I spent part of today working in "Casualty," which is what they call their ER, just doing some training and learning their system of doing things. I hope to start working there more regularly next week. I don't know of any statistics on this, but I just know the hospital's rate of infection must be sky high. Everything here is dirty. Gloves are not used for examining patients. Sinks for hand-washing are scarce. Not even any antibacterial gel anywhere. It occurred to me today that I have probably been exposed to enough TB to turn my next PPD test positive. So that'll be fun to try to explain when I'm starting residency.
Another scary difference is that they operate in flip-flops. As in, do surgery with toes completely exposed. This is horrifying to me. There are designated surgical flip-flops that everyone changes into when they change into scrubs to come into the OR. The idea is that they don't want to get their own shoes dirty. I don't know if the idea of shoe covers has never occurred to them, or if they can't afford to keep purchasing disposable shoe covers... But we were taught NEVER to wear open-toed shoes in the hospital, much less in surgery. What if someone drops a bloody scalpel? What if the C-section is especially messy? Yikes. I was told in my orientation not to question how they do things here too much, because resources are very limited and they do the best they can with what they have. I guess this is just one example.
Those who know me will not be surprised to learn I have made a canine friend. There is a feral dog that lives on the hospital grounds. The story goes, the dog was on death's door about a year ago, very sick, and the pastor of the hospital church took him in, cared for him, and nursed him back to health. The dog has never forgotten it. Each morning he comes into the waiting room of the hospital where we have morning devotional time and sits at the pastor's feet. But somehow he knows he's not allowed in the hospital at any other time. He will follow the pastor to church on Sundays and wait patiently outside until the service is over. I can hear Ryan's voice telling me not to touch any stray dogs, so I won't, but I did take pictures. His name is Foxy.
I hear another round of snow has hit Texas. Can't say I miss it. It's beautiful here. Cold at night and in the mornings, but sunny and warm all afternoon. I think I picked the perfect time of year to come to India.
I saw a quote today that said "A ship in the harbor is safe, but that is not what ships are built for." I think I can safely say I am out at sea.
Another scary difference is that they operate in flip-flops. As in, do surgery with toes completely exposed. This is horrifying to me. There are designated surgical flip-flops that everyone changes into when they change into scrubs to come into the OR. The idea is that they don't want to get their own shoes dirty. I don't know if the idea of shoe covers has never occurred to them, or if they can't afford to keep purchasing disposable shoe covers... But we were taught NEVER to wear open-toed shoes in the hospital, much less in surgery. What if someone drops a bloody scalpel? What if the C-section is especially messy? Yikes. I was told in my orientation not to question how they do things here too much, because resources are very limited and they do the best they can with what they have. I guess this is just one example.
Those who know me will not be surprised to learn I have made a canine friend. There is a feral dog that lives on the hospital grounds. The story goes, the dog was on death's door about a year ago, very sick, and the pastor of the hospital church took him in, cared for him, and nursed him back to health. The dog has never forgotten it. Each morning he comes into the waiting room of the hospital where we have morning devotional time and sits at the pastor's feet. But somehow he knows he's not allowed in the hospital at any other time. He will follow the pastor to church on Sundays and wait patiently outside until the service is over. I can hear Ryan's voice telling me not to touch any stray dogs, so I won't, but I did take pictures. His name is Foxy.
I hear another round of snow has hit Texas. Can't say I miss it. It's beautiful here. Cold at night and in the mornings, but sunny and warm all afternoon. I think I picked the perfect time of year to come to India.
I saw a quote today that said "A ship in the harbor is safe, but that is not what ships are built for." I think I can safely say I am out at sea.
1 comments:
Angela, I got behind but have now caught up and read all your postings. You are having such incredible experiences, I really envy you this adventure, although I never thought I would say that because I have always felt afraid to go to India. I was afraid that I might see things I just couldn't handle, what with the extreme poverty and all, but obviously you are handling it just fine. You do a great job of describing your experiences. I could picture the luncheon in the garden with the ladies and it seemed so pleasant. When you described the general diet of the hospital mess hall, that took me by surprise. I think I would have a very hard time going so long with no meat, but then when you told about the brain worm resulting from eating contaminated meat, I thought, maybe knowing that danger would make it easier. I believe you head home in just a couple of days, and I can imagine that a certain sweet guy at home is really glad about that. You will probably be glad also, but I imagine leaving will be bittersweet, as I sense you have a had a really great time. I hope you plan to post lots of photos after you return. Thanks for doing the postings and be safe as you travel home. Linda Cawthon
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