In Major Theater: Brittany (left), me (middle), and Courtney (right)
When we got to the hospital, we headed up to Major Theater again. There wasn't a whole lot happening today... just a tonsillectomy and a laparotomy (to remove a pelvic abscess). After the surgeries, we went downstairs to Casualties to see some of the cases in that ward. The only really interesting case was a woman who had severe edema in her legs. We left the hospital at 1pm.
Spaghetti and meat sauce, rice, and spinach (already eaten).
When we got back, we went to the market to withdraw more money and buy some groceries. I got some more passion fruit juice, some mango juice, some beer and cider, and some snacks. After the market, we went swimming, ate dinner, and watched France vs. England in the Euros (soccer). It wasn't the most exciting day so far, but hopefully tomorrow will be more eventful since we're either going to another orphanage or volunteering, or both.
Great pic, I was looking at it wondering who the doctor was...then mom told me it was you (and it was in the caption below ;)
ReplyDeleteIt's probably good that you had a relatively slow day, your brain and body could use the rest even though you don't realize it. You wear the scrubs well bro!!
Pelvic abscess can be pretty nasty. I would like more details. Did they do anything to head off infection locally? Did they put the patient on IV antibiotics, or talk about a post op plan? Just curious.
ReplyDeleteThat wasn't the rooster in the meat sauce was it?
To be honest, I don't really know the details of the laparotomy. There weren't any nurses outside the sterile field who spoke enough English and wanted to explain the case to us. So we don't know what they did about controlling the infection. The only thing I saw being put through the IV was Hartmann's solution and anesthetics/muscle relaxants.
ReplyDeleteAnd that reminds me of something I forgot to mention in my blog. In the middle of the surgery, the patient's arms and head started moving (in no particular conscious way). I told the anesthesiologist assistant, who then gave the patient atracurium (muscle relaxant). Since the patient's heart rate was only about 80 bpm (before and after atracurium), I'm hoping the anesthetic was still working, just not the muscle relaxant. That would've been really bad if the anesthetic had been wearing off.