Joy

Yesterday, when heading off the ship, I had to step aside for the cutest 4 year old boy I have ever seen ascend the gang plank. His smile captivating, his determination palpable. He took his final, carefully measured waddling steps, arriving at Mercy Ships for corrective surgery for rickets(severely bowed legs from a vitamin D and calcium deficiency from malnutrition).

I wonder how far this mom and son traveled? There are .78 surgeons per 100,000 people in Madagascar

Since arriving four weeks ago, I have not heard a complaint from a patient or family member. I've never worked on a ward. It's basically one room with 16 stretchers.  One of these wards can fit into 2 private rooms in the critical care hospital at VCU with room to spare.  I had a conversation about patient outcomes in private rooms verses wards. There are some studies out per my Dutch colleagues that have  better outcomes when patients are in community with each other and less falls.

We had 3 weeks of hysterectomy surgeries, giant prolapses and other reasons, major community happening with these women! Now hernia repairs and men having shared experiences, For discharge education, it’s done as a group…..HIPPA what?

Give thanks for all things for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus( Thessalonians 5:18