May 14, KMH

The thing that ought to make the heart beat is a new way of manifesting the Son of God. 
-Oswald Chambers

Walkway through the hospital compound

Today is the day I looked forward to and dreaded, at the same time. We worked in the hospital today 7:30am-4pm. 7am was chapel, with Shona singing and a message from Judy. Then we all gathered in the duty room to get report. I could only pick up snatches here and there.

Medicine cabinet where all drugs are stored

The day was very full. I gave quite a few meds with Muchaya, plus made beds, brought a patient back from the theatre, did post-op vitals and watched a dressing change. It was very interesting. I do not feel super helpful yet, but I feel like I'm starting to get the hang of things.PCM is paracetamol, or tylenol. I recognized the TB meds and a new NSAID. I know how rounding works, vitals are taken, and meds are passed out. Its still hard to understand people and to know who to direct questions to and when to step in. And when to wear gloves. Haha. They don't wear them nearly as much here as we were taught to at school.

Gentamycin (an antibiotic) ampule
and the syringe used to draw it up

I had two bad incidents today. First, I crushed an ampule cap in my hand, cutting both my thumb and index finger. I think that the thumb was rather deep; both bled a lot. I had to scramble for my bandaids.

Supply cupboard in one of the hospital wards

I also basically passed out in Ward D. Muzhmata was doing a dressing change. Talent (Dzingdza) has osteomyelitis (a bone infection) from a tibia-fibula fracture caused by a car accident. He returned after developing the infection during his time at home following his previous two-month stay. His wound was deep, to the bone. We had just had a friendly conversation and then there he was, groaning in pain. I suddenly felt hot and almost passed out. I barely remember it. I felt much better soon after, but took a break to rest before lunch.

Had taco salad for lunch (didn't exactly know how to explain that to the nurse I was working with) and ramen for dinner. Spent some good time talking tonight, and then went an info meeting for teh half-marathon this Saturday. I'll be manning one of the check off stations , trying to keep track of runners. Now I'm going to go write an email or as much of one as I can. I'm wiped. Another early morning tomorrow!