My daughter's eyes

My daughter Ali spent 3 weeks in Maseno, Kenya working at a mission hospital run by a retired American doctor. I spent time there in 2003. Here is an excerpt from her last email from there:


The last time I wrote I was leaving to go watch a man undergo surgery to have his prostate removed. I arrived in the operating room (I hadn't scrubbed in but I was in scrubs, hat and mask) to find the surgeon from Kisumu making the first incision (there is no such thing as laproscopic or minimally invasive surgery here). Holly and I stood on risers to see over the surgeon's shoulder and answered his questions regarding Michael Jackson's death. Everything was going smoothly until the man started bleeding more than normal while the surgeon was trying to cut off all the blood supply to the prostate. Then to make matters worse, the power went out and the generator wouldn't start. As the surgeon is trying to see in the dark, the nurse is trying to explain to Holly how to put his cell phone light on to use as the surgeon's primary/only source of light. Unfortunately, the cell phone light was burnt out, so Holly offered to run the 200 yards or so to our house to get her head lamp. While Holly was sprinting home, the generator turns on and the crisis was diverted... or so we thought. The surgery continues (I will spare you those details as it wasn't too pretty) and the old man/anesthetist disappears for awhile. Holly and I realize that the bag that is supposed to inflate and deflate as the patient breathes is not moving. We tell the surgeon who yells for the anesthetist to return and about 5 minutes later he does. Fortunately, soon after we realized the lack of movement of the bag, it started again. Upon his return, the anesthetist told us that "some patients decide that life is worth living and so start to breathe again." GREAT! The bag stops moving again and while the anesthetist leaves the room again, he calls over his shoulder that I should squeeze the bag! I give Holly a look that pretty much says, "Are you F*&^ing kidding me?!?!?!?" and proceed to squeeze the bag (I guessed that every 4 seconds was appropriate!!!!) and breathe for the patient for about 10 minutes. The surgery continues... the patient is still bleeding profusely and the surgeon seems frustrated and worried. In order to get rid of the excess blood, there is a suction device (tube connected to a vacuum/jar) used. While the blood keeps coming, the suction tube keeps getting clogged. After the 3rd time of the surgeon realizing it's not suctioning b/c certain anesthetists and surgery techs are stepping on it, he threatens everyone in the room. Two minutes pass and it is clogged again. Luckily, no one's feet are involved this time. As the patient continues to bleed (I haven't seen that much blood ever), our favorite anesthetist proceeds to unhook the suction tube and start whipping it against the floor of the operating room to get the clog out. As he whips the tube, I'm standing on my riser trying to duck and avoid flying blood. Finally, the bleeding stopped and our patient was sewn up. I'm happy to report that he was discharged a week later and was able to pee on his own. Love surgery at Maseno Mission Hospital! There were many other stories and patients after that surgery. We had 8 people die in the hospital during our 3 week stay. Unfortunately, many of them could have been prevented. But, that is life as a practicing physician in Maseno and luckily there are some great stories of recovery to get you through each day

Bits and Pieces

Just some updates. The kids at Nyumbani are all doing well. Ali is in Kenya now for a month and visited Nyumbani. She brought copies of all the pictures, or at least the best ones, for the boys to put in their albums. She said they all looked like they had grown some more!
She's now up in Maseno working at the mission hospital run by Dr. Hardison that I worked at in 2003. She will learn so much and come back inspired I'm sure.
Today I start my new job in the HIV clinic. I'm excited, a little nervous but very ready to rejoin the world of HIV/AIDS. I am fascinated by the virus and its impact on the world. HIV here will be a whole different ball game then HIV in Africa. Just the fact that here it's more of a chronic illness and there it's acute and a death sentence for so many.

Pictures and More Details

I've been trying to gather pictures that everyone took to add to the blog but it's taking longer than I thought. It's also for some reason hard to upload them, Elizabeth help!!!

The kids had an amazing time, favorite activities were riding bikes, driving in the car, riding the Metro in DC. Obviously they like being on the move! They, like other Kenyan visitors, frequently commented on how good our infrastructure ie: roads, trains etc was. They thought travel here is so effortless, always food, internet, electricity. They loved the clothes that they got, especially the pajamas! At Nyumbani they sleep in their clothes so pjs were a big treat. They met with the heads of PEPFAR in Africa who were in DC for a Global AIDS summit meeting, That time was so meaningful on both sides, the kids said thank you for the medicines, the people who work so hard to get the medicines but don't often see the people they help were so moved. We went on a tour of the Capitol, they met Sen. Feingold and had their picture taken with him, spent a morning going to school at Holy Trinity School in Georgetown, had lunch at Sidwell Friends, (we saw the Obama girls, they're great), they danced at a benefit for Nyumbani at Sidwell, participated in Earth Day festivities at the US Dept of Agriculture, had tea with Ambassador Peter Ortega at the Kenyan Embassy, had their pictures taken at the White House. We then drove 13 hours home to Madison! Not one fight in the car, didn't even have DVDs or gameboys, they just played and talked and looked out the window. Friday they visited Edgewood College, played soccer with some kids, Saturday we shopped and packed, Sunday church and then the final goodbye at O'Hare.

It was a great trip, they saw and learned a lot. I got to spend great time with them, give them a great adventure. They were sad to leave but anxious to share their stories and gifts with their friends at Nyumbani.

Don't Worry! New Name!

I decided to update everything, you're not lost! I hope you all continue to read the blog. I will be more faithful with my updating. I'll keep you up to date on the happenings in Kenya and also news about HIV in the USA.

DC!

We drove here yesterday, took 11 hours! These kids put American kids to shame, not one fight in the back seat, not one "are we there yet?" or "how much longer?" They don't even ask to stop to go to the bathroom!
Friday we stayed in Chicago at my dad's, they consider him their grandfather. He told me how polite and well behaved he thought they were. I'm so proud of what great ambassadors for Nyumbani they are.
Today we're staying with another friend of Nyumbani, they been driving around all day in a convertible with the top down. Tomorrow we head into DC and meet with Global Aids and they get a tour of the Capitol.
They've visited three schools so far, Blessed Sacrament in Madison, a primary school in Sumner Iowa (when we were visiting their other favorite volunteer, Jim) and a primary school in Naperville, Il. I asked Brian how Kenyan kids were different from American kids and he said "they're all white!"

pictures

http://flickr.com/gp/48046844@N00/H2G4Jz Click here for pictures of the lab visit. Still working on getting my pictures up. The hospital photographer took 300 pictures of the kids, will put some of them up when I get them.

Day 1 and 2

It's wonderful to have them here, they're having great fun. Everyone has been welcoming and so generous. Sunday we spent the day at Elizabeth's house, she made a great lunch after church. The kids were introduced at church to much applause, then we headed to her house for the rest of the day. They rode bikes, played with Jack and Emma, searched for Easter eggs and Easter baskets. We all send a big thank you to Elizabeth and Brandon for a great day. They got a World Atlas from Timmy's Liz's parents, maps of the US and photo albums from Brandon's mom. It was such a fun day to have everyone together.I loved seeing them all wrestle with Jack and Officer Tim!

Monday we went to the AIDS Vaccine Research Lab on the UW campus, where they got to do an experiment, they extracted DNA from a strawberry and mango.We then went to Wal-Mart to do some quick shopping, they all needed belts, they couldn't keep their pants up! One of the employees came and started speaking Swahili to them, he was from Kenya! It's like being an American somewhere in the world and recognizing another American. We all know each other!Then to UW Children's Hospital for a tour and a meeting with the CEO of the hospital. They had great gifts for the kids and again a warm welcome.

Today they have physical exams at the Pediatric Infectious Disease Clinic then on to Blessed Sacrament to spend the afternoon in an American school.So many memories being made, they love cereal with warm milk! shower gel and sleeping in. Think it's so cold here, it's been in the 40's and yesterday they actually saw a few snow flurries! Looking forward to warmer weather.

They're here!!!!

They arrived this afternoon at O'Hare. There outside now playing soccer with some new American friends, Elijah Sara and Tatiana. It's so fun to see. They're excited exhausted and a little bit overwhelmed. They don't like applesauce!
More tomorrow night, pictures I promise.
My heart is full.

On Their Way!

As I write this they are somewhere between Nairobi and London. Half the orphanage was on the school bus to take them to the airport! Protus said that John had to check in this morning and make sure it really was happening, even they know in Kenya nothing is for certain.
Protus (the director of the orphanage) was in touch with British Airways today. They are a sponsor of the Home, and the pilot for the flight had been to Nyumbani. So, they were making sure the kids and Uncle Joseph were well taken care of. Maybe even an upgrade!
They have a 5 hour layover in London, then on to Chicago.
This time tomorrow night they will be asleep in my house.
I'll post pictures of their arrival tomorrow night.

Thoughts Before They Arrive

Getting the house ready, making plans, putting everything in place. It is overwhelmingly heartening how welcoming everyone has been. This trip wouldn't have happened without all the people who so generously gave. I am especially grateful to the children of Blessed Sacrament School here in Madison. They collected money, clothes, toiletries for the boys. American kids helping Kenyan kids. I will cherish the afternoon they all meet.

As I get ready, I think about when I first met the boys in 2003. It was the day after I arrived. I went into Cottage D to give them a message. They laughed at my stumbling efforts to speak Swahili, but encouraged me just the same. The 6 boys and I quickly became inseparable. John, George, Brian and the 3 Samuels. The death of each Samuel scarred my heart and soul, each was so brave and suffered so much. For me they became the symbol of the world's disregard.

This trip is my way of making it up to the surviving 3, I can show them that they do matter, the world does care.

3 Excited Boys and One Lucky Uncle Joseph!

They even have visas!!! (Sorry I couldn't rotate the picture!) George on the left, John in the middle and Brian

The USA Through Other Eyes.

Here's the trip report for Nicholas. He arrived at O'Hare Airport in Chicago the Sunday before Thanksgiving. The first thing he said when I saw him was "thank you." He really couldn't believe that this long time dream had come true. The Customs Officers were welcoming and friendly to him- he said it was just a great start to his adventure. What a difference hospitality makes!

I met him with a winter coat and walked out into cold windy Chicago. That night it snowed, I woke him up and took him outside at 4:30 in the morning and we walked around the block while the snow fell. He really thought it was the oddest thing he had ever seen. After his month here and about 50" of snow he thought it was the most annoying thing he had ever seen!

He did lots of presentations, met lots of people, got to sit in Obama's seat in Senate Foreign Relations Committee meeting room, walk through Times Square at 2:30 in the morning, see the Statue of Liberty. He sat down to Thanksgiving dinner with my family, played with Jack and Emma, discussed politics with Tim. He shopped for his family and even ate at McDonalds.

Things he found amazing: how accurate our weather forecasts are. "They say it's going to start snowing at 10 and it does!." The I pass, how good our roads are and how big the expressways are, computers in every exam room in the clinic where I work, rooms in our houses that we don't use, no internet cafes because everyone has access either at home, work or the library. Coming from a place where if the rains don't come people starve to death he was totally floored that we spray our vegetables in the produce section of the grocery store. Everything is on time.. in the Dc metro it even tells you that the next train will arrive in 2 minutes and it does! He found Americans friendly, welcoming, and pretty much clueless about Africa. He found the kids just like Kenyan kids, and loved spending time with them. Wake up in the morning and the newspaper is on your porch! (though who knows how long that will last!)

So fun to see my world through his eyes, as I saw his world.

More details next week about the kids' trip.

Finally, Some News

I know it has been a very very long time since there was an update. My only excuse was that there was nothing good to say. There are no plans for me to go back, it seems lost in the bureaucracy. I'm working on writing the paper that details the project and the results. Once that is done and sent out perhaps it will fire it up again. I love being here with my family, but when I think about the work it makes me so sad that nobody is carrying it on. I'd love to go back for a quick 3 months and get it off the ground. You never know what life is going to bring so who knows, it may still happen.

Now the good news (hopefully there are still some readers out there!) Three of the boys from Cottage D, John George, and Brian got their visas, I raised enough money(thank you again to all who contributed) for their airfare, and they and one of the uncles from the cottages, Joseph, are coming for a visit!!!! They arrive in Chicago on April 11th. We will be in Madison for a few days, they will have physical exams at UW Children's Hospital, head to Sumner Iowa for 2 days to visit Jim Cross. He's another volunteer who loves those boys as much as I do. Then to Chicago to visit the kids at St. Christina school (my elementary school alma mater) who also contributed to the trip. Then we drive out to DC, to visit the Nyumbani American Board members and maybe even an Obama! Really, no kidding! .

I promise to keep you updated on the plans.

A few other things: I'm hopefully starting a new job in the HIV clinic at UW. A much better fit for me.

My niece sent 4 more blankets over to the daycare, where they were so happy to get them.

The day care is now up to 90 children and they have applied for US AID funding. We're hopeful.

Nicholas Makau from Lea Toto and the Village was here for one month, arrived late November, left the Sunday before Christmas. We pretty much buried him in snow and froze him to death! Here's a picture and I will post more info about his trip and the boys' next week. Really.

Nyumbani good bye

This is from Sammy's funeral at Nyumbani. The kids are all so sad, but at least he has a name on a marker. So many kids in Africa don't, they're just a statistic. I look at his name though and it breaks my heart. I really can't believe all the Samuels in Cottage D are gone. And in this country we're arguing about lipstick?

Saying Goodbye

Sammy died Wednesday afternoon. He was in the sickroom with one of the Kenyan nurses and Sr. Julie, an American volunteer. He suffered for months, unable to move, to eat, really communicate. Because they couldn't maintain his nutritional status he lost most of his weight. Because he couldn't move he developed pressure sores on his body when his skin started breaking down. They don't have the fancy beds or cushions we have here that help with that. They tried to protect his body by ptting stuffed animals people had given the kids under the pressure points. Wasn't very comfortable and didn't work. He would cry when Mum Terry came to the sickroom, he just really wanted to be back in the cottage with the other kids.
When the other kids came home from school they were told he had died, and they came to the sickroom to say goodbye. All this brings back such painful memories for me of Ken.
This is my most favorite memory of Sammy:
One day I took him and Brian down to Karen to have "coke and chips (fries). We had a great afternoon just watching all the activity in the village and stopping at the little stores and markets. They were great company. As we headed back up the 3 big hills to Nyumbani we saw some of the older Nyumbani boys walking home from school. Like any little boys anywhere Brian and Sammy wanted to walk with the big boys. I sent them on ahead, watching them running and fooling around and just being boys. It was so fun, and I was so thankful for this glimpse of normal childhood. Suddenly Sammy came running back down the hill to me. He reached out and took my hand and held my hand all the way back to Nyumbani. Sometimes even big boys aren't enough to make you forget a friend.