I come from a long line of wanderers so it is not strange that I go to South Sudan - Now called The Republic of South Sudan - to work at Memorial Christian Hospital. I have been doing this since 2008. The hospital is located in the bush near the village of Werkok. It is northeast of Bor, if you look on a map. People walk, sometimes for days, to get medical care. Dr. Ajak is the Dr. Boss-man. He arrived a week after I did in 2008 and has graciously stayed, keeping the place open and allowing me to continue to visit and work.

Memorial Christian Hospital & Compound

Memorial Christian Hospital & Compound
I will be returning to South Sudan next month, October, 2011. I am very excited to be on my way back to the land I so love. I miss the people and hardly a day goes by that I don't think of my colleagues and friends. And, as I said in the past, I come from a long line of wanderers and the call to get back wandering is very strong!

I have recently added pictures to my blog. Please go to the beginning of the blog and read forward to see the work that is being done. This puts faces on all the people I have written about. Learn about Gabriel and his family, Dr. Ajak's work and all the Mamas. I will begin writing again as I prepare to go next month. I hope you join me on this adventure.

Saturday, February 27, 2010

I don't know nothin' bout birthin' no babies

OK, easy day. Few patients, some inpatients, and of course our burn patient. So an easy day. Spent the day going over solutions to get meds for the hospital. Working with Dr. Samuel of Bor State Hospital. He also is a Cuban Lost Boy and colleague of Dr. Ajak. Hopefully we will get some info soon and have a source of meds.

What a miracle
Dr. Mike with #3
This afternoon, after 3pm, a lady in labor came in. She delivered at home but was very obviously still pregnant. So we took her into the OR and watched as the labor progressed. Sure enough, baby number 2 came. He is really cute and appeared to be doing really well. So two boys. While waiting for the placenta, I said to Dr. Mike and Dr. Ajak "I think there is another baby, here is the head" and I was pointing to her upper abdomen. No its two placentas. Hmmmm. Anyways, placenta came out and baby boy number 3 came out. He was flaccid, not breathing and not a good heart beat. Dr. Mike went to town with compressions, I grabbed a mask and got the compressor on, we put a mask on and actually did some breaths into the little thing. He is probably a kilo (2.2 lbs), kilo and a half. No more than that. We did the stimulating and rubbing his back. And he had agonal breathing. Then he did better with the mask on. The compressor only goes to 5 liters, but it was enough. Thank God we had the generator on. Pretty soon he perked up, and started to breath on his own. After awhile he opened his eyes and tried sucking. We have tucked the kids in with their mom and grandma's and the traditional birthing lady who showed up to help. I am not sure they will all make it, but because of this hospital, they will have a good chance. Please keep them and their mother in your prayers. I guess I can help with this birthin' baby stuff.
Three little peanuts
God's peace to all
C

2 comments:

  1. Apparently you know somethin about birthin dem babies! That's incredible. I'm so happy to hear your stories. You're all in my prayers!

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  2. Yes, keep us posted. I hope they do well.

    ReplyDelete