Today I am scheduled to have surgery on my ankle. It turns our I not only fx the distal fibula, but additionally tore the deltoid ligament. I will be glad when the surgery is over.
I didn't sleep much last night. Apparently pre-op nerves and an over active monkey mind. I thought about getting up at 3 am to write this post. But wisely decided to wait til morning.
But in my monkey minding last night I thought of all the things I am grateful for:
I am grateful for business class and first class air travel. All flights over 5 hours should be this way:)
I am grateful for my adorable grandson, his wonderful hugs and happy laugh. I am grateful for my lovely daughter, her decision to go to massage school, and the awesome massage she gave me yesterday....sooooo needed!
I am grateful for my yoga asana practice, even though right now it is confined to non weight bearing poses, at least there is something physical I can do.
I am grateful for holistic and allopathic health and medical modalities, as that is what is going to get me through this.
I am grateful for my dear friends and family who have private messaged me, texted me and phoned me to check on, encourage me and offer assistance. Thank you all so much!
And I am most grateful for my dear Husband, who has tended me, made dinner with my incessant instructions, cleaned house and put up with my grumpiness and frustration with myself.
Grateful!
Friday, November 1, 2013
Saturday, October 26, 2013
Post Trauma Drama and the Journey Home
Well we came here to do work and that has been waylaid. At least Peter was able to get in a few days more surgery before we started our journey home.
Leaving Dhankuta was bittersweet. Our wonderful Nepali friends and volunteers made their way to my room at the hotel to wish us safe travels home. I feel bad I wasn't able to help more. So very frustrating to come all this way and be laid up after just the first day.
What I could do was offer support to the rest of the staff. Some would make their way back to the hotel for bathroom breaks throughout the day and usually stop by my room to take rest, rant about the general madness at the hospital and just hang out for a bit. Before each person would leave they check that I had what I needed to get by the next few hours.
On one of the days alone in my room, on older Nepali lady made her way up to the hallway area outside my room. Understand that I was unable to completely shut my door, as you need to latch it shut either from the inside or the outside and it was too much trouble to get up and hobble to the door the first couple days. So this older lady who I would guess would be from their untouchable caste by the way she dressed. She hung out outside my room for a bit. She started to sing a beautiful chant in Nepali, I don't know what it was. She then came to my door and opened it a bit wider, she opened her hands to me and again sang the beautiful chant. Afterwards, she placed her hands together in anjali mudra (prayer) gave me a "namaste"and left. I hoped her chant was a healing chant.
To my surprise she came back again the next day. This time a little bolder, she walked in my room, speaking to me in Nepalese (none of which I understand) she left me a packet of papers/documents, showed me a charm she had around her neck and left again. Very strange. The papers contained what I can only assume were her medical records. The documents did mention something about psychosis, so apparently I was blessed by a psychotic:) In this country individuals are responsible for their own medical records. The hospital/Dr do not keep them. I passed them on back to one of the Nepali Drs to take care of and didn't see my little lady again.
Our last night in Dhankuta was also the night before all our friends get a much needed day off work, which means party time. Lots of food, drink, laughter, dancing and anything else to relieve the stress of the week. Dropping cheese balls from the 3rd floor (you had to be there). A good time was had by all.
The next morning, Peter and I said our heartfelt goodbyes, leaving behind our mission friends to carry on the good work they are doing. We will miss them and yet at the same time anxious to get home get me healed.
The journey home begins.
Tuesday, October 22, 2013
Broken Ankle
Well yesterday was our first official day of surgeries.The day went fairly smoothly. I was finally given the job I'm most familiar with as a nurse, charge nurse on the ward. We operated on 14 patients.
All did well.
At the end of the day I made the short walk back to our hotel. Our room is on the 3rd floor. No elevator. After a cold shower and a short rest Peter and I decided to head downstairs for dinner....we never made it.
There is a small 1/2 step at the top of the stairs and no lights or handrails. I missed the half step and twisted my ankle...bad. I think it it was some of the worst pain I have ever experienced. Crying, swearing, and shaking I made back to our room with the help of Peter, Kaui and Anita. Anita ran for ice...but this is nepal, no ice. She did find a frozen Tuborg (beer). We put that on my ankle and bundles me up. I couldn't seem to stop shaking. The other surgeons, our FL and Jo came to tend to me, as well as Peter of course. Brad predicted a fracture, I told him he was wrong. Just a sprain. It was a long night with lots of pain killers.
This morning Bikash and Rajat (2 Nepali Drs) help me make my way to the hospital for X-rays. And unfortunately Brad was right. X-rays confirmed and ankle fracture. Later today one of Bikash's MD friends from Dharan (2 hours away) is going to come cast it. I can't believe my first broken bone in 52 years and it happens in Nepal. At least as I understand it, it is a stable fracture and just needs stabilization.
Needless to say I'm not working today. And probably won't be able to stand on it for a week or so. Not sure if we'll be able to find crutches or not.
Also not sure if going to Japan is still a possibility. We'll see how it goes from here. Wish me luck.
All did well.
At the end of the day I made the short walk back to our hotel. Our room is on the 3rd floor. No elevator. After a cold shower and a short rest Peter and I decided to head downstairs for dinner....we never made it.
There is a small 1/2 step at the top of the stairs and no lights or handrails. I missed the half step and twisted my ankle...bad. I think it it was some of the worst pain I have ever experienced. Crying, swearing, and shaking I made back to our room with the help of Peter, Kaui and Anita. Anita ran for ice...but this is nepal, no ice. She did find a frozen Tuborg (beer). We put that on my ankle and bundles me up. I couldn't seem to stop shaking. The other surgeons, our FL and Jo came to tend to me, as well as Peter of course. Brad predicted a fracture, I told him he was wrong. Just a sprain. It was a long night with lots of pain killers.
This morning Bikash and Rajat (2 Nepali Drs) help me make my way to the hospital for X-rays. And unfortunately Brad was right. X-rays confirmed and ankle fracture. Later today one of Bikash's MD friends from Dharan (2 hours away) is going to come cast it. I can't believe my first broken bone in 52 years and it happens in Nepal. At least as I understand it, it is a stable fracture and just needs stabilization.
Needless to say I'm not working today. And probably won't be able to stand on it for a week or so. Not sure if we'll be able to find crutches or not.
Also not sure if going to Japan is still a possibility. We'll see how it goes from here. Wish me luck.
Monday, October 21, 2013
Arrival in Dhankuta
So yesterday we made the final leg of our trip. A 30 minute ish flt from KTM to Britnagar, then the 4 hour bus ride to Dhankuta. The bus ride is up and down a windy road built sometime in the 40's or 50's by the British army. It is considered one of the better roads in Nepal. Although due to the terrain it is prone to landslides. In fact there had been a landslide 3 weeks prior to our arrival that took out a big chunk of the road. The diversion is through a river bed. If the road isn't repaired by the time of the next monsoons people may be locked in on the Dhankuta side of the road
Our driver was slower on the up hills then our previous drivers (motor troubles) but really fast and scary on the downhills to make up for time. Along the way we did pass a bad accident between a tractor and a motorbike. From what we were told there is no emergency service here, so survival from one of these bad accidents isn't good.
That was a sobering sight and our driver did slow down after that.
Finally we arrived in Dhankuta. We arrive to a welcome from the people of the area. dressed in their best. We were met by old friends from previous missions, lots of tears of joy, smiles and laughter.
Today we spent the day organizing the OR, PACU, and outpatient dept. Tomorrow surgery begins.
The internet is slow here so I will try to upload pictures later.
So yesterday we made the final leg of our trip. A 30 minute ish flt from KTM to Britnagar, then the 4 hour bus ride to Dhankuta. The bus ride is up and down a windy road built sometime in the 40's or 50's by the British army. It is considered one of the better roads in Nepal. Although due to the terrain it is prone to landslides. In fact there had been a landslide 3 weeks prior to our arrival that took out a big chunk of the road. The diversion is through a river bed. If the road isn't repaired by the time of the next monsoons people may be locked in on the Dhankuta side of the road
Our driver was slower on the up hills then our previous drivers (motor troubles) but really fast and scary on the downhills to make up for time. Along the way we did pass a bad accident between a tractor and a motorbike. From what we were told there is no emergency service here, so survival from one of these bad accidents isn't good.
That was a sobering sight and our driver did slow down after that.
Finally we arrived in Dhankuta. We arrive to a welcome from the people of the area. dressed in their best. We were met by old friends from previous missions, lots of tears of joy, smiles and laughter.
Today we spent the day organizing the OR, PACU, and outpatient dept. Tomorrow surgery begins.
The internet is slow here so I will try to upload pictures later.
Saturday, October 19, 2013
Oh the Bureaucracy
We have arrived. Actually we arrived yesterday. After 2 days of travel that for the most part went pretty smoothly. 9 hour flt to Korea with an overnight stay there then 6 more hours to Kathmandu. We arrived here on time, right about noon. We did do a few loop de loops around Kathmandu before landing. It's a busy little airport.
And then the madness began. You can get a visa when you arrive at KTM airport, but it's quite a long line and usually takes an hour or so. So we decided to be more organized this year and get them ahead of time. You pay extra for this convenience. So most of us (all but 3) got our tourist visas ahead of time. Just before leaving Honolulu, the Docs were informed they would have to pay extra and get business visas, even though we are volunteering. So we were prepared for that, but hopeful they would waive the fee. Well when the Docs went up to the visa counter a new guy was on duty and didn't know what to do, so they all went through on their tourist visas. So far so good, although really no faster than the other line. The 3 who didn't get their visas were in line just as long as those of us who did.
After that we file down to to baggage to claim our bags and 50 boxes of surgical supplies, anesthesia supplies etc. Then to customs. Then the bargaining began. We go through this every time. The dude in charge this shift wants a bribe. He'll let us through for a little cash. Our Nepali handlers spend about an hour in negotiations. He won't back down. Lots of arguing, head shaking, pointing at paper work. Meanwhile 40 volunteers sitting around a hot airport waiting for someone to give.
Sort of like the standoff that took place in DC the last couple weeks.
Finally, about 2 hours into this waiting, the main boss dude arrives. All the parties involve disappear into a little room. Our FL follows. A few minutes later, our FL comes out smiling. It seems there has been a break in negotiations. We are finally given the ok to leave with our boxes of supplies. What we find out later is our Nepali friends did still have to pay to get us through customs. Just part of the system and they are used to it.
We have arrived. Actually we arrived yesterday. After 2 days of travel that for the most part went pretty smoothly. 9 hour flt to Korea with an overnight stay there then 6 more hours to Kathmandu. We arrived here on time, right about noon. We did do a few loop de loops around Kathmandu before landing. It's a busy little airport.
And then the madness began. You can get a visa when you arrive at KTM airport, but it's quite a long line and usually takes an hour or so. So we decided to be more organized this year and get them ahead of time. You pay extra for this convenience. So most of us (all but 3) got our tourist visas ahead of time. Just before leaving Honolulu, the Docs were informed they would have to pay extra and get business visas, even though we are volunteering. So we were prepared for that, but hopeful they would waive the fee. Well when the Docs went up to the visa counter a new guy was on duty and didn't know what to do, so they all went through on their tourist visas. So far so good, although really no faster than the other line. The 3 who didn't get their visas were in line just as long as those of us who did.
After that we file down to to baggage to claim our bags and 50 boxes of surgical supplies, anesthesia supplies etc. Then to customs. Then the bargaining began. We go through this every time. The dude in charge this shift wants a bribe. He'll let us through for a little cash. Our Nepali handlers spend about an hour in negotiations. He won't back down. Lots of arguing, head shaking, pointing at paper work. Meanwhile 40 volunteers sitting around a hot airport waiting for someone to give.
Sort of like the standoff that took place in DC the last couple weeks.
Finally, about 2 hours into this waiting, the main boss dude arrives. All the parties involve disappear into a little room. Our FL follows. A few minutes later, our FL comes out smiling. It seems there has been a break in negotiations. We are finally given the ok to leave with our boxes of supplies. What we find out later is our Nepali friends did still have to pay to get us through customs. Just part of the system and they are used to it.
The negotiations
Wasting time while waiting...selfies :)
Tuesday, October 15, 2013
Tomorrow begins our next big trip. Been in the making for almost a year. Off we go to Dhankuta, Nepal with the Aloha Medical Mission.
http://www.youtube.com/embed/kl5TcBlpnfo?enablejsapi=1&wmode=opaque
Our fearless leader and a myriad of other Drs., nurses, and lay people going off to try help the the people in the outlying areas of Nepal.
This is mine and Peter's third trip to Nepal. We feel a bit like old timers, yet still have the anxiety/excitement and anticipation of first timers. As our FL says "everything is fluid".
So here goes......
http://www.youtube.com/embed/kl5TcBlpnfo?enablejsapi=1&wmode=opaque
Our fearless leader and a myriad of other Drs., nurses, and lay people going off to try help the the people in the outlying areas of Nepal.
This is mine and Peter's third trip to Nepal. We feel a bit like old timers, yet still have the anxiety/excitement and anticipation of first timers. As our FL says "everything is fluid".
So here goes......
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