Sure is hot out here.....From beaches to puppy love

The burial site

Puppy Love

Tried some yummy sugar cane

Bojo Beach

Bojo Beach

 (Sorry about the unorganized pictures, when I use my cellular data, I can't really move them)

About 5 minutes after I posted the last post, waiting for Nana to come, it started down pouring….I'm talking not buckets but more like bathtubs full. Greeeeaat.

Nana and Sandra both came to the hostel. Nana came in a taxi with her driver Isaac. Sandra just stopped by to see how I was doing and what the plan was for the day. Nana, Isaac and I made our way towards Bojo Beach. The rain had subsided at this point. On the way, we stopped by her friends house, Sarah. Sarah's husband is a designer and I think he might make a dress for me…that would be pretty amazing. Sarah joined us and we drove to the clinic build by Nana's auntie. It took us a while to navigate there because of the bad road conditions. Nana and Sarah kept saying what a shame it was that people who build such big houses (this area had some fairly large houses) have the money to spend on the house but don't at least invest a bit into the streets directly in front of their homes. Apparently the land plots get sold before the people start building and then the government doesn't feel obliged to pay for the infrastructure of the roads. This all leads to big holes in the roads around. It doesn't get any easier after a large rain storm.

We eventually made it to the clinic. Nana had one of the workers there give us a tour. The whole place seemed rather empty. The nurses were chilling in chairs or on the beds, the lab person was just relaxing in his chair when we walked in. I was shown the little theater as well where Arthur, Nana's husband, has performed a lot of surgeries. Arthur was/is very active in this clinic and wants to come back with my dad and I to work there a bit. I didn't see a single doctor on our whole tour which might be the reason for lack of patients. Nana was telling me that when Arthur was working there for two weeks, the place was full. I guess once the people hear there is a doctor, they all come in. Nana's auntie, the one who build and ran the clinic dedicated her life to that place. She died about a year ago and is actually buried on the grounds.

After our clinic visit, Nana, Sandra, Issac and I drove a bit further and where then at Bojo Beach. The set up was quite nice. A lot of palm trees and the seating areas under the umbrellas build of natural material. I imagine this beach being so amazing if the sun is really shining! We had to pay 10 Cedis entrance. To get to the actual beach, we had to take a little boat ride across the river. There were actually a few people on the beach playing volleyball, drinking, tanning (which I don't think was extremely successful for them) and hanging out. We grabbed some spots at a table and ordered some food. I had Yam fries and a little side salad. After eating, I attempted to go into the ocean. The water was warm but the beach was a bit trashy and the water wasn't clear at all. I guess I am extremely spoiled from being in Miami a few weeks ago with crystal clear water. I walked in the water a bit and collected some sand and shells for my mom.

We took the boat back to the other shore and then drove to Nana's other aunt's house. A lot of family members where there for the funeral taking place tomorrow. I met cousins, aunts, uncles and friends. Nana, Sarah and I sat outside and chatted. Over the next few hours our group expanded a bit. They had four dogs running around and the smallest called Pieces became my new best friend.

Around 9:30pm, Issac drove me back to Korle Bu and dropped me off at Pablo's place. The apartment was packed with people! They had ordered Pizza and watched Ride Along. Sadly, the almost two giant pizzas left over were all covered in meat….I was so looking forward to pizza. Oh well. I didn't stay too much longer because I was rather tired.

When I got back to my room, Joy was already in bed although it was only 11:30. She got up and gave me a perfume and a book she was giving me as a present to remember her by. So sweet. I asked her how her clinical exam went. She didn't pass. I felt so bad. She was studying so much. She said she had hoped that coming to Ghana would be more objective than in Nigeria but even though she did well with the questions and apparently could answer more than others, some of those passed and she didn't. She told me she has taken this one several times….I can imagine her motivation must fall after every defeat. I think she will definitely go for it again. Her faith will help her cope.

This morning, she left at 5am. She had three girls come help her pack up her things…before 5am….don't know why this couldn't have happened the days before. Oh well. I saw her off and went back to bed. I wanted to sleep again but soon after the yelling started again. It is starting to get out of hand. This time some girl was screaming around because the water wasn't running or something. Seriously people…..take a damn chill pill otherwise one of these mornings I will come out of my room and start yelling at you and cursing you out with words you may have never used before just to shock you out of your unnecessary hysteria.

I packed my things for the weekend and then there was a knock on my door. It was the porter wanting to inform me that the cleaning people would have to come into the room later because a new roommate was coming today. Nooooooooooooo. I had gotten used to Joy but I really don't feel like a new roommate. I had secretly hoped I'd be alone for a week or so. Oh well.

I came to the hospital for OB ward rounds. I didn't find any of my consultants however. I met a resident of family medicine currently in his OB rotation and he told me to go look on the fourth floor. I went there and still didn't find consultants but two of the students in my rotation. I talked to one of them. He was preparing his patient for the clinical exam. He told me the consultants were pretty busy with exams. I wished him good luck on the rest of his exams and headed down a floor to the NICU.

There I introduced myself to the doctor and asked where my baby was since he wasn't in his bed. He told me to ask the nurses. I was sent from one room to the next until I was in the third room and asked for my baby. They showed me where he was. He was looking good, no more oxygen mask! I asked if his mother had seen him yet and the nurse turns to the mothers sitting in the room and points to one of them. I asked if the mother spoke English but unfortunately she doesn't. The nurse offered to translate. I just wanted to tell her that I was the one who had taken care of the baby after the birth and have been checking on him almost everyday to see how he was doing (I didn't necessarily want to have attention for that, I just didn't want to be the creepy white girl that came and looked at her child everyday). She thanked me through the nurse. I am so happy to see that he is doing so well and feeding.

Now I am sitting in the doctor's room waiting for the other students to be done before we head out on our weekend trip. We are attempting to take a tortro to Cape Coast today. Tomorrow morning, Issac will pick up me and whoever wants to join me and take us to the funeral in Winneba. We will experience the funeral and the big feast afterwards before having Issac drive us back to Cape Coast and back to the others. We will return to Accra on Sunday. Sunday night Nana wants to take me out to a club on the beach. I will try to report along the way if possible, otherwise there will be a post on Monday! Have a great weekend and…

GO BADGERS!!!!! Kick Kentucky's butt in the March Madness tournament. This game is personal for me…get the WIN!!!!! ON WISCONSIN!

Sure is hot out here......starting with a death, ending with a birth...the circle of life I guess

Vikers was my nickname at one time

Hey little guy, the spontaneous we missed

My day yesterday was quite diverse.

Once I got to the labor ward, I met some anesthesiology students. I was chatting with them when they said they were being called to the recovery room and I followed. When I arrived, there were about 6 people standing around a bed and one person was already performing chest compressions. The patient was intubated on a ventilator and her eyes were covered. There was another obruni girl there that I hadn't seen yet so I introduced myself while still focused on the situation. I wanted to get some information on the case. There were so many things that were bothering me about the situation. The chest compressions were not being administered correctly, they had her on the bed with no board underneath her so the chest compressions were basically not as effective. Everyone except Erica and I seemed pretty chill in the situation. Erica and I kept on commenting to each other what should be done but due to limited supplies and lack of authority….we were at a loss. I rotated in on the compressions and the anesthesiologist told the students to take note of me since I was doing it right. The anesthesiologist continued lecturing the students and directed their attention to the EKG. She then said, in this rhythm, we would usually defibrillate….but we don't have one. WHAT! Then one of the students suggested running to the cardiology department and getting one and supposedly the anesthesiologist said she wasn't going to start running around. I thought this was really harsh but maybe she knew it wasn't worth it. Later on I found out that the patient had already had an episode of cardiac arrest the day before and needed an emergency C section. She was in the maternity recovery room because no other ventilator was available.

It was all a bit crazy and after about half an hour of CPR we stopped and the time of death was called. So that was my first patient to die while I'm around.

Erica and I spent the day together. We followed one of the doctors around a bit and hung out in the ORs to see something happen. We grabbed lunch at MedDiner where I met Katie. I took them to get some fresh coconuts afterwards and we were met by Tolu there. He is friends of mutual friends of Erica so they actually hadn't met. My group of people that I know just keeps on getting bigger which is exciting.

Back on the ward, we watched a manual evacuation of the uterus…..it was not pretty. We also watched one C section. We missed the one spontaneous birth we could have seen because we were in the OR. Around 3:45pm we left.

My little guy still in NICU

At home I took a very nice 2 hour nap. I slowly got ready, texted Tope to get ready and we left for Epos Spot again for the rest of the soccer match. There we met up with Erica and her friends but also Nelly and her friends who I had met last week. Pablo joined us as well. After the match (I really didn't even pay attention) we all headed to a really nice Indian restaurant. The food was delicious! Alex, Alexis and two others met up with us there as well. From the restaurant we went to the Republic Bar for drinks. There we were met by the two anesthesiologist students I had met in the morning. Our final stop for the night was Bella Roma club. The music started off pretty old school and slow. At around 1am however, the music started shifting to the kind I like. We had a really fun time. Erica, Katie, Pablo and I left and I was in bed around 3.

Now I am chillin in my room until Nana picks me up to take me to the beach in Bojo. I've heard great reviews so I'm looking forward to it!

Sure is hot out here.....really hot again...

Nothing quite as nice as waking up to screaming arguments two days in a row…..seriously people….take a chill pill.

Monday night, I continued my non productive run and watched movies until I went to bed. Tope, one of the guys in my hostel, stopped by for a chat and he gave me Nigerian music to listen to.

Tuesday: I woke up to two girls arguing very loudly in the room next door. From the intensity and loudness, you would think the one chick slept with the boyfriend of the other chick and she just walked in on them. Joy left our room and I figured she was going to settle things. She didn't return for about half an hour. When she did, I asked what all the commotion was about. Apparently, the one girl likes sleeping with the windows and curtains open where as the other one can't sleep when its bright and thus wants the curtains closed. Are you kidding me.

Since I was up so early, I figured I could go ahead and go to the theater since sitting at home wasn't very productive and I didn't want a repeat of Monday. I walked in the hot sun to campus. Once I was changed into my scrubs, I headed into the prep room to eat some of the fresh mango I had just bought and see when these operations would begin. The sitting around took a bit over an hour. Then I moved my location into the theater and snagged a chair. Even here, things were slow to begin. Quite different from Germany. I don't often have the opportunity to be bored in Germany so I don't sketch a lot. I sketch when I am bored, so this was my opportunity. I don't really like people seeing my work while I am in progress so I tried to be a bit secretive about it….didn't work. Everybody walking by took a peak and some even ripped the book out of my hand to see. One doctor and a nurse both said they wanted me to sketch them….

I watched the doctors perform a hysterectomy. I didn't know the patient and they didn't brief the operation in any way so it was a guessing game for me when it started. The patient had an enlarged stomach which made me think it was either an ovarian tumor or a uterus with multiple myomas. The latter was the winner. After the incision, the uterus that they pulled up was enormous! It looked like they were removing an octopus head from her abdomen! At some point, anesthesiology needed to do something so the surgeons stopped operating, the anesthetist even let the curtain drop from in front of the patients face to do things. What seemed to be students also all took a turn listening to the heart beat. My inner hygiene person was freaking out a bit at the sight.

At 12:30 they still weren't done. They had removed the uterus but weren't sewing up yet. I was in contact with Felix and had him order us food and I went to change. After a quick lunch at MedDiner, I headed back to the hostel. Tope and I had planned to leave around 2 to get some groceries at Shoprite….a real, functional supermarket like I know it. We grabbed a taxi and it was probably a good half hour drive until we got there. It was in the Accra mall near the airport. We also decided to go watch the second Captain America movie in the movie theater there. Since we still had a half hour, we browsed the supermarket quickly. The movie theater was the first time since I've gotten here that I felt cold. I liked it. The movie was good, I can definitely recommend it. I grabbed a few things at Shoprite and then we were off to meet some people to watch a soccer match.

Sign in the mall bathroom....okay, got it, no sex.

I knew the place was called Epos Spot and even had google maps open with the exact location. We tried finding a taxi that would take us there. The situation was absolutely ridiculous! The taxi drivers had no idea how to read the map! For the first 10 minutes of the discussion, they thought we were saying Airport Spot….although I had shown them the name on my phone. Once I spelt it out, the taxi driver claimed to know where it was. He got us in the general area and I tracked us on google maps. He should have made a turn and didn't so I thought maybe there was a one way or something. We were standing in the parallel street when he said the place we were looking for wasn't here. I told him to take a the next right and then another right and low and behold we were there. Tope and I were the first of the gang to make it. We paid 2 Cedis to go to the upper roof top level. The place was jam packed with people. We were directed to two seats in the first row. Two games were on parallel. The only one that interested me was Manchester United versus Bayern München. Obviously I was for Bayern. I was about the only one too. This made it fun though because it was me (and a few random people) against the huge group of United fans. Elena and her boyfriend, who I had not previously met but knew from our WhatsApp group and had been traveling around before they leave today, had arrived and gotten seats in the back. During half time, she came and introduced herself. Felix arrived around that time as well. We watched the rest of the game, 1-1, and then started looking for the fish place we wanted to eat at.

Google Maps couldn't tell me where it was so we just started asking random people. Elena knew it was near the Republic bar we were at last week. My orientation isn't that great in Osu yet because I am only there when its dark and usually have a guide so I don't have to know. I finally could orient myself a bit once we got out of the smaller streets. We found the fish place and had a seat. In the next few hours, we grew from a group of 5 people to one of about 12. We all ordered fish, plantains and couscous and had a really good time. Alexis and Alex were back from their one and half week trip, one girl was back from a quick visit to the states and one girl even just arrived an hour earlier and had been picked up by Pablo. Around midnight the group split up into those going home (which I belonged to) and those going to the Republic bar for a drink and then who knows what else.

This morning I woke up to some man and woman arguing. Sounded intense but who knows, maybe they were just fighting about some insignificant thing. I'm about to leave to go hang out in the labor ward and see what I can witness there.

Sure is hot out here.....well no, it's actually raining which means I get nothing done apparently.

Well, what a productive day......NOT.

The day started off with pouring rain. So heavy that even if I had an umbrella, walking would not have been an option. I wanted to be in the gynecology clinic by 9:30. Since today was the start of my solo trip without the students, I wasn't sure if it was that productive to be there that early since I'd be waiting for the consultants. Nature took care of that worrying for me since I really couldn't leave the hostel until about 9:45. In the mean time, Joy gave me a mini lecture about personalities and how you have to know yourself before you can find the person you want to be with. I sometimes feel like the world is playing one big match maker in my life. But its with good intentions so its fine.

That's a lie... it's raining lions and elephants.

I walked a bit before a taxi came by that I had drop me off at the surgical department. I only had 10 Cedis and told him 3. He only had 5 cedis change (mmmmhmmm....I'm sure there were some 1 Cedis bills in his pocket he was hiding). He said he drives the same route everyday and sees me and will take me to the campus again for the 2 Cedis. Yea sure, I'll believe it when it happens.



Of course, none of the consultants were there....they weren't there for the next 2.5 hours either. I sat there and waited, chatting with friends around the world and reading my lecture script from back home. The nurses asked where my fellow students were and I informed them they had exams this week and that I was on my own. I didn't really see the sense of me being in the clinic beyond sitting next to the doctor and listening. Most of the patients here were not proficient in English, so I wouldn't have been able to take a good detailed history in the first place. At 11 it was announced that Dr. Damale would be there by 12. At 12:10 I told the nurses I was heading to the NICU if anyone was looking for me. I doubt it.

Oh How I love wasting time

At NICU, I visited my little guy. Still alive! He had another seizure over the weekend. He wasn't as active as he was Friday and looked to be having either little seizures or was shivering. I asked the attending doctor how the weekend was. She said it must have been fine since nothing was reported to her. I don't give much value to that statement since I think the general level of "fine" here and my standard of it are worlds apart. But he is alive and that is most important to me right now. The doctor couldn't tell me if the mother had seen him yet or not.

Afterwards, I headed to MedDiner to meet up with Felix, the German. We had lunch and chatted about past experiences. He moved off campus so he grabbed a trotro there and I walked home buying some fresh fruit along the way.

Back in my room, Joy had a few girls visiting her. They fairly quickly left though. Joy gave me her hard drive so I could watch a movie. Now I am just sort of waiting to see what the plans are tonight. Nana wanted to get in touch and perhaps go out and Pablo already asked me through Felix what we are up to. I'm sure something will come about.

Sure is hot out here........Happy Sunday!

Hello everyone! Happy Sunday!

Sorry this weekend hasn't been that interesting to report on. I can't complain about some of the rest I am getting but I would have liked to do something a bit more exciting but don't have the travel buddies yet and had some people to meet.

As you know, my roommate wanted to take me to church this morning. I was told we were leaving at 6:50. I couldn't really sleep after 6:10 due to noise. Joy and I were ready to go by 6:50 but the other girls coming with us weren't. We didn't leave the hostel until 7:20. All five of us jumped into one cab which took us to the church. We probably would have been quicker walking because the taxi had to drive around the Korle Bu enclosure to get to an entrance to then drive us to the church in the compound.

The service had started at 7. We got there just in time for "bread" and "wine". I had expected a lot more gospel but it was a fairly standard service. At one point, any new visitors were asked to stand up. So I had to stand. People shook my hand and an usher handed me a piece of paper with info about the church and a form to fill out. At about 9 the first service was done. In the break, multiple people came to Joy and I to welcome us to the church and ask what we were doing in Korle Bu.

 

We only stayed for about 10 minutes of the second service because Joy wanted me to experience the more dancing, singing, gospely stuff. They didn't get too crazy unfortunately. After that, we left the service and grabbed some food to take home.

Since then, all I've been doing is napping, watching New Girl and How I Met Your Mother, downloading info for the USMLE Step 2 (ugh) and reading a bit in my mom's Ghana travel guide in the hope of planning something for the next weekend. I can't really get any work done though because I feel so lazy. I think I'm just trying to recover from all the interrupted sleep from the last two weeks.

Tonight, I will most likely meet up with Sandra and Nana if they have time after their family meetings and appointments. If not, you know I have my back up plan with the boys. I'll let you know what went down tomorrow!

Baci

Sure is hot out here....Happy Birthday Uncle Dirk!

So, Pablo picked me up after work last night. I really didn't pack clothes to go clubbing....I didn't know I would be. But I'm actually okay with that because I don't need to make myself any more noticeable than my skin color already makes me :)

I made spaghetti at his place and had some good ole spaghetti with ketchup! Yum! I just needed something familiar for my stomach once. We watched Hangover III and then took a 1.5 hour nap on the couches before we went out.

We went to two clubs.

First up was Bella Roma: The interior was simple but club like and the music was actually really good. I haven't really gone clubbing to music other than rap/hip hop/R&B which is my favorite kind of music to party too....so I had to get used to pop/club/house again. They played some really good songs though and threw in a song from a Ghanaian artist here and there. The club continued to fill up. I'm happy I didn't wear heals, for various reasons. The streets aren't really made for heals, it's comfier in flats and even in flats, I am still taller than 97% of the population here, so heals.....not that practical.

The second club, whos name I forgot, something with Divine maybe....its interior design was even closer to European clubs but the music was a lot more Ghanaian heavy. I was really missing my hip hop lol. Although it is fun dancing to Ghanaian music as well. At around 3 I wanted to go to bed. I figured sleeping in wasn't really going to be an option so I at least wanted to get a few hours in.

My fears were confirmed. I was in bed by 3:30 and was up at 7 for the first time since my whole hostel seemed to be awake, yelling, running around, my roommate doing laundry and cleaning. I threw on my eye mask and tried to get a few more hours in. I was not all too successful.

I decided to take it easy today. Get some work done, do some laundry, try to get in contact with my family in Germany. It's my uncles birthday today, so shout out to my uncle! Happy Birthday Dirk!

I used some Internet credit to catch up on my Glee episodes. Joy, my roommate, asked me if I wanted to take a stroll. We headed out and grabbed a taxi to the campus gate. Joy needed some things from the pharmacy and I had to grab some groceries. It's kind of fun hanging out with her. I think she sort of feels like my mom sometimes and I am okay with that. :)

Sandra picked me up and took me out for a drink and some food by the ocean. Afterwards she dropped me off at Pablo's where I met Felix, a German that arrived yesterday. We all watched 300 with David and then I came home. It's off to bed now, church at 7 o_o

Sure is hot out here....91 degrees Fahrenheit!

My alarm clock went off at 5:15 this morning. I was told to be at Yaa's store by 6. It was still a bit dark out and it had rained all night, so the walk was in a comfortable temperature. I was in the hostel at exactly 6. Of course, Yaa was not there yet. I figured she wouldn't be but I'd rather be on time and wait than too late.

Yaa showed up at 6:25. She invited me into her store and informed me that due to the bad weather, the seamstress wasn't able to make it and I should stop by after my classes. I left my fabric at the store and grabbed a taxi back to my room. There I slept another 1.5 hours before heading to the hospital for rounds.

I was sort of dreading them because they had been so long last week. This week seemed to be the mega grand rounds since it seemed every doctor I knew was there. Today was a lot warmer again as well so I was sweating like crazy. The standing was still annoying but not as bad as last week. Only 5 Students were there besides me. Dr. Damale took notice and asked for a list of the names of the students missing. He is having them report to him next week a few hours before the written exam. Awesome. I'm sure they are going to feel really good after that. I think it's funny how teachers like to point out how people are missing and how those missing are slackers and ask where they are.....you are asking the non slackers and present. Don't be mad at us.

Dr. Damale released us at 12 while we saw the last patient. Nothing interesting to report on the patients we saw. I went to the NICU to check on my little guy. The doctor that had eventually helped me on Wednesday night was there again. She informed me that the little guy had a seizure during the night but was doing good today. He is also the only one that really makes noises of all the babies. The other ones just kind of lie there. He will stay there over the weekend and I'll check on him Monday.

After all that, it was off to MedDiner for some white rice and plantains. Pablo came by and we headed over to Yaa's together. She told us to come back at 2.....he and I decided that meant 2:30.

We finished watching the movie from last night at his place before heading back to Yaa's. I figured the seamstress was coming to her. I was wrong. Yaa closed up her shop and told me to follow her. We headed to the main street and grabbed a trotro. After a few minutes driving, we got out and walked a bit. Eventually we came to a house where two ladies and a little boy were. Yaa introduced her as her sister...but I don't think they are actually related. The seamstress took my measurements and we discussed my sketches I had drawn up for her. Her little son was adorable. The mom took his hand and told him to say hi to aunty. I thought she meant Yaa but then she guided him to me. He shook my hand and quickly ran off again.

After discussing all the necessary details for the dress, Yaa and I headed back to the campus. I went over to Pablo's since he still had my bag and then he dropped me off at my hostel before he headed to work.

My roommate wants to take me to church on Sunday.......7am to like 11......this should be interesting. I've always wanted to go to a gospel church.....I just hope they don't quiz me on anything.

About to take a nap and then see if Nana (wife of my dad's colleague) calls to plan something for the night, otherwise I will do something with Pablo and maybe David.

Today was definitely a hot day again. 33 degrees Celsius/ 91 degrees Fahrenheit. Perfect weather for a beach outing that I hope to happen this weekend.

I forgot a detail in my baby rescue story. When we arrived on NICU, the nurse asked me for the baby's APGAR score. That score had always been a bit of a pain for me in my rotation because I never completely studied it. Well great. Thank god for the Internet and Siri. I thought it was crazy though that I was asked to give the baby an APGAR score. Just thought I'd share that. My fellow students in Germany might understand.

Well, I'll be sure to report of what I did tonight tomorrow. Have a good weekend everybody!