Working for the Weekend - Happy Father's Day
Trip Start
May 29, 2007
1
17
41
Trip End
Jul 18, 2007
Balaka,
Malawi
Sunday, June 17, 2007
Often times, patients will wait on the veranda of the clinic until we arrive. There were no patients as we turned into the driveway of the clinic today. Fifteen minutes after the doors were open we were hit with an influx of patients seeking treatment.
It was nonstop from 10:00 to 4:45. Today we treated malaria, upper respiratory infections, fungal infections, pneumonia, worms, anemia, hypertension, enteric infection, rheumatism, peptic ulcers, and asthma. In all we saw 13 patients.
No matter how many patients are waiting, Dr. C is always insistent on us eating lunch. Usually, we want to stay, but Dr. C wants us to eat lunch. He requires us to eat because we are Americans, and Americans eat lunch.
For the past 3 working days we have eaten lunch at a quaint Balakan café. It is called 'Zabi's Tasty Food." Trust me when I say this, the food is delicious. The name fits perfectly because the food is in fact tasty.
I order the ¼ chicken and rice. This meal includes a leg and thigh of chicken, rice, salad, and water. Unfortunately we cannot drink the water that is served to us because of purification issues. The Chiloporas always send us with a jug of water to drink instead. They have considerable measures to make our stay most satisfying. Thanks Dr. and Mrs. C.
Now that we are regulars, the ladies who run the restaurant know to bring a bottle of Nali with our food. Nali is the most famous Malawian hot sauce. It's the equivalent of American Tabasco only much hotter. On the label of this small 300ml bottle is a saying. It says, "Friends Beware." A proper warning considering the sauce is fiery hot. Only a small amount is needed to season a significant amount of food.
I take pleasure in Nali, but I have to monitor my consumption. While its taste can be enjoyed at every meal, the after effects are sometimes unfavorable. Over ingestion of Nali can lead to the painful aftermath. What enters fiery can leave just as hot. I learned that the hard way. I have substantially lessened my intake.
One patient stood out today among the several others. His name is Thomas and he looked 8 years old. Thomas is 13. When Thomas walked in, I knew something was irregular. There weren't any obvious abnormalities, but something wasn't right. Normally, when paitients of his age come in they are accompanied by a parent. Thomas has no parents.
Thomas' parents died from AIDS when he was much younger. He is being raised by his 18 year old brother who was working at the time of Thomas' visit. His arms appeared rail thin along with his legs. His chest looked as if it was inverted. This was not regular.
During the consultation, it was required to check his lungs. Thomas removed his shirt and revealed a tiny stretched potbelly, a tell all indication of severe malnourishment.
It was very difficult treating Thomas. He was treated for and upper respiratory infection, malaria, worms, and anemia. His immune system was not strong enough to undertake the challenge of defeating all of these illnesses. This is the part that's so hard. The reason Thomas' immune system is suffering is because he is probably HIV positive.
If HIV positive, anti-retroviral drugs are the only hope to treat the virus. They come with a price tag though. Buying the drugs is not an option for Thomas. This taking into account that is only possessions are covering his body. Orphaned, ill, and hungry describes how Thomas will spend the rest of his life. If HIV positive, his immune system will completely shut down. It's only a matter of time.
Dr. C and I talked about this patient in great detail. It's tragic to see children like this.
On that note, I can be particularly thankful for my AWESOME Dad! His name is David Myers and today is his special day. I don't know where I would be today without the love and support of my father. You have guided me and encouraged me in everyway imaginable. At times I have made some very poor decisions and you've still been there for me. Thanks Dad! Happy Father's Day! I love you!
I have nothing else for tonight. The journey is still unfolding. More to come.
Funny saying learned today: Choka pasewu mbuzi - Get out of the road goat!
