It will be a sad good bye no doubt. The people of Afghanistan offer so much of their good hearts. The fact that their land is lodged between world super-powers has never been their fault. They are strong and proud and have the potential for greatness...not in the way greatness is often measured by our individualistic consumerism. Enough lamentations.
I am off to the airport in a few hours, and will be checking with Aman, the security adviser to see that it is safe to do so. An American killed Afghan civilians this morning in the Panjwai district - my heart goes out to all of the families who are suffering.
The nights remains cold, and living in these tents has resulted in dozens of preventable deaths this month
Argh...no photos today as the system is acting silly and won't upload
Well, I will leave it at that then.
I should be on Canadian soil in about 36 hours.
Be safe,
Jodi
Sunday, March 11, 2012
Thursday, March 8, 2012
Happy Women's Day
This is a land of polarities. No balance. No middle-ground. No certainty. Just wild swings of experience and emotion.
When you speak to someone here about an event that is planned for an hour or a day or a week in the future, the response is "inshallah". I thought that was a statement of reverence, but I am beginning to think it reflects the uncertainty of existence here.
It was a rough morning. The baby who I thought might recover from meningitis was extubated and carried home to die this morning. The family has eight other children at home to be concerned about. A patient attendant was struck and killed on the road in front of the hospital...leaving 5 children motherless.
If you are a praying sort of person...well this might be a good time.
On a happier note, it is International Women's Day, and there was a celebration at the hospital. The women dressed up, lots of make-up and bling! Great food, and wonderful speeches (at least I assume they were wonderful...most were in Dari and one was in Pashto) Here are a couple of pictures for you.
This is Zahkro.... she is leaving for a wedding in India tomorrow and I will miss her!
Some of the nurses enjoyed having their photos taken.
This one cracks me up. Mohammad Shah and Rahim have Jen between them. Now these guys are pretty liberal in so many ways. For this photo, I asked them all to stand as close as culturally permissible. And then I had to back up several steps!
The cleft surgery program is doing beautiful and amazing things for so many Afghans.
This little guy learned how to do thumb wars today. I guess that is enough to make it a good day
He honestly has a beautiful and happy smile...just not for the camera.
Peace be upon you
When you speak to someone here about an event that is planned for an hour or a day or a week in the future, the response is "inshallah". I thought that was a statement of reverence, but I am beginning to think it reflects the uncertainty of existence here.
It was a rough morning. The baby who I thought might recover from meningitis was extubated and carried home to die this morning. The family has eight other children at home to be concerned about. A patient attendant was struck and killed on the road in front of the hospital...leaving 5 children motherless.
If you are a praying sort of person...well this might be a good time.
On a happier note, it is International Women's Day, and there was a celebration at the hospital. The women dressed up, lots of make-up and bling! Great food, and wonderful speeches (at least I assume they were wonderful...most were in Dari and one was in Pashto) Here are a couple of pictures for you.
This is Zahkro.... she is leaving for a wedding in India tomorrow and I will miss her!
Some of the nurses enjoyed having their photos taken.
This one cracks me up. Mohammad Shah and Rahim have Jen between them. Now these guys are pretty liberal in so many ways. For this photo, I asked them all to stand as close as culturally permissible. And then I had to back up several steps!
The cleft surgery program is doing beautiful and amazing things for so many Afghans.
This little guy learned how to do thumb wars today. I guess that is enough to make it a good day
He honestly has a beautiful and happy smile...just not for the camera.
Peace be upon you
Monday, March 5, 2012
Spring may be here!
Ah spring! Warm days and melting snow. It is so beautiful. Look out front of the hospital.... the snow has melted and revealed rose bushes!
I am told they are quite spectacular when they bloom.
John, a gyne surgeon is here from the USA. He performed 2 laparoscopic hysterectomies today, and it is speculated that it is the first time this surgery has been performed in Afghanistan! Imagine the benefits for women with this less invasive surgery and quicker healing time! His plan is to teach the techniques to the Afghan surgeons. A ripple effect is set in motion.
I have been working on teaching some of the nursing supervisors to teach CPR. Here are a couple of pictures of the group in action (I was unsuccessful in uploading videos to this site)
That is Fahima doing "baby baby are you OK?"
Here are Tajuddin and Mohammad Rahim doing 2 rescuer CPR on an infant. Rahim told me he likes this picture because it has a world map in the background. I couldn't agree more.
And here Fahima and Mohammad Shah are practising 2 rescuer CPR on an infant.
Hamid (the guys nicknamed him 'Karzai') spent a lot of time reviewing the notes. I am so impressed that they all managed the whole course in English - Hamid's fourth language!
They are all finally OK with me taking pictures of them! I am so pleased. They are even sharing their jokes with me....even the LIMEZ jokes :) I am so happy!
I am told they are quite spectacular when they bloom.
John, a gyne surgeon is here from the USA. He performed 2 laparoscopic hysterectomies today, and it is speculated that it is the first time this surgery has been performed in Afghanistan! Imagine the benefits for women with this less invasive surgery and quicker healing time! His plan is to teach the techniques to the Afghan surgeons. A ripple effect is set in motion.
I have been working on teaching some of the nursing supervisors to teach CPR. Here are a couple of pictures of the group in action (I was unsuccessful in uploading videos to this site)
That is Fahima doing "baby baby are you OK?"
Here are Tajuddin and Mohammad Rahim doing 2 rescuer CPR on an infant. Rahim told me he likes this picture because it has a world map in the background. I couldn't agree more.
And here Fahima and Mohammad Shah are practising 2 rescuer CPR on an infant.
Hamid (the guys nicknamed him 'Karzai') spent a lot of time reviewing the notes. I am so impressed that they all managed the whole course in English - Hamid's fourth language!
They are all finally OK with me taking pictures of them! I am so pleased. They are even sharing their jokes with me....even the LIMEZ jokes :) I am so happy!
Friday, March 2, 2012
Feeling so good
The stories of loss. Being in country that, after decades of invasion, doesn't have the resources to take care of everyone. Being here means looking into the eyes of a young man at the clinic who is having a heart attack and learning that no hospital has room for him. Seeing the pain in the eyes of the doctor who tells him the bad news.
OK, I don't want to dwell on the sad stuff right now.
The K Love guys were exhausted and jet lagged and had a bit of a snooze
We were assured that this is perfectly normal at an Afghan dinner - a room full of men eat, dance, then fall asleep. What was not normal was having women in the room. Ah the challenge of mixing up cultures!
Monday, February 27, 2012
Movie Stars and DJs
Another fine day at Cure!
There is a new nurse wondering about. He sports a fine head of lustrous curls. Now, I thought nothing of it given that Afghan men are very particular about their hair, and openly admire the hair of other men. Even when being picked up at the airport the security adviser, Aman, advised me to find the driver by "look for the tall man with nice hair".
So back to the new nurse. It turns out he is an Afghan TV actor who is here to make some money on the side! Who knew??
The team from K-Love radio has arrived - exhausted of course as it is a long flight. They seem very very nice, and have generated a ton of support from American listeners. We had burritos for dinner! With lots and lots of cilantro (sorry Es)
Safe travels J & E :) It will be nice to have you back in Canada eventhough I hear that winter is still hanging about.
Here too! See:
On a completely different note,
Here are some photos from the women awaiting fistula repair surgery:
Their lives are about to be transformed! I am so excited for them.
I also took a couple of pics of hospital rooms for you, just so you can get an idea of what it is like.
Another bit of Afghan culture?
This is cute....
Dr Jerry tells everyone that his son has called him to say that he is engaged.
The Afghans reply "you mean that you called him to tell him he is engaged, right?"
My heart goes out to everyone who is getting hurt by fear and hate. Peace is a better way.
There is a new nurse wondering about. He sports a fine head of lustrous curls. Now, I thought nothing of it given that Afghan men are very particular about their hair, and openly admire the hair of other men. Even when being picked up at the airport the security adviser, Aman, advised me to find the driver by "look for the tall man with nice hair".
So back to the new nurse. It turns out he is an Afghan TV actor who is here to make some money on the side! Who knew??
The team from K-Love radio has arrived - exhausted of course as it is a long flight. They seem very very nice, and have generated a ton of support from American listeners. We had burritos for dinner! With lots and lots of cilantro (sorry Es)
Safe travels J & E :) It will be nice to have you back in Canada eventhough I hear that winter is still hanging about.
Here too! See:
On a completely different note,
Here are some photos from the women awaiting fistula repair surgery:
Their lives are about to be transformed! I am so excited for them.
I also took a couple of pics of hospital rooms for you, just so you can get an idea of what it is like.
Another bit of Afghan culture?
This is cute....
Dr Jerry tells everyone that his son has called him to say that he is engaged.
The Afghans reply "you mean that you called him to tell him he is engaged, right?"
My heart goes out to everyone who is getting hurt by fear and hate. Peace is a better way.
Sunday, February 26, 2012
3 cups of tea
There really is something behind the 3 cups of tea phenomenon. You see, we drink tea together every day. It is an important part of Afghan culture. The staff at the hospital have moved from being warm and generous to absolutely and sweetly affectionate. So here are some photos of the people I have had the pleasure of spending time with this past week.
Monisa, an expert in obstetric fistula:
Haji Mohammed Sharif Amiri, a natural leader and fantastic nurse:
By the way, most Afghan nurses are men. They have a hard time hiring enough female nurses to care for the female patients.
Here is Musa who took over for me in the explanation of depolarization to one of the new nursing grads... which is perfect really. If we can help instil the value of knowledge sharing.... well, wouldn't that be just ideal?
Dinner tonight was, um, interesting. A very traditional run to a local market produced this:
Yes, that is a stack of fish...heads and all
And no, don't worry...I didn't run to the market. The security situation still has us limited in terms of mobility for us westerners.
I learned something interesting and disturbing today. Government run hospitals are 'free'. But ( and here is a big but) services inside are attached to either fees or bribes. Example....nurses won't change dressings unless paid by patient to do so.
Frightening??
It is so incredibly good to be part of a teaching hospital. I am meeting doctors and nurses from far and wide, including neighbouring countries, who have come to learn.
Oh, and thank you to Joe for the wonderful aromatic and delicious Alaskan coffee! Yum!
Tomorrow a team from K-Love radio station arrives. They will be following the story of a little boy who is having his cleft palate repaired on Tuesday. This should be an experience!
Monisa, an expert in obstetric fistula:
Haji Mohammed Sharif Amiri, a natural leader and fantastic nurse:
By the way, most Afghan nurses are men. They have a hard time hiring enough female nurses to care for the female patients.
Here is Musa who took over for me in the explanation of depolarization to one of the new nursing grads... which is perfect really. If we can help instil the value of knowledge sharing.... well, wouldn't that be just ideal?
Dinner tonight was, um, interesting. A very traditional run to a local market produced this:
Yes, that is a stack of fish...heads and all
And no, don't worry...I didn't run to the market. The security situation still has us limited in terms of mobility for us westerners.
I learned something interesting and disturbing today. Government run hospitals are 'free'. But ( and here is a big but) services inside are attached to either fees or bribes. Example....nurses won't change dressings unless paid by patient to do so.
Frightening??
It is so incredibly good to be part of a teaching hospital. I am meeting doctors and nurses from far and wide, including neighbouring countries, who have come to learn.
Oh, and thank you to Joe for the wonderful aromatic and delicious Alaskan coffee! Yum!
Tomorrow a team from K-Love radio station arrives. They will be following the story of a little boy who is having his cleft palate repaired on Tuesday. This should be an experience!
Saturday, February 25, 2012
Starfish
Well, no pictures today....this internet connection is dodgy and has developed an allergy to uploading photos.
But the good news is that there is electricity and heat and running water all at the same time. :)
It just doesn't get any better!
The CPR class got postponed due to ongoing protests and security concerns.
Back to work tomorrow, and I hear that Sundays are very busy as it is the first post-weekend day with lots of new admissions. Looking forward to it!
We had dinner tonight with the hospital Medical Director, Dr Rick Manning and CURE VP Joe Davis-Fleming. Wonderful people!
Joe inspired me with the story of the boy on the beach with the starfish.
Have you heard it? A boy is walking on a beach that is covered with starfish. He takes each one and places it back in the water, saving its life. A man comes along and tells the boy that there must be a million starfish on the beach, so the boy can't possibly be making a difference. As the boy places a starfish in the water, he tells the man "I made a difference to this one".
That is how it feels to be here in Afghanistan..... that story captures it beautifully. There are truly a million projects that might help, and it feels overwhelming. The maternal death rate is extraordinarily high. The death rate of children under five is depressing. But tomorrow I will go to the hospital and put a starfish back in the ocean.
Now, how is it that I am not getting any news about how each of you is doing?? :)
Keep in touch!
But the good news is that there is electricity and heat and running water all at the same time. :)
It just doesn't get any better!
The CPR class got postponed due to ongoing protests and security concerns.
Back to work tomorrow, and I hear that Sundays are very busy as it is the first post-weekend day with lots of new admissions. Looking forward to it!
We had dinner tonight with the hospital Medical Director, Dr Rick Manning and CURE VP Joe Davis-Fleming. Wonderful people!
Joe inspired me with the story of the boy on the beach with the starfish.
Have you heard it? A boy is walking on a beach that is covered with starfish. He takes each one and places it back in the water, saving its life. A man comes along and tells the boy that there must be a million starfish on the beach, so the boy can't possibly be making a difference. As the boy places a starfish in the water, he tells the man "I made a difference to this one".
That is how it feels to be here in Afghanistan..... that story captures it beautifully. There are truly a million projects that might help, and it feels overwhelming. The maternal death rate is extraordinarily high. The death rate of children under five is depressing. But tomorrow I will go to the hospital and put a starfish back in the ocean.
Now, how is it that I am not getting any news about how each of you is doing?? :)
Keep in touch!
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