Ethiopia Oct 29-30

October 30

Today was a busy OR day.  We had five ENT cases in the OR.  Three were ear procedures, one tonsillectomy, and one of a large tumor in the sinus.  One of the ear procedures could not be competed because the ear was infected, not an uncommon problem here in Ethiopia.  Hopefully we can have the patient start some antibiotic ear drops a week prior to our next visit so he can have his procedure done.  The tumor was a large one in a patient that we have been following for several visits.  The tumor was large and fairly involved; the surgery took all day and the patient required monitoring and blood that would have only been available at Cure.  The patients all did well, but it was a busy day.  The audiologists were busy at the school for the deaf.  Most of us had dinner in an Indian restaurant in the hotel.

Tomorrow – clinic in the morning, OR cases, and Dr. Glenn and I are going to visit another medical school and hospital in the north of the country.  Most of us have been in touch with our families back home.  Many are without power, but all seem to be ok.

October 29^th

It was cloudy and cooler than usual here in Addis today, and it looks like a full (or almost full) moon tonight, but nothing like the weather that Hurricaine Sandy is bringing to the East Coast.

We had a full day today.  All of the team except me spent the day at Cure hospital.  They saw about 40-50 patients, some follow-up, some new patients and scheduled many patients for surgery later in the week.  There are two with unusual types of masses or tumors who will have surgery tomorrow; the rest are rather routine ENT issues for the US, but the patients might not be able to have their surgery here if not for a visiting team.  The audiologists were busy doing hearing exams and fitting and fixing hearing aids.

I spent the day at a government hospital where I have been before helping the nurse anesthetists caring for their neurosurgery and general surgery patients.  Our first patient was 4 days old.  Because I have been there before and because recent visitors reminded me, I knew that they did not have any monitoring equipment for these young children.  It can be stressful enough caring for small children in the US with our many monitors, drugs and equipment.  It is very hard to imagine practicing daily in a place without those, especially with small children.  Through the generosity of Abington Hospital, I was able to obtain and bring a monitor to use and some other equipment.  The staff was very grateful, and I know the patients will benefit.  I was very conscious during the day of all of the things we take for granted in our operating rooms in the US.  It isn’t as noticeable at Cure, but in every other hospital we notice the lack of things that we feel are essential:  monitors, equipment, drugs, seat belts, arm bands, warming devices, etc.  The patients all did well today and I was able to do some teaching with the staff.

I believe today was Flag Day in Ethiopia.  We have seen lots of flags on display, and I saw a small parade going down the street and something on TV.  We had dinner at a very nice Italian restaurant and are now getting ready for bed.  Tomorrow:  surgical cases at Cure and audiology evaluations at Makanissa School for the Deaf.