Mary Westfall’s Blog

A good reminder, and a good send off

Today was my last full day in Macha. I will leave tomorrow for Choma with another medical student, his wife, and a young missionary couple. We will stay the night in Choma and then go on to Livingstone for the weekend.

Yesterday was a good reminder of the importance of the work that is being done here, as well as a testament to the people who continue to carry it out. I helped surgically debride (clean) the severe bed sores of a 15 year old boy who fell out of a mango tree and is now paralyzed below the waist. Think for a moment of an American teen boy in that situation - you can imagine the frustration, the anger, the energy in a now broken body…but in that situation every effort would be made to teach the boy and his family self care and independent skills. He would have special equipment, physical therapy, etc. Now think of a teenage boy not only facing a future of paralysis, but also of no mobility or independence at all. This boy came to Macha after being “cared for” in another hospital and then for a short time at home. His well-intentioned family does not know how to care for him and he had been laying in a bed in basically the same position since the accident. It was a sobering reminder that although I now get to go home to a life of great comfort, the need, and the mission, go on here. At Macha Mission Hospital this boy’s wounds will be tended, his family will be educated as much as possible. An effort will be made to provide him with a wheelchair…and his quality of life will improve. It was a good reminder.

And today was a good send-off. We had beautiful weather…and it was a good day at the hospital. There were lots of good wishes and friendly good-byes. I was so happy to have as one of my last patients a spry woman in her 70s who stands out as one of my favorite people I have seen in clinic. I saw her 1 month ago and today she returned for her monthly check-up and med refill. She has a great sense of humor and a great energy -talks a mile a minute and fills the room with her frequent laughter. When she saw me she called out, “My friend! Ah! My friend!” and came to sit at my station. I had several patients like that, just good patients to have on the last day.

But I think one of the Zambian docs summarized it best. He asked how my time here has been, overall. I answered, “it has been an amazing experience.” He replied with a smile, “but you are happy to go home. I know that feeling…something just  calls you home.”

Yes, indeed…an amazing experience…but I am also happy to be headed home!

I may post from Livingstone, but we will see how internet access issues pan out. In any case I will post when I am safely home, and after I get settled in I hope to upload some pictures to this blog. Thanks for being a part of this important experience in my life!