Sunday, November 6, 2011
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
June 2, 2010
Here it is Wednesday. I'm really feeling the time winding down. Tuesday and Wednesday, I spent at the Hospitality Center with the Tech Team. Tonight, there is a presentation on the importance of preoperative measurements in calculating lens implant powers. We will also hear results from a study of surgical outcomes by Dr. Wodome. We will have doctors visiting from Nigeria, Benin, Togo, and Ghana.
Tomorrow, I plan to spend with the Field Team again. In the evening, I will do my laundry.
Friday, I will work a half-day. That gives me an opportunity to say goodbye to the Day Workers.
Saturday, I will clean my berth, pack, and leave for the airport at 7:00pm. WOW! What an experience!
Shannon has been such a great coordinator with a wonderful spirit. Woody is always upbeat and energetic and is a fantastic teacher. Joel has such a kind heart and that great Irish sense of humor. Logan is a gentle soul and fun to be around. I have been truly blessed to meet these people and serve with Mercy Ships.
Tomorrow, I plan to spend with the Field Team again. In the evening, I will do my laundry.
Friday, I will work a half-day. That gives me an opportunity to say goodbye to the Day Workers.
Saturday, I will clean my berth, pack, and leave for the airport at 7:00pm. WOW! What an experience!
Shannon has been such a great coordinator with a wonderful spirit. Woody is always upbeat and energetic and is a fantastic teacher. Joel has such a kind heart and that great Irish sense of humor. Logan is a gentle soul and fun to be around. I have been truly blessed to meet these people and serve with Mercy Ships.
Monday, May 31, 2010
May 31, 2010
I was surprised when I realized I hadn't posted in a week. Here goes.
I continued my work with the Tech Team at the Hospitality Center. However, Joel replaced Woody for one week. I also have just about wrapped up the Eye Team Manual.
On Friday, I was given the afternoon off to spend with Julia. We went to the Sarakawa swam in the pool and had lunch. Afterwards, Julia, Jean, and I went to a restaurant called Green Field which serves PIZZA. It's not exactly American-style pizza but it was pretty good.
On Saturday, I spent the morning and part of the afternoon with Julia and her sponsor child Brandine. Brandine is a shy, sweet little girl who really came to life when Julia started playing soccer with her. We had lunch together and had to say goodbye to Brandine. Julia and I planned to have dinner together before she left at 7:00pm for her flight. I got very emotional, I think because I am feeling very homesick now. However, we had dinner and she got off on time. At 7:30pm I went to the movie The Blind Side with J-Me. What an incredible story!
Sunday, I went to church with Emmanuel. The service was very long and was a celebration of women. There was reciting of verses from the Bible (in French and Ewe), singing, dancing, and preaching. Afterward, Emmanuel and I went to his apartment where his niece had made fufu. It was such a nice meal and a nice time. I took a taxi back to the ship and just read the rest of the day.
Today, I worked with the field team. We saw 280 patients! The Tech Team sees patients that have already been screened by the Field team, so this was a real eye-opener (no pun intended--really).
Monday, May 24, 2010
Kpalime Falls
Pronounced something like, "Balemay".
We had two cars and nine people going on Saturday. It was a very scenic trip passing many small villages and some amazing trees.
The road is narrow and in disrepair in many places, so there was a lot braking and swerving (fyi, We don't wear seat belts. Either they're not in the cars or they're don't work.) After some time, we came to Mont Agou where we turned off the main road, drove through a village, and then up a mountain road. The drive up was thrilling. The road was very narrow and steep, rough, and had lots of switchbacks. The car's undercarriage was scraping and the car was battered. I finally told the driver to stop and that we could walk the rest of the way. I didn't want him to destroy his car. He kept on going. We arrived at a mission where, we were told, teens can go to work, rest, and have some peace. It was so peaceful and beautiful there with mango, orange, and papaya trees. We spoke with a young woman who had lived there four years and works at a healthcare facility in the village. 
The road is narrow and in disrepair in many places, so there was a lot braking and swerving (fyi, We don't wear seat belts. Either they're not in the cars or they're don't work.) After some time, we came to Mont Agou where we turned off the main road, drove through a village, and then up a mountain road. The drive up was thrilling. The road was very narrow and steep, rough, and had lots of switchbacks. The car's undercarriage was scraping and the car was battered. I finally told the driver to stop and that we could walk the rest of the way. I didn't want him to destroy his car. He kept on going. We arrived at a mission where, we were told, teens can go to work, rest, and have some peace. It was so peaceful and beautiful there with mango, orange, and papaya trees. We spoke with a young woman who had lived there four years and works at a healthcare facility in the village. 
We walked down the mountain to the village, and the cars met us. I saw the first dog that I have seen in Togo in that village.
We drove on to Kpalime and stopped at the home of the sister of one of our day workers where a meal was arranged for later that day. We proceeded on to Kpalime Falls. There is a fairly short hike but it's fairly steep in places, and I did have some difficulty at times. Walonya stayed with me and made me a walking stick, which was so nice. We passed one of those giant ant hills, so I had to get a picture. Arrived at the Falls, and the hike was well worth it for that sight. It is truly a jungle paradise
.
. We hiked back to the car and drove back to Kpalime where we had a true African meal. We were served Fufu, which is pounded yams, and it looks like a lump of bread dough. A soup made of cabbage and chicken is poured over the fufu, and you use the fingers of your right hand to get some fufu, dip it in the soup, and enjoy. We were then served pap which is white corn cooked to a paste and, then, wrapped in a banana leaf until ready to serve. It has a different texture, very slippery. You take a piece and dip it in a sauce which is spicy sweet. We also had chicken which was seasoned perfectly and baked or grilled.
The amount of effort that went into this meal was tremendous. You should see them making the fufu. It's hard work. Unfortunately, my camera battery was dead so I was unable to take pictures of the meal.
We headed back to Lome and got to the ship with three minutes to spare before curfew.
Friday, May 21, 2010
May 21
Another YAG day. It was quite busy, and I was worn out. After the Celebration of Sight, we went back into the Hospitality Center where I demonstrated my version of the Chicken Dance-to their great amusement!!! I'm still working on perfecting the dance before I return to Washington.
After work, we came back to the ship, changed out of our scrubs, and headed to the street market. I definitely enjoyed it more this time, although after a few hours it starts to wear you down. Bought more fabric and some Yovo (I'll explain when I return) beads.
Thursday morning, after we finished with patients, we had an impromptu jam session with Innocent on djimbe, Shannon on shakers, and Woody on some sort of metal percussion instrument. It was amazing!
There is a bonfire tonight at Cocoa Beach, but I'm afraid I have to pass. I need some rest and quiet time before we set out for Kpalime tomorrow.
After work, we came back to the ship, changed out of our scrubs, and headed to the street market. I definitely enjoyed it more this time, although after a few hours it starts to wear you down. Bought more fabric and some Yovo (I'll explain when I return) beads.
Thursday morning, after we finished with patients, we had an impromptu jam session with Innocent on djimbe, Shannon on shakers, and Woody on some sort of metal percussion instrument. It was amazing!
There is a bonfire tonight at Cocoa Beach, but I'm afraid I have to pass. I need some rest and quiet time before we set out for Kpalime tomorrow.
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
May 18, 2010
This has nothing to do with Togo, but can you believe it's been 30 years since St. Helens erupted? Wow!
I spent the weekend as quietly as possible, did a lot of reading. Julia spent Sunday at the Sarakawa which is a 5-star resort not far from the ship. I was supposed to go, but due to some confusion on my part, didn't-to my regret. Her pictures of the hotel and swimming pool are stunning.
Monday, the pace and flow at the Clinic was difficult. Not sure why, but it just wasn't smooth. Came back to the ship and had dinner. Saw Julia briefly (she was on her way to soccer). We have finalized plans, I think, for a trip to Kpalime Falls on Saturday. There will be 8-9 of us going in 2 vehicles. It should be an adventure!
Today, the flow was very smooth and we finished way early. We came back to the ship, and rather than go back to the Clinic, I started on the Eye Team Manual in earnest. I spent several hours working on it, and even though my purpose in offering to do the manual was not necessarily to see how all the units of the Eye Team fit together, it certainly does improve my overall understanding. We're hoping it will be beneficial in future Outreaches in South Africa and Sierra Leone.
I spent the weekend as quietly as possible, did a lot of reading. Julia spent Sunday at the Sarakawa which is a 5-star resort not far from the ship. I was supposed to go, but due to some confusion on my part, didn't-to my regret. Her pictures of the hotel and swimming pool are stunning.
Monday, the pace and flow at the Clinic was difficult. Not sure why, but it just wasn't smooth. Came back to the ship and had dinner. Saw Julia briefly (she was on her way to soccer). We have finalized plans, I think, for a trip to Kpalime Falls on Saturday. There will be 8-9 of us going in 2 vehicles. It should be an adventure!
Today, the flow was very smooth and we finished way early. We came back to the ship, and rather than go back to the Clinic, I started on the Eye Team Manual in earnest. I spent several hours working on it, and even though my purpose in offering to do the manual was not necessarily to see how all the units of the Eye Team fit together, it certainly does improve my overall understanding. We're hoping it will be beneficial in future Outreaches in South Africa and Sierra Leone.
Saturday, May 15, 2010
YAG day
We start a little earlier on Friday-6:20am. After arriving at the Hospitality Center, the patients are dilated, auto-refracted and given reading glasses, if needed. The goal is to be about 2/3 of the way through the YAG patients (60 out of 90-100) before the surgeons arrive. My job during this was to help keep the patients moving in an almost organized manner. When the surgeons arrive, the YAGs begin! The patients then go to a tent outside of the clinic. After all patients have been given their laser treatment, we join them under the tent and the Celebration of Sight begins!
The Celebration of Sight is truly an uplifting and inspiring event. The patients pray, sing and dance in celebration. Several of our day workers participate or lead the celebration. I am working on my version of the "chicken dance" which I hope to have perfected before I arrive back home.
After lunch, we do a refraction clinic and see one-day postops. I was fortunate enough to be allowed to see the one-day postops which is definitely improving my slit lamp skills.
While I have really enjoying learning new things, for me the contact with the patients is THE most important thing. I love them and they inspire me.
______________________________________________________
After work, we went to the Lome street market which is overwhelming to say the least. The street market is chaotic, noisy, and a little stressful. I believe I was called "Mama" at least a thousand times during the time I was there. I bought a pair of flip-flops, a writing pad, and some fabric. We stopped at the Seamens Club on the way back to the ship. The sandwich was very good, and I had a Coca Cola IN THE BOTTLE. The pom frites were delicious-salty and not too greasy. We were lucky in our timing-When we came out of the club, a Mercy Ships shuttle had just pulled up to drop off crew, so we took the same shuttle back to the ship.
A very good but tiring day.
The Celebration of Sight is truly an uplifting and inspiring event. The patients pray, sing and dance in celebration. Several of our day workers participate or lead the celebration. I am working on my version of the "chicken dance" which I hope to have perfected before I arrive back home.
After lunch, we do a refraction clinic and see one-day postops. I was fortunate enough to be allowed to see the one-day postops which is definitely improving my slit lamp skills.
While I have really enjoying learning new things, for me the contact with the patients is THE most important thing. I love them and they inspire me.
______________________________________________________
After work, we went to the Lome street market which is overwhelming to say the least. The street market is chaotic, noisy, and a little stressful. I believe I was called "Mama" at least a thousand times during the time I was there. I bought a pair of flip-flops, a writing pad, and some fabric. We stopped at the Seamens Club on the way back to the ship. The sandwich was very good, and I had a Coca Cola IN THE BOTTLE. The pom frites were delicious-salty and not too greasy. We were lucky in our timing-When we came out of the club, a Mercy Ships shuttle had just pulled up to drop off crew, so we took the same shuttle back to the ship.
A very good but tiring day.
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