Kim Reaves’ Blog

Ghana continues…

Hello All!

It is Wednesday morning at about 9:00 am and we just made it to the hospital. This morning was off to a slow start because of a lack of  water in the house. We had to call Vida and then Joseph to prime the pump so that we could have running water again. I took a cold shower but it was refreshing regardless of the temperature. I didn’t get a chance to write a blog yesterday so I will give a recap of the days ventures….

We started Tuesday morning with devotion. Shortly following the morning Bible study, Dr. Ablorh took us down to the wards and gave us more information on what he expected us to do.  He had us review a chart just to become familiar with the abreviations that are used here and so that we could give a patient presentation later in the day.  We are required by inmed to do a presentation during our visit and Dr. Ablorh told us to do a presentation on something that we will see a lot of here and his suggestions were either Typhoid Fever or Malaria. Ashley claimed Malaria so I will be presenting on Typhoid Fever.  After reading for a small period of time, we walked back to the labor and delivery area where there was a woman in labor.  Ashley and I watched the delivery which was run by a midwife. The mom-to-be and father brought everything they would need to use at the hospital in a small suitcase. This included sheets, pads, diapers and other things.  The delivery room was quiet.  At one point the mom started to moan and the midwife told her “don’t get loud”.  It was a very quick delivery.  The dad was obviously very nervous and kept going in and out of the room.  The atmosphere was very excited and there were lots of smiles and congratuations.  The mom gave birth to a healthy 3.1 kg baby girl. 

After the delivery, we walked back to the office area within the hospital where Dr. Ablorh was finishing up with a CME for part of the staff. In the conference hall the Inauguration was playing so we were able to watch Barack Obama become president at 5:00 pm Ghana time. I would have blogged yesterday but there was a mouse in the conference room. I am not a fan of mice and so I had a lot of trouble staying in the room for long periods of time.  The staff was nice enough to cover the hole he had entered the room from the neighboring kitchen.

Last night Ashley and I cooked a rice and chicken dish and then I was asleep by 7:00pm. Around 10:00 two other students from Virginia arrived.  I had the chance to meet Lizzy this morning and she seems very nice. 

Today we have plans to go to the La Palm Hotel after work and go swimming but I am not sure if time will allow.  We got such a late start today because of the lack of water.  The staff was in a meeting this morning so the hospital is very quiet.  I am not sure what today holds but I will keep you posted. Hope all is well back in the States!