how
he was, steeling myself for the worst. To my amazement, my colleague had walked
onto the ward that morning to see John sitting up in his bed and eating. The
next day he was walking, and two days after I had feared he would die, John
left the hospital with his family. We truly serve an awesome God.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">***</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">This last Friday I was woken up by a call at 4am. The
delivery room had a pregnant mother whose baby was coming out the wrong way and
the umbilical cord had come out first. This can be devastating because the baby
requires blood from the umbilical cord to breathe, and when it comes out early
it can be compressed and closed off. The nurses couldn’t feel a pulse through
the cord any longer. I hurried to the hospital and when I arrived the baby was
partly out, but the midwife was worried he was stuck. I quickly put on gloves
and rotated the baby just enough to deliver one of the arms and then the other.
The head quickly followed. The baby was purple and not breathing. I had very
little hope since it had been some minutes since the nurses had not felt a
pulse in the cord. But after a minute of providing breaths for the baby, he began
to breathe on his own. He was small, 1.5kg (3.3 lbs.).</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The next day I went by, wondering if he would still be alive
in the nursery. He was still there. And the next day and the next. He had very
elevated bilirubin levels (jaundice, when babies turn yellow), but has done much
better than I could have expected.</p><p class="MsoNormal"> </p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjJFSE2jE0JJ0v0UeNziBhmYdsL9HrzIfs9dvNmw85jbJ2rFsr5ntJcuJ88zSwZijTyW08Vp31bEGDCjyvCSmeWLTcMFFBfbQSI-2ysx513O5Ux9ngdyHkMDjAMRXTpyDJRy7VFxAnCrybJ58o8Xg0bqsll0-SrRmU3gAYFzQgfDZNsvdp2FLpr22uQ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjJFSE2jE0JJ0v0UeNziBhmYdsL9HrzIfs9dvNmw85jbJ2rFsr5ntJcuJ88zSwZijTyW08Vp31bEGDCjyvCSmeWLTcMFFBfbQSI-2ysx513O5Ux9ngdyHkMDjAMRXTpyDJRy7VFxAnCrybJ58o8Xg0bqsll0-SrRmU3gAYFzQgfDZNsvdp2FLpr22uQ" width="180" /></a></div><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjn4zsGU-1mCHOLHWQEwxn6eru9EowuQI0hk3vunCZUTzF8lsRmp0fGHip8aDl-PSsjXFchl7cWw-QotDRrZ8z_OhGsXAZGDaVMs2zOeo7MFP3MV451FEaYkXZqPFupDXtkox23IXLZr2xXSZK7Ar-5wDjlXhPTRqP28hr5-chi3QUykNe8MIpqv182" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjn4zsGU-1mCHOLHWQEwxn6eru9EowuQI0hk3vunCZUTzF8lsRmp0fGHip8aDl-PSsjXFchl7cWw-QotDRrZ8z_OhGsXAZGDaVMs2zOeo7MFP3MV451FEaYkXZqPFupDXtkox23IXLZr2xXSZK7Ar-5wDjlXhPTRqP28hr5-chi3QUykNe8MIpqv182" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">One last story-this one is also from our labor and delivery
ward. I was called to see a patient who had delivered a baby and developed a
bad tear. I knew immediately that it was bad as I saw the tear had gone through
her rectum. These tears can be very detrimental to patients as they can lead to
fistulas, permanent connections between the two tracts. I have repaired many
bad tears here, but none were even close to this one. I hoped that one of our
surgeons would be available to do it, but two were out of town and the other
was busy. So, I found myself sweating as I sat down to begin. It went slowly,
but thankfully I had some advice from a more experienced colleague, and it came
together well. The next day I was thankful to hear from the patient that she
was doing well. A week later in clinic, she came back to see me. She was very
thankful for the care we had given her and was healing better than we could
have expected.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">There are hard moments here, but there are also moments of
thanksgiving and joy. I am blessed to be able to serve here and work with the
people of PNG. Thank you for your support.</p>
<div style="border-bottom: dotted windowtext 3.0pt; border: none; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in;">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: dotted windowtext 3.0pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; padding: 0in;"> </p>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">A couple updates from my life. Stella continues to grow. She
enjoys eating kaukau, eating rice, eating ham, eating chicken; basically,
anytime she gets to eat is her favorite. Recently, some neighborhood kids have come
over to play with her and everyone has a good time. The kids have also helped
me work in our garden.</p><p class="MsoNormal"> </p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjPoyXBu8862xOObd0ZgsTJf-M2w9pTOLbE05Tt8otfwJNFwmxnJqprRNgIWmyO34NeES2FbHyTWmLnykCPRGyOyUYJ1zNffi53KB5GLCagb4bXLuV1EE8PwK0X_59RHm2A1Ml2evhKcT1jNboTjQPf5E73bWNaYTKvhIgUT4ccvoTZi2AtLyoPQEC7" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjPoyXBu8862xOObd0ZgsTJf-M2w9pTOLbE05Tt8otfwJNFwmxnJqprRNgIWmyO34NeES2FbHyTWmLnykCPRGyOyUYJ1zNffi53KB5GLCagb4bXLuV1EE8PwK0X_59RHm2A1Ml2evhKcT1jNboTjQPf5E73bWNaYTKvhIgUT4ccvoTZi2AtLyoPQEC7" width="180" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"> </p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dx4lisLpFhng5tUu5cBJneqfJerWGTONBiF0wKdQf17HSRT-_Z3cgCOYOQs7Ko-oKoYjU5Cs9qFB9GlozEx3g' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br /><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">In a recent basketball mishap, I suffered an avulsion
fracture of my pinky (a small piece of bone where the tendon connects was
broken off). I will need to be in a splint for 6 weeks, which makes a lot of
things at my job more difficult, but thankfully it was not worse. Please pray
for my recovery.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I enjoyed my time away from the hospital for a week in Dubai
for a conference with Samaritan’s Purse. It was a blessing to have a break and
time to reflect on my time here in PNG.</p><p class="MsoNormal"> </p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEibgbkC5opW094cu_0_tiyCZFU9KgUI4Exj91rUK2yRsyb2LdFzV2_1b9wyNA59C-qb1qLjrPKxBgOz4fEOisxDtewCM8hKhF2tg1AaloqXy8PfYbUON2DEiYVLLnoES6YWKB24tRAEvDZH-PbA2FtwATbKJmiQU9qiOTn599z-ng1A-2J8X2-GTorR" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEibgbkC5opW094cu_0_tiyCZFU9KgUI4Exj91rUK2yRsyb2LdFzV2_1b9wyNA59C-qb1qLjrPKxBgOz4fEOisxDtewCM8hKhF2tg1AaloqXy8PfYbUON2DEiYVLLnoES6YWKB24tRAEvDZH-PbA2FtwATbKJmiQU9qiOTn599z-ng1A-2J8X2-GTorR" width="180" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjyiJLsiZ6e2FICV5d19MLrmRLKUUuy09fWA0bMqa3LgSHs-AjuVNmeZqeLgUr5N556a6dmerfG-MQWa5TRm5qPcNzFn5sGXamc2PqEwe0boF6Vb4Za0fitdkb7PhTANB5zwIoUignYt9C5uarMCqyCHsOkyVkF2aWwglzFAarTQXTY9_ZI3burPJki" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1152" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjyiJLsiZ6e2FICV5d19MLrmRLKUUuy09fWA0bMqa3LgSHs-AjuVNmeZqeLgUr5N556a6dmerfG-MQWa5TRm5qPcNzFn5sGXamc2PqEwe0boF6Vb4Za0fitdkb7PhTANB5zwIoUignYt9C5uarMCqyCHsOkyVkF2aWwglzFAarTQXTY9_ZI3burPJki" width="135" /></a></div><br /><br /> <p></p>
<p><style>@font-face
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{page:WordSection1;}</style></p>Danielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03646777935244150309noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6763854289481555431.post-87444426549301420062022-10-03T05:04:00.001-07:002022-10-03T05:11:32.555-07:00Our Hope Beyond<p> </p><p class="MsoNormal">The old woman gave me smile, a sad smile through her tears,
as she reached over to hug my shoulder. She had been looking for a diagnosis
for months, a way to understand what was going on in her body. Even though my
news was a new weight, it was also a relief from the burden of not knowing. As
we sat and prayed together, I could feel her faith through the grip of her
fingers and the moving of the Spirit. She knew where she was headed if God
chose not to heal her. </p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYaiT7vIatUssXNLzoBRIuNsmtnizJwz-Tu0t7I8y_CK7hki8LGC3g4BS5hvOLNB4utjmXRFG6PVPUMXQX6d46u0iDxQzXFRk4IHzjsdx4qeY4TL2x2gzn_srvE3VtaDvxXB1yu_VknA76_FTBg_HwvoKkVBtuhpu1bmkQb71m206GMrJw9jBNC1iP/s4032/IMG_1516.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYaiT7vIatUssXNLzoBRIuNsmtnizJwz-Tu0t7I8y_CK7hki8LGC3g4BS5hvOLNB4utjmXRFG6PVPUMXQX6d46u0iDxQzXFRk4IHzjsdx4qeY4TL2x2gzn_srvE3VtaDvxXB1yu_VknA76_FTBg_HwvoKkVBtuhpu1bmkQb71m206GMrJw9jBNC1iP/s320/IMG_1516.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
<p class="MsoNormal">As a doctor, I frequently see people on some of the worst
days of their lives: a new diagnosis of a chronic disease like heart failure,
the discovery of metastatic cancer, a serious injury or case of meningitis in a
child. With all the advances in medicine, a new
diagnosis often leads to overwhelming information on different treatment options available and their
potential success rates. Resource limitation here in PNG often force me to draw
closer to the patient and see where they are at emotionally and spiritually as
our ability to treat medically may be very limited or nonexistent. This can be discouraging, seeing the vast disparity between the care
someone in the US would be able to access versus what is available to the
people that live right next to me in the villages and mountains around the
hospital. However, people are more than their physical bodies. In the resource
wealth of the West, it easy to neglect our souls and spirits in search of a physical
cure.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Lester* taught me a lot about this. He had been in and out
of the hospital several times due to worsening liver cirrhosis with hepatic
encephalopathy. When I saw him on this admission, I knew that it would likely
be his last. His skin was jaundiced (yellow) and he was wasting away, even as
his abdomen swelled larger and larger. And yet, his smile every morning was
radiant. He always greeted me when I walked in and tried to keep up his spirits
despite his worsening condition. The reason for his peace and joy was that
Lester knew Jesus. Lester felt His presence despite the misery. And you could
see the effect this had on his family. While they were concerned for him, they
weren’t anxious. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHbfiaAdVjK75bPXlEz84tvdyBapaN8xTkXmT_FyKWpeOuACbhU7J1vCrkaXejSj1B7xQ5fn4NDz2380p3pQglk-NtTksM5qc6A8M_yv1Fw7b7Q6txoHcX_rxMnt1twHCfrhDmGtW1G91R8QTurha6P8eHXzYjIvmmm2XISjR2gOkYRny66mBz0LuP/s4032/IMG_1515.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHbfiaAdVjK75bPXlEz84tvdyBapaN8xTkXmT_FyKWpeOuACbhU7J1vCrkaXejSj1B7xQ5fn4NDz2380p3pQglk-NtTksM5qc6A8M_yv1Fw7b7Q6txoHcX_rxMnt1twHCfrhDmGtW1G91R8QTurha6P8eHXzYjIvmmm2XISjR2gOkYRny66mBz0LuP/s320/IMG_1515.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"> One day Lester didn’t greet me on rounds. He had slipped
into unconsciousness. His kidneys had been gradually worsening over several
days and were finally failing along with his liver. The next day his bed was
empty. It was tragic to lose him, especially as he was so young and full of
love, but I know that I will see him again one day.
</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Someone else I will see is Esther*. Like so many women here,
she suffers the ill effects of a broken health care system. She was dying from advanced
cervical cancer, and she was young. As I broke the news to her, her face was
placid, but I could see the tumble of emotions and thoughts behind her eyes. I
tried to be present with her as she processed what was next. And then I couldn’t
help but share God’s love with her, His overwhelming passion for her. She hadn’t
known God before, but she prayed with me in the dark ultrasound room.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi61fPDn4RklhjLzfx1UPthzS7-tAsPZ1_UUfIZlBLwDR8JVyvrr0kOC7oO3e0HvJ3WF0WGjVTJfj2EkeTPSMKrRK3rW6sPFqjELYjzyaOahefe5GtNYRvVz9v7tTvhC77pvYsXZ7EUbbJEPC-njvC9LsQS0pLq1-Y-eZTUeQCjq06VJZBv3-ndzqcZ/s4032/IMG_1520.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi61fPDn4RklhjLzfx1UPthzS7-tAsPZ1_UUfIZlBLwDR8JVyvrr0kOC7oO3e0HvJ3WF0WGjVTJfj2EkeTPSMKrRK3rW6sPFqjELYjzyaOahefe5GtNYRvVz9v7tTvhC77pvYsXZ7EUbbJEPC-njvC9LsQS0pLq1-Y-eZTUeQCjq06VJZBv3-ndzqcZ/s320/IMG_1520.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><p>I pray that my patients might know the peace and joy from
knowing God. I also pray and strive for a better health care system here that will
decrease preventable deaths. I yearn for the young women and men who attempt to
end their lives to know their dignity, worth and the love of God, and I try to
show this to them in the hospital. I also yearn for a decrease in domestic
violence and an increased power and voice for women in PNG.
</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Please continue praying for me here that I might be able to help
show God’s light and to work for positive change alongside my PNG colleagues.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">*Names changed</p><div style="text-align: center;">****</div><p class="MsoNormal">Life updates</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Stella continues to grow. Everyone comments on how big she
is getting. She is a good companion who helps keep me grounded after long workdays.
Unfortunately, my garden has been a little neglected since she arrived, although
after work today I did pick some corn, lettuce, spinach, cherry tomatoes, strawberries,
and butternut squash. I recently had a weekend trip up to a cave in the
mountains complete with sleeping in a tent for the first time here. I enjoyed
getting to explore again. I have been facilitating a men’s group, which
has helped me to get to know some of my fellow missionaries better. It has been
rewarding thus far. A couple weeks ago, I hosted Apa and his family (my initial
host family for my cultural orientation) for lunch. His kids have grown so much,
it was good to see all of them again.</p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8ATEOpB52y8vgJ_YPIONyoqSEU0horSR9Q13gDUnU0OFkRGP3XEd8bdlV57s0KuR3PUYgshgfuzsfjEsrYVb8_Yzn-Z0hbE52jGAlcy-oEP3X5wMlVSZKuLXoyFHnVBKp0zy3DGEmf28d_DXeT6nICqU64bQcveOkIdthsy5okUGkOr6FQcXFz1bO/s4032/IMG_1424.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8ATEOpB52y8vgJ_YPIONyoqSEU0horSR9Q13gDUnU0OFkRGP3XEd8bdlV57s0KuR3PUYgshgfuzsfjEsrYVb8_Yzn-Z0hbE52jGAlcy-oEP3X5wMlVSZKuLXoyFHnVBKp0zy3DGEmf28d_DXeT6nICqU64bQcveOkIdthsy5okUGkOr6FQcXFz1bO/s320/IMG_1424.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div> <p></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinSGCcb6qUyv6DPWGkayCa0iBnKuNA7vjc17wxh0eUZx38Y7rhZr0Z8bSW31wA_YqdqEbO6sMmYhBLNgoPNqcuAVBcVTHTt3mlF12TQgxM0tDcNdeddPnyc19eeVzYEcjvwY2UkgvdSXiNYbvz0LVPED_dF9Fk6PjsM0Cdg-JAlpPwDud0B8V5yOoX/s4032/IMG_1468.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinSGCcb6qUyv6DPWGkayCa0iBnKuNA7vjc17wxh0eUZx38Y7rhZr0Z8bSW31wA_YqdqEbO6sMmYhBLNgoPNqcuAVBcVTHTt3mlF12TQgxM0tDcNdeddPnyc19eeVzYEcjvwY2UkgvdSXiNYbvz0LVPED_dF9Fk6PjsM0Cdg-JAlpPwDud0B8V5yOoX/s320/IMG_1468.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEShcEFF0EX13eCE0XCaMxx7exUmXFNfsvLl5Ib8En9Ngx9e3_ciWBACy5ivdu7sQ2HoYP6BA6qT7q9uIIIxbe89zB6S3ssTRH4AhCMvitq1zpmkIHFfgw1bDpqLKd_pgdVuSrv9K5NE8GLO5QKY3vylNx2Ex98NaT2DyQ8rRDW7GoD3bUmm2ZVHlS/s4032/IMG_1475.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEShcEFF0EX13eCE0XCaMxx7exUmXFNfsvLl5Ib8En9Ngx9e3_ciWBACy5ivdu7sQ2HoYP6BA6qT7q9uIIIxbe89zB6S3ssTRH4AhCMvitq1zpmkIHFfgw1bDpqLKd_pgdVuSrv9K5NE8GLO5QKY3vylNx2Ex98NaT2DyQ8rRDW7GoD3bUmm2ZVHlS/s320/IMG_1475.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><p></p><p>Clinic has been getting busier and busier as unrest from elections
has begun to go down. We recently said goodbye to our only Pediatrician, Dr
Susan. We miss her, but it was also neat to see the community respond to her 21
years of service here as she prepared to leave. I am attempting to learn some Pediatric echocardiography
to make up one of the many gaps left by her departure. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKYufNwZYEFDhL7ca52mztw22x-BHCl4xb5KIL7-fLfsA3WDeCT45pkwEhy-JJP8fHnryR2x3OZpVT_kLcfROTfNxEDgnKp_imvinaivIuxCz9883w-lE6bHr5QSUJLAaj77fC0V6fUKY0rXjQXnzxvPdwygjAnqRmEoPauohmhPsxA0ky9cPwn0Na/s1600/5295e593-90fc-4240-881c-fd5c49efb893.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKYufNwZYEFDhL7ca52mztw22x-BHCl4xb5KIL7-fLfsA3WDeCT45pkwEhy-JJP8fHnryR2x3OZpVT_kLcfROTfNxEDgnKp_imvinaivIuxCz9883w-lE6bHr5QSUJLAaj77fC0V6fUKY0rXjQXnzxvPdwygjAnqRmEoPauohmhPsxA0ky9cPwn0Na/s320/5295e593-90fc-4240-881c-fd5c49efb893.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDXBtx_ZSQ9H5I-vgCm8Glkb9chOE9kI-p0rcliXVfwA02v23DWjToAbpM-j4cFllfQBq5k1EzzRX6c_35dzVzrh-qBG1aAFqLjU-NqC9B8v5aIMD-oWa9LT1KR9z-0pfkenZ3uNKqui0uAA38V1ydazQj7X-_jNSFMNHdhz6uTd__hVyPzHtyizXk/s4000/IMG_1577.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDXBtx_ZSQ9H5I-vgCm8Glkb9chOE9kI-p0rcliXVfwA02v23DWjToAbpM-j4cFllfQBq5k1EzzRX6c_35dzVzrh-qBG1aAFqLjU-NqC9B8v5aIMD-oWa9LT1KR9z-0pfkenZ3uNKqui0uAA38V1ydazQj7X-_jNSFMNHdhz6uTd__hVyPzHtyizXk/s320/IMG_1577.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal">In a couple weeks I will be flying to Dubai for a conference
with Samaritan’s Purse along with my colleagues from Nepal and Africa. I am
looking forward to learning from them and sharing encouragement. It will also
be nice to have some time and space to reflect on the last 21 months here, to
process the difficult things and to grow more into the person God desires me to
be.</p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS0EnwI1iRiZxI-EuxZXFDSohF1wcD-lD6pr9BF9DA8Gvo086ZN7vR-YpgTAdw9hDiRPK9bkDCq0Ws7YhDPoShy741H7HL-FTnFP-t6DxGvXjs2k9hJUARZVAfeBDn51kSUZmV574crBCE3c-8fd5vDp0ei1-CWe_JZFpLh-3MuunEsujJHjVzzqni/s4032/IMG_1503.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS0EnwI1iRiZxI-EuxZXFDSohF1wcD-lD6pr9BF9DA8Gvo086ZN7vR-YpgTAdw9hDiRPK9bkDCq0Ws7YhDPoShy741H7HL-FTnFP-t6DxGvXjs2k9hJUARZVAfeBDn51kSUZmV574crBCE3c-8fd5vDp0ei1-CWe_JZFpLh-3MuunEsujJHjVzzqni/s320/IMG_1503.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /> <p></p>
<p><style>@font-face
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{page:WordSection1;}</style></p>Danielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03646777935244150309noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6763854289481555431.post-67981509483590848902022-08-14T18:19:00.001-07:002022-08-14T18:31:51.326-07:00Disease vs Accident<div><p class="MsoNormal"> My mother frequently asks me whether I am seeing patients
with injuries or illness/infections. Usually, I respond both. However, unless I
pause to reflect, it’s easy to lose sight of the breadth of work that fills up
a day. This blog recounts a day of work for those who want to know a little
more of what my days look like (this day was a while ago but I wrote some notes
on that day).</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Every day at 8am I round somewhere in the hospital, usually
on our Medical Ward (adult patients) or on our Pediatric Ward, but sometimes in
the Nursery or on or OB Ward too. On this day I am rounding in our Medical
Ward. My first patient is a young teenager suffering from tetanus. His friends
had done a circumcision for him without proper sterilization or tools (termed a
“bush circumcision”). We were trying to control his spasms with antibiotics,
magnesium and diazepam, and he was slowly improving. <br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSjAV0Igg6ZUPMsHKKzommdFPmJ30PUSmYU8fxMEG3y-t_POALeOSNV3bx7mRaa3XmlZVaR33XlE6LuzVxaLxSsRnasAQQqfYSZ5SIV1QWwnzGRFCoMdOQGpzMC9mHwTHZJh4BJtIryDvVdxtCkm7GwikFCG3ULJAtmEjS0sKo4DFPrtjTst8oPM6i/s4032/IMG_0919.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSjAV0Igg6ZUPMsHKKzommdFPmJ30PUSmYU8fxMEG3y-t_POALeOSNV3bx7mRaa3XmlZVaR33XlE6LuzVxaLxSsRnasAQQqfYSZ5SIV1QWwnzGRFCoMdOQGpzMC9mHwTHZJh4BJtIryDvVdxtCkm7GwikFCG3ULJAtmEjS0sKo4DFPrtjTst8oPM6i/s320/IMG_0919.HEIC" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">View out the window of a small church I recently visited<br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Our wards are large rooms with beds lined up next to each
other on both sides of the room. Rounding involves moving down the room from
one bed to the next. My next patient is a young man with significant burns on
his back due to an explosion. Another patient has pancreatitis, likely due to a
gall stones. A small frail lady with weights hanging from her leg is one of the
patients who has been here the longest, due to a femur fracture that requires
traction for 4-6 weeks. I next see a young lady with a new diagnosis of HIV who
came in very sick and weak due to secondary infections. Next to her is another
young lady with leptospirosis, a disease that comes from contaminated water and
can significantly affect the kidneys and liver.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Moving to the other side of the ward where our oxygen
cylinders normally stay, I have several patients with pneumonia, COPD and/or
heart failure. Unfortunately, we see a lot of older adults with chronic lung
disease that eventually leads to heart failure. The lung disease is sometimes
from smoking, but more frequently it is from the cooking fires that burn every
day in their haus kunai (the traditional cooking houses made out of bamboo with
thatched roofs from a durable grass-kunai).</p><p class="MsoNormal"> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQV5lQjAdOBTS2qxof-rnr4EviTp7CFjC3FxSr7m-re1jOSGJ6bjjvxKQ4hHq5yhGY549ag1KOXNmcQinUGRilqqKdROIOrEn1335Hhrm4p4CPN6iaMyMxyJ9gsxW6a2PbYahNkZS2WJ5OHQlLgM5xv8Qgh2pX_J1VnTi-bUURvNRUYjnN43l_yxLP/s4032/IMG_0940.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQV5lQjAdOBTS2qxof-rnr4EviTp7CFjC3FxSr7m-re1jOSGJ6bjjvxKQ4hHq5yhGY549ag1KOXNmcQinUGRilqqKdROIOrEn1335Hhrm4p4CPN6iaMyMxyJ9gsxW6a2PbYahNkZS2WJ5OHQlLgM5xv8Qgh2pX_J1VnTi-bUURvNRUYjnN43l_yxLP/s320/IMG_0940.HEIC" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">On this particular day, I am also rounding in the nursery.
Our nursery is a small, hot room off the OB Ward. There are 4 warmers on one
side and several other cribs on the other side. The warmers can, and frequently
do, hold two babies. The room is usually full of mothers feeding or looking
after their infants. Our resources are limited for caring for early preterm
infants, but we do our best. Our nurses are some of the best at finding IVs,
even in the smallest patients.</p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzbSZNH4NL4ctrEWxfvJZQbe9x-QamM-nOAK9cf5jfpl-otlfi9Tn2y1ZgdKXFHpvAC1KrA9ehWvMUZJcYVLg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div></div><div style="text-align: center;">A video of a Ribbon-Tail Astrapia (Bird of Paradise)<br /></div><br /><div>
<p class="MsoNormal">After rounds in the nursery, I head to the ER. I am on call,
so I will be covering the ER for the rest of the day. My first patient is a
young man involved in a car accident with severe back pain. Xray shows that he
has a stable transverse process fracture of his spine. Luckily, it is stable,
without fractures to the other parts of the bone, and he will likely be ok with
a back brace and pain control. My next patient is a young female from a long
way away who has had pain in her chest and SOB for 6 months. Ultrasound shows
me that she has a large pleural effusion (fluid in her chest puching on her
lungs). By using a large needle, I drain a lot of her fluid and give her the
diagnosis of pleural tuberculosis. Now with the right treatment, she will
hopefully improve.</p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdS7J-lZfr2FDayMz6BhzwBbtfScr3uxtX-LHWi_fKj5AiKrt7DVQPopUDVOcXz2oOuBaBB_bOHSQI0qi2bUIJ4KP130B218hg4iR6eGlJcmvWcSS0BymzwMJUrg5GCvqYhD4PCLOncbPr05GKFNQ_ANFoPWA2pc-Ay--WPbFvOUqrP4J9MSpFB31L/s1600/a1f86818-5450-4c42-9c09-5419d06b2687%202.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdS7J-lZfr2FDayMz6BhzwBbtfScr3uxtX-LHWi_fKj5AiKrt7DVQPopUDVOcXz2oOuBaBB_bOHSQI0qi2bUIJ4KP130B218hg4iR6eGlJcmvWcSS0BymzwMJUrg5GCvqYhD4PCLOncbPr05GKFNQ_ANFoPWA2pc-Ay--WPbFvOUqrP4J9MSpFB31L/s320/a1f86818-5450-4c42-9c09-5419d06b2687%202.JPG" width="320" /></a> <br /></div><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The rest of the day is busy. I see two wrist fractures that
need to be straightened, a young lady with severe heart failure secondary to
rheumatic heart disease, a pregnant patient with a high fever, a couple of
COVID cases, someone with chest pain, a young baby with meningitis and a
patient with typhoid. I also have a young man with severe back pain and
weakness of the lower extremities. His blood work is consistent with an
infection, and he has a fever. My most likely diagnosis is a paraspinal
abscess, a very serious condition that can lead to paralysis of the lower
extremities of the body. In this case we were able to start antibiotics early
enough to save him much of his motor function. I also have two children that
came in very sick. While it was initially not clear, we started a workup for
infection, including doing spinal taps for possible meningitis. Eventually it
came out that they had eaten some beans the night before. Here in PNG there is
a type of bean, that if eaten in large amounts and not cooked properly can lead
to cyanide poisoning. We do not have the most commonly used antidote in the US,
however, we do have two medicines that work well in preventing toxicity from
cyanide poisoning. Both children quickly improved with the treatment and were
able to be discharged the next day. Finally, I had a young female with a
confusing constellation of symptoms-fever, joint pain, and rash, who was also
found to have kidney disease and a blood clot in her leg on further examination.
We are unable to do the blood tests here that would make clear her diagnosis,
however I highly suspect a type of vasculitis, perhaps Lupus. We are trying to
obtain labs for her while continuing her on steroid treatment.</p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJjNQqdfB9hblRFCWQVkJPluRzHznn40sh3KCyj5-U-slLTA_HxgV-94bbFmQJ7NJxLK04LflsRRaVNX9Pf3njzA7Zf5iX6li3xzTiyomx9hphC4Qf4Wo8N_DMI-B0v54qzAi8ltuoAo0Sd7dmcyzHUvVAU0pla5aBYFYCVMElI3QZYi8aME_gi7eq/s4032/FullSizeRender.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJjNQqdfB9hblRFCWQVkJPluRzHznn40sh3KCyj5-U-slLTA_HxgV-94bbFmQJ7NJxLK04LflsRRaVNX9Pf3njzA7Zf5iX6li3xzTiyomx9hphC4Qf4Wo8N_DMI-B0v54qzAi8ltuoAo0Sd7dmcyzHUvVAU0pla5aBYFYCVMElI3QZYi8aME_gi7eq/s320/FullSizeRender.HEIC" width="240" /></a></div><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Call shifts vary a lot here. Some nights I am at the
hospital most of the night between the labor ward and the ER. Some nights I get
to sleep most of the night. This night is fortunately calm, with only a couple
of ER patients. Early the next morning, though, I get called for a woman who
has been in labor for a while and pushing for more than 2 hours. She is getting
tired and the midwife is starting to worry about the baby. One good pull with a
vacuum and the baby comes out, much to everyone’s relief. The mother is
exhausted but incredibly grateful. I tell her she did the hard work, I just
provided a little extra help. She asks me my name. Confused, I tell her. She
tells me that she will name the baby Daniel as well. My heart is touched by her
gratitude. It is moments like these that make all the hard work worth it. I’m
so grateful to be here, serving and working in PNG. Thank you for your support
in making this possible.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span>******************** <br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">A couple of personal updates. I am currently on my way to Australia
for a short vacation. I am very grateful for this as it has been a busy summer,
and we have been short staffed. A couple of months ago, I got a puppy named Stella.
I am taking care of her with my neighbors the Myatts. She is very sweet, and I
have loved having her here with me. Finally, PNG recently completed its election
season. There was a lot of tension and some violence, however, I am very
thankful to God that things have not been worse. Thank you for your prayers for
the people here and for my work here.</p><p class="MsoNormal"> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_EM8KYmWoaSqYUPZfenrSNiDLSqFSLlTBnKIY7BCM6Ve4CWul-HReZr0r_7GTEeS-JBxiIfoa1utJOQygT4i-myrBpmPKORS4mf4l5YsQX6wC3pFcWbrAX2OS8vBv3LQjH4VHX1ASCSPvkEYxWP_OS_fhUCHnF07BDPt-u27zEwp7qwNEKaDmS5Md/s4032/IMG_0951.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_EM8KYmWoaSqYUPZfenrSNiDLSqFSLlTBnKIY7BCM6Ve4CWul-HReZr0r_7GTEeS-JBxiIfoa1utJOQygT4i-myrBpmPKORS4mf4l5YsQX6wC3pFcWbrAX2OS8vBv3LQjH4VHX1ASCSPvkEYxWP_OS_fhUCHnF07BDPt-u27zEwp7qwNEKaDmS5Md/s320/IMG_0951.heic" width="240" /></a></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHkazRYjuKbU66I8xDY3ISPj7WDjujIMNSzgT6KT_1IKSMaiFeEEZpbLXDUMmOHU6iEqNFOLsr2yRlv8TocnF7_rCessp8UGz8qCeQdImRpRAOhniJYBZGR6_erwdM09tqeurnMINy0C66Bb0FVnCwaLuRLoX4fR3GsKPvnLyK8t9F6MuKAbRjeDwn/s1024/73e5d5a1-d4a8-4a2e-8f70-1e33bb710c23.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="768" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHkazRYjuKbU66I8xDY3ISPj7WDjujIMNSzgT6KT_1IKSMaiFeEEZpbLXDUMmOHU6iEqNFOLsr2yRlv8TocnF7_rCessp8UGz8qCeQdImRpRAOhniJYBZGR6_erwdM09tqeurnMINy0C66Bb0FVnCwaLuRLoX4fR3GsKPvnLyK8t9F6MuKAbRjeDwn/s320/73e5d5a1-d4a8-4a2e-8f70-1e33bb710c23.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<p><style>@font-face
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{page:WordSection1;}</style></p></div>Danielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03646777935244150309noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6763854289481555431.post-91676332743778789172022-07-03T21:45:00.000-07:002022-07-03T21:45:05.477-07:00The Pain on This Side<p class="MsoNormal"> Warning: This blog post contains some graphic descriptions of
violence and difficult situations. Please read with discretion.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I sometimes hesitate to talk about certain experiences in my
blog posts. There are a number of reasons for this—not wanting to dwell on
difficult experiences, difficulty in expressing certain emotions, etc. Another
reason, though, is that I know that I am in some ways representing the people
of Papua New Guinea to those who may never have the chance to visit and have
their own experiences. But all reports must in some way be limited as it is
impossible to relate everything. It will always be skewed by the limits of my
observation.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Therefore, I don’t want this to be read as representative of
all those who live here in PNG. These are some of the difficult stories from
the last month that weigh on my heart. But they are also relieved by the small
kindness and love I see every day, the patient who brings me a papaya in
clinic, the young mom who smiles at me on rounds.</p><p class="MsoNormal"> </p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgCNyVWlrkCqWUHpmlHjvpTGaHFvJxJifVqY7gm89-jrbfy843uOcZpe4s-y-UE5Ke_2lvcbF3uLcYEn3oCEWs74KwIuRrKIeLlgOETwvQYpStW0MwL7OaR1LZVNSJBxmqkng63F-0N46p140GQ9bkxtO2S9QsYDESp0aDmmh33UFNhRc61aVfVWyqC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgCNyVWlrkCqWUHpmlHjvpTGaHFvJxJifVqY7gm89-jrbfy843uOcZpe4s-y-UE5Ke_2lvcbF3uLcYEn3oCEWs74KwIuRrKIeLlgOETwvQYpStW0MwL7OaR1LZVNSJBxmqkng63F-0N46p140GQ9bkxtO2S9QsYDESp0aDmmh33UFNhRc61aVfVWyqC" width="320" /></a></div><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">On a call shift several weeks ago, I felt like I should go
check out the ER after eating lunch as we had had a very busy morning. As I
approached, I noted the large crowd of people, some of them wailing and crying.
Our two trauma beds in the ER were occupied by two young men. One had a large
cut in his abdomen with his liver and intestines protruding out. The other had
a large laceration through his jaw and neck. Blood soaked clothing lay on both
beds as the nurses attempted to get IVs started. They were brothers. They had
been injured at a bride price celebration for the oldest brother (with the
large abdominal laceration), the ceremony preceding the wedding where the
groom’s family presents the bride’s family with money and pigs. The younger
brother of the groom had come asking for money. When he was denied, he became
angry and got out his bush knife. His two brothers became victims.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Our surgeons were able to take the older brother to the OR
to suture his liver, clean out his abdomen and close the skin back together. We
tied some large arteries on the other brother to try to slow down the bleeding
and provided several transfusions. We intubated and had to perform CPR multiple
times, however it soon became apparent that we could not fix his underlying
condition and he slowly passed away on the bloody ER bed.</p>
<div style="border-bottom: dotted windowtext 3.0pt; border: none; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in;">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: dotted windowtext 3.0pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; padding: 0in;"> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: dotted windowtext 3.0pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; padding: 0in;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhSvZ2dfjIDq-SyW9LmsDAGN4mKnFjv2BheLspwpMSUmkyKXRBKOfnLxIxB3pNz0aO6njBN-Yhy1PKaIWX5lhcZuIKOq0zLmG4v7Y0Y9EzF4rF_pG7hoNkuQXeQbPIk432xHYAYXE1yHsXxZKszMh8AlBwnqNL7uhu5geKhr_P8S44sg84wgLnBLWpe" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhSvZ2dfjIDq-SyW9LmsDAGN4mKnFjv2BheLspwpMSUmkyKXRBKOfnLxIxB3pNz0aO6njBN-Yhy1PKaIWX5lhcZuIKOq0zLmG4v7Y0Y9EzF4rF_pG7hoNkuQXeQbPIk432xHYAYXE1yHsXxZKszMh8AlBwnqNL7uhu5geKhr_P8S44sg84wgLnBLWpe" width="320" /></a></div><br /> <p></p>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I had taken care of her for about two and half weeks before
she started to deteriorate. She was young, around 20, and had a new baby as
well as a three-year-old boy, who always looked at me with wide eyes before
breaking into a toothy grin when I came to her bed. She had been beaten by her
husband and decided to drink gramoxone, a commonly used herbicide. In the US
gramoxone is heavily regulated and comes mixed with other chemicals to try to
prevent ingestion, but in many parts of the world these precautions are not
taken. Here it is a common method of suicide. Over days to weeks the toxin
generates damage in the liver, kidneys and lungs, eventually leading to kidney
failure and respiratory collapse.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">For Helen (name changed) I initially had some hope. Her
kidneys improved after days of IV fluids and her respiratory status was stable.
However, as can often happen, the poison led to increasing fibrosis in her lungs
over a couple of weeks. As her prognosis became clear, I sat down and talked
with her and her family. She was scared and tearful, but she also knew where
she was going after death, she had faith in Jesus.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The last day I saw her my heart sank thinking about her
young children who would grow up without their mother.</p><p class="MsoNormal"> </p><p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<div style="border-bottom: dotted windowtext 3.0pt; border: none; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in;">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: dotted windowtext 3.0pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; padding: 0in;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjdCiatlLY9euN41KHFlUdSFQKi8nZwWugtbExrUjijYRukcsvI0InfPxTpsCr4OBwabBQBwCm-g-FAb4MOxPSj0z0U1he_acb9R9jTJn-CQ7SaTkg6PKcBcirDS58B90D8mSR90y6jwxiOM7bV3dORTs0OSpcuwr56FyLSZY-srNE_MzUjh4ZTPO2x" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjdCiatlLY9euN41KHFlUdSFQKi8nZwWugtbExrUjijYRukcsvI0InfPxTpsCr4OBwabBQBwCm-g-FAb4MOxPSj0z0U1he_acb9R9jTJn-CQ7SaTkg6PKcBcirDS58B90D8mSR90y6jwxiOM7bV3dORTs0OSpcuwr56FyLSZY-srNE_MzUjh4ZTPO2x" width="320" /></a></div> <p></p>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">She was transported in by a helicopter from the Jimi valley,
a remote area of our province with difficult accessibility on a dirt road that
can become impassable during the rainy season. She had been in labor for 36
hours, but her baby was sleeping sideways instead of up and down. The arm had
come out but the rest of the body was unable to deliver.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<div style="border-bottom: dotted windowtext 3.0pt; border: none; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in;">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: dotted windowtext 3.0pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; padding: 0in;">I met her in the delivery room.
I tried to sense how she might feel in this new setting, surrounded by bright
lights and nurses and in immense pain. As I used the ultrasound to examine the
baby, I confirmed what she already knew, her baby had died during the ordeal. We
prayed with her and then prepared her for surgery.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: dotted windowtext 3.0pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; padding: 0in;"> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: dotted windowtext 3.0pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; padding: 0in;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjajwQxddfdtcFFW8auBylxIJd4GiFz-j37A0Yvs7FipQGgjU1dXa0bDrXq7KgYk4hQrmFHdStEwI9k_tKjuD1kXkwKxrja_qoH0PNxn8tu6n5TBEUKwAHuo2kdDUy6voiXVOmIIEza8f28Uc17dYXXvqvBw5nCJLDxVf83HZcJgUVNWePcItv9P4o-" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjajwQxddfdtcFFW8auBylxIJd4GiFz-j37A0Yvs7FipQGgjU1dXa0bDrXq7KgYk4hQrmFHdStEwI9k_tKjuD1kXkwKxrja_qoH0PNxn8tu6n5TBEUKwAHuo2kdDUy6voiXVOmIIEza8f28Uc17dYXXvqvBw5nCJLDxVf83HZcJgUVNWePcItv9P4o-" width="320" /></a></div><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: dotted windowtext 3.0pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; padding: 0in;"> </p>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p><p>
<span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">As a doctor, I am frequently brought into some
of the most difficult moments in people’s lives. It can be easy to forget
within the comfort of our own lives what many people experience throughout the
world, until that pain and brokenness comes rushing into our own lives. Without
hope in a coming time when the light will break through and justice will come,
it can feel bleak. But until then we pray for the coming of Jesus and try to let
as much light shine through our brokenness.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjvHrHw1Mx04GPa5YZU86B4qLw6ykGMczBnpWmBLuXtKc1X2XqW78en-frR4lqIWSCdTiOwE7QXJQ9BWpFhGaqLzQOQvsCOr3MigBid-AdEDdzJnonmYPEWzU1JpfbqRboadSZFnlI6B3LzM0VSmCHH0tX6eI5HqfRTHCPb6KqMEfqdb25UDc5NiyPH" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjvHrHw1Mx04GPa5YZU86B4qLw6ykGMczBnpWmBLuXtKc1X2XqW78en-frR4lqIWSCdTiOwE7QXJQ9BWpFhGaqLzQOQvsCOr3MigBid-AdEDdzJnonmYPEWzU1JpfbqRboadSZFnlI6B3LzM0VSmCHH0tX6eI5HqfRTHCPb6KqMEfqdb25UDc5NiyPH" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<p></p><p><style>@font-face
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{page:WordSection1;}</style></p>Danielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03646777935244150309noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6763854289481555431.post-76299549276719382432022-06-04T03:03:00.000-07:002022-06-04T03:03:48.278-07:00Light in the darkness<p class="MsoNormal">In the moments of darkness here, I’ve been looking for the hints of grace and light. I had originally planned to write a post about some
of the harder cases and pain that I had seen and experienced over the last 6
weeks, but as I sat down to write it, I struggled to begin and to feel
motivation to share those stories. I then paused and looked back through the
pictures on my phone. I saw different moments of life and joy that broke
through the darkness, and I want to share those instead. Maybe I will still
share those hard moments in a different blog, but today I want to show the new
life and hope God is bringing forth.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I got to work in the nursery for a few weeks last month. I enjoy
working in the nursery, getting to see the small babies grow, celebrating
the grams gained since the day before. During my time in the nursery, I took
care of a set of triplets. Most of the babies born this small don’t survive
here due to their need for advanced respiratory support. But miraculously God
had sustained these three babies. It was a joy to watch them slowly grow.</p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhZZ7A1TJsUVAF5zz1fCRp6WW5NjV51iYCVv_S7Lw-WLLMP8-j-tMH8LF-9WlLo7f940KVuDk0SpT24ECdKNiEG6jX0bcWNQ_tJ6VkwWb0PdlBK9T2HP1bLHdWO5aOidJ_Rp-9MKzse3cO5TgdcwczIlKT8dW-UvH0hSGoYsC0m53EyygUP9YiKxCH2" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhZZ7A1TJsUVAF5zz1fCRp6WW5NjV51iYCVv_S7Lw-WLLMP8-j-tMH8LF-9WlLo7f940KVuDk0SpT24ECdKNiEG6jX0bcWNQ_tJ6VkwWb0PdlBK9T2HP1bLHdWO5aOidJ_Rp-9MKzse3cO5TgdcwczIlKT8dW-UvH0hSGoYsC0m53EyygUP9YiKxCH2" width="180" /></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhvxmBl1bWEQlxlfrCXHNzneSmN5FerNiVBey6ldgd8GKhElRN4JFRJ0g0PxdHvjfKvXJX1qoRpbiO8x019KS85GUmRewx8MYLQag7xmD3FhFVVwHW8fn6P-FyoUldSGsAuhkl8xfhvu3FoBwdIKf8-H2G-3w5nqSjB9JIuZpBbouGdN_7Nx_wAE48g" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhvxmBl1bWEQlxlfrCXHNzneSmN5FerNiVBey6ldgd8GKhElRN4JFRJ0g0PxdHvjfKvXJX1qoRpbiO8x019KS85GUmRewx8MYLQag7xmD3FhFVVwHW8fn6P-FyoUldSGsAuhkl8xfhvu3FoBwdIKf8-H2G-3w5nqSjB9JIuZpBbouGdN_7Nx_wAE48g" width="180" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal">On my counter for the last several months I had avocado pits
suspended by toothpicks into water. I got to watch them finally break apart
sending down roots into the water and stems up into the air. A month ago, I
transplanted three of them outside into my yard. Looking out at them in the
morning reminds me of God’s work to sustain life all around me.</p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiKjV1iLYrQB7PwlOtv3aTYPNaAPxUFx0qWSBksk0lYljsy8bJbeOC8KKZigwqt_-FFfiuPsCWS-BGIX2Nrp5dP8SNIEP3r9NkjXUa0YHPs6lXSClenC4LcmtVc_O63w-m-QhmDpN_r3fzs8VeOkE6N8lewscdeWNeHoKAjIMJy7UcKCudiVaE_YUwB" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiKjV1iLYrQB7PwlOtv3aTYPNaAPxUFx0qWSBksk0lYljsy8bJbeOC8KKZigwqt_-FFfiuPsCWS-BGIX2Nrp5dP8SNIEP3r9NkjXUa0YHPs6lXSClenC4LcmtVc_O63w-m-QhmDpN_r3fzs8VeOkE6N8lewscdeWNeHoKAjIMJy7UcKCudiVaE_YUwB" width="180" /></a></div><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">A visiting surgeon and his wife, Tom and Tina, have become
close friends. They frequently have me over to play games, eat dinner, or make
an occasional bonfire. Tom and I have gone on several hikes together. It has
been good to have more fellowship the last couple of months, especially as some
of my closer friends here have been back in the US. A trip up to Mount Tapi a
few weeks ago showed me again the beauty of this place that God has called me
to.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj3ikQ5CICC2d_kQu-owHeT664iHIw9smXzhkNiXrzCTocq6DzGoFUlTXVE0b5R8eXmFIcOoTazzicWV0vXwTuqY8mdblOMPMl4jFcP2-IEa6daiV3NlmlKVX86rFzebi1C474M0pQQZCnMpBwPzr9sq8QvbH9vdYrbignByyKm52X2LrD099QkkjKO" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj3ikQ5CICC2d_kQu-owHeT664iHIw9smXzhkNiXrzCTocq6DzGoFUlTXVE0b5R8eXmFIcOoTazzicWV0vXwTuqY8mdblOMPMl4jFcP2-IEa6daiV3NlmlKVX86rFzebi1C474M0pQQZCnMpBwPzr9sq8QvbH9vdYrbignByyKm52X2LrD099QkkjKO" width="180" /></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEikxl7-5UDie1BmEySUeEdMMHzMIlozoFmS1J3uCLoBLmEMyZSr1INwMayUH6C2VjhNq9Td4Hnucay4dMY36D5mbOzNKVY7dpYNwcjYRaGGVUjrxJYikl7AyNx4rmfqVeVEyKvCGkHgK4UwjOa1_prEl1OeDHZ-xSUC9K_e-K_zOuO6wL_Yj6HCDRjv" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEikxl7-5UDie1BmEySUeEdMMHzMIlozoFmS1J3uCLoBLmEMyZSr1INwMayUH6C2VjhNq9Td4Hnucay4dMY36D5mbOzNKVY7dpYNwcjYRaGGVUjrxJYikl7AyNx4rmfqVeVEyKvCGkHgK4UwjOa1_prEl1OeDHZ-xSUC9K_e-K_zOuO6wL_Yj6HCDRjv" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEisnzMlcs2nv79RWP56_l4_FMVUScFsGkYaZSZnkl8hT_L5o0FS2y3IOI-UkV6i6PuzwJ2hbp-Uz0VngrZHywyMFdDWnArAQfemAsqPC8uU_m9Us-bI3sofA1ycbtuUc078rmNO3qtEsbGhiultkVPPKMph9S-m1pEff97p3D-BG_nVNPRTW-ADYQuE" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEisnzMlcs2nv79RWP56_l4_FMVUScFsGkYaZSZnkl8hT_L5o0FS2y3IOI-UkV6i6PuzwJ2hbp-Uz0VngrZHywyMFdDWnArAQfemAsqPC8uU_m9Us-bI3sofA1ycbtuUc078rmNO3qtEsbGhiultkVPPKMph9S-m1pEff97p3D-BG_nVNPRTW-ADYQuE" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiLFnRQS5FDIIWnDD2NdMH6OoZXfAJz0b8TNlSJ6kwsm7M84jMOBjQ8vWisfHOcQZocusj2rnia2A7-fQCb5K6i2luZ2qK8EvhfEpoDFvl-y4RorzaiTndu9YuTy2eI7b8MeI-7TdyVnzWdoGCLoUwCo57zzpodI4nfR3dtbA1M3jwv4XhSSNPqsvz0" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiLFnRQS5FDIIWnDD2NdMH6OoZXfAJz0b8TNlSJ6kwsm7M84jMOBjQ8vWisfHOcQZocusj2rnia2A7-fQCb5K6i2luZ2qK8EvhfEpoDFvl-y4RorzaiTndu9YuTy2eI7b8MeI-7TdyVnzWdoGCLoUwCo57zzpodI4nfR3dtbA1M3jwv4XhSSNPqsvz0" width="320" /></a></div>
<p class="MsoNormal">Last week in clinic I had a sweet 5 year old boy who came in
with a supracondylar fracture (a fracture of the arm near the elbow). His arm
was severely angulated, but he stayed calm even though he was in a lot of pain.
We put him to sleep so that we could try to straighten his humerus. After three
unsuccessful attempts, we finally felt some movement with the 4<sup>th</sup>
pull, so we repeated the Xray. While not perfect, he should heal well and be
able to use the arm normally in the future.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEikpE9jYSxxlhfdm5a7l_X4E5bMMdqIPCFdueHbK0SnAryfg_ITyNr1M6iBrlSqadmbTlpRnkgNMBWz9asERpfhjNV366QsgR6_BlwUdTtAAFfCUR3QZ2V2xy_jo24TBTDyCbM7mG5UJs1K71blgPLUd4yccZqM2abuM2A_bIjzS3TaGVQxlO87H4xU" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEikpE9jYSxxlhfdm5a7l_X4E5bMMdqIPCFdueHbK0SnAryfg_ITyNr1M6iBrlSqadmbTlpRnkgNMBWz9asERpfhjNV366QsgR6_BlwUdTtAAFfCUR3QZ2V2xy_jo24TBTDyCbM7mG5UJs1K71blgPLUd4yccZqM2abuM2A_bIjzS3TaGVQxlO87H4xU" width="180" /></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhlRgK0xYrsujxankkEh-t0bm6uyZSjnN3cyt_bYbiG9CTLCEv_3A0-vyKkeRdQNFw39rgkOrn8YTgVVa77k9pTzvZzsHAoZ5UBfNerxIkWeOqjJNXlCeFwUGicGj_7NsgxwCFMoO8jNAz5dx1gxwm-UG6rRn-76doLQXuQtk8rOBLvOzx5DS2uJdiz" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhlRgK0xYrsujxankkEh-t0bm6uyZSjnN3cyt_bYbiG9CTLCEv_3A0-vyKkeRdQNFw39rgkOrn8YTgVVa77k9pTzvZzsHAoZ5UBfNerxIkWeOqjJNXlCeFwUGicGj_7NsgxwCFMoO8jNAz5dx1gxwm-UG6rRn-76doLQXuQtk8rOBLvOzx5DS2uJdiz" width="180" /></a></div></div><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Finally, while in the midst of chaos from a large car
accident in which 20-30 patients came into the ER all at the same time, a young
man who had been shot in the head was carried in by his friends. He was able to
sit up and talk and had a small entry wound on his forehead that was bleeding a
little. Spencer (a PNG doctor) and I were astonished by the Xrays. The patient
stayed in the hospital for a couple of days and was subsequently discharged
home. Thank God for the small miracles.</p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhBmR7B1D2bP-0beUEneDgCow9XLrPDczLuiv5kSmCId3LKjrOIbettT5x2wrwbjlL1kOq7zCqKQet0lB2rniZWVKr3YMK3A1TkkX0sPu8oqcQnkGd6Y9M3nVtwMWJKBQV9TbJwKP0CA4_zjI86jhI9WQoIBR8cpvpEy9TX_S2GnIhmYMz_3pgS7inc" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3822" data-original-width="3016" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhBmR7B1D2bP-0beUEneDgCow9XLrPDczLuiv5kSmCId3LKjrOIbettT5x2wrwbjlL1kOq7zCqKQet0lB2rniZWVKr3YMK3A1TkkX0sPu8oqcQnkGd6Y9M3nVtwMWJKBQV9TbJwKP0CA4_zjI86jhI9WQoIBR8cpvpEy9TX_S2GnIhmYMz_3pgS7inc" width="189" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiQZe5TZX_mMAANtYfdZQrPkuWJT5ezhWwAZkt9Igx3ReL-wCQ5zCmSRCtJo0C_jM-7cPuhIF4vjfG8vZ8kmUw-u0ldZJ8pqXiPWAxiEyb0DgfxdWc9vsDJSW4Y3GcfumZdJYuK5L0ZvHPnI5oYgrJTsT9F94ZKZroyYdUBFFnf_ze6VmvA3caa1fzU" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3010" data-original-width="3838" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiQZe5TZX_mMAANtYfdZQrPkuWJT5ezhWwAZkt9Igx3ReL-wCQ5zCmSRCtJo0C_jM-7cPuhIF4vjfG8vZ8kmUw-u0ldZJ8pqXiPWAxiEyb0DgfxdWc9vsDJSW4Y3GcfumZdJYuK5L0ZvHPnI5oYgrJTsT9F94ZKZroyYdUBFFnf_ze6VmvA3caa1fzU" width="306" /></a></div><p></p>
<span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Thank you all for your support and prayers. I appreciate
and love you all.</span>
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{page:WordSection1;}</style></p>Danielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03646777935244150309noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6763854289481555431.post-58744738036417746222022-04-19T21:14:00.001-07:002022-04-19T21:15:14.213-07:00Snapshots<p> <span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">Sorry for the long delay between my blog posts. Life has been busy here and my computer is currently broken, which makes it harder to write blog posts. I was thinking of how I was going to convey all that has happened since I last wrote, and it came to me as I was looking through pictures. So I’m going to share a number of pictures from the last month with captions. I’ll start with pictures from the hospital and then move to life outside.</span></p><br style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;" /><p dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOMKwJP6FFkKU8406gagvy71nMKmIsOmw5-wdU0IqkuieCY5GXWWzFDdZFITV8HBFyF76K-PQe2x7IIa2vg-i3yyJeGWVB-A8Kl1SgTsW5pehp_uiM8h4nFAouOnswZRIi5ayTFbjII-dojT1TMKUNVEAJJ-a1liEzluriFjP5ysFagadmdZmiOwXn/s4032/4ECF4CB9-14CE-4818-8F33-A4F91C1EAFCC.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOMKwJP6FFkKU8406gagvy71nMKmIsOmw5-wdU0IqkuieCY5GXWWzFDdZFITV8HBFyF76K-PQe2x7IIa2vg-i3yyJeGWVB-A8Kl1SgTsW5pehp_uiM8h4nFAouOnswZRIi5ayTFbjII-dojT1TMKUNVEAJJ-a1liEzluriFjP5ysFagadmdZmiOwXn/s320/4ECF4CB9-14CE-4818-8F33-A4F91C1EAFCC.jpeg" width="240" /></a></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">This is the ultrasound of the kidney of a male patient who came to see me with several months of abdominal swelling and feeling a mass on his left side. I’m unsure if it is a tumor or just severe hydronephrosis (swelling of the kidney) from some type of obstruction but he will be scheduled for a nephrectomy (removal of the kidney) with our surgery team.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHRxdAxioUqR9V75yk7hB8UtXorJ17zduj-Wy9MkMWVe1DGxd97lhWWGvuDzYFZ4kfB4XCGqYJc3X4-LtkQcdysSyOIxPBwmwUzyjplo8I0wdVLILREFH2nb5MZP5YHwxcffiosPKrqxWJr8MoljWwNn3s6uU_8aGyZ0qTd9yCZ275egRIq1etLtAo/s4032/3F6849F8-F728-4B08-A7FA-6400EFF800F4.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHRxdAxioUqR9V75yk7hB8UtXorJ17zduj-Wy9MkMWVe1DGxd97lhWWGvuDzYFZ4kfB4XCGqYJc3X4-LtkQcdysSyOIxPBwmwUzyjplo8I0wdVLILREFH2nb5MZP5YHwxcffiosPKrqxWJr8MoljWwNn3s6uU_8aGyZ0qTd9yCZ275egRIq1etLtAo/s320/3F6849F8-F728-4B08-A7FA-6400EFF800F4.jpeg" width="240" /></a></p><p dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">This X-ray was from a young man who was hit by a car. He had complete paralysis of his legs and partial paralysis of his arms. The X-ray shows a cervical spine fracture. He was placed in traction but likely faces a very difficult future.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzqBvgC4ZLqqMd72lqjef61vpi8sQO9FCWRWh2lEqArDy5xyBKT2nIYPQRwGmJlvTHaz2DA7dmVGjSkYf8yzcTSAZJU_dNL_oSdFH-dKk9GL7XO7omXEpDYhzgt9QA4Okx0PumyMKOd5pmVSULKubmh-opgprFWWBy9QiRIVZBXVJtwngPmnYBCmcL/s4032/F63499E3-D8D7-417B-BDAB-38F63D3B85A7.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666984558105px; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center; white-space: pre-wrap;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzqBvgC4ZLqqMd72lqjef61vpi8sQO9FCWRWh2lEqArDy5xyBKT2nIYPQRwGmJlvTHaz2DA7dmVGjSkYf8yzcTSAZJU_dNL_oSdFH-dKk9GL7XO7omXEpDYhzgt9QA4Okx0PumyMKOd5pmVSULKubmh-opgprFWWBy9QiRIVZBXVJtwngPmnYBCmcL/s320/F63499E3-D8D7-417B-BDAB-38F63D3B85A7.jpeg" width="320" /></a></p><p dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">This is an ultrasound of abdominal lymphoma with lesions in the liver of a young man who came in with cachexia and fever. We initially treated him for helminths (parasites), presuming the lesions to be infectious. When he didn’t improve, he was able to drive to a different hospital and get a CT scan (prohibitively expensive for most patients) and the diagnosis was made. We started him on chemotherapy, but again, the prognosis poor.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilcPy38K3_YGtqbXQOZ8adUAZqVK8FyMb7NWs-8KjYhcitr_bKGjWOlUaAYxzZNCdbi1rZa1pVqlPWmBBKrXc2hRtNjMIPLh7O_Tedi-rzcGcTTHw3pEgkXhZbjX0KawVMZjLb4gfZHMs7Ya19gJSmQvAQqQYbIl7Nhs1WZOpDfhsZStrTQAXCbEjq/s4032/0F8AF195-5E01-4D5E-9020-E369A602292A.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilcPy38K3_YGtqbXQOZ8adUAZqVK8FyMb7NWs-8KjYhcitr_bKGjWOlUaAYxzZNCdbi1rZa1pVqlPWmBBKrXc2hRtNjMIPLh7O_Tedi-rzcGcTTHw3pEgkXhZbjX0KawVMZjLb4gfZHMs7Ya19gJSmQvAQqQYbIl7Nhs1WZOpDfhsZStrTQAXCbEjq/s320/0F8AF195-5E01-4D5E-9020-E369A602292A.jpeg" width="240" /></a></p><p dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">This is the follow up film of a young girl that had come in with a week old fracture of her forearm. It was a really difficult reduction, but we were surprised and happy at the improvement. We end up reducing and casting a number of fractures that would go for orthopedic surgery in the US due to the limitations of our surgical capacity. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb9BnScZlIZY2lg0CXqzNRmhXEIGsY4Jz8kwixPwr5WP5pAE1LW2eCAH4JNvGLjEOmKUzEJzoYsG9EBqsnMUWceTOb6kPCwZKK9mslaZdkCCLQiilKWRprsxOlIuWOrFJ_PQyvzPFe9Yuu-47I3zdGsDScfQ7AjX1Lb5lyRPlGSlbS7FZ1eZWsCbi_/s4032/7D488A69-25DE-4BF1-BF39-0F78DEBB0439.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb9BnScZlIZY2lg0CXqzNRmhXEIGsY4Jz8kwixPwr5WP5pAE1LW2eCAH4JNvGLjEOmKUzEJzoYsG9EBqsnMUWceTOb6kPCwZKK9mslaZdkCCLQiilKWRprsxOlIuWOrFJ_PQyvzPFe9Yuu-47I3zdGsDScfQ7AjX1Lb5lyRPlGSlbS7FZ1eZWsCbi_/s320/7D488A69-25DE-4BF1-BF39-0F78DEBB0439.jpeg" width="240" /></a></p><p dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">One of my favorite patients, this little boy came from the Jimi valley, a remote and poor area of Jiwaka, with a badly infected burn to his head. Unfortunately burns are common here as many people cook indoors and children have a lot of independence. While he didn’t like dressing changes, he usually was a very happy kid, full of giggles and baby chatter. <br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1J3ljq4M9WkwhcnwBSe-4mPlOrCOvoQlv6vyquDbJXYELNMgy7Wz-cDvhRvMsvK6z4XmD-Zc2tL8k6yuoFOKm4h7nDFTONZaDtWL9CimO8uqEG3Mcx6LmeHzlNwyz8xsIZpwS4tBgnsyCWWDWZGi-qm4CAiyX0Fe95HTQqmMpTfAhPOjBKO3-Pmd7/s4032/86F63CBB-753E-40AC-8EA8-21D0BC137FC9.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="font-size: 11pt; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1J3ljq4M9WkwhcnwBSe-4mPlOrCOvoQlv6vyquDbJXYELNMgy7Wz-cDvhRvMsvK6z4XmD-Zc2tL8k6yuoFOKm4h7nDFTONZaDtWL9CimO8uqEG3Mcx6LmeHzlNwyz8xsIZpwS4tBgnsyCWWDWZGi-qm4CAiyX0Fe95HTQqmMpTfAhPOjBKO3-Pmd7/s320/86F63CBB-753E-40AC-8EA8-21D0BC137FC9.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A couple of months ago a local school was burned down, presumably due to some disagreements over land. This led to local unrest and vandalism at the hospital. We were unfortunately closed for a few days to ensure the safety of staff. Thankfully this did not last long and we were able to reopen to help our patients, but there are still scars in the community over this act of violence. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 14.666666984558105px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs71Zj3XYumLdFOiOVi5aCw_pkGWXmy_HXlsh6QtjU9o7KfiYdPDCQnwTbWNufn9BopdeLt32bEn3eRQpgs3rVZodzdGVitiFDxtQ3ANwh_v81AX_OXq_KLhbY5huhgfbWjIBRLrjyDvGTbgotYP0_BjZLSoVKd8dUzo8hQZhnGbn_jqf4ZFmeBBaD/s4032/E704842D-9D26-4C01-A62B-B49AE4B2ADAA.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs71Zj3XYumLdFOiOVi5aCw_pkGWXmy_HXlsh6QtjU9o7KfiYdPDCQnwTbWNufn9BopdeLt32bEn3eRQpgs3rVZodzdGVitiFDxtQ3ANwh_v81AX_OXq_KLhbY5huhgfbWjIBRLrjyDvGTbgotYP0_BjZLSoVKd8dUzo8hQZhnGbn_jqf4ZFmeBBaD/s320/E704842D-9D26-4C01-A62B-B49AE4B2ADAA.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1PgRzI49ZyipPgnoKSL4KvzPRNQcKJh_0B-ZYoHI8Sial0W_07swlFFUW2k6JCHp-RR2Jhd0-0TwXGtjCC0HGFPjVk3zAbTgX7rvH-hux97L9Q_emJNWFr_NPZQ431QYNViKlg2SHnhWO8a8AS81CM4T7Pulbved6F4DWo2Z1CdbNYGBFVtGntCCg/s4032/95E8DEAE-47C4-4399-9AA0-8DE38F63D456.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1PgRzI49ZyipPgnoKSL4KvzPRNQcKJh_0B-ZYoHI8Sial0W_07swlFFUW2k6JCHp-RR2Jhd0-0TwXGtjCC0HGFPjVk3zAbTgX7rvH-hux97L9Q_emJNWFr_NPZQ431QYNViKlg2SHnhWO8a8AS81CM4T7Pulbved6F4DWo2Z1CdbNYGBFVtGntCCg/s320/95E8DEAE-47C4-4399-9AA0-8DE38F63D456.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ8rEua-hCqEkXfv78rDUlnzfq80rCGZ9C-WCOV5qP81jOMR-CYCNf5Sil6TAlFH08oCT9tGvnTIy9mAhoa73clb1uf8uWcplegQakU5uZgCpOxES_XzCwj-YpM4tMvLuAm3JhvQ8xJ7LW2ILHy0kgCssI6WyGAMeiMJCqWFl5yKXIagPtoeFK7R4E/s4032/1E670EFC-960A-4229-80D2-25B21C54F1E8.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ8rEua-hCqEkXfv78rDUlnzfq80rCGZ9C-WCOV5qP81jOMR-CYCNf5Sil6TAlFH08oCT9tGvnTIy9mAhoa73clb1uf8uWcplegQakU5uZgCpOxES_XzCwj-YpM4tMvLuAm3JhvQ8xJ7LW2ILHy0kgCssI6WyGAMeiMJCqWFl5yKXIagPtoeFK7R4E/s320/1E670EFC-960A-4229-80D2-25B21C54F1E8.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMDDvC8r-8wtwwTsJVHhU8Xkx3SPB3Z-FSgKIPVlg3YlWpZ2ZmuMv00kc4f9cnmTSiMFW2yrugOfy90QC2fydKtCTwwYbcnTudWDZ0v7zJjVFCKeIhPaaJFdKIRMYx5s2D3q_widQ74JYJW_587NhnCizk2Syj6Laq_SotWTt5lbhaVQOS_Df9IuLK/s4032/0F92A0C8-7966-4992-BC42-86EB5F0A82CA.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMDDvC8r-8wtwwTsJVHhU8Xkx3SPB3Z-FSgKIPVlg3YlWpZ2ZmuMv00kc4f9cnmTSiMFW2yrugOfy90QC2fydKtCTwwYbcnTudWDZ0v7zJjVFCKeIhPaaJFdKIRMYx5s2D3q_widQ74JYJW_587NhnCizk2Syj6Laq_SotWTt5lbhaVQOS_Df9IuLK/s320/0F92A0C8-7966-4992-BC42-86EB5F0A82CA.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">My parents were able to come visit for 9 days a month ago. Thankfully they didn’t have too much jet lag because we crammed in tours of the hospital, a hike into the surrounding mountains, a mumu (traditional way of cooking with hot rocks and banana leaves in a hole in the ground), snorkeling and a hike to a volcano. It was a huge blessing to be able to see them. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVeFeYMugFh4Q3T5Ovg9BGNPbJ-jMghpHenUeBGh8ILhGaxM1YoLE_5NFCp4LvWhJMhB4r6J2Il9c8Q0PHjHiKjg1ANbIAguyLa7IVaQ94ul4Oo8cmNtcDPtEhspQKsLpF9SrKo_aS00HLRE7i7XWHnSYdiUprcGncouPmN01srqKKHFWlhgTzoKqG/s4000/4431FDFB-B95A-4833-A382-81B53977756E.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666984558105px; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center; white-space: pre-wrap;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVeFeYMugFh4Q3T5Ovg9BGNPbJ-jMghpHenUeBGh8ILhGaxM1YoLE_5NFCp4LvWhJMhB4r6J2Il9c8Q0PHjHiKjg1ANbIAguyLa7IVaQ94ul4Oo8cmNtcDPtEhspQKsLpF9SrKo_aS00HLRE7i7XWHnSYdiUprcGncouPmN01srqKKHFWlhgTzoKqG/s320/4431FDFB-B95A-4833-A382-81B53977756E.jpeg" width="240" /></a></p><p dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I am frequently mistaken for one of my colleagues (Dr Matt) at the hospital by many of the patients. The above picture may explain why. It has been a huge blessing to me to be able to work with and learn from so many amazing physicians here. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 14.666666984558105px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ6JTtVSOGrZMq9u8DsaOweXt5avyU9jV6cfalfaAsozFTyVxYMGOYHwWbWqkEZhgYuLzhYqmi1_kOl61N2afKtSjwm8cIm-tdxkzAd_ISe88DbiYRAUZo8tDJBTCldNvWYQ2vPr6-psPWJM_srndu0TVDAW4v94_ZWqR-FTTr8gfT-VRQbLVRLiVz/s4032/97E5AA04-7E1B-4A48-9623-5BBFFA17FA33.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ6JTtVSOGrZMq9u8DsaOweXt5avyU9jV6cfalfaAsozFTyVxYMGOYHwWbWqkEZhgYuLzhYqmi1_kOl61N2afKtSjwm8cIm-tdxkzAd_ISe88DbiYRAUZo8tDJBTCldNvWYQ2vPr6-psPWJM_srndu0TVDAW4v94_ZWqR-FTTr8gfT-VRQbLVRLiVz/s320/97E5AA04-7E1B-4A48-9623-5BBFFA17FA33.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnZZqx-9mo3HUsHUtCg1f0m_VmRUimEZNd1EJqRj8I0SM50TxRHjd0QbXRHQ1jwCRFnmRcHs1evAIaL5TdxyMlySQ4UfTQlZeZx_vGpEkANdFDVPxOah6-TOtPT2-Y73uoISFuX2JMp2ldBdFuwI8nWeYLtNoleEVYjxEUkvqg-XOJVjblg7IdRJFn/s4032/34B8DFE8-C477-47CA-B358-502F0FEBF024.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnZZqx-9mo3HUsHUtCg1f0m_VmRUimEZNd1EJqRj8I0SM50TxRHjd0QbXRHQ1jwCRFnmRcHs1evAIaL5TdxyMlySQ4UfTQlZeZx_vGpEkANdFDVPxOah6-TOtPT2-Y73uoISFuX2JMp2ldBdFuwI8nWeYLtNoleEVYjxEUkvqg-XOJVjblg7IdRJFn/s320/34B8DFE8-C477-47CA-B358-502F0FEBF024.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwCqw5udSsRI60wQ9GK1xpayxvf9B53ogiewz4LGepXCVY1quuTuwpOEVImuTvAY9Mdrbjhxk_bBURU9rmBew' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><p></p><p dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Finally, I was honored to be able to give the Easter sermon at Konduk church, a small church in the mountains south of station. There were beautiful flowers and stirring music. I shared on Jesus appearing to Mary and the disciples on the road to Emmaus, how they both needed Jesus to open their eyes, and how he did so in such intimate ways. I pray that God may open your eyes in new ways to His love and presence as well. Thank you for all your support!</span></p><br />Danielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03646777935244150309noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6763854289481555431.post-11882299068593030762022-03-06T02:31:00.001-08:002022-03-06T02:31:12.814-08:00Fullness of Redemption<p class="MsoNormal"> My heart sank and my head went suddenly quiet as I found her
kidney with the ultrasound probe. Time seemed to pause in the little ultrasound
room. It was all I could do to keep from crying. She had severe hydronephrosis
on the left side, a consequence of the large cervical cancer that I had
discovered just a few minutes prior. I had hoped that maybe it was still early
enough that surgery might benefit her. It was almost a minute before I could
begin to tell her what I had found.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Unfortunately, stage IV metastatic cancer is not uncommon
here. Without routine screenings for cancers (colonoscopy for colon cancer, Pap
smears for cervical cancer, mammograms for breast cancer), societal knowledge
of cancers that might lead to seeking care earlier (testicular and breast
cancer especially) or routine interventions (hepatitis B vaccination-now
becoming more common), cancer is often only found after it has metastasized or
become too large for intervention. And, unfortunately, some of these patients
are young, as Susan was (name changed).</p><p class="MsoNormal"> </p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjxmK3Do60-PsdocsscKchfhElCQxmanv9MRLtpeVFIKtZbX7nsRHp-7r0a1nbuLx3_xFpqU1Gfqbh1EghTYVGB4m5Xssl5aEZuuL4ggcUNHmPRIjyQzcCiZ9lg6UHpwhS1KJTUg-E0gWz7vs7nzssJ2iDmHMR5Jo6FQXLyQwlxgS-JCBg-LEzalL1K=s3541" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2401" data-original-width="3541" height="217" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjxmK3Do60-PsdocsscKchfhElCQxmanv9MRLtpeVFIKtZbX7nsRHp-7r0a1nbuLx3_xFpqU1Gfqbh1EghTYVGB4m5Xssl5aEZuuL4ggcUNHmPRIjyQzcCiZ9lg6UHpwhS1KJTUg-E0gWz7vs7nzssJ2iDmHMR5Jo6FQXLyQwlxgS-JCBg-LEzalL1K=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We sat there together in the semi-darkness after I had told
her what I had found. She saw my grief and knew the seriousness of the
diagnosis. After some time, I began to explore more about her life. She had at
one time been a Christian, grown up in the home of a pastor. But she had had a
difficult life and had left her faith in God. She was currently in her 4<sup>th</sup>
marriage despite being in her late 20s/early 30s. I shared the love and the
hope I had found in Jesus, despite my mistakes, and how there was always a way
back to God’s open arms. She began to cry too as we prayed, and she reopened
that door in her life to know Jesus again.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjTzOQ3DWT2JDL1NS1JH6fd83sZVy9ljinqHaL3bBzJeHSg3R5PcNjlYO0yLsW1fry75f8cjkdOLR3moOXCWxpVZtmMU5Cojw-POqdnY-WX7zKVoQ3r1oCWmDad2Z61qmJJctjs05YmKe0FglsPNvuDz3BUmeCCi_wPZUQntBDr3TqYoD5Uu1NV9UTl=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjTzOQ3DWT2JDL1NS1JH6fd83sZVy9ljinqHaL3bBzJeHSg3R5PcNjlYO0yLsW1fry75f8cjkdOLR3moOXCWxpVZtmMU5Cojw-POqdnY-WX7zKVoQ3r1oCWmDad2Z61qmJJctjs05YmKe0FglsPNvuDz3BUmeCCi_wPZUQntBDr3TqYoD5Uu1NV9UTl=s320" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Earlier that day I had felt the same sinking feeling as I
palpated the mass overtaking Wendy’s neck and clavicle (name changed). The mass
had started in her left breast but had obviously spread. As I looked at her
chest x-ray, the small sliver of hope I had vanished with the metastases in her
lungs. She had a one-year-old at home and was still breast feeding, part of why
she hadn’t come in sooner for evaluation. I was able to connect her with Dr
Matt, one of our physicians who has started a palliative care ministry, where
he provides spiritual as well as physical care in the homes of patients dying
from various diseases that we are unable to cure.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Days like this can feel heavy. Patients shouldn’t be dying
from these diseases at such a young age. But there is still hope in these black
circumstances. In the midst of the brokenness of cancer, Jesus met these two
women with hope. In a book I have mentioned before, Promises in the Dark, Eric
McLaughlin talks about a phrase from a hymn, the “fullness of redemption.” So
often here we see only brokenness and small glimpses of redemption. But in time,
Jesus is going to bring everything to complete redemption, our bodies, souls,
relationships, world. And there will be a fullness to that work. I’m glad that
Susan and Wendy will be able to see it.</p><p class="MsoNormal"> </p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiKqyzKoOPYSJELLmg1tVdfrBZ4dT0usam4v5TV3m2hl9Jhv_SN5K7Mfh5X4BrA2sQseek74eUSFAjclUXZMWNPMvzU3Wo_ZWVT1Hw5PQcLVG6hrfAwH3JdFxvoSWk_X78qjt5waNc4f0mJvLyFWz1oUvz4m4jMH4qAkmH84rx2lZWkd-6jEmGLO81V=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiKqyzKoOPYSJELLmg1tVdfrBZ4dT0usam4v5TV3m2hl9Jhv_SN5K7Mfh5X4BrA2sQseek74eUSFAjclUXZMWNPMvzU3Wo_ZWVT1Hw5PQcLVG6hrfAwH3JdFxvoSWk_X78qjt5waNc4f0mJvLyFWz1oUvz4m4jMH4qAkmH84rx2lZWkd-6jEmGLO81V=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /> <p></p>
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{page:WordSection1;}</style></p>Danielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03646777935244150309noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6763854289481555431.post-38294890010950878782022-02-11T23:13:00.000-08:002022-02-11T23:13:24.789-08:00Waffa Trip<p><strong>Witness</strong> by <strong>Denise Levertov</strong></p>
<p>Sometimes the mountain<br />
is hidden from me in veils<br />
of cloud, sometimes<br />
I am hidden from the mountain<br />
in veils of inattention, apathy, fatigue,<br />
when I forget or refuse to go<br />
down to the shore or a few yards<br />
up the road, on a clear day,<br />
to reconfirm<br />
that witnessing presence.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The start of this poem has run through my mind many times
over the last year. Perhaps it’s the mountains that rise beyond the hospital,
frequently covered in clouds in the afternoon. It can be easy to lose track of
why I am here and get caught in the business of seeing patients. It can be
helpful to have moments that help me to remember God’s calling, to see the
mountain again. Visiting Waffa, one of our rural clinics, was one of those
moments for me. It was both humbling and a joy to be able to work alongside the
incredible nursing officers working in this area and to meet the hospitable
people of Markam District.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjmNKKm4GC-Vm2bsUVBqNH95kn6cGBMCHzEMAAj50D_5EUDgFX_vycg1w-3MiXYsm453ggKfUVonjjoAf1RwabpRiNrPBzEWi7U2s_JxxQpptwJcv7bgfqLcQrUIIy1z34AWnj_dXnP4VB9RQGNDJfJFclfUkZRfqsfQ7QiNycmTZqkJ7gX17fRM50F=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjmNKKm4GC-Vm2bsUVBqNH95kn6cGBMCHzEMAAj50D_5EUDgFX_vycg1w-3MiXYsm453ggKfUVonjjoAf1RwabpRiNrPBzEWi7U2s_JxxQpptwJcv7bgfqLcQrUIIy1z34AWnj_dXnP4VB9RQGNDJfJFclfUkZRfqsfQ7QiNycmTZqkJ7gX17fRM50F=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Traveling to Waffa is in itself an adventure. It requires a 7.5-hour
drive, wading across the Markam river, another 1-2 hour drive and crossing
another river (by innertube or wading). After crossing the Markam river, we
crossed several smaller streams and rivers as we traveled deeper into the bush.
Grasslands turned to rainforest with high canopies above. I glimpsed wild
hornbills and cockatoos as our car pulled underneath the trees. Partway through
the trip, Gabriel, our director of Rural Health Services, leaned over to me and
said, “This car doesn’t have any breaks. He just puts it into reverse to slow
it down on the hills.” I just had to smile to myself and think about what my
mother would say.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjJWc2IABQ0yoJTFyD2F3ATz2rK-oevo6pFMpyhyeSYJayzDD9Jefu3SujzWPHylTX59V0TdvLXXhVb80gBSVeVGAj7trSqjDpJUKM4FwHH2dKmf3C5AkXNengTjfxw8ft27I8lgzY0R6NXkXg0Ig5YcM953S6uPOvb-_xceqifnNJGpgzLWrrrwK54=s5184" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="5184" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjJWc2IABQ0yoJTFyD2F3ATz2rK-oevo6pFMpyhyeSYJayzDD9Jefu3SujzWPHylTX59V0TdvLXXhVb80gBSVeVGAj7trSqjDpJUKM4FwHH2dKmf3C5AkXNengTjfxw8ft27I8lgzY0R6NXkXg0Ig5YcM953S6uPOvb-_xceqifnNJGpgzLWrrrwK54=s320" width="320" /></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhmg-lvi1Ez58j9-Q3EOj9h5pB6dEEtvjVAQeDWOCiJqXhHjtUvQYaq1VpahuPAY4EaILYA-at65H6b6nr190iN1E6oEtIqnwaoLb7dV-olImod92lADB6wX4P9y26O2n4pXZjsDsqBaaldA1ZAQnF1PbGmq5nC2fVPykExwzUYwJZtAOKoOnPu3qTP=s5184" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="5184" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhmg-lvi1Ez58j9-Q3EOj9h5pB6dEEtvjVAQeDWOCiJqXhHjtUvQYaq1VpahuPAY4EaILYA-at65H6b6nr190iN1E6oEtIqnwaoLb7dV-olImod92lADB6wX4P9y26O2n4pXZjsDsqBaaldA1ZAQnF1PbGmq5nC2fVPykExwzUYwJZtAOKoOnPu3qTP=s320" width="320" /></a></div></div><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEge6Q5_DBjFMtT9wKrMdsymLjO7agCAnUscqgMqc_tRIF6icV8qw9SpAzBe6VUeZb4_yRCRknNs6cbteuQwgwLINfcXnObsCAsq_Iw-PVKB5Zzi3-8-57qXhoDFsSZRATv1ECya1_67l6gvMZkYFLMKswo9r926BuBKQIe6jEH8lJnLlOSJy7NbJ1Gr=s5184" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="5184" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEge6Q5_DBjFMtT9wKrMdsymLjO7agCAnUscqgMqc_tRIF6icV8qw9SpAzBe6VUeZb4_yRCRknNs6cbteuQwgwLINfcXnObsCAsq_Iw-PVKB5Zzi3-8-57qXhoDFsSZRATv1ECya1_67l6gvMZkYFLMKswo9r926BuBKQIe6jEH8lJnLlOSJy7NbJ1Gr=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhrhmMjIHDnm8juJWMKOphWcn5et5jba173g2_yt56g-qXCWzx0ZX1GJbkWgQg-HBo7t13YYHGZbphhvlCW6Vp4YrwJjOJFcm2Bx0Lf1E3gqnXzI8MTm-bAxxNBxenRGyRxI6w9oneM4RzGfzM7GwDBd_H5OeDrfK1yR6GtMlTZdCUFOac2qrLKSV8_=s5184" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="5184" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhrhmMjIHDnm8juJWMKOphWcn5et5jba173g2_yt56g-qXCWzx0ZX1GJbkWgQg-HBo7t13YYHGZbphhvlCW6Vp4YrwJjOJFcm2Bx0Lf1E3gqnXzI8MTm-bAxxNBxenRGyRxI6w9oneM4RzGfzM7GwDBd_H5OeDrfK1yR6GtMlTZdCUFOac2qrLKSV8_=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Walking into Waffa we were greeted enthusiastically. Some of
the older members of the village sang and danced in their traditional way and
we were showered with flowers as our team entered through new gateways of palm
leaves. Then the younger villagers sang an English song welcoming us again. This
display was humbling, and I hoped that we could live up to some of their
expectations.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjtGgc-kYx8CTS5JY5HjzipQKP_mV4LAq0HUWSU8fvbwAefYMTcahks0iWu0_p-apBi5IjT-98YkZ492ntjRgaqdxgz78vxbbHiPP1CVS8Val5z9LUhAJRn_LglMuKYaUl9CVFbXHvuaeIfSAcwB5GxdgyBmT36nki7M5Ggr6iN-SoqrynVxxh3JFU7=s5184" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="5184" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjtGgc-kYx8CTS5JY5HjzipQKP_mV4LAq0HUWSU8fvbwAefYMTcahks0iWu0_p-apBi5IjT-98YkZ492ntjRgaqdxgz78vxbbHiPP1CVS8Val5z9LUhAJRn_LglMuKYaUl9CVFbXHvuaeIfSAcwB5GxdgyBmT36nki7M5Ggr6iN-SoqrynVxxh3JFU7=s320" width="320" /></a></div><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzBu_VeJ4dCbqv_QVkekdD3Iz6RnxFXTlFOxE-PR-lZoCuOVWTcS4Ut4VHvIjyeGW7P1UUTtNez0tlHJglajQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br /><br /><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Our team consisted of me, Dr Spencer-a local PNG doctor and
close friend, Gabriel Mahisu-the director of Rural Health Services, Peter
Bill-a local Markam leader and his son Joel. While we were there, the family of
one of the local Nazarene pastors made us lunch and dinner every day. We
enjoyed kumu (greens from different plants including various trees and, my favorite,
pumpkin leaves/vines), potatoes, bananas, rice, corn, and coconuts. We slept in
the newly constructed staff housing on thin mattresses with which we had waded
across the rivers. A newly constructed pit toilet was next to the clinic, and we
obtained our water from the stream a few hundred yards away.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjkjDYhNhkF8TeOYh8Vqh00ACy3KL79fd7oYnNRY7c9v-1L82hDuMrxLUC3qmADS9-lgvCrmnC859yGhbqkhdhqhwL6bJx5qBZWnQj3apNS19aThoRofZTn_lSuCKyOTOUr9StDJpLbIKxRHoILonhsNlJazoXeBATsxxSqlV69MdQKVi985NVgJ9zQ=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjkjDYhNhkF8TeOYh8Vqh00ACy3KL79fd7oYnNRY7c9v-1L82hDuMrxLUC3qmADS9-lgvCrmnC859yGhbqkhdhqhwL6bJx5qBZWnQj3apNS19aThoRofZTn_lSuCKyOTOUr9StDJpLbIKxRHoILonhsNlJazoXeBATsxxSqlV69MdQKVi985NVgJ9zQ=s320" width="320" /></a></div><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhBxGSC8qxschlB6nMjLHFIY_NxWPMhl0y9rVUvay1KbMpNmtPKjZra729V9Ings428UVpT7oEKOfzxSIvqAJnJGl1HavIlWf1CmkgOQpoJ-H5DomVSTUg2eMpw-nF9wX276UfIzN8K5DUg3OYnu-_DwOlkfQaumVkFMbdEnAOsowlkW9Ixolu9X66-=s5184" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="5184" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhBxGSC8qxschlB6nMjLHFIY_NxWPMhl0y9rVUvay1KbMpNmtPKjZra729V9Ings428UVpT7oEKOfzxSIvqAJnJGl1HavIlWf1CmkgOQpoJ-H5DomVSTUg2eMpw-nF9wX276UfIzN8K5DUg3OYnu-_DwOlkfQaumVkFMbdEnAOsowlkW9Ixolu9X66-=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhukFXNBiqLJ78M4VXdKSfi7FtfQCa_2p2b5rHypi3NVkxsxAE6HbcdKvecveNIFwfXN44esgVqligell8Sxivbr7BlIklivx-GnAAe8osM0i90IUm7lR5wxnUKDxXuBRoo1Sz8s9K-3dzqZDj9ChXDmXj8peUpXoHn5ORKRquoaXxbivS7Dbc4iB4C=s4000" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhukFXNBiqLJ78M4VXdKSfi7FtfQCa_2p2b5rHypi3NVkxsxAE6HbcdKvecveNIFwfXN44esgVqligell8Sxivbr7BlIklivx-GnAAe8osM0i90IUm7lR5wxnUKDxXuBRoo1Sz8s9K-3dzqZDj9ChXDmXj8peUpXoHn5ORKRquoaXxbivS7Dbc4iB4C=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The first morning we wondered if we would have very many
patients to see because no one was there at 8am. However, by 10 several hundred
people had gathered outside. Over the next two and a half days, with the help
of three incredible nursing officers, Kenny, Felix and Siba, we saw most of
those patients. We had a large variety of patients from antenatal checks to
malaria to yaws to a broken arm. We also had a few mysteries, patients we
needed to refer to the hospital for further tests or imaging. Part of our time
included a Covid education talk with the community.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg95c7I3yrZ1SxYggpYbNuPVNuQHjDPGcAGV9omnDjR4JsIQpaIQjbXVwNcbxlcPBr9AKFgPQzF-C9TLI5ZEeIboVh0g3qfSdCSqBMDC733dr8UArwqjKxcxmEtpjUPqstL4Opmbs-zAxI3Fd4pgDvFOKaxSyvnbFXjBC6d3dyvPMDDSX10iExIo6Jg=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg95c7I3yrZ1SxYggpYbNuPVNuQHjDPGcAGV9omnDjR4JsIQpaIQjbXVwNcbxlcPBr9AKFgPQzF-C9TLI5ZEeIboVh0g3qfSdCSqBMDC733dr8UArwqjKxcxmEtpjUPqstL4Opmbs-zAxI3Fd4pgDvFOKaxSyvnbFXjBC6d3dyvPMDDSX10iExIo6Jg=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEisjpAiqXXpryGQou6UZJ3ZQsmwXmEC5QH3LIRDHjG5H7WNRMDQmScjQnhc91Ma4is7b1IgluvHrcnatGEPyRWucZSjuvvlaoMz2T7jy4VELKRC1UNGWpH-LnuGEGccNti59qjnzVVSOg6fr2PvIlZiNAau1vX38LRfWy--VBIMYKXoWlF3SiydLIxq=s4000" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEisjpAiqXXpryGQou6UZJ3ZQsmwXmEC5QH3LIRDHjG5H7WNRMDQmScjQnhc91Ma4is7b1IgluvHrcnatGEPyRWucZSjuvvlaoMz2T7jy4VELKRC1UNGWpH-LnuGEGccNti59qjnzVVSOg6fr2PvIlZiNAau1vX38LRfWy--VBIMYKXoWlF3SiydLIxq=s320" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Each night we would go wash in the river. We were
accompanied by some local boys who showed us the best spots to go. One of them,
Guam, became a close friend. We played together in the river and juggled his
soccer ball on the field near the clinic. On our last day he woke up very early
to go catch some fish from his family fishpond so that Spencer and I could eat
fish before we left. His mother told me that he got really upset because he was
having a hard time catching the fish, but eventually he found a net and was
able to catch two. They were delicious. He and his family came with us back to
Markam to visit relatives. On the car ride out he fell asleep on my leg (impressive
given the road).</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhRUPlie8pBj6bIJiR8VHgnquspr9bfDq95dlVuCQRhsEIomEzHiwDRUbTIfXpMXzwOfe_RIlMcXCelqDNuxCN5Lay5TyHy1fsOB6HDdzCXu7XU9IP-SIfFBcHJP3ptGrS2r5WXjyKyt3DqCSX-cWKF6fkyjgdO-WRBEryOxYaPnnqhqZM5eTtzTnCs=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhRUPlie8pBj6bIJiR8VHgnquspr9bfDq95dlVuCQRhsEIomEzHiwDRUbTIfXpMXzwOfe_RIlMcXCelqDNuxCN5Lay5TyHy1fsOB6HDdzCXu7XU9IP-SIfFBcHJP3ptGrS2r5WXjyKyt3DqCSX-cWKF6fkyjgdO-WRBEryOxYaPnnqhqZM5eTtzTnCs=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgpvvsQfNLnq3e7oSq7wK3vZKIoek3-1-1bQR2SZPKr4uLiaPlP-NBLoFLgsJKUOfRjiFnnfP46EUmP2RtoGzbkwtlV19pBPLyiuxcFBCkAk5zi3scQPm3HxKWDFMj8XaX5HyJP7JAuKld2erCVuWZgUrtT4-S84F0oYSZVMll6EHI6hflX_lEuXFrU=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgpvvsQfNLnq3e7oSq7wK3vZKIoek3-1-1bQR2SZPKr4uLiaPlP-NBLoFLgsJKUOfRjiFnnfP46EUmP2RtoGzbkwtlV19pBPLyiuxcFBCkAk5zi3scQPm3HxKWDFMj8XaX5HyJP7JAuKld2erCVuWZgUrtT4-S84F0oYSZVMll6EHI6hflX_lEuXFrU=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhq0hw6YC13rwZZTuUlRLoJOsIFDsraJWgHMpdvmyyASj5BCcWExN6epab-3hKg9_ajfcs0T7ARxKebND10LF_Zs7oN4UoW_ve14El-Hy3zVrV4As4Lrs_TzODvWjekngHolBIoebwbsFJgGm2ZRZ7eV-ikXJL8swSvYLCQ4J2j7zoG1FKyMxPQT8m7=s4000" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhq0hw6YC13rwZZTuUlRLoJOsIFDsraJWgHMpdvmyyASj5BCcWExN6epab-3hKg9_ajfcs0T7ARxKebND10LF_Zs7oN4UoW_ve14El-Hy3zVrV4As4Lrs_TzODvWjekngHolBIoebwbsFJgGm2ZRZ7eV-ikXJL8swSvYLCQ4J2j7zoG1FKyMxPQT8m7=s320" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj_Vh-IdoBSOdn_R9do-Rd2NfuyrCBx9KUnzBMBjOs7epZACKhoJ6GALRbC9By34S861kDkJqOQ8A8CnUYjs0PwZ3Al_W_SNArZkRxGDfghc7Yo2UK8ccUbp7pa7RnLnEWT8B3Q0xkSHdLQTQH0_aa8a1AROI1tRqiwGH0U-b7qYAVUcv-BZ6Y9zRmy=s2525" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1650" data-original-width="2525" height="209" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj_Vh-IdoBSOdn_R9do-Rd2NfuyrCBx9KUnzBMBjOs7epZACKhoJ6GALRbC9By34S861kDkJqOQ8A8CnUYjs0PwZ3Al_W_SNArZkRxGDfghc7Yo2UK8ccUbp7pa7RnLnEWT8B3Q0xkSHdLQTQH0_aa8a1AROI1tRqiwGH0U-b7qYAVUcv-BZ6Y9zRmy=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Our final morning, we spent time doing some education with
the nursing officers. A maternity ward is currently being built next to the
clinic. Currently, most of the women deliver their babies at home. There are no
nearby supportive services and complications are often deadly. We taught normal
vaginal deliveries as well as common complications like postpartum hemorrhage
(too much bleeding after delivery), breech delivery (when the bottom comes
first) and shoulder dystocia (when the shoulder get stuck). Spencer also gave a
short talk on Yaws, a bacterial infection of the skin and bone, a disease that
seems to still be endemic in this area. Finally, we got to pray with and offer
encouragement to this team. They provide such an incredible resource for this
community and rarely get the recognition they deserve.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjzJ0ha2d4eloHEr1sfr8KiLtkEF694zpbnPwfdyRy1O14UJnLPrp48pY4VFOuUGX6dr9z3TnzvskcFS3Ou7aaBReGWUwU-cG7tqP3rz9yeHiSTa5bflJ4PsPAoPcHl4CjxoAqsAYY2xbA-ILsVXltv1PaNU3D5bkw4oUF4ziPlSXrcz_JGyIt1YDQk=s4000" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjzJ0ha2d4eloHEr1sfr8KiLtkEF694zpbnPwfdyRy1O14UJnLPrp48pY4VFOuUGX6dr9z3TnzvskcFS3Ou7aaBReGWUwU-cG7tqP3rz9yeHiSTa5bflJ4PsPAoPcHl4CjxoAqsAYY2xbA-ILsVXltv1PaNU3D5bkw4oUF4ziPlSXrcz_JGyIt1YDQk=s320" width="240" /></a></div><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjEHArKLkVaUIMPh10tKrsMN-B--0MX8goGS9Mzfr9tCTlh1s5ZkmYMWYjrq3w-vjLTNcPbAE2yAPJSWtaL07fXm3MNOx2TFipHXB1TByT-kz1X76yP_inzbNKwGPayoV9fSa0pFGkeeY_Qkc8f2dx2bRlJBriJrcQz_5cJ54Hisc89NY8eLA8Ny4vq=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjEHArKLkVaUIMPh10tKrsMN-B--0MX8goGS9Mzfr9tCTlh1s5ZkmYMWYjrq3w-vjLTNcPbAE2yAPJSWtaL07fXm3MNOx2TFipHXB1TByT-kz1X76yP_inzbNKwGPayoV9fSa0pFGkeeY_Qkc8f2dx2bRlJBriJrcQz_5cJ54Hisc89NY8eLA8Ny4vq=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Coming out was as much of an adventure as going in. We
crossed the first river to catch a vehicle going out at 1pm. By 6:45 we had
still not seen this vehicle, but we managed to find another car that was able
to take us out. We arrived at the Markam river and crossed in the dark.
Thankfully it was not high. The next day we loaded up our car with mangoes and
coconuts and started the long drive back to Kudjip.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I am so thankful for my time with the people of Waffa. My
trip renewed my love for the people here in PNG, and it was a good reminder of
the level of adversity my patients face every day. Guam touched my heart and I
miss his trusting friendship. The people up Waffa helped me to glimpse the
mountain again, as Denise Levertov says: </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">“to go<br />
down to the shore or a few yards<br />
up the road, on a clear day,<br />
to reconfirm<br />
that witnessing presence.”</p><p class="MsoNormal"> </p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgEKtpiB0GOqcaa3VZBkKNPzNYWfZLPyiiMWHb_ObUxRJrzl13jGzOxnwdFGI2H1uKAxywj7RUMXwBzs7wjeu4s1l02qhLa-vy75zai_I5vc4nntoMXNdL2Jf3rKEQHsc0qnuYFQ1uoYYT5teFSlVi7hBllgysaxv-jCGAuBOH75BLR04IxXCa0Guiy=s3000" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2084" data-original-width="3000" height="222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgEKtpiB0GOqcaa3VZBkKNPzNYWfZLPyiiMWHb_ObUxRJrzl13jGzOxnwdFGI2H1uKAxywj7RUMXwBzs7wjeu4s1l02qhLa-vy75zai_I5vc4nntoMXNdL2Jf3rKEQHsc0qnuYFQ1uoYYT5teFSlVi7hBllgysaxv-jCGAuBOH75BLR04IxXCa0Guiy=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /> <p></p>
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{page:WordSection1;}</style></p>Danielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03646777935244150309noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6763854289481555431.post-78950293963584126432022-01-17T01:22:00.000-08:002022-01-17T01:22:03.428-08:001 Year Update<p class="MsoNormal">This weekend I was able to get away up into the mountains
around Mount Hagen. I had time to rest and reflect on the almost full year that
I have been here in Papua New Guinea. Thursday marks that first anniversary.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimYa72ju9xpHhYTqOZhyphenhyphen1Z8gOVylcsEUJYknwRhsErjzqwbVl3q4Vx_8jLE_bOZ_umxAGYDxwSivqYoL6nUJvRyL_vjDo0OHuPRSDeFNgOuMjj-izIuR0RsvuymQ3LsUKvoymMPGQqWuU/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimYa72ju9xpHhYTqOZhyphenhyphen1Z8gOVylcsEUJYknwRhsErjzqwbVl3q4Vx_8jLE_bOZ_umxAGYDxwSivqYoL6nUJvRyL_vjDo0OHuPRSDeFNgOuMjj-izIuR0RsvuymQ3LsUKvoymMPGQqWuU/" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">Waterfalls from a hike with my friend Matt<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"> </p><p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">In my time here I have seen incredible darkness and incredible
light. I have seen the victims of domestic violence, the women burned for accusations
of sorcery, the boy with debilitating osteomyelitis in his arm and leg who had
been abandoned by his parents. I have also seen families with almost nothing
sacrifice to take care of another child whose parents couldn’t, seen
communities help surround and encourage those who were hurting and broken and
seen the tireless work of our staff to help the endless need here.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The last month I have been taking more time to be still and
to listen, to be mindful of what I have seen and how it affects me. It has
helped me to be more intentional and to see where I still need to grow. This
weekend helped me to bring these reflections to God.</p><p class="MsoNormal"> </p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs9OpeLXqQvrVq45Beyy5FMWyBUyduUcm8Hp-VTlyLvhaPJmxaZk44408nN79RHXsbZr8umhv6L4vAp0ZR8_7QtH3uk-Njrz7LEdn1H2bP6SCbH_XnArYgQFfLf326vtzLFmP6Nb55LFw/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="756" data-original-width="1008" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs9OpeLXqQvrVq45Beyy5FMWyBUyduUcm8Hp-VTlyLvhaPJmxaZk44408nN79RHXsbZr8umhv6L4vAp0ZR8_7QtH3uk-Njrz7LEdn1H2bP6SCbH_XnArYgQFfLf326vtzLFmP6Nb55LFw/" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">Singing for the Christmas Eve service<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">My retreat was at a place called Rondon Ridge, an area up in
the mountains with a lodge and a labyrinth of trails through the surrounding forest.
My first day I started walking on these trails for what was supposed to be a
short trip, however, a miscued shortcut found me walking deeper into the forest
without a clear sense of where the lodge was. I wandered for an hour with an
increasing sense of panic as one after another trail failed to lead me back to
the lodge or to anything that I recognized. I began to contemplate calling out
for help or trying to call the lodge from my phone as clouds came in and the
sun started to go down, but I felt God tell me that I would get back to the
lodge by 6pm, 20 minutes from then. I started down one trail, only to have it
dead end. I tried another trail feeling a sense of helplessness. When there was
only 4 minutes left before 6pm, I stumbled across a radio tower with a ladder.
Climbing up, I was able to see the lodge, just 100 yards below me, a totally
different direction than what I expected. I walked down the hill into the
parking lot right as my watch showed 6pm.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Too often I try to do things on my own. I’ve had to learn a
certain humility and trust in God in my work at the hospital where I often pray
for help. But there are other areas where I fail to trust God and walk in
faith.</p><p class="MsoNormal"> </p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrgsFtq-PRncXiqNy_BJWuAxovdwSLAp4bu8KPAhaO90Z70J4cwABN6qfdYKcSFTTQzb7ZswSOnEVjWfV5IQ-r-htf8pf4pfadBGbxV67iN1R3o17yMHkYfgAwRuZZ2W9oSxE0xF-rhCw/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrgsFtq-PRncXiqNy_BJWuAxovdwSLAp4bu8KPAhaO90Z70J4cwABN6qfdYKcSFTTQzb7ZswSOnEVjWfV5IQ-r-htf8pf4pfadBGbxV67iN1R3o17yMHkYfgAwRuZZ2W9oSxE0xF-rhCw/" width="320" /></a> <br /></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">***</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Every morning for almost a month I greeted Naomi (name
changed) as she sat on the edge of her bed at the end of Medical Ward. She was
probably in her early 70s, although very few people that age here know their
true age. Naomi suffers from epilepsy and had been without her medicine for a
few months. One day in her haus cuk, a small traditional house made from bamboo
and kunai grass, she had had a seizure and fallen into her fire, burning her
entire right arm. Burns can be difficult to manage here without all the
resources of a burn center, but with daily dressing changes, her wounds were slowly
healing, showing in which areas she would eventually need skin grafts. The Thursday
before Christmas I asked her if she would like to go home for Christmas and
come back after the holiday, as she had already been in the hospital for 3+
weeks without any family with her. But she stated sadly that her family was
gone for the holidays, she would have no one to return to. She wanted to stay
in the hospital for Christmas.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">On Christmas Eve, all the missionaries go to sing Christmas carols
on the Wards. Seeing Naomi’s smile and wishing her Merry Christmas filled me
with joy. Even though I was sad she could not be with her family, I was glad
that she was not alone, that we could be with her. Beyond the medical care we
were providing, I knew that God desired to show his special love for her
through us.</p><p class="MsoNormal"> </p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-QGsaV2Q92DPYte97LU8yXqBukqxkUlRnRv9IPsE0JWX2Jz0-DOrEbbllWKj498S6dnIPXLaKc9EeZyChepYM5ssUEmtkFcZQ79Vax5ifTr9HOFry8HOiRi6JcrOoZyac4-w8-ZgJcEA/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-QGsaV2Q92DPYte97LU8yXqBukqxkUlRnRv9IPsE0JWX2Jz0-DOrEbbllWKj498S6dnIPXLaKc9EeZyChepYM5ssUEmtkFcZQ79Vax5ifTr9HOFry8HOiRi6JcrOoZyac4-w8-ZgJcEA/" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">Caroling with Naomi<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">This next year I am hoping to live with greater mindfulness
in each moment and faith to follow God into loving and caring for the people
here in deeper and more meaningful ways, like with Naomi. I know that if He
cares enough to help me find my way out of the forest, He has special and
incredible plans for those who have suffered so much. I want to be a part of
what He is doing in deeper ways. Thank you too for joining me in that work. </p><p class="MsoNormal"> </p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJIkjTuo7OUsR2imyc49VrsdW34mBKmsrJgH5BYVWBdBqtbapBkWnsVHP4hl_WppVpMNZivzx485PlbMJeBrUSA4ZDAszBMWco7KA9jjshu-w0zwe6yf1w8ipWKiaMhN0yQ2CWSY2Nn4w/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJIkjTuo7OUsR2imyc49VrsdW34mBKmsrJgH5BYVWBdBqtbapBkWnsVHP4hl_WppVpMNZivzx485PlbMJeBrUSA4ZDAszBMWco7KA9jjshu-w0zwe6yf1w8ipWKiaMhN0yQ2CWSY2Nn4w/" width="320" /></a></div><p></p>
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{page:WordSection1;}</style></p>Danielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03646777935244150309noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6763854289481555431.post-45950212692113583612021-12-14T20:58:00.000-08:002021-12-14T20:58:59.586-08:00December Update<p class="MsoNormal"> Happy holidays and Merry Christmas!</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Sorry it has been so long since my last update. I’m going to
use this blog to write about updates from the last couple of months and then
post another blog soon with a reflection on one of my call nights.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">-Covid here has significantly improved. Our Covid ward has
gone from 20+ patients to 2, and we are no longer regularly seeing patients
with Covid coming through the ER and clinic.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p><p class="MsoNormal">-Before it left, however, I contracted Covid. Thankfully my
symptoms were mostly mild, likely due to vaccination. I still am without smell,
which, occasionally (draining an abscess or cleaning a sore) is kind of nice.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p><p class="MsoNormal">-I was able to go on vacation in November to West New
Britain, one of the smaller islands that makes up Papua New Guinea. It was a nice
break and wonderful to see new parts of Papua New Guinea. Some of the pictures
from our trip are included here.</p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgfiDtyTs_rrwGKBL_DNUodNMSs948OWu6Rord0mp31sgUH4GUPpiGSKEVCNbVATyuxyVv96GaPpD10AVav4rEn6G8IbJzy66wevqNh79LyAyj9aI0_fSvNYJm6_bb4uUWsJh7bGXS1VZDoG0ebZADYvOkpMTU1oIbKEgElKicard8dxAyb46u2_ccN=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgfiDtyTs_rrwGKBL_DNUodNMSs948OWu6Rord0mp31sgUH4GUPpiGSKEVCNbVATyuxyVv96GaPpD10AVav4rEn6G8IbJzy66wevqNh79LyAyj9aI0_fSvNYJm6_bb4uUWsJh7bGXS1VZDoG0ebZADYvOkpMTU1oIbKEgElKicard8dxAyb46u2_ccN=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /> <br /><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimCsX2KalmR2mZHtezEboib3-gfdn_13MI4S3UIb6KsZuahVx0cgjw55Xh8x8vJSZqQZqmDM7CY9p3G5Uk2iuTPFr0YU-x1vK1JEN7TKtRR5-PPPzoFoeyEZBEBnJA3rOcEy9vX7AmUZI/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimCsX2KalmR2mZHtezEboib3-gfdn_13MI4S3UIb6KsZuahVx0cgjw55Xh8x8vJSZqQZqmDM7CY9p3G5Uk2iuTPFr0YU-x1vK1JEN7TKtRR5-PPPzoFoeyEZBEBnJA3rOcEy9vX7AmUZI/" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnHDqaF4QQYGiU-jGnnSUAUpESEwCHSyqC8F2O7YGy8oaWNtxXF4TkNF6xakmBvZJ5cTetaE_oCwp4OzeriFqdp2it6ABceJb1HYMxMjtWcnBsRZLs0mf7uJtviBAs-TRQymFfkI4hoz8/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnHDqaF4QQYGiU-jGnnSUAUpESEwCHSyqC8F2O7YGy8oaWNtxXF4TkNF6xakmBvZJ5cTetaE_oCwp4OzeriFqdp2it6ABceJb1HYMxMjtWcnBsRZLs0mf7uJtviBAs-TRQymFfkI4hoz8/" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br /><p></p><p class="MsoNormal">-Our garden is growing. We have gotten lots of cucumbers,
zucchini, tomatoes and radishes. I harvested our first broccoli and green beans
yesterday. Hopefully we will soon have pumpkins, butternut squash, watermelon,
carrots and strawberries coming in.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs2NeawEGPMNbFzzegkF6Cg67eRY4r6LsMgFLyfpUhLCoIbs5WPhzWvzm1aqOz6P7HRiFyXXkbKkbHW-PsFatNrDUrywZ3_cQegWq3EnYKFHEAaOgZQxJKb-Fgz0P-S5s-61i3SfWqbtw/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs2NeawEGPMNbFzzegkF6Cg67eRY4r6LsMgFLyfpUhLCoIbs5WPhzWvzm1aqOz6P7HRiFyXXkbKkbHW-PsFatNrDUrywZ3_cQegWq3EnYKFHEAaOgZQxJKb-Fgz0P-S5s-61i3SfWqbtw/" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"> </p><p class="MsoNormal">-After short partial closures due to funding deficits and
Covid-related staff shortages, we are now fully reopen. We have been seeing
lots of patients the last few weeks in clinic and the ER. Some of them have
come from long distances (due to closures of other hospitals) and many have not
received care for months. We are now working to make up for a lot of lost time
in treating some of these conditions. Last week I saw a 10-year-old boy with
right hemiplegia that had been present for 8 months. He had signs of a problem
with his central nervous system (hyperreflexia, positive Babinski, clonus, and
weakness). Unfortunately, it is difficult to determine what is causing this
condition and whether it might be treatable or not with the resources that we
have here. I am trying steroid medication and hoping he can come review with me
in clinic in a week. While CT scan and MRI are available in the country, they
are only available in a couple of locations and frequently the cost is very
high, both to travel to these locations and to pay for the imaging. Even when
patients can get these tests, frequently they are nonspecific or show diseases
that we are not able to treat.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p><p class="MsoNormal">-Christmas is in full swing here. There have been lots of activities
and celebrations. I have enjoyed getting to interact more with the many
children on station. Taylor and I put together a campfire and s’mores event one
night for the kids. S’mores are a rare treat as everything but the chocolate is
very difficult to get here.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmQQNY20DRTFdeBk9kIVTiBs06KAXLIA1j-ZSWHY8HXza1Yd9Lwv_5HRy08hVdcrsKOp3yCEohJLLXYhcgj2kLL4ywYdP6-Rk7Nt4unQSQiWLSQ67Kd67He7KNRmis2AWGgdwMDQrjNC8/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="810" data-original-width="1080" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmQQNY20DRTFdeBk9kIVTiBs06KAXLIA1j-ZSWHY8HXza1Yd9Lwv_5HRy08hVdcrsKOp3yCEohJLLXYhcgj2kLL4ywYdP6-Rk7Nt4unQSQiWLSQ67Kd67He7KNRmis2AWGgdwMDQrjNC8/" width="320" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0XiRYXwcvT1f3gN6XgGKmb2uf-ZREvQz9RL1c9FaiQ63HqeVkYrjiPPdwgmR0mMR6kp-1q2x-jDZzcvnAosuDw6fa6-hc1XZo2Bz6ymzzVggCOPHYASF7lnUYCdotPhJ5rKyKL7XbODo/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0XiRYXwcvT1f3gN6XgGKmb2uf-ZREvQz9RL1c9FaiQ63HqeVkYrjiPPdwgmR0mMR6kp-1q2x-jDZzcvnAosuDw6fa6-hc1XZo2Bz6ymzzVggCOPHYASF7lnUYCdotPhJ5rKyKL7XbODo/" width="320" /></a></div><br /> </div><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Prayer Requests:</p>-Strength for December as many staff are taking end-of-year/Christmas
vacation so there will be some busier days before the end of the year
<p class="MsoNormal">-Our patients across the highlands who have been without consistent
medical care for large time periods during the pandemic. Please pray that they would
be able to find care and that we would have wisdom in treating them. Please
pray that God would provide peace to family, comfort for those who are dying and
healing to those who are sick.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">-Comfort for me and for family as the holidays emphasize the
distance between PNG and the US. It is closing in on a year since I have been
here, which is a long time to not see family.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I am praying for you and hope this time of year brings
healing and peace as we reflect on the incredible mystery of God becoming a
baby to show His love in the midst of such a crazy world.</p><p class="MsoNormal"> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinaThb8sq4FerLGsrvcj4rpZmy2HJPE2QFxonrNo5b15Wj36akfBCu0hZeL88UFAM1hmwBjkdlXwvTA-1YbyquCcXtBUwzmk1wJditC-8f9rWdJ6DrXrmGk25sq6GUBxjxvNomIktJds4/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinaThb8sq4FerLGsrvcj4rpZmy2HJPE2QFxonrNo5b15Wj36akfBCu0hZeL88UFAM1hmwBjkdlXwvTA-1YbyquCcXtBUwzmk1wJditC-8f9rWdJ6DrXrmGk25sq6GUBxjxvNomIktJds4/" width="320" /></a></div><br /> <br /><p></p>
<p><style>@font-face
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{page:WordSection1;}</style></p>Danielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03646777935244150309noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6763854289481555431.post-25647627509211642782021-10-11T23:28:00.003-07:002021-10-13T00:05:18.937-07:00Nursery<p class="MsoNormal">One short update since my last post: PNG is seeing a second
wave of Covid infections sweep through the country. This wave came on faster
and has already been more devastating. We have had to temporarily close our
outpatient department and close to patients from outside of our province due to
staff shortages. Oxygen is in short supply, and we are praying the outbreak
does not worsen.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The last few weeks I have been rounding in the nursery. We
have several sets of premature twins as well as some other babies that need
extra help adjusting to life outside the womb. I have found life and joy in
caring for these babies every morning, although there have also been moments of
sadness and fear. Every morning as I wash my hands before starting rounds, I
check to make sure each warmer is still filled. Life for these little ones can
seem so tenuous, although some hang on with far greater vivacity than I would
have thought possible.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEifdIA3BG6GmMOMU5R17bXbO1tTS0j-vjR5xxfTaJLqVeq--Z2lpR6T2iuBmAeocGKsbu5Rn4aEDvm55stIGOKOgLGuV8xQxT8tBteAdroinyQbLCgcLY_NICt3try4qMv0j-sPxF8Sz-72pgNM2oFTGyxthHDkRDbgshHHQb-wQTcHxpq5NO-mR6yx=s2048" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEifdIA3BG6GmMOMU5R17bXbO1tTS0j-vjR5xxfTaJLqVeq--Z2lpR6T2iuBmAeocGKsbu5Rn4aEDvm55stIGOKOgLGuV8xQxT8tBteAdroinyQbLCgcLY_NICt3try4qMv0j-sPxF8Sz-72pgNM2oFTGyxthHDkRDbgshHHQb-wQTcHxpq5NO-mR6yx=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Each day I’ve found myself praying for these little ones and
their mothers. Some of these mothers wait for months for their babies to be big
enough to finally go home. This can be a huge stress for those with other children
at home.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Please join me in praying for these mothers and babies.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">In clinic a couple weeks ago I met Bapo, a one-and-a-half-year-old
whose mother was concerned because he wasn’t walking and had a chronic cough
that hadn’t responded to multiple courses of antibiotics. Concerned about
tuberculosis, I obtained a chest xray (below).</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj4OtFneR7y2Dz7IffLqTwZnii6gizM9i6GVz3GSNoWhzZArczxpMA8_zuyxTSMPSx-DwQiNoMTdkw9aTa78UTG3twOQVklQJQ8T3nYZ8gOW30cV2SkEcs7jvR1pt39WriPht8h5K9yJhhbqMSlR8SQuYore2AvaQBII0HaySfJmCIzFXqwfT77AtqJ=s2048" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2025" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj4OtFneR7y2Dz7IffLqTwZnii6gizM9i6GVz3GSNoWhzZArczxpMA8_zuyxTSMPSx-DwQiNoMTdkw9aTa78UTG3twOQVklQJQ8T3nYZ8gOW30cV2SkEcs7jvR1pt39WriPht8h5K9yJhhbqMSlR8SQuYore2AvaQBII0HaySfJmCIzFXqwfT77AtqJ=s320" width="316" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Noting Bapo’s large heart, I took him to the ultrasound
room. As I was looking at Bapo’s heart, I noticed that one of the walls of his
heart looked thin. I added color flow (to see movement of blood) and noticed
that blood was flowing a direction it should not have been. I called Dr Susan,
our local expert, and she confirmed with me that Bapo had a VSD (a hole between
two chambers of his heart).</p><br /><p></p><p>Before Covid, a team of Australian doctors would come once a
year to perform cardiac surgery for congenital abnormalities. They have not
been able to come for a couple of years now, but we are hoping that they will
return soon for children like Bapo.
</p><p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Our team of doctors here has been reading a book called
Promises in the Dark by Eric McLaughlin for our Friday morning meetings. This
last week the chapter was about God’s promise to make all things new. The author
writes, “Goodness peeks through here and there, now and then. New creation
glimmers like a pinprick of light in a black curtain. Even on the worst days, I
think I can say that’s true.”</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p><p>
<span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">In the midst of difficulties, with Covid stacked
onto the enormous burdens already present for people here in PNG, I’m focusing
on the glimmers of new life. There is joy and promise in seeing a tiny baby gain
weight or no longer require oxygen. Amidst the darkness and heaviness, God is
still in His work of making all things new.</span></p><p><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjDjwQFspgU_v4xRDYeBy096DSEqtex2QFO6HdO6LImehUFQ5j_gswnctgO057R4ZlG_R5mMlZ0-Eu1L10auvuy9b9CL4Axym6av7bTXvUhOb7dQqdE0gSlwl2xu8PMgXHEgE7RJ19P5Mgw6uaI_BkjGdB2bpCRLwJeFk1CYKXwnwvRQDMusqS_yZB4=s2048" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjDjwQFspgU_v4xRDYeBy096DSEqtex2QFO6HdO6LImehUFQ5j_gswnctgO057R4ZlG_R5mMlZ0-Eu1L10auvuy9b9CL4Axym6av7bTXvUhOb7dQqdE0gSlwl2xu8PMgXHEgE7RJ19P5Mgw6uaI_BkjGdB2bpCRLwJeFk1CYKXwnwvRQDMusqS_yZB4=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEivh-R3gXWhtKFwVmKO-q8A90Ti4CRcIV0eYdFpDrOHVPmXd1K2xpV3hWMcPWgTtGvknr5zwAu2cL2ZFNIAlX2DiX_bs4YKU8QyHdCDc0j5EysOCP3ye_xqy9sRMbvGkz_za2UrFcMQw5gpkaMqcEkdjP_keviSrtjvyfLYdyX9-dtq51PMDX5KWJzU=s2048" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEivh-R3gXWhtKFwVmKO-q8A90Ti4CRcIV0eYdFpDrOHVPmXd1K2xpV3hWMcPWgTtGvknr5zwAu2cL2ZFNIAlX2DiX_bs4YKU8QyHdCDc0j5EysOCP3ye_xqy9sRMbvGkz_za2UrFcMQw5gpkaMqcEkdjP_keviSrtjvyfLYdyX9-dtq51PMDX5KWJzU=s320" width="240" /></a></div><br />Danielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03646777935244150309noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6763854289481555431.post-16047521088766719952021-09-18T00:15:00.003-07:002021-09-18T00:15:35.908-07:00Tsingoropa and a much needed update<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: times;"> Two days ago was Independence Day here in PNG. In 1775, PNG
became independent from Australia and thus was celebrating its 46<sup>th</sup>
birthday. It was a fun day full of color, traditional dress, lots of basketball
and volleyball and a show of pride in their wonderful country.</span></p><span style="font-family: times;">
</span><span style="font-family: times;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: times;"><span style="mso-no-proof: yes;"></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr7GKqoiDHwOXt4QS-VLSsP_jIAk8gL2TM0lxmQotBFJ-uedjqC7vN8CgY-AlJ3Uuj6maux8cFfq4tk7icvT4qVnumqUtqLYy7prO_gDp8YW_r3orcjh_Hiuw_H194AqUDEqnCjy7w1rM/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="424" data-original-width="562" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr7GKqoiDHwOXt4QS-VLSsP_jIAk8gL2TM0lxmQotBFJ-uedjqC7vN8CgY-AlJ3Uuj6maux8cFfq4tk7icvT4qVnumqUtqLYy7prO_gDp8YW_r3orcjh_Hiuw_H194AqUDEqnCjy7w1rM/" width="318" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: times;"></span><style><span style="font-family: times;">@font-face
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</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: times;">Updates since my last blogpost</span></p><span style="font-family: times;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: times;">-I turned 30 and was wonderfully surprised by all the love shown
to me, both from friends here and back in the US</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0GZbz3gLd5JJpBhhUQcSkYZzSh-uc6wtvlDeht6hsKQpQcoLr5eNd3GFUeBpBIdkCfs8oh5WlPwOz7HLRY-PY7-1OiU9FS1c1oy_GiwdJIKZ8LFHq6Gt-0eJPtOyxQ_lGEWndvr5gqDc/s2048/IMG_7981.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0GZbz3gLd5JJpBhhUQcSkYZzSh-uc6wtvlDeht6hsKQpQcoLr5eNd3GFUeBpBIdkCfs8oh5WlPwOz7HLRY-PY7-1OiU9FS1c1oy_GiwdJIKZ8LFHq6Gt-0eJPtOyxQ_lGEWndvr5gqDc/s320/IMG_7981.jpeg" width="240" /></a></span><span style="font-family: times;"> <br /></span></div><p></p><span style="font-family: times;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: times;">-I climbed the highest mountain in PNG! (Mt Wilhelm which
stands at 14,700ft-impressive for an island)</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXoLgQ36F59ueeralNJsCHk77HlnQiE2riK543DcazaoL4ZUg6zCbdfCaicOUNMVL4KZ3lKPsTSj83lQBxt-kZ7eZdOgvRYkZ5pJKpsJFYhjyO5Kn6RxtNVUR76e2Z7pyOYGzSeh6KFN4/s2048/IMG_7829.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXoLgQ36F59ueeralNJsCHk77HlnQiE2riK543DcazaoL4ZUg6zCbdfCaicOUNMVL4KZ3lKPsTSj83lQBxt-kZ7eZdOgvRYkZ5pJKpsJFYhjyO5Kn6RxtNVUR76e2Z7pyOYGzSeh6KFN4/s320/IMG_7829.jpeg" width="240" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyZ345_rFXcmvAESsUUsQNCyjvUQOeXKmt4Zv3ng4qUVI66tCPV6VFeUM75GYeaZrL2Jz9jopohum6tH-4smQoTi0wzQhY-RfbgB_umPdOn3kEXgPo9iWUxeRPzpTMw4gEL2MUDze1jgM/s2048/IMG_7892.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyZ345_rFXcmvAESsUUsQNCyjvUQOeXKmt4Zv3ng4qUVI66tCPV6VFeUM75GYeaZrL2Jz9jopohum6tH-4smQoTi0wzQhY-RfbgB_umPdOn3kEXgPo9iWUxeRPzpTMw4gEL2MUDze1jgM/s320/IMG_7892.jpeg" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0MDuotWRAeisCPVtIesepj8GbRG1qYj9wHRMJIYUrg4SfjRU40rTmk3m_Wg-ksGQq4mNidBam9eIsv5q_97Hp9N6v728rkYSTId_aZC_AlUzATma5tubgbtw-uBm_ghBGJFGufEWfkvE/s2048/IMG_7923.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0MDuotWRAeisCPVtIesepj8GbRG1qYj9wHRMJIYUrg4SfjRU40rTmk3m_Wg-ksGQq4mNidBam9eIsv5q_97Hp9N6v728rkYSTId_aZC_AlUzATma5tubgbtw-uBm_ghBGJFGufEWfkvE/s320/IMG_7923.jpeg" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZK9sRhUiwnLANKHHIjjhPMiltturH5iQAFRv0UxFjgD5JWhr7BebRdfFrUgBAeRTE39PPPvUxhIZAKuQQIghecVyS9Nswb3W2q1IV40SC2AdksJscSRMDJ2uE-RMsXGv8PN7CH39FxV8/s1600/00542674-c5e5-49d9-9050-293c5d66edd5.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZK9sRhUiwnLANKHHIjjhPMiltturH5iQAFRv0UxFjgD5JWhr7BebRdfFrUgBAeRTE39PPPvUxhIZAKuQQIghecVyS9Nswb3W2q1IV40SC2AdksJscSRMDJ2uE-RMsXGv8PN7CH39FxV8/s320/00542674-c5e5-49d9-9050-293c5d66edd5.jpeg" width="240" /></a></span></div><p></p><span style="font-family: times;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: times;">-We (my neighbors the Myatts and I) planted our garden</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvxYXBgON3IEvZm36SuuBkAci4R1BOQ1zS1yG_TOoj6RDXgyyiOEy3Qm60BFCbWl_8C006K6Z9c2KpWhOzJEbVLHEE0JKzuxi5H3jcqgsB7UDmG7jsSZ2kkHWrr53IJVHZeMTY3cvjjss/s2048/IMG_8224.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvxYXBgON3IEvZm36SuuBkAci4R1BOQ1zS1yG_TOoj6RDXgyyiOEy3Qm60BFCbWl_8C006K6Z9c2KpWhOzJEbVLHEE0JKzuxi5H3jcqgsB7UDmG7jsSZ2kkHWrr53IJVHZeMTY3cvjjss/s320/IMG_8224.jpeg" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: times;"></span><p></p><span style="font-family: times;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: times;">-I went to a cultural show that featured traditional clothing
and dances from different parts of PNG</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3dFL_9NxG9A4ddIfjKYnh10WbFy7MSYGnurBhuwT3xZsxgJIESJfm7kqKcTuqMug4d_Sb8jyQ8agY70xpV5aciHfq8HfpX52l7t6gO752jI6MfPWS2c4yoQlU1N1RH7KlsCToGlLrmpk/s2048/IMG_8040.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3dFL_9NxG9A4ddIfjKYnh10WbFy7MSYGnurBhuwT3xZsxgJIESJfm7kqKcTuqMug4d_Sb8jyQ8agY70xpV5aciHfq8HfpX52l7t6gO752jI6MfPWS2c4yoQlU1N1RH7KlsCToGlLrmpk/s320/IMG_8040.jpeg" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOBQteics53vy447vkGnthx7wn22BJy6foQHVElXhdae3VN3iwbOENTPoYiLQefNcL7aiUoyav7sNazpEMCESM0s4_YzQmk982T0H6H5_L7ucxwA1FhHhjAf1abnKQCidEuIFC0LgHg4Y/s2048/IMG_8044.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOBQteics53vy447vkGnthx7wn22BJy6foQHVElXhdae3VN3iwbOENTPoYiLQefNcL7aiUoyav7sNazpEMCESM0s4_YzQmk982T0H6H5_L7ucxwA1FhHhjAf1abnKQCidEuIFC0LgHg4Y/s320/IMG_8044.jpeg" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi1i4mOsmLKJbcPuxcjo82H3x8ggoUu54jeeaijwoKPkzNxSCt7RxlNH2PQwgf_ILJgKJVo8UUbHZKMhXnmvyRhPmkF5v7aw4zr1ANtUqDdB5SwuoSVtLxGUbHh45vbNry-C1ZG4rWIh4/s2048/IMG_8046.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi1i4mOsmLKJbcPuxcjo82H3x8ggoUu54jeeaijwoKPkzNxSCt7RxlNH2PQwgf_ILJgKJVo8UUbHZKMhXnmvyRhPmkF5v7aw4zr1ANtUqDdB5SwuoSVtLxGUbHh45vbNry-C1ZG4rWIh4/s320/IMG_8046.jpeg" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: times;"></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: times;">-I taught hurdles for PE for the missionary kids</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPpFfqs4-Nb9DVa-NOBE7C1Krht7NhlW8Pc2ABI4unE99zbkcTHBJXEFAS6I2zMzYELlZtOVt0FrNG63PqaZ47cwXT2FkXdpQy89P4VgugWWMi2b696wZcFYdQhXtwU8l4L5ysHm6YxdM/s2048/IMG_8002.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPpFfqs4-Nb9DVa-NOBE7C1Krht7NhlW8Pc2ABI4unE99zbkcTHBJXEFAS6I2zMzYELlZtOVt0FrNG63PqaZ47cwXT2FkXdpQy89P4VgugWWMi2b696wZcFYdQhXtwU8l4L5ysHm6YxdM/s320/IMG_8002.jpeg" width="240" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSoH1Xp4w01-14ygIzp-loQrdlRkSdmqUO8yfbU4rfoZCLxORFfLebHXfHIvi_YPJVL1gmBXHVZ_AhT86verzv4k08KoB9mzCddQNIrxEj28lFbW9r1q30jtkYxLEZyr9sL-Nu2LED2Oc/s1024/0e62e89d-3494-4159-8f6b-d56d536dedf8.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="658" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSoH1Xp4w01-14ygIzp-loQrdlRkSdmqUO8yfbU4rfoZCLxORFfLebHXfHIvi_YPJVL1gmBXHVZ_AhT86verzv4k08KoB9mzCddQNIrxEj28lFbW9r1q30jtkYxLEZyr9sL-Nu2LED2Oc/s320/0e62e89d-3494-4159-8f6b-d56d536dedf8.jpeg" width="206" /></a></span></div><p></p><span style="font-family: times;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;">Not part of hurdles, but a fun race nonetheless :) <br /></span></p><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;">-Our hospital faced a serious budget shortfall and was in
the beginning stages of closing when the government came through with emergency
funding and we were able to continue to provide care to our patients</span></div><span style="font-family: times;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: times;">-And, lastly, I went on a trip to Tsingoropa in the Jimi
valley for a week of work in a rural clinic. I want to share more about that
trip.</span></p><span style="font-family: times;">
</span><span style="font-family: times;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: times;">The Jimi valley starts beyond the hills just north of
Kudjip. It is one of the most remote and undeveloped areas in PNG. In the 8
months that I have been here, many of our sickest patients have come from the Jimi
Valley.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR4NowsYboIJrOmxfMCcmTffyZraz-cl9yzBjSOOOgSbC51tm3RqzHMXgrQaPUfcDGlg2XQfCGh8s6e1JRVfYkWjtIOVx9gfEn02Vp7UshS55eC6NUINzzPHyN9ECfXt31Fj2JsXzuiEo/s2048/IMG_8081.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR4NowsYboIJrOmxfMCcmTffyZraz-cl9yzBjSOOOgSbC51tm3RqzHMXgrQaPUfcDGlg2XQfCGh8s6e1JRVfYkWjtIOVx9gfEn02Vp7UshS55eC6NUINzzPHyN9ECfXt31Fj2JsXzuiEo/s320/IMG_8081.jpeg" width="320" /></a></span></div><p></p><span style="font-family: times;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4evPw98a-AU8ZHp7z8LvVWCvpZ-AiA2GHPFfIWvTNTm1lnXpEfDzPuU2Mos7G-G1P88Js0XC5rfQL4M24Q7OmbxLzCcQppha2eiNsXLCCCV6r7FWim6MVYWEB7R9kvQso1zUPrlPiF1o/s2048/IMG_8098.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4evPw98a-AU8ZHp7z8LvVWCvpZ-AiA2GHPFfIWvTNTm1lnXpEfDzPuU2Mos7G-G1P88Js0XC5rfQL4M24Q7OmbxLzCcQppha2eiNsXLCCCV6r7FWim6MVYWEB7R9kvQso1zUPrlPiF1o/s320/IMG_8098.jpeg" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: times;"></span><p></p><span style="font-family: times;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: times;">I traveled with Dr Matt for a week of work at a rural clinic
in Tsingoropa. We were able to work with an awesome team of Nursing Officers,
Gabriella and Moses, and a Community Health Worker named Joshua who staff the
clinic. Our welcome was overwhelming, seeing the emotion of a community that
had not had a doctor visit in a long time. Through the week we saw hundreds of
patients, did antenatal visits and ultrasounds for 25 pregnant patients, and spent
some time training the team of local health care workers. It was a full week
including showing the Jesus film, sharing a devotion at a Thursday night
fellowship, playing soccer and swimming in the river (just 2500 feet down the
mountain and back). <br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOeNdi03BbEvGp3MzibicfsFhr9uBmhMdY13i6pQwA-7yAyTC0dJZUqOHNdoRahOGALm-R4lQkuXR7DsIvS4M33COjaqgUWkIyX_wRqMOfSfzdwsW_G5R3SbwUxIKQo9jUFwDQeaNo9ag/s1080/f2b71e89-93a2-4eae-a5c6-289ca50c4639.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="810" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOeNdi03BbEvGp3MzibicfsFhr9uBmhMdY13i6pQwA-7yAyTC0dJZUqOHNdoRahOGALm-R4lQkuXR7DsIvS4M33COjaqgUWkIyX_wRqMOfSfzdwsW_G5R3SbwUxIKQo9jUFwDQeaNo9ag/s320/f2b71e89-93a2-4eae-a5c6-289ca50c4639.jpeg" width="240" /></a></span><span style="font-family: times;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: times;"></span></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggyNH_VaiM4qNeTC_D9gHwRifnlWzt3SBWTMPXLtchLv4OS9BBxSCEvq78T_ayftHkFpC3R4nnbEsodanHiuqfFLostA-fzYqguhMNgdafJELwvOWjxRrhJ-NUaBvqeE6v_jP5rlMe3Os/s1080/8321f2df-c4b6-4b4c-84b8-e17c7b877d94.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="810" data-original-width="1080" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggyNH_VaiM4qNeTC_D9gHwRifnlWzt3SBWTMPXLtchLv4OS9BBxSCEvq78T_ayftHkFpC3R4nnbEsodanHiuqfFLostA-fzYqguhMNgdafJELwvOWjxRrhJ-NUaBvqeE6v_jP5rlMe3Os/s320/8321f2df-c4b6-4b4c-84b8-e17c7b877d94.jpeg" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: times;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidWt7TzzIVAF1Oi6UNj4ct3l6hhbMNbCpgB5VkoIrz6iYya3SArvuIPPpgIzqjPtIYsipK7f7tCxYNP0cXOeQocIchyzAcs1srieHDrjZaBWATMjqbDlwC-cMrqpTOXKy2J0DEvfsbfuY/s1080/8628944b-8ba8-4c77-835d-aea23224d0f4.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="810" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidWt7TzzIVAF1Oi6UNj4ct3l6hhbMNbCpgB5VkoIrz6iYya3SArvuIPPpgIzqjPtIYsipK7f7tCxYNP0cXOeQocIchyzAcs1srieHDrjZaBWATMjqbDlwC-cMrqpTOXKy2J0DEvfsbfuY/s320/8628944b-8ba8-4c77-835d-aea23224d0f4.jpeg" width="240" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: times;"></span><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2859DT6OEhTNjwC-iiMxt8TW_j_ilgg_sp0VYFofH8VX1n39ebS8MF7FD47SP7MOr1_srIZRFc8JyEHj5czNRdzl2PIDqmTt15RF4UgOZwicoD27TWTRAF452WnEGhay29yClhqjBRUA/s2048/IMG_8172.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2859DT6OEhTNjwC-iiMxt8TW_j_ilgg_sp0VYFofH8VX1n39ebS8MF7FD47SP7MOr1_srIZRFc8JyEHj5czNRdzl2PIDqmTt15RF4UgOZwicoD27TWTRAF452WnEGhay29yClhqjBRUA/s320/IMG_8172.jpeg" width="240" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUrM3trSJQqmzeCjvaiYhrTZHoBenGzHIj7spZeM8JveK8P2TMgT5UQBNfzVTOZAZIjtL6VVHUZk1IezX0civEXQYmBZoLRDx6KhtL9vPaBJ29raXyZ1zf3av749dgYyin8xFblNt7E3U/s1280/61edc89f-495d-4982-bde4-4f1977bc9643.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUrM3trSJQqmzeCjvaiYhrTZHoBenGzHIj7spZeM8JveK8P2TMgT5UQBNfzVTOZAZIjtL6VVHUZk1IezX0civEXQYmBZoLRDx6KhtL9vPaBJ29raXyZ1zf3av749dgYyin8xFblNt7E3U/s320/61edc89f-495d-4982-bde4-4f1977bc9643.jpeg" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlB2AGvdbaUVfiI1t5gaj7AS5ORx57vgwWlR1-P5AtWrdlZIoYrQ9j-IqwFKwYpzIIM9lZfUWyyjgS4aClZ4cli6f3qmaxB1SMCqt57azJMIiufuZFp6vfoBrPuc8odiTXRpPYGTNtlAY/s1080/2bb8c87c-ce45-4049-95f6-f0ea5aed1bf1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="810" data-original-width="1080" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlB2AGvdbaUVfiI1t5gaj7AS5ORx57vgwWlR1-P5AtWrdlZIoYrQ9j-IqwFKwYpzIIM9lZfUWyyjgS4aClZ4cli6f3qmaxB1SMCqt57azJMIiufuZFp6vfoBrPuc8odiTXRpPYGTNtlAY/s320/2bb8c87c-ce45-4049-95f6-f0ea5aed1bf1.jpeg" width="320" /></a></span></div><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;">Top: Dr Matt and I with Moses, a nursing officer at Tsingoropa; 2. Praying with a patient in the clinic 3. Matt and I with one of the mamas who had come to be seen by a doctor. 4. Wara Jimi 5. Another patient encounter 6. Peter and his mother waiting outside of the clinic to be seen<br /></span></p><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;">One of my favorite moments was one evening when I went to
sit on the porch and watch the kids play rugby. Suddenly I was surrounded by a
group of kids looking at me expectantly. Eventually I learned they wanted me to
share a story, so I proceeded to give a paraphrase of The Hobbit. The kids
loved the interaction and proceeded to tell me some stories of their own.</span></div><span style="font-family: times;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwRO79icDzUwyiy-1YY51BSoffTSlzAEvHmGbYRf8acafffmuDLNsRphoH1ECU2dJXE3rNsFKVS55LZKs7d0Q' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></span></div><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span><p></p><span style="font-family: times;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: times;">I was touched by the warmth and hospitality of these people,
the way they welcomed us into their community and the difficulty of their
lives. I hope to be able to go back in the future.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsQSMXbfno1VnM_9JHididxJ26Q9LwJNfr6aItyXtgcRBeWkHWm8MF2BDh6SpjJAgQP0e-hMqw74g4QXpPrw74suUEvliZKJCMr6XNzA6xe8V5I1ILv8seNeMO5vzA_gbfIBGTnrX05DI/s2048/IMG_8154.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsQSMXbfno1VnM_9JHididxJ26Q9LwJNfr6aItyXtgcRBeWkHWm8MF2BDh6SpjJAgQP0e-hMqw74g4QXpPrw74suUEvliZKJCMr6XNzA6xe8V5I1ILv8seNeMO5vzA_gbfIBGTnrX05DI/s320/IMG_8154.jpeg" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBUIcqARD4yd8cQaAOH2N-dTn6OLAF5Lya_36ETc66cwsr7cZKYXq2JO8XDFNVO-kI4x50uOxRUHVj7vkUUxj59W-IW_E_WX7OUtlo4xV9PrEkbyc8Z4Jr_Nx87gYw2XMG10vH1gWHoWs/s1280/7330c152-99f9-4a51-b5c4-3b2b8fefadaf.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBUIcqARD4yd8cQaAOH2N-dTn6OLAF5Lya_36ETc66cwsr7cZKYXq2JO8XDFNVO-kI4x50uOxRUHVj7vkUUxj59W-IW_E_WX7OUtlo4xV9PrEkbyc8Z4Jr_Nx87gYw2XMG10vH1gWHoWs/s320/7330c152-99f9-4a51-b5c4-3b2b8fefadaf.jpeg" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: times;"><br /> </span><p></p><span style="font-family: times;">
</span><p><style><span style="font-family: times;">@font-face
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{page:WordSection1;}</span></style></p>Danielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03646777935244150309noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6763854289481555431.post-32194341973139679182021-07-26T04:03:00.001-07:002021-07-26T04:03:36.712-07:00Hard days<p><br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Some days are hard.
</p><p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I stood watching the baby struggling for breath, still
cyanotic hours after her birth. She had swallowed a large amount of meconium
during the birth process. Despite suctioning and resuscitation, we were unable
to help her breathe normally. Now she was on maximum oxygen therapy after CPAP
had failed. My heart sank even further as I read the chart. She was her mom’s
fourth child, but of the three before her, only one was still alive. The next
morning her crib was empty.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The morning before, I learned that Dora had died. Dora had
been living in the hospital for the last several months. She suffered from
chronic lung disease from tuberculosis as well as heart failure. Every morning
I would see her, and she somehow usually was able to give me a smile. Each day
I felt a little more helpless as I saw her slowly deteriorate, the medications
no longer helping. She made me a beautiful bilum (decorative bag) the week
before she died. We often prayed together, although I know towards the end, she
was losing hope and the will to live.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG_kEWIaXKDmXAAr03DNGS75LGVmjwXPIuGpEMsX6_W2e6p7gHSHzDv5h8DsxmUnD9WdJtLK8m39GO_CW9CdhRu1a3SlAY2mFwcgxFryiOQv94FsBR7ThNQAq-Tr03vpnYcCxdPuOfxN0/s2048/IMG_7584.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG_kEWIaXKDmXAAr03DNGS75LGVmjwXPIuGpEMsX6_W2e6p7gHSHzDv5h8DsxmUnD9WdJtLK8m39GO_CW9CdhRu1a3SlAY2mFwcgxFryiOQv94FsBR7ThNQAq-Tr03vpnYcCxdPuOfxN0/s320/IMG_7584.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Later that night I took care of a woman who had been brought
into the ER after being tortured in her village, being accused of sorcery. She
had burns on her back, chest, arms and legs and a deep machete wound in one
leg. She struggled to answer my simple questions, on the edge of shock.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">In clinic, I pushed through, but unable to fully hide the
sadness and weariness I felt. A dear friend offered me some really good advice
post-call-“Take a nap and then pray for these patients.” Later, I released them
to God with tears, anger and confusion giving way to shared grief.</p><p class="MsoNormal"> </p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFvIELJXfTqCffHrJXEr0XMcVDp_0h2DG-r0q28E-FEwg-LjVh8ztQx9qUqLw6yRtNmQa1OQ5ZkFM4LCvcJgeTHVKUx4wLzDEmqG_jVbpglBQdKPWLry5bKz0SuUhu22EchHnAuOvsOCE/s2048/IMG_7380.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFvIELJXfTqCffHrJXEr0XMcVDp_0h2DG-r0q28E-FEwg-LjVh8ztQx9qUqLw6yRtNmQa1OQ5ZkFM4LCvcJgeTHVKUx4wLzDEmqG_jVbpglBQdKPWLry5bKz0SuUhu22EchHnAuOvsOCE/s320/IMG_7380.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div> <p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Henri Nouwen
talks of service as an encounter with God, “a joyful way of life in which our
eyes are opened to the vision of the true God who chose to be revealed in
servanthood. The poor are called blessed not because poverty is good, but
because theirs is the kingdom of heaven; the mourners are called blessed not
because mourning is good, but because they shall be comforted.”</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Today I’ve had in my mind the image of Jesus calling out to Mary
Magdalene from The Chosen. Christ chooses to see us amid our brokenness, pain,
and suffering. He meets us there. He was working here before I came and will
stay long after I leave. He is working through my incredible PNG colleagues. I
don’t always understand it, but it will always be a privilege to join Him in His
work.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz5xnEfqQo6VZ3Yprcvm0DyToKjzX-jl8Y1lIogs4tbyHCqWXejT2PNF5_xXSFZaP61xGGO62uNERI1LL-iSJuQq8KvqdPIXyroym0umMbHhddgsZ2wra8vbSM5Tfgh743E_xvJpxTEqQ/s2048/IMG_7320.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz5xnEfqQo6VZ3Yprcvm0DyToKjzX-jl8Y1lIogs4tbyHCqWXejT2PNF5_xXSFZaP61xGGO62uNERI1LL-iSJuQq8KvqdPIXyroym0umMbHhddgsZ2wra8vbSM5Tfgh743E_xvJpxTEqQ/s320/IMG_7320.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /> <p></p>
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{page:WordSection1;}</style></p>Danielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03646777935244150309noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6763854289481555431.post-43409064304530309372021-07-03T23:58:00.000-07:002021-07-03T23:58:34.256-07:00Wisdom from Dr Jim<p class="MsoNormal">It’s been a while since I have written. Sorry for the long
lapse. Sometimes business makes it hard to write, but other times I find myself
uncertain what to write. Life here is so varied and quick it can go from
celebration to mourning to thanksgiving to frustration in a short period of
time. Also, now as some of the newness has worn away it is harder to reflect on
what I am experiencing. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">So, I’m going to use a little bit of a structure to help me
reflect. The structure was provided through the wisdom and life lessons of Dr
Jim.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Dr Jim is somewhat of a legend around here. He and his
family lived here for over 20 years serving as a surgeon to the hospital, and
now his son Ben is our general surgeon, carrying on the legacy. All the workers
who have been here long enough have a Dr Jim story, and on long runs I will run
into older men and women up in the hills around station who ask me about Dr
Jim.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Dr Jim was able to come help at the hospital as a volunteer
as part of a Covid relief team. During one of our doctor’s meetings, he was
able to share these pearls he learned from his many years here. Using each
pearl (and combining a few to keep this from getting too long), I want to share
a snapshot of my life here, what I’m learning and where I’m growing.</p><p class="MsoNormal"> </p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz_M26kGMFcmFFqLzwxst-8WmhAkkWEQ8HRaXSx5j5aPZXoAtXBTEBIrl6iM4s85F0YoYynneBuLbMvltT4Wzruf0y2NxsiPM_Xx1rHfdNorPE9Ro4Xa_CcBqGFUZQigz_95TwVBH4GLc/s640/IMG_5459.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz_M26kGMFcmFFqLzwxst-8WmhAkkWEQ8HRaXSx5j5aPZXoAtXBTEBIrl6iM4s85F0YoYynneBuLbMvltT4Wzruf0y2NxsiPM_Xx1rHfdNorPE9Ro4Xa_CcBqGFUZQigz_95TwVBH4GLc/s320/IMG_5459.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">Recent staff meeting including volunteers Dr Jim and Dr Pringle<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">1 and 2. Know your calling and trust your God.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Some of my residency colleagues helped me to realize that
having a vision and goal was a strength of mine, something that I hadn’t
realized before. Prior to coming here my vision had been focused on making it
through medical training to be able to serve people in a rural, underserved
area just like this. Honestly, one of the big transitions in coming here for me
was moving from having this big vision to living it, and thus no longer having
a vision or goal for the future. I’ve had to learn to form visions again.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">One of my great joys here has been running outside of
station, partially because it helps me to see the big picture and think about
the future. There are several different ways that I can go to get up into the
hills just south of station and look back into the Waghi valley. These times
help me to feel God’s presence and feel His heart for this beautiful place.</p><p class="MsoNormal"> </p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOkYrszWGQEnzebWvCc4098DHohMo9FY9-muYlW8kVWuEmFF-rBSx1f_sXwWC0VmyFgSflr7ZLykTmxXbbyz4C6fC6JmcOHXFzTVLHkXvEA7D6nNHu-XD2F2ebTmbqncCA1eaxr6_5Hbo/s2919/IMG_7439.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1077" data-original-width="2919" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOkYrszWGQEnzebWvCc4098DHohMo9FY9-muYlW8kVWuEmFF-rBSx1f_sXwWC0VmyFgSflr7ZLykTmxXbbyz4C6fC6JmcOHXFzTVLHkXvEA7D6nNHu-XD2F2ebTmbqncCA1eaxr6_5Hbo/s320/IMG_7439.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">The view from one of my favorite running spots<br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">3. Learn to laugh and have something to look forward to</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">A few weeks ago, I was able to go on vacation to Madang, a
town on the PNG coast. It was such a blessing to have a short break and time to
get to know some of the other missionaries better. We were able to go
snorkeling, explore the area and have time to relax without call shifts.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJQYX01H2UlqKDtK-2ttypcXGBiWOb-PrM9eVlnPy3_Oijg1hf7ldh5WMbJDQCww7OvArMJjtHb8_HKqp9iQR3-wxbG2k7nnbUvpQKEQUe2eKQ336RmW96AIkUGrn9tspQQuBXaLoFTYk/s2048/nemo+and+merlin2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1847" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJQYX01H2UlqKDtK-2ttypcXGBiWOb-PrM9eVlnPy3_Oijg1hf7ldh5WMbJDQCww7OvArMJjtHb8_HKqp9iQR3-wxbG2k7nnbUvpQKEQUe2eKQ336RmW96AIkUGrn9tspQQuBXaLoFTYk/s320/nemo+and+merlin2.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /> <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiBt_pAMNQ0wlBMl5QxiXDn1w6q9Fvr5IAD6dMJljN4YyyT3uxGopcEDXHORgqyJyaPFkbPlE1FncWVDMCDbTIh9TBjAUCb5I9mAEcw25KnTj_Ub3z1PJWQ7x0zPaDoX03NXke760Qo9M/s1024/0958df07-516a-4b2b-bebe-ee8f5c9bc2a1+%25281%2529.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiBt_pAMNQ0wlBMl5QxiXDn1w6q9Fvr5IAD6dMJljN4YyyT3uxGopcEDXHORgqyJyaPFkbPlE1FncWVDMCDbTIh9TBjAUCb5I9mAEcw25KnTj_Ub3z1PJWQ7x0zPaDoX03NXke760Qo9M/s320/0958df07-516a-4b2b-bebe-ee8f5c9bc2a1+%25281%2529.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTV7FdZcwF4mvbsArQWtZsCIYgUHCR_vspOZ2IGHoHdoMrVX-GC_1rpPX2dKlocgxZD8uNjeD73jyZX3DGNOdqFzLm2JSzgz9DaBzu8GpD0k0lREH2VXtJ7zUMsicWEQbjsm1BRVRvh04/s2048/DSCF3165.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTV7FdZcwF4mvbsArQWtZsCIYgUHCR_vspOZ2IGHoHdoMrVX-GC_1rpPX2dKlocgxZD8uNjeD73jyZX3DGNOdqFzLm2JSzgz9DaBzu8GpD0k0lREH2VXtJ7zUMsicWEQbjsm1BRVRvh04/s320/DSCF3165.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div> <p></p><p class="MsoNormal">Something that frequently makes me smile and laugh are the
kids here. Yesterday during my shift, I met Maggie who had one of the best
smiles I’ve ever seen. I couldn’t help but smile back and feel joy at getting
to do the work I do.</p><p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB2u-fuFNstqHeO67fQbA7ZceTiRQY6kb7wdjbybWTEQQIv15VBfQ-xcmDzWeYUeWNRBsj_alCs3JGARutgNC1onFiSC8nH2m5io1Siz2TKihF1GFoutt2uCKURJLgkQTBcbANz8CpfoI/s2048/IMG_7619.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB2u-fuFNstqHeO67fQbA7ZceTiRQY6kb7wdjbybWTEQQIv15VBfQ-xcmDzWeYUeWNRBsj_alCs3JGARutgNC1onFiSC8nH2m5io1Siz2TKihF1GFoutt2uCKURJLgkQTBcbANz8CpfoI/s320/IMG_7619.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /> <p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">One thing I’m looking forward to is a chance to climb the
highest peak in PNG, Mt Wilhelm (14,793ft). I’m hoping to go with a few friends
one weekend in August.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">4. Focus on prayer</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Personally, I’ve always struggled with prayer. My mind tends
to wander, especially when I am tired. The last couple months I have been using
a book to have fixed time prayer or “saying the offices.” It has specific
prayers in the morning, noon and evening that come from the Psalms and church
tradition. It has helped me to focus my heart throughout the day.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">5. Bond with brothers and sisters</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">One blessing over the past few months has been getting to
know some of my PNG brothers and sisters better. I’ve really enjoyed having my
neighbors and some of the PNG doctors over to my house for dinner and
occasionally watching a movie. Hosting is not the most natural thing for me,
but there has been plenty of grace for my cooking <span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq_WaR6aQSx_3htr8fIWmI6lv812Vxgqvb2EuKOT1pGfIOWikIvIBDQhl5PC4oAamOnbyz-G5AbE0pI7PE-zL0D5cxLGY7Lx4LJOfpYNNm053cFsy7RIfJ7XG4lrDXqyhMKQ-i2hvtijU/s2048/IMG_7412.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq_WaR6aQSx_3htr8fIWmI6lv812Vxgqvb2EuKOT1pGfIOWikIvIBDQhl5PC4oAamOnbyz-G5AbE0pI7PE-zL0D5cxLGY7Lx4LJOfpYNNm053cFsy7RIfJ7XG4lrDXqyhMKQ-i2hvtijU/s320/IMG_7412.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">Dinner with my neighbors and coworkers</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx8_EolGkd3gDB6v_us1VHwUQIk6S3Hq5YTKUA4x849vPsq52XZQimpPjk9uFb21Wm3VKUAiGdgGmwL5WwI1bczmzWAxMSveu3qeOv1z1RZlqLzG15T049gaT46uAzl7qF9W81QPlLUWg/s2048/IMG_7567.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx8_EolGkd3gDB6v_us1VHwUQIk6S3Hq5YTKUA4x849vPsq52XZQimpPjk9uFb21Wm3VKUAiGdgGmwL5WwI1bczmzWAxMSveu3qeOv1z1RZlqLzG15T049gaT46uAzl7qF9W81QPlLUWg/s320/IMG_7567.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">Fellow doctors and some good friends<br /></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">6 and 7. Say I’m sorry/Keep saying yes</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Occasionally the work as a physician here can be stressful.
There are many things that are new to me, and, unfortunately, sometimes I let
that stress show through frustration. I have had to apologize more than once
when I haven’t been very gracious or have been too task focused instead of
relational. One night when I was grumbling about being called in, God showed me
how a lot of my frustration was rooted in my fear of being inadequate to deal
with whatever the call was about. He then proceeded to help change my mindset
to curiosity and adventure, knowing that He would help me through whatever
challenge might come.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Last weekend I got to spend a night with Apa and his family
again, which was special. Hugging and playing with his kids made me feel at
home and to see deeper into what the lives of the people I see every day in the
hospital are like. Moments like these help me to keep saying yes to my work,
especially when the work is less rewarding.</p>
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{page:WordSection1;}</style></p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRpQxjMfyRtHu3IGR-ldP2IHuR0VsL_DiF3SrIhTbIOmI0C5CtEcjVipjUVUyCtYLCtib_zNQhSvXU9nqYmG9NhSvMEyUtMPLHtT1AIEigqYaInNNdvRvW15Yp19SbI-cBIJ3T9l_kVp4/s1600/6b7450aa-d4ce-455f-8f6b-683e7a3e98f9.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRpQxjMfyRtHu3IGR-ldP2IHuR0VsL_DiF3SrIhTbIOmI0C5CtEcjVipjUVUyCtYLCtib_zNQhSvXU9nqYmG9NhSvMEyUtMPLHtT1AIEigqYaInNNdvRvW15Yp19SbI-cBIJ3T9l_kVp4/s320/6b7450aa-d4ce-455f-8f6b-683e7a3e98f9.jpeg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhevmVO_m3UJ6On-aolsBSFYkdxMO76R8tAQWd-CEEDmPU8GWxqHDq-do6LyNcEXGbZpVtPfnOKBXQhvBFNKSwTdxwFeauuaWHfS354OwTsW8EKLh4YI1Dfm9mjaUPWaaIMc06f99tIgCY/s1600/edce9225-b571-422f-852d-9fcf32d5d947.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhevmVO_m3UJ6On-aolsBSFYkdxMO76R8tAQWd-CEEDmPU8GWxqHDq-do6LyNcEXGbZpVtPfnOKBXQhvBFNKSwTdxwFeauuaWHfS354OwTsW8EKLh4YI1Dfm9mjaUPWaaIMc06f99tIgCY/s320/edce9225-b571-422f-852d-9fcf32d5d947.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;">Mumu and morning fire at Apa's</p>Danielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03646777935244150309noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6763854289481555431.post-22268993376659198062021-05-21T21:53:00.000-07:002021-05-21T21:53:55.476-07:00Rounding<p><br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I wanted to invite you in a little closer to what rounds
look like for me every morning. These are some of my patients from the
Pediatric Ward.
</p><p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">My first patient is James, a 6-month-old who was readmitted
after becoming a lot sicker following an admission for pneumonia. He was admitted
by our ER staff overnight and in the morning my LP showed that he had bacterial
meningitis. Thankfully, the ER staff had started the right medication to treat
this. He initially required two anti-seizure medications to control his
seizures, but on this day, he has completed 10 days of treatment and looks like
a new kid.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFAqdslZTa_yvcBaRX54n5JxS7lfgk2keV5lunIMPGQ93UzWtaQZw24WQ1Z26PIlNnRvKmj6Z7WZZdI2mQj4xerZnnFoKWjBTzW80Hlksz_BsnhmrRry0Gjoc0wmS0C3AInvssfdxSAuU/s2048/IMG_7366.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFAqdslZTa_yvcBaRX54n5JxS7lfgk2keV5lunIMPGQ93UzWtaQZw24WQ1Z26PIlNnRvKmj6Z7WZZdI2mQj4xerZnnFoKWjBTzW80Hlksz_BsnhmrRry0Gjoc0wmS0C3AInvssfdxSAuU/s320/IMG_7366.jpeg" /></a></div> <p></p><p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">This is James a few days later in outpatient clinic showing off
his fancy hat.</p><p class="MsoNormal"> </p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlVuLSNAbtE96bwdHrrI8ZDFqjXb8x3FNHbD5rVAwfBM7p-98Q1P15lImA1QvSyiltT08XqwE3bkPjblgSrR0ocCuiq_8omwrJ5lAVn1BrGCBHU1-Bbz8d5jO4m8XXQBnCty7rGkXUdbQ/s2048/IMG_7395.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlVuLSNAbtE96bwdHrrI8ZDFqjXb8x3FNHbD5rVAwfBM7p-98Q1P15lImA1QvSyiltT08XqwE3bkPjblgSrR0ocCuiq_8omwrJ5lAVn1BrGCBHU1-Bbz8d5jO4m8XXQBnCty7rGkXUdbQ/s320/IMG_7395.jpeg" /></a></div> <p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The next bed is a 5-year-old girl suffering from typhoid. Sometimes
these children get very sick, and they are often very irritable and uncomfortable
until the medication begins to help. Next to her is a 4-month-old with
pneumonia who was very interested in me, despite needing oxygen to help him
breathe.</p><p class="MsoNormal"> </p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVPMUj3wEaVqxqceJnW3LEytSeKTAlcCWAVb8KeQKm07sa0Xoh-M9AVHWNe8eRw97Qp7u5Wqo0_farqd77byhL3zSE47o7UFhCg89BNC15lHBYqWokqZCTnx9DpzHHS46TrJ0-cdD5OvQ/s2048/IMG_7369.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1539" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVPMUj3wEaVqxqceJnW3LEytSeKTAlcCWAVb8KeQKm07sa0Xoh-M9AVHWNe8eRw97Qp7u5Wqo0_farqd77byhL3zSE47o7UFhCg89BNC15lHBYqWokqZCTnx9DpzHHS46TrJ0-cdD5OvQ/s320/IMG_7369.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOVoRqtqb8mzBWVsRT3h6Fwvcd7zIGQMNjG_M-QIo9FQesZcNZFfIppR8wB0_uwHWiAv12BTBfLRB73X4qz3QRmRGY3xhXF_-AeHGJqCCgixPZYW_aAgd7Iv-424kfwtEyf4Xhs_06zMA/s2048/IMG_7370.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOVoRqtqb8mzBWVsRT3h6Fwvcd7zIGQMNjG_M-QIo9FQesZcNZFfIppR8wB0_uwHWiAv12BTBfLRB73X4qz3QRmRGY3xhXF_-AeHGJqCCgixPZYW_aAgd7Iv-424kfwtEyf4Xhs_06zMA/s320/IMG_7370.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /> <p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Moving across the aisle I have a set of twins, although only
one of them is admitted. This baby got very sick after being born at home and
had to be admitted for antibiotics and to help the baby feed. A few beds down
from them is a 12yo girl who was admitted with a septic knee joint with the
infection spreading to her femur. I had to make an incision in her leg down to
the femur to help evacuate the puss to allow her leg to heal. While she was
initially pretty shy, we’re now good friends and I go by to say hi in the
afternoons sometimes. She’s starting to walk again and should be able to go
home soon.</p><p class="MsoNormal"> </p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL8JjnELzNwL4yOPgKkINuD4l00QCLbi9U1m-oof-s5eZF7fp_6UN5HKldn11_8BSsMW4zNJ2mW7ltRpjvvjNYmjmg7SP_ShPKV9Ou2kS-_ldC2ZuRUv5u12YwVhJrqjD1bhhKWJfVFcU/s2048/IMG_7371.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL8JjnELzNwL4yOPgKkINuD4l00QCLbi9U1m-oof-s5eZF7fp_6UN5HKldn11_8BSsMW4zNJ2mW7ltRpjvvjNYmjmg7SP_ShPKV9Ou2kS-_ldC2ZuRUv5u12YwVhJrqjD1bhhKWJfVFcU/s320/IMG_7371.jpeg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3bPvIGHwtF4XA9r0HSj_l4_H4gi9cFwhdQowHwtZFnyG8eypsAJMYacTNIvxdfaKUpLdlB_4yJyuIA5TVjOqXq_CM63R50zhLCK4F0ZpcHmHttv1b8_i6_PAn9rAal0GB1HOpnLyXs48/s2048/IMG_7372.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3bPvIGHwtF4XA9r0HSj_l4_H4gi9cFwhdQowHwtZFnyG8eypsAJMYacTNIvxdfaKUpLdlB_4yJyuIA5TVjOqXq_CM63R50zhLCK4F0ZpcHmHttv1b8_i6_PAn9rAal0GB1HOpnLyXs48/s320/IMG_7372.jpeg" /></a></div> <p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The next bed is a chunky 9-month-old named Eskimo who was
also admitted for bacterial meningitis. Thankfully he responded quickly to the
antibiotics and is well on his way to being better. The last patient is Tom. He
was admitted for malnutrition. Over a couple of weeks, he gained over 1.5kg
(3.3lbs). While he was initially irritable, he quickly became a very smiley and
vivacious little guy. While I’m thankful for his improvement so that they can
go back home, I’m going to miss seeing them in the mornings. It's been such an honor and blessing to me to be able to help care for these precious kids.</p><p class="MsoNormal"> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggrnNXAiqPMhNCA_lwBq1arhR7YZ6KSmviGJX2FEW7nxSsJ_5O1BpzO0VlhqwFXrJVP6aRPSKGjWV2Obe_w05yiMeGqH4XZXidHtVH3Zu9zXrveMYpQ66wDpQLI71j9FbLlcrHKn_rj0g/s2048/IMG_7374.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggrnNXAiqPMhNCA_lwBq1arhR7YZ6KSmviGJX2FEW7nxSsJ_5O1BpzO0VlhqwFXrJVP6aRPSKGjWV2Obe_w05yiMeGqH4XZXidHtVH3Zu9zXrveMYpQ66wDpQLI71j9FbLlcrHKn_rj0g/s320/IMG_7374.jpeg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIJ5ofnmeFcMKQP1IpIDmntJXxXSl72uqKNHSJKkcYhuRgnlPyzZDTpVT1ZZ2ZWusJhbQMQo1McvanS_xC7XJdFf9iEdmNjGOsTdkA1OkgscEipaTdBjVMEWmOpWFFN516wSpzjAEeVWE/s2048/IMG_7363.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIJ5ofnmeFcMKQP1IpIDmntJXxXSl72uqKNHSJKkcYhuRgnlPyzZDTpVT1ZZ2ZWusJhbQMQo1McvanS_xC7XJdFf9iEdmNjGOsTdkA1OkgscEipaTdBjVMEWmOpWFFN516wSpzjAEeVWE/s320/IMG_7363.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>Loving the RUTF (Ready-to-use Therapeutic Food--souped up Peanut Butter)<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFvG3L-USk8fMn8tr2fJz2W119CliUKCtVRDqldIj9VeKTEJpt6B0X36uyIBilkTLzbCBn0Yzg0jLH47JJIZ37FmEFsQhxXmolTD5VTdv-PCg2VspweLOr9BnD5fgBID1Vgz-QiRhwpY0/s2048/IMG_7390.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1539" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFvG3L-USk8fMn8tr2fJz2W119CliUKCtVRDqldIj9VeKTEJpt6B0X36uyIBilkTLzbCBn0Yzg0jLH47JJIZ37FmEFsQhxXmolTD5VTdv-PCg2VspweLOr9BnD5fgBID1Vgz-QiRhwpY0/s320/IMG_7390.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /> <br /><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">In a few other updates, this week I moved to Medical Ward to
take care of our adult inpatients. I was able to get my Covid vaccine, the Astra-Zeneca
vaccine, thanks to the COVAX program. Also, here are a few pictures of my new
house. Yesterday there was a large party to thank all of the workers who helped
build the new fourplex that my house is a part of.</p><p class="MsoNormal"> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJdlk7NtJVzIAfGm1M_KpehyphenhyphenO9MN7NPR_gWSlvvDAaZ7hZYb5nLcKjfX4qGVV8PHaEWDYHndUpnpyDCVkaLK18bYlCim4XiheEU10L_GCUL7OzllRsGm86plJBGgRfW7sxCQHu6tHV-eU/s2048/IMG_7328.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJdlk7NtJVzIAfGm1M_KpehyphenhyphenO9MN7NPR_gWSlvvDAaZ7hZYb5nLcKjfX4qGVV8PHaEWDYHndUpnpyDCVkaLK18bYlCim4XiheEU10L_GCUL7OzllRsGm86plJBGgRfW7sxCQHu6tHV-eU/s320/IMG_7328.jpeg" /></a></div>View from my back porch<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7x2ul0ZJI_D7Xxh_AqA4sai0TjWlLNc8xNeXilNNy3s8aootLPyiIHGwkboXJgaKIn625zHkdCw7U-QGlK-xrgsm0o26SQPzkE4nG9n9a6rXIw0nfiam_H27J8QRCjR_oCU-Axeb0Ntw/s2048/IMG_7340.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7x2ul0ZJI_D7Xxh_AqA4sai0TjWlLNc8xNeXilNNy3s8aootLPyiIHGwkboXJgaKIn625zHkdCw7U-QGlK-xrgsm0o26SQPzkE4nG9n9a6rXIw0nfiam_H27J8QRCjR_oCU-Axeb0Ntw/s320/IMG_7340.jpeg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7_tlSTKvtP8luse_kRp-T0wn3QvDtEqgY5knlXqUfVxTLOONxUNDZ2lAruNZgFeuZfJsFQxICryPCecbC9V2dsPIXlusnBSMIHUKhQ5-USqu-s3jsqFh-qNkHThDCAvJF64FBPD4BZKg/s2048/IMG_7330.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7_tlSTKvtP8luse_kRp-T0wn3QvDtEqgY5knlXqUfVxTLOONxUNDZ2lAruNZgFeuZfJsFQxICryPCecbC9V2dsPIXlusnBSMIHUKhQ5-USqu-s3jsqFh-qNkHThDCAvJF64FBPD4BZKg/s320/IMG_7330.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /> <p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I also was able to go to a rural “bush” church with a few friends
this last Sunday. It was a beautiful and refreshing experience to be able to
worship and pray with this small community (even though it was an adventure
getting there :)</p><p class="MsoNormal"> </p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipmlmiSCFwgSKmkv1n9xijzjh-K4ffjFdvMzdw1GVlu5C5DncmCu-aEdxcJRAYUP_5MpGThZCloXPnn4iTv9gcAcyzNbgZDeHMwhiN6xdJUP4Fdma9qK3PnBGR_eyaFDXeqa1eyr6VBao/s1600/029e91a7-4a24-497f-9bec-b420d2120164.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipmlmiSCFwgSKmkv1n9xijzjh-K4ffjFdvMzdw1GVlu5C5DncmCu-aEdxcJRAYUP_5MpGThZCloXPnn4iTv9gcAcyzNbgZDeHMwhiN6xdJUP4Fdma9qK3PnBGR_eyaFDXeqa1eyr6VBao/s320/029e91a7-4a24-497f-9bec-b420d2120164.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDhcKSIVfeOUEnIBiFhsu0joVQlGIEa7phyphenhyphenFB7xAvByrNii8oqHjlIuWUpaJwQMGTx0_Xv15EppnPbacMCrccrfBqRelyHJFE8ra3YZLuUlPUXlj19-jEttinW9Rh2c9vpEs2QZU8DhNE/s1600/a5ac117d-c7d8-419c-a085-fd92d616e422.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDhcKSIVfeOUEnIBiFhsu0joVQlGIEa7phyphenhyphenFB7xAvByrNii8oqHjlIuWUpaJwQMGTx0_Xv15EppnPbacMCrccrfBqRelyHJFE8ra3YZLuUlPUXlj19-jEttinW9Rh2c9vpEs2QZU8DhNE/s320/a5ac117d-c7d8-419c-a085-fd92d616e422.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpSAReNVhTEdbbilfa22kufvxfLdZYnlgrfv-3SRpZIUxMYrrR_RTQHYUXYxmEd8W-7w8KdLbr1Fk315AOVsm2My7QWjCoESxPE25z4NT9JMzgBHT69enYN8JJk9DVYXZeImXayb7qO8w/s1600/a8180bd5-b51f-41be-85b7-c008741bc124.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpSAReNVhTEdbbilfa22kufvxfLdZYnlgrfv-3SRpZIUxMYrrR_RTQHYUXYxmEd8W-7w8KdLbr1Fk315AOVsm2My7QWjCoESxPE25z4NT9JMzgBHT69enYN8JJk9DVYXZeImXayb7qO8w/s320/a8180bd5-b51f-41be-85b7-c008741bc124.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /> <p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dy3r9e5KBnIAXRW-CO23hawl0280oczkW0u8lSpWwHvEOK3slTcFNNcxYFxMLfOi4dOPSuRcpsBFXyZBgMEaw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyKIwjCEpjZ4gRfmoh7N5mEuyljQkzIO98XoZwhzEUXvw2fN6l3SRzIlBrtGo51-d5BMkFf6M2hkfBNI3X_Lg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br /> </div><br /><p></p>
<p><style>@font-face
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{page:WordSection1;}</style></p>Danielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03646777935244150309noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6763854289481555431.post-59337929784244125392021-04-29T00:18:00.000-07:002021-04-29T00:18:34.138-07:00Foundation and Calling<p class="MsoNormal"> Hi friends and family,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Sorry for the long gap in writing. Life here has been busy
and every time I have tried to sit down and write I have lacked the inspiration
and energy. Initially I had planned a much different blog post, but that
changed.</p><p class="MsoNormal"> </p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFo-Mz3Dj084Oh3cE1Qf8LTUqhnvSB_7eb31WOLMym0O_YbTQREJ-202fVsUiwvCtubAAa-nsoEF728WxFfrGVF4gTafTrIpgIPmS7L_f6KhWBaNrKXOOv68WtrjLc4pgx2niDpxD-OFs/s1600/c6f5d21c-e8ac-42f1-a5f4-64b964f1cae7.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFo-Mz3Dj084Oh3cE1Qf8LTUqhnvSB_7eb31WOLMym0O_YbTQREJ-202fVsUiwvCtubAAa-nsoEF728WxFfrGVF4gTafTrIpgIPmS7L_f6KhWBaNrKXOOv68WtrjLc4pgx2niDpxD-OFs/s320/c6f5d21c-e8ac-42f1-a5f4-64b964f1cae7.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMpvU4-og1Nn-GLJ3zd5uUNBN45kHDYrHdVmrgjN-8X_YUt0P2mjXOUG261jH8wD-awKJwNTSxU6eY6OVRB7-3s35areJTUjHchVjUJNGJY1GwSxrblkea94imRrW0HB1qmqLJqxgs4lA/s1024/e3d432a5-7116-4259-a29e-5e4fd22d69b4.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMpvU4-og1Nn-GLJ3zd5uUNBN45kHDYrHdVmrgjN-8X_YUt0P2mjXOUG261jH8wD-awKJwNTSxU6eY6OVRB7-3s35areJTUjHchVjUJNGJY1GwSxrblkea94imRrW0HB1qmqLJqxgs4lA/s320/e3d432a5-7116-4259-a29e-5e4fd22d69b4.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">Pictures from a recent hike up to Mt Tapi<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Life here is settling into more of a pattern. I am now moved
into my permanent house that the construction team had been hard at work on to
prepare for me. It’s nice to have a space that I can make more my own knowing
that I will be in it for the next two years.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">And yet, it still feels hard to find consistency. Call
shifts can range from easy shifts with only a couple of phone calls to my last
Thursday call shift where I was at the hospital for most of the night taking
care of machete wounds, a patient with liver failure, two vacuum deliveries, a
C-section and a repair of a third-degree tear. We also have a large number of
people leaving in the next couple of weeks-volunteers returning home, families
going for home assignment and a long-term family leaving permanently-even as we
welcome a few new and experienced faces. I definitely feel some sadness and a
sense of transience with these transitions.</p><p class="MsoNormal"> </p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFTeF2rhvoTlRyzmFgG9n_t6SGxilCPupKfkwol4Uv9jG2te2N7AwSZxYCylY76Z37KQDgvhwZCdBT6gadNI2e3W4L1XfcxmAilcWg_z7QIXYbgf8uDKflNH5oOT0fsek-cqJ2qW9CGiI/s1024/af2d67f0-1924-44ac-8a46-161310652a5e.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFTeF2rhvoTlRyzmFgG9n_t6SGxilCPupKfkwol4Uv9jG2te2N7AwSZxYCylY76Z37KQDgvhwZCdBT6gadNI2e3W4L1XfcxmAilcWg_z7QIXYbgf8uDKflNH5oOT0fsek-cqJ2qW9CGiI/s320/af2d67f0-1924-44ac-8a46-161310652a5e.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBZwqTi65NDY6qtlbfLWJg9-phhBo7xOqtVuacx6IEgQqeHPIiyhrHCewUTCr35G6-1cc8821YRuf60Tf3GRbzAoASL20uXkDsQJcRPXHYjP82BRlq8jF6Z5-Fcb94FfQbilIW_w0haEs/s2048/IMG_7323.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBZwqTi65NDY6qtlbfLWJg9-phhBo7xOqtVuacx6IEgQqeHPIiyhrHCewUTCr35G6-1cc8821YRuf60Tf3GRbzAoASL20uXkDsQJcRPXHYjP82BRlq8jF6Z5-Fcb94FfQbilIW_w0haEs/s320/IMG_7323.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">One of my Peds patients who came in with burns from cooking oil-improved a lot from admission<br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Part way through a recent busy call shift I found myself
dreading being called for something for which I was unprepared (any number of
things really-trauma, complicated OB cases, anything in the eye…). I longed to
be completely competent, ready to answer any call, or, on the other hand, to
always have quiet calls with conditions that I was more than capable of
handling. I wanted to have arrived, to be able to coast down through the rest
of my work, not being ruffled or showing my vulnerabilities. Being exposed by
difficult cases made me feel unsettled.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">It’s easy for me, particularly as a physician, to find a lot
of my identity in my work. When things go well, I feel on top of the world,
glowing with a sense of competence and agency. However, when things are
difficult or don’t go well, I often blame myself, feeling inadequate and
uncertain.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">My initial plan was to write this blogpost as a case study
about a patient I was caring for on the Pediatric Ward. He was an 8-month-old
that presented with shortness of breath and sores over his body. I cared for
him for 2 and a half weeks, discovering his diagnosis and starting him on
appropriate therapies. He seemed to be slowly moving in the right direction,
until the weekend when I heard that he has passed away. I was stunned.
Initially he had been so sick I would not have been surprised if he had died,
but he had seemed to start to respond to treatment and had been there every
morning as I came to round. My heart sank as I remembered his eyes looking at
me as I would listen to his heart and lungs every morning and the deep sadness
that was always in the eyes of his mother. I also felt the weight and doubt of
the physician who has lost a patient, especially a child. The next day on
rounds the empty bed bored into me with its silence.</p><p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN_FoHOx-u_t7IPi4UJbxKlgqexQzoZyqjQEemjGGR62oWOnDADfyAzDRGiWHS3evYGupxj8EubGlv-tfyzOZIrGqS1OsX3Kpu1v4HESNk3RXXy6CXiITgrXMkBxbjueFPAyozBmlgJzU/s2048/IMG_7299.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN_FoHOx-u_t7IPi4UJbxKlgqexQzoZyqjQEemjGGR62oWOnDADfyAzDRGiWHS3evYGupxj8EubGlv-tfyzOZIrGqS1OsX3Kpu1v4HESNk3RXXy6CXiITgrXMkBxbjueFPAyozBmlgJzU/s320/IMG_7299.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I’m currently slowly working through a book called Walking
with the Poor by Bryant Myers. A wealth of ideas about what poverty actually is
and the complexity of doing development work well, it has challenged me deeply
about my work here. Last night I read a sentence that hit home in regard to
what I had been feeling, “An agent of transformation who is not also being transformed
is capable of doing more harm than good” (sorry no page number-Kindle edition).
Coasting through is not our calling.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">A good friend recently asked me how I had changed since
being here and I didn’t have a good answer. But I think that as I have become
more proficient in the language, seen more deeply the ebb and flow of life
here, I have found slowly growing in me a more profound love for my patients, a
greater willingness to listen to stories and to see. I’m also being forced to
find my identity and stability in something beyond my abilities and the outcome
of my work. As Easter reminded me, in Jesus and the cross we have the perfect
model as well as the perfect foundation.</p><p class="MsoNormal"> </p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjKsri-CzZx4Mxj5oiLt2qSxXI-5kobS_Lo-bj5PTi3P9Z073t-_fC4Z9kWFm1TohWYCI2uVZ4zNMqQ0tfg2kpLiSutyXl5egVez5qPQxZlxSVXSfOVg68eYX5i4gt7mUfsqveQUt0HFw/s2048/IMG_7319.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjKsri-CzZx4Mxj5oiLt2qSxXI-5kobS_Lo-bj5PTi3P9Z073t-_fC4Z9kWFm1TohWYCI2uVZ4zNMqQ0tfg2kpLiSutyXl5egVez5qPQxZlxSVXSfOVg68eYX5i4gt7mUfsqveQUt0HFw/s320/IMG_7319.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /> <p></p>
<p><style>@font-face
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{page:WordSection1;}</style></p>Danielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03646777935244150309noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6763854289481555431.post-75256338839961422192021-03-24T03:39:00.002-07:002021-03-24T03:46:20.679-07:00Karen, Bill and Rose<p>
</p><p class="MsoNormal">I wanted to share a few stories of patients I have taken
care of while here. These are by no means representative of the people here, or
even necessarily my work here, but rather stories that have touched my heart in
one way or another.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">My second day out of quarantine I did my first C-section
here in PNG. The patient’s name was Karen, and she was 30 weeks pregnant with
twins. She had been hospitalized over a week before due to severe preeclampsia
(a condition in pregnancy where the blood pressure goes up, the kidneys spill
protein into the urine). She had been treated with steroids to help her babies
mature faster so that they would be ready for a premature exit and treated for
her high blood pressures, but that day her blood pressures were not responding
to treatment and the team was worried that she might develop seizures or other
serious complications from preeclampsia.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The first twin was in a breech position where the legs and
butt are down instead of the head, so the decision was made to proceed with a C-section.
Not having done a C-Section for about 7 months since the end of residency I was
nervous heading into the surgery. As we prayed for Karen before starting the case,
I tried to take a few deep breaths to steady my hands, and my prayer took on a
greater sincerity. Dr Ben, the general surgeon at the hospital, was my overqualified
assistant and helped me orient to doing surgery here. Thankfully the surgery went
well and both babies were delivered safely.</p><p class="MsoNormal"> </p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnYulFbEC2-jtzo6-p2jM-9WGXv6Tsll1SFB3G3sHKveJKuXFKoNhOQ85L90raazVaXo54ca0DFdDCvxFgC8-IA3XabRX6fgmTKmRd98zKsAonji2XJ_pC8txwyja0ZgH2Hhe9hHnwerc/s2048/IMG_7120.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnYulFbEC2-jtzo6-p2jM-9WGXv6Tsll1SFB3G3sHKveJKuXFKoNhOQ85L90raazVaXo54ca0DFdDCvxFgC8-IA3XabRX6fgmTKmRd98zKsAonji2XJ_pC8txwyja0ZgH2Hhe9hHnwerc/s320/IMG_7120.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgGoKEYMA4kVaB8XMdgIlCQJN8TgXYRWiOgP1F3YacU8yjVRuQvOKC2GpyYrJdFdDQO_coJqzZzml68HUM4XxmLsf68pWHfpc9Kr5Wx2RyBkQ_E4kwXyyc99QcLWclzfQmNn6i2ND7nlU/s2048/IMG_7121.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1539" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgGoKEYMA4kVaB8XMdgIlCQJN8TgXYRWiOgP1F3YacU8yjVRuQvOKC2GpyYrJdFdDQO_coJqzZzml68HUM4XxmLsf68pWHfpc9Kr5Wx2RyBkQ_E4kwXyyc99QcLWclzfQmNn6i2ND7nlU/s320/IMG_7121.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /> <p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">A few weeks later I returned to work on our OB Ward. To my
delight, I was able to resume care for Karen and her two babies, a boy and a
girl. Over the next several weeks I was able to watch them grow, learn how to
breast feed, no longer require the NG tubes (tubes through the nose into the
stomach used for feeding) or the oxygen. This last weekend they had both made
it past 2kg and were growing well by just breastfeeding. I was able to send
them home. It was a bittersweet departure, joyful at their progress and ability
to go back home but also sadness that I would not be able to see these twins
grow and see Karen’s shy smile every morning.</p><p class="MsoNormal"> </p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP1R80oTK8KnsOw8xSbkNCyKCklTmVeXBv4zcipcMrU8rrEPZR5U0n3rsNvPzOldpSdHvDtbl7sNx77JhIwFAJDbhUrXdxZtyuo9QKDh5Mq9tC3KfhBwuJoJUaTHBolW6mQVsJuQEyTR0/s2048/IMG_7137.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP1R80oTK8KnsOw8xSbkNCyKCklTmVeXBv4zcipcMrU8rrEPZR5U0n3rsNvPzOldpSdHvDtbl7sNx77JhIwFAJDbhUrXdxZtyuo9QKDh5Mq9tC3KfhBwuJoJUaTHBolW6mQVsJuQEyTR0/s320/IMG_7137.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div> <br /><p></p><p class="MsoNormal">……</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I was convinced that Bill would not survive when I saw his
mother carrying him into the emergency room. She was trying to breathe into his
mouth while carrying him in, a sign that he was not breathing. I rushed over
with the nurse and helped her lay him on a patient bed. Amazingly he still had
a pulse, but he was not taking any breaths on his own. We started using a bag-mask
to help him breathe while the nurse took vital signs and attempted to get an
IV. His mother stated that he had been having bad diarrhea for weeks. After 5
minutes he began to take breaths on his own and after 10 minutes he no longer
needed our support to breathe, just some oxygen. We were unable to get an IV so
I had to place an IO-a needle that goes into the marrow of the bone to allow us
to give fluids.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">That night I walked up to the hospital two more times to
check on him, each time a little surprised but also thankful that he was still
alive. That night I prayed, trying to trust Bill to God. In my work here and in
Malawi I have seen many kids die. Sometimes they came in like Bill, malnourished
and dehydrated on the verge of collapse, only to die within a few minutes of
arriving despite our attempts. Others suffering from malaria or trauma or
premature birth would last a little while longer only to succumb to the
overwhelming pathology. But thankfully, by God’s grace, his attentive mother and
the nursing staff, he not only made it through that night but also the next one
and the next one.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I checked on Bill several times over the next few days,
every time seeing him more alert and interactive. A week after he was brought
in, I took this picture.</p><p class="MsoNormal"> </p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw0Sf3xppVegGsLeScW01aT5gQRbrq8XD7aCou3bK0gdCoSoPgQSeRfC4YXdB_swhYE5DK0hzblOwNSBpqX5kdmgryEIfC2op3escu-ADsCdgDMR5KIrAdMqacE2JJApWIlokcmx3P6i8/s2048/IMG_7154.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw0Sf3xppVegGsLeScW01aT5gQRbrq8XD7aCou3bK0gdCoSoPgQSeRfC4YXdB_swhYE5DK0hzblOwNSBpqX5kdmgryEIfC2op3escu-ADsCdgDMR5KIrAdMqacE2JJApWIlokcmx3P6i8/s320/IMG_7154.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /> <p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Seeing children die can be overwhelming, heartbreaking and
discouraging. But thankfully we are able to make a difference for many. And for
Bill that difference means the world.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">….</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Rose was brought into our hospital by a helicopter from the
Jimi valley, a large valley north of our hospital, that despite not being a
long distance away (40-60km), can present an often-insurmountable barrier to access
for our patients that live there. With a reliable car, it is a 4-5 hour very
bumpy ride out to our small health outpost in the Jimi Valley. For many of our
patients it can be a trip of several days. Luckily for Rose, she was able to be
brought in by a helicopter for obstructed labor.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Rose had been in labor for 2 days but had not been able to
deliver her infant vaginally. Our hospital is the only health care facility for
our province of 350-400,000 people that has surgical capabilities and can
provide blood products. As such, we see a large number of complicated
obstetrical cases.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We brought Rose back quickly for a C-Section. The baby was
difficult to extract due to the length of her obstructed labor and the moulding
of the head into the pelvis. There was thick meconium (baby poop) that had
obviously been present for some time. Thankfully Dr Ben was available to help
me with the delivery. I scrubbed out of the case to help resuscitate the baby while
Dr Ben started to close the uterus. After about 10 minutes of resuscitation the
baby was crying and breathing on its own.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Over the next few weeks, I have been able to care for Rose and
her baby. Rose initially healed very well; however, she subsequently developed
a wound infection and has required further care and antibiotics in the hospital.
As she is not able to get wound care near her home in the Jimi Valley, we have
kept her here to continue to help her heal in a safe environment. Her baby has
done very well and seems to get bigger every day.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Every morning Rose greets me with a soft, shy smile. She has
been so patient throughout her time here. I am so glad that she was able to
arrive when she did. If she hadn’t and if this hospital weren’t here, both her
and the baby likely would have died.</p><p class="MsoNormal"> </p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNWUuVgfJ7sjhzSrH6dL_tOZtvzKCPeOgJ_8Uoy4k1c8K36Ke0efsv3y5bmZmvcQl7VqCARRUeLwkjca-lVrX5SrNnJdlF3PD6IdBdNtuH9SiXSaOlxcyHdadWM_jhCtRUNdvwtYBUFf0/s2048/IMG_7157.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNWUuVgfJ7sjhzSrH6dL_tOZtvzKCPeOgJ_8Uoy4k1c8K36Ke0efsv3y5bmZmvcQl7VqCARRUeLwkjca-lVrX5SrNnJdlF3PD6IdBdNtuH9SiXSaOlxcyHdadWM_jhCtRUNdvwtYBUFf0/s320/IMG_7157.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I hope these stories encourage you as much as they have
encouraged me. Sometimes seeing the health disparities here can be
discouraging, but there are bright lights like Karen, Bill and Rose too that
give me strength to keep working to help the people here. I am so thankful for
the staff here who have been giving of their lives to help this community for years
and years.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I would really appreciate your continued prayers. We are in
the midst of our first large outbreak of Covid in the province and there is a
lot of fear and uncertainty. Many patients are not coming into the hospital due
to this fear and we know that this is probably leading to a number of patients,
especially pregnant women, not receiving critical care. I’d also appreciate prayers
for finding community amidst a pandemic and perseverance as I continue to have
so much to learn, language, culture, tropical medicine and especially learning
to make diagnoses/decisions in the face of uncertainty.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I want to end with a Henri Nouwen quote from a devotion
today, “Learn the discipline of being surprised not by suffering but by joy. As
we grow old…there is suffering ahead of us, immense suffering, a suffering that
will continue to tempt us to think that we have chosen the wrong road…But don’t
be surprised by pain. Be surprised by joy, be surprised by the little flower
that shows its beauty in the midst of a barren desert, and be surprised by the
immense healing power that keeps bursting forth like springs of fresh water
from the depth of our pain.”</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">You all are in my prayers. I love hearing from you!</p>
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{page:WordSection1;}</style></p>Danielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03646777935244150309noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6763854289481555431.post-88814755293820006252021-03-04T23:54:00.003-08:002021-03-04T23:55:06.793-08:00I do actually work too<p class="MsoNormal">Thus far I haven't really shared about my work in the hospital so I wanted to reassure you that I am actually working too :) Kudjip Nazarene General Hospital has 4 different wards-Pediatric, Medical
(adult), Surgical and Obstetric. I have and will continue to rotate through
working in all of the wards except Surgical. Pediatric and Medical Ward have
around 32 beds and Obstetric Ward has more than 45. In 2018 there were 55,000
outpatient visits, 7000 admissions, 2643 deliveries (376 C-sections) and 908 major
surgeries. I work with a staff of over 230 from all parts of PNG as well as a
team of doctors from PNG and the US (sometimes Australia and New Zealand as well).</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">A normal day for me involves rounding on one of the wards
starting at 9am. Once this is over I go to the Outpatient Department (OPD) or
to the Emergency Room to see patients for the rest of the day. I take call
overnight every 3-5 days. I did my first call shift by myself on Monday.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlcySPMUE7b5URbqveJIZjwQkvtWuieQUza9C3KTIiFLsctVkTrje8Dpqz7zq64pS4DK2Aqd6dDt7C76MfPYLuzVps7BDuaZSPZ6zKE0yE1Hsnm9p88MZLgNDbbTyiGCWftQgMAxoz3Wo/s1600/P2280842.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlcySPMUE7b5URbqveJIZjwQkvtWuieQUza9C3KTIiFLsctVkTrje8Dpqz7zq64pS4DK2Aqd6dDt7C76MfPYLuzVps7BDuaZSPZ6zKE0yE1Hsnm9p88MZLgNDbbTyiGCWftQgMAxoz3Wo/s320/P2280842.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /> <p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">For my doctor friends (and other interested friends), this
is a quick picture into my call shift last Friday. I don’t know whether or not this
is representative of a busy call (or even if my experienced colleagues would
call it busy), but I found it challenging but also fulfilling.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The day started with rounds on our Medical ward. Conditions
that I have seen on our Medical Ward range from CVAs (strokes) and MIs (heart
attacks) to TB meningitis and malaria to endometritis and incomplete abortions.
I then went from there to the ER.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">My first patient was a 13yo F with one day of confusion and
fever. She was agitated and did not tolerate an examination. Fearing meningitis,
I gave her some ketamine and did an LP that showed a high opening pressure and
mildly turbid CSF. I started her on ceftriaxone (antibiotics) and dexamethasone
(steroids) and admitted her to the Pediatric ward. My next patient was a 5yo M
with a large abscess of his left calf and significant swelling all the way to
the ankle, indicating pyomyositis, a common condition here where an abscess
extends deep into the muscle and can spread along the underlying bone. He also
had to be put to sleep so I could do an I&D (incision and drainage) and was
admitted to the Pediatric Ward. Dr Mark then helped me to reduce a radial head
fracture in a 20yo M that we then splinted until he could come back for casting
in a few days.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Later that morning I took a pregnant mother who had been
admitted with mild preeclampsia (a condition in pregnancy where there is
elevated blood pressure and protein in the urine that can progress to severe
disease marked by maternal seizures) who had breech twins for Cesarean
delivery. I was assisted by Maxwell, a PNG native who is doing his rural health
surgical rotation at our hospital.</p><p class="MsoNormal"> </p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK6EeoVYebX_2TkF7qHRF3-LefqhBcDsuhnpLmS1zkpHzWGreK34XsHw_lhG6Uivvr7mwjgkU90FAqYvzUwruF-qLoJe14rEteglZpH70cT9U1Y_MJqt79nWkM1auKcdqVzluMO-NCOOU/s1080/0eba8588-68b0-457b-a345-c7bb5409f600.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="810" data-original-width="1080" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK6EeoVYebX_2TkF7qHRF3-LefqhBcDsuhnpLmS1zkpHzWGreK34XsHw_lhG6Uivvr7mwjgkU90FAqYvzUwruF-qLoJe14rEteglZpH70cT9U1Y_MJqt79nWkM1auKcdqVzluMO-NCOOU/s320/0eba8588-68b0-457b-a345-c7bb5409f600.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv_EYK-sSjndAAKipXuf5Xj9lfM7dDELQq4WH1E12LZh4x_aBEhQYZltuPNON1avrLpU5hnn2Bhutc-1nQyET7KJJRVkughoyyzuwETsBYdc1ZTk3w5G_8Z6-ilsi402fyU3GLIXhKyaw/s1080/fdad2c0d-0465-403f-a33d-a3877392b1b9.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="810" data-original-width="1080" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv_EYK-sSjndAAKipXuf5Xj9lfM7dDELQq4WH1E12LZh4x_aBEhQYZltuPNON1avrLpU5hnn2Bhutc-1nQyET7KJJRVkughoyyzuwETsBYdc1ZTk3w5G_8Z6-ilsi402fyU3GLIXhKyaw/s320/fdad2c0d-0465-403f-a33d-a3877392b1b9.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /> <p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">After the surgery, I had a short pause that allowed me to
run home for a quick lunch. As I was finishing lunch I was called back to the
Obstetric Ward for a mother who had been complete for 2.5 hours but unable to
deliver the baby and now the baby’s heart rate was low. I ran back up to the
hospital and was able to assist the mother in delivering the baby by using a
vacuum. Both the mother and baby did well.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I returned to the ER where I had a couple more patients to
see, including a pregnant mother with malaria and a hemoglobin of 5.2. She also
had had a positive VDRL and rapid HIV at a rural health outpost before she had
been transferred to our hospital.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I had a brief reprieve after this before I was called back
to see a mother who had spiked a fever and whose baby’s heart rate was in the
180s remote from delivery. After failed resuscitation attempts and starting
antibiotics, I made the decision to proceed with Cesarean section. While the
team was getting things ready, the ER asked me to evaluate a patient with a
large bush knife wound to the head. I had to ask Dr Mark (one of the experienced
doctors here) for help again, as the skull had fractured and was depressed
where the knife had cut. Thankfully the patient had a normal mental status and
we were able to close the wound and put the patient on antibiotics and
anti-seizure medications. We then proceeded to the OR for the second C-section
of the day. Mother and baby did well.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">As I was getting ready for bed I was called back to the ER
for a patient with a hemoglobin of 8 who was having significant vaginal
bleeding. A quick look with the ultrasound diagnosed an incomplete abortion.
The patient was symptomatic from her blood loss and we had to act quickly to
transfuse her and do a D&C (dilation and curettage) to help stop the
bleeding. Thankfully her bleeding stopped following the procedure, her vitals
returned to normal with the transfusion and fluid resuscitation and she was
admitted to the ward.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I was then able to sleep until early in the morning when I
was again called to the Obstetric Ward for fetal distress during labor. The
baby’s heart rate had dropped into the 50s when I had arrived (normal is 120-160).
With help from a vacuum, the mother was able to deliver a healthy baby within 2
pushes.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">After morning rounds, I was able to go home and get some
more sleep.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">There are a lot of new things for me here and I am learning
a lot from the very experienced staff and doctors. Every day there is a new
challenge. But I hope and believe that we are making a difference for the
patients here. When I was out with Pastor Apa I talked to a lot of people, but
one was a man along the side of the road near the Waghi river. He yelled out
hello to me and then became a little sheepish as he was holding a beer bottle
that he had been drinking. I tried to put him at ease, and we began to talk. He
mentioned how having a hospital like Kudjip in the region brought pride as well
as helped everyone who lived there by bringing access to a higher level of care
than would otherwise be available. I’m proud of our team and what they are able
to do and thankful that I get to be a part of the work here.</p><p class="MsoNormal"> </p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWPnEr0nMNwSomuw72hYV2D9m0AHsKxtDWYoFkdiqE5AliIfcmhkRQ_T9hZNp2lACoYbAKey1pOJhr-Fjzod_Cj8bwfGy0aS3pRPwM-JrqyaXuf07U0FU0G0jJxd7MDC0pPpggxF62JFU/s2048/IMG_3304.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWPnEr0nMNwSomuw72hYV2D9m0AHsKxtDWYoFkdiqE5AliIfcmhkRQ_T9hZNp2lACoYbAKey1pOJhr-Fjzod_Cj8bwfGy0aS3pRPwM-JrqyaXuf07U0FU0G0jJxd7MDC0pPpggxF62JFU/s320/IMG_3304.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"> On a run with my mentor Dr Matt (and a few kids)<br /></p>
<p><style>@font-face
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{page:WordSection1;}</style></p>Danielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03646777935244150309noreply@blogger.com16