Day 11: Sweat

So, there’s partial good news on the autoclave front.  The heating and sterilization modes were working this morning; however, the active vacuum drying cycle was causing an error. Mr. Zulu discovered that an electric breaker was malfunctioning and had to go to Mansa to get a new one. 

We were able to use the packs for cases today and did a large lipoma (benign fatty tumor) resection and an incisional hernia repair.  A third case was cancelled due to a probable sickle cell pain crisis and a hemoglobin of 6 (normal is above 12) so we finished a little early.  The OR was so hot though that it felt like we had operated non-stop for 12 hours.  At the end of each case I was dripping in sweat

Carmen took Holly and me to the local market…an interesting collection of sights, sounds and smells, some good and bad.  Bought a couple of souvenirs and deflected lots of giggles and pointing directed our way.

The rest of the team spent the day at Mbebala Island and worked incredibly hard.  For example, I guess Mike was asked to go see a patient “just up the road”, but ended up having to ride a too small rickety bike over the sandy road what he estimated a few miles.  He looked exhausted.

I can’t believe tomorrow is the last day in Samfya.  It has gone by very quickly, and there is so much more that can be done here, but I feel that we have helped “move the bar” a little higher.