Friday!

I am in a much better mood today! We've had 24 hours of nonstop power!! Yippie. :)

I would say TGIF, but work/volunteering isn't really stressful so it don't really care when the weekend comes. I spent my day at the hospital. It was nice to be there after visiting the school again yesterday. I thought the school would keep me a little more entertained, but they instruct the kids in the local language for the most part so I can't follow well or assist.

There are a few pre-med students at the hospital now. I've spoken to one of them a couple of times now. It was nice just having an American to talk to for a few minutes. She was telling me how they were helping in the AIDS/HIV clinic, yesterday. She said there were a ton of patients and only one staff to help. The staff was one of the sisters (nuns). AIDS is very stigmatized here. I guess many healthcare workers will just refuse to treat the AIDS patients. Its really sad. Africa is making improvements with AIDS treatment and prevention, but it has a long way to go. I guess we can only hope that a vaccine gets discovered soon!!

I went to Mama's home today. She is a stroke patient that I have been seeing since my first day here. Unfortunately, she is not feeling well again. She is having a lot of pain. I think she has severe gout. Also, her diabetes is poorly managed. Hopefully, the new medications she got from the doctors will help keep her pain under control so we can increase you strength and independence with functional mobility. I'm beginning to think she is a lot sicker that we realized.

Its hard here. I'm always making educated guesses on patients' conditions. The chart is not very usefull since the doctors are unable to diagnosis much better than myself. They just do not have access to daily blood draws and diagnostic tests like in the US to get a clear picture of someone's health. I'm sure a medical doctor here is use to it and can still make accurate diagnosises. For myself though, I do not find it as easy since my training as a Physical Therapist focuses on one's physical impairments. I am interested in the diseases/conditions one has; however, it is how they physically present that dictates my treatment plan. I can still treat their physical impairments, but I find I have a hard time knowing their prognosis without having a clear idea of the diagnosis.

So tomorrow I will go to Grace's village for a funeral. I was confused on my weekends. It shall be interesting. I passed a funeral procession on my way to the internet cafe tonight. There was a drumline in front of the hearst. It reminded me of the drum processions that they have in New Orleans. I'm realizing how many African American traditions are still very African!

Have a good weekend everyone!

Love, Kari