Another Tonga update

We are going out on a boat tomorrow with the nurses and a couple of the doctors to one of the further islands to a health clinic there.  We have to pay the gas--they don't have any money for this until the end of June.  However, it will be a combination of clinical and fun, we have enough money in the budget, and I think all of us will enjoy it. 

 

Yesterday we got to help wash and dress a body (51 year old man, renal failure).  Jaclyn, Deina and I actually helped (versus just watching).  After that, they had a c-section scheduled.  It was for 6pm, but didn't happen until closer to 8pm.  Then, a woman with twins came in in labor--she was scheduled for a c-section today, but ended up getting one this morning about 1am.  I had five of the girls with me--5 that had missed clinical days due to illness.  They did just fine, in fact, did great.  Two helped take care of a baby per team, and Camille was supporting the mother.   About 2am, when we were going to go home, another woman came in in labor.  The Ministry of Health van was outside, so I took those 5 home and asked if any of the other girls wanted to go back for the delivery.  Two did (Whitney and Amy J) and we stayed until just after 8am when she delivered.  The baby was very depressed, and I did the resuscitation with the students.  I was very happy I just barely went through the Neonatal Resuscitation Provider and Trainer courses, because I used it.  The baby ended up doing fine, and I was happy that I was there to help, and that the students were there to help me.  I ended up being at the hosptial for over 24 hours again, but this time doing things with the students rather than just sitting with them when they were sick.

 

We are having a great experience here.  I am so glad we are better, because it would be very hard to be sick here even further away from home.  Dr. Edgar here gave Ciara a prescription for flagyl (she hadn't taken it yet), and I might have him give me some too.  The other five are doing much better on flagyl.

 

It is Dad's and my anniversary today.  26 years.  First time in 4 years we have been together for this day.  (Dad adds with 12 nursing students too).  We would go out to dinner, but Dad isn't eating.  We are having a date here at the internet cafe. 

Love, Mom