Holidays

Terry and I are completing our second year in Njinikom.  One of the best things about our experience to date has been our relationship with the Franciscan Sisters.  We truly treasure the sense of community we share with them as we work together trying to meet the needs of the poor and sick.  At the same time it reminds us what we miss the most.  Our family, friends and community at home.  Having internet in our home has allowed us to keep in regular contact with everyone back home.  We often remark how difficult it must have been for the Mission Doctors and their families who have served the prior 50 years before the advent of electronic communication.
 
It is time for Terry and I to recharge our batteries.  We will be home for the month of July on Holiday.  It will be wonderful to meet our new grandson, Andrew, and see the rest of our family.  This will be my last blog posting until late August.  Thank you for following our adventure and the support you have provided us.
 

Theresia

40 year old Theresia from Elemighong did arrive at our hospital last week.  Dr Jim Unger saw her and ultrasound showed multiple fibroids in her extremely enlarged uterus.  Theresia had successful surgery with removal of her bowling ball sized uterus.  Theresia is doing very well and will be able to go home later this week.
 
Theresia’s surgery turned out to be a family affair for the Unger family.  Dr Jim was assisted by his daughter Marcia who recently finished her 2nd year of medical school at LSU.  Rose, Jim’s wife, was the circulating nurse during the operation.
 

Theresia

The Unger Family

Godlove

I saw 40 year old Godlove 2 weeks ago with a marked tremor, flat facies, difficulty rising from a chair and trouble initiating and stopping his gait.  It appeared he had Parkinson’s Disease despite his relative young age.  I started him on Sinnemet and Godlove came back yesterday with a huge smile on his face.  He initially sat down on the chair and immediately bolted to his feet with an even bigger smile.  He started bouncing around the room like a boxer warming up in the ring before a fight.  He was so excited about the improvement he had experienced from the medication he had to demonstrate his improved mobility.  Fortunately, a Pharmacist from Holland had just sent us the Sinnemet.  It was the first time we have had the medication in the 2 years that I have been here.

It was a real joy to share in Godlove’s Miracle. 

Elemighong

The Tertiary Sisters of St Frances operate 6 hospitals in Cameroon and another 30 Health Centers.  The Sisters have decided to provide more support from their Hospitals to nearby Health Centers which are staffed by nurses only.  Today, I traveled to Elemighong Health Center, about 15 miles from Njinikom further up in the mountains.  The clinic is staffed by 2 nurses who provide 24/7 coverage.  They have a 6 bed medical ward and a maternity ward where they average 7 deliveries a month.  The nurses themselves provide a few basic laboratory tests.  They had not had a Doctor visit their clinic in years.  I accompanied Sister Philippe today who conducts regular Prenatal and Vaccination Clinics in Elemighong.

While Sister Philippe saw 16 women in Prenatal Clinic I did medical consultations on a dozen patients.  I saw a 40 year old lady with a bowling ball sized pelvic tumor.  She had consulted 2 years ago about the tumor but had no money for the tests that were ordered so she never followed up.  She agreed to come to the Hospital Monday where Dr Jim Unger will see her and with donor money her needed surgery will be done.  I can not help but think it was Divine Intervention that had me in Elemighong today to arrange for this lady’s care.

Innocence

39 year old Innocence came into the OPD on Monday complaining of abdominal and leg swelling of a month’s duration.  Examination revealed multiple hard nodules throughout his abdomen, enlarged lymph nodes everywhere and extremely swollen legs.  I explained to Innocence that he likely had widespread cancer but biopsy was needed to confirm this.  I referred him to nearby Mbingo Hospital for the biopsy but he was very hesitant to go because of the anticipated cost.  Still with a smile on his face he told me “this will be my HIV.”  Since he had recently had a negative HIV test I asked him what he meant.  He replied “surely this will kill me the same as HIV would”.  Like many of our patients with cancer or cardiac problems, he will likely not go for further care as he financially is unable to afford it.  Accepting that we can not do everything for every patient here can be difficult at times.  I have to trust that God has me here to help where I can with the resources available.

Jim and Rose

Dr Jim Unger and his wife Rose are our first repeat short-term Mission Doctor couple.  Jim is an OB-GYN from Shreveport, Louisiana and he and Rose were here last April.  They made an even bigger commitment this year returning for 3 months.  They spent April at Padre Pio Hospital in Douala covering for the OB-GYN while he took his yearly holiday.  Padre Pio is a very busy hospital serving the people in the poorest area of Douala which is home to 5 million people.  They average 300 deliveries per month at Padre Pio which kept Jim extremely busy.  He did 8 Caesarian sections in a single 24 hour period.

Rose and Jim at work

Jim and Rose were happy to leave a hot and humid Douala in May and return to Njinikon in the mountains of the NW Province.  Their presence has allowed Dr Dabo (OB-GYN) to take his first holiday in 2 years.  Rose is a trained surgical nurse so she has been working as Jim’s Nurse.  She is enjoying her time back in the OR after being away from it for many years, 
 raising their 3 daughters.  Terry and I have enjoyed renewing our friendship with Jim and Rose.  We have had some spirited card games with them many evenings.
 
Terry left for her holiday last weekend.  She was anxious to meet our new grandson Andrew back in Washington state.  I will be joining her in a month’s time and until then Rose will watching over the 2 remaining Dr Jims.  It will be nice to have them here for the up coming month.  Their daughter Marcia is finishing her 2nd year of medical school at LSU and will be here for 2 weeks in mid June.  We are all looking forward to her arrival.

Miracle

Christina is an 84 year old lady who was brought to the hospital last week by her daughter.  She reported that her mother had been falling frequently the prior 10 days.  The evening before admission she collapsed and was not arousable.  Christina had suffered a stroke and had already developed large pressure sores on her buttocks.  Her family was informed that her prognosis was poor but we would provide supportive care.  After 2 days Christina began to wake up but was very confused and weak.  The last 2 days she gradually had less confusion.  This morning I was pleasantly surprised to find Christina sitting in a chair while the nurses were changing her bed linens.  She asked her Granddaughter to greet me for her as she did not speak English.  I am sure many prayers had been offered for Christina’s recovery by her family and friends the last week.  I am humbled to have witnessed her Miraculous recovery.