Yo estoy...: February 2023

Sunday, February 26, 2023

Togo, Africa pictures 5

My first sequestrectomy. I had been told it was quick, easy and fun. It was none of those things. But hey, at least all subsequent ones will seem like a breeze in comparison now!

The hospital blood bank. I had one patient currently needing transfusion and we had two open prostatectomies on the schedule for the OR, but only a few pediatric sized bags of blood in our blood bank.

After a random full compound Wednesday evening prayer meeting as the new Africa regional director of ABWE was on site for a visit (L to R: Tara (long term, accountant & administration), Theresa (long term, RN), Janelle (short term, RN), Christel (short term, pharmacist), Caroline (long term, RN), me, Jebha (short term, MD peds resident), Amanda (long term, MK teacher)

In the running for the largest incarcerated hernia I've taken care of.

Construction on a new on compound duplex for housing. They size and cut all those stones by hand to fit just right.

Fufu for lunch

Bon Appétit

Visit to a Togolese restaurant, Bar Espoir

Bar Espoir

the ride to Bar Espoir

part of our group at Bar Espoir (L to R: me, Janelle, Amanda, Theresa, Melissa (long term, NP), Kelly, Christel)

the group with Tara, Jebha and Sharon added in.

Ablo with fish sauce

Wagash

Ablo with egg sauce

Couscous with omlette

The bill for the night.

Our table of 10 ladies at Bar Espoir. We discovered between the 10 of us, 11 languages were spoken. English, French, Spanish (was glad to finally contribute to something with my Spanish!), Dutch, Indonesian, Portuguese, Hindi, Tamil, Anufo, Hausa, and Kaviye

Some wanted to keep going and count a language in which we could say Thank you! If that were the case could add German, Korean, Sign Language, and then some!

the Tree of Life

Tire Swing at the Tree of Life

Climbing the Tree of Life

the Tree of Life = Parkia biglobosa (African locust bean)

These are its flowers.

golden hour at the hospital

Much Love.

Sunday, February 19, 2023

Togo, Africa pictures 4

Amophophallus dracontioides.

Amophophallus dracontioides in the Oti River valley.

Amophophallus dracontioides.

Oti River

Fulani children caring for the young of their herd. Oti River valley

A few of the Fulani calves left behind.

Mandible fracture

Arch bars

Left shoulder mass

Some sort of necrotizing infection

Not sure exactly how comfortable riding this bike is.

Happy Valentine's Day! Yes, I'll celebrate it even in Togo!

Dena handed out Valentine's to everyone. Surgeon humor at it's finest.

He said he had broken it two days earlier...

Weekly French lesson with Issa.

preop Thyroid mass

weekend adventure to Kara

I know the Harmattan's leaves a layer of dust, but that's a bit excessive!

weekend adventure to Kara. Roadside bread stand.

weekend adventure to Kara. L to R: Amanda Bressler, me, Christel (pharmacist from Australia), Janelle (short term RN from Ohio), Jebha (peds resident from Houston, TX), Kelli (long-term MK teacher), Theresa (long term RN)

weekend adventure to Kara. Stopping at the Reserve D'Elefants Djamde (Elephant reserve).

We brought cucumbers, bananas and papaya to feed the elephants.

Elephant best friends.

At the Elephant Reserve

Selfie with Kopianga

Kopianga being patient with her new best friend.

Ruki had some FOMO

Couldn't leave Ruki out!

leaving the Elephant Reserve on the banks of the Kara River

Kara River

weekend adventure to Kara, roadside gasoline stand.

weekend adventure to Kara. Driving through some sort of village fetish ritual.

weekend adventure to Kara. driving through some sort of village fetish ritual.

yam field

growing yams, yam field.

Baobab trees. Currently none of them have their leaves.

scarecrows

We've been having some wicked winds lately. It blew the harmattans back in thicker than ever before. We drove through the Kabiye mountains, couldn't actually see the mountains.