I have seen more severe medical conditions here in 2 days than I have ever seen. Eclampsia is a severe form of "toxemia" or pregnancy induced hypertension because the woman has siezures. I have NEVER seen it, and so far 2 women in 2 days have had eclampsia. The treatment is IV magnesium, valium and delivery. Thankfully the babies survived. Not so with our first c-section this morning. A woman came in with pain and bleeding for 5 days, and the ultrasound sadly revealed a dead baby. Hal was concerned about uterine rupture, and he was right. When we did the c-section the baby was outside the uterus, and the uterus had ruptured. The placenta was also outside the uterus. The woman has 5 living children, this was her 9th pregnancy, and she wanted her tubes tied. It was the safest choice because if she labored again she could easily die before making it to the hospital. After the surgery we told the "grandmas" who were with her (she was alone initially) that the baby had died. They still smiled because they were so thankful that their daughter survived.
Another woman arrived shortly thereafter with a 35 week pregnancy, live baby, and a huge abdominal wall hernia. Hal described it well....it looked like a gallon paint can trying to balance on her stomach. She had typhoid fever a year ago and a ruptured bowel (which is common) resulting in a huge surgery that had herniated from the weight of this pregnancy. We are hoping to keep her pregnant a while longer so the baby has a better chance of survival. For you medical people we were pretty sure that just under her crusted peeling flat umbilicus was dry peritoneum! She is on antibiotics and IV fluids for now.
Everyone here, men, women, children and babies are severly sick. They often try "home remedies" which can be dangerous before traveling to Galmi hospital. We have a separate room for tetnus patients, and isolation rooms for TB patients. HIV here is abbreviated "BD"...take a moment to guess what that means.....bad disease.
All of this puts life in such a different perspective. I didn't complain or even feel like complaining when my "air cooler" stopped working in the 109 degree heat today, but I am thankful it is back on because it really helps for sleep.
We had church on the compound today, and it was awesome to worship with the missionaries here. They are amazing people who are here through it all and have a wonderful sense of God's joy and peace that is contagious.
May you all feel his peace as you journey through your day.
Drea