Thursday

Since the internet was down, I kept a journal with hopes to down load entries.

Thursday

So we have been operating for three days now. Wednesday was another long day as we left the hospital close to 10. We could not find the restaurant we wanted so we went back to the p lace we had eaten at the night before. Our driver Mr. Houdo tried very hard to find the place and we rode back and forth on the same road a half a dozen times before we gave up.

There are only a few road signs (that we can see) and we do not always go the same way each day. Without our driver we would get lost not to mention by at the mercy of the taxis. Mr. Houdo has to put up with a lot. He must pick up us early and be available to get us home late at night. He has dinner with us every night and has to take out time to get us back to Accra. So for the week, he too is away from his family.

We have now seen some Westerners, mostly school tours. There are a few European medical students at KATH. There are not a lot of tourists in Kumasi.

We stopped operating early to give two lectures. The medical system is based on the English system, so the operating room is called the “theatre”. So we are in the Main Theatre. I have not seen the secondary one. Once we left the theatre, two of us went to see all the patients and give out evening doses of antibiotics while the others were finishing the last procedure of the day. Dr Schneck and Danielle each gave a lecture.

The ether screens do not work very well and the first few days I was pretty lightheaded. We all got used to it after a few days, so by Thursday we were all fine. Those of use used to caffeine in the am, have gotten through our withdrawal phase. However a nasty head cold is making its way though the group. It lasts about three days, no cough but a lot of sinus congestion and runny nose.

All the meetings we have attended start with a prayer. Some one is chosen to say the prayer and they have all been oriented towards the meeting. After the meeting, some one is designated to give Thanks. This is not a prayer- but the person thanks the speakers, the people attending, perhaps the hospital for giving the room. After the Thanks, another prayer is given and the meeting is over. Ghanaians are very respectful and polite. The men are all very respectful towards the women in our group and all the people we have met have been genuinely appreciative of what we have done.

~Stephanya Shear