Indok’s Blog

Dizziness -> LP

A little bit of Durban and the stay here:

I hate to admit this but the impression I have of Durban is that it is like the Detroit of S. Africa.  It’s beautiful here - with palm trees, hills, TX summer like weather, and the beach not too far away.  Honestly haven’t explored too much of the place because it’s not the safest of cities either and it’s Day 3.  When the sun goes down, it’s unsafe to be out by yourself.  And since we (students) don’t have cars we sit around in the common area wondering what to do.  Durban isn’t some tribal- like rural area.  It’s an urban city and poor.  It’s a small city, with its mall that sell groceries on the ground floor, highways, neighborhoods, etc.  It’s close to the beach but not walking distance.  The doctors seem to be able to go surfing everyday if so desired.  But, like in Detroit, you need a Durbanite to show you around.  Which we haven’t quite acquired yet.  Working on it…

So my goal is to make the most of my medical student trip - learn, learn, learn.  We had a a patient today who complained of dizziness.  My attending then ordered a lumbar puncture.   I laughed in my head cuz in the States dizziness isn’t an indication for lumbar puncture.  But I guess here where cryptococcal meninigits, TB meningitis, toxoplasmosis are a concern - you’ve got to do it.  I made my first attempt today on a lady and was unsuccessful.  But I didn’t feel so bad cuz neither could my intern - and he poked her about 10 times and fished around in there.  Are you flinching as I write this?  Cuz I did and I’m so thankful the patient couldn’t see me squirm as I watched.  I am determined - I will do a lumbar puncture successfully!  Another attending suggested sedating the patient and I quickly asked if I could do it again when she’s sedated. 

By the way, the staff are great here.  They are just like us - laid back, waiting for the clock to tell them when to go home, struggling with the nurses to get orders done, compassionate with their patients, and happy to teach.  It’s a non-threatening environment.  I’ve really enjoyed learning here so far.  Thanks mom and dad!