Dr. Joe Llewellyn, a general surgeon from Alaska arrived here Sunday. He helped evaluate a 1 year old child admitted over the weekend with pneumonia. She developed a pneumothorax and Joe showed me how to place a chest tube. To our surprise she also had a significant empyema (pus between the lung and chest wall). This tough little girl hardly fussed with the tube insertion and is looking much more comfortable this evening.
I am not trying to dwell on all the terrible cases but feel the stories of these people people should be shared.
This morning I saw a nearly 4 year old named Junior. He looked half his age and was wearing a school uniform and backpack. He politely walked up and shook my hand. He was accompanied by his grandfather who he came to live with a month ago. Grandpa was worried about Junior's small size plus a persistent cough and rash. Junior's mother is a prostitute and could not care for him any longer. He sadly tested HIV positive. The plus is that he is now in a safe environment and will be able to get the medical and social care he deserves.
There have not been many 3 year old children that impressed me as much as Junior did today.
No comments:
Post a Comment