Kipchumba
We had a significant power outage
at the hospital that was addressed by a diesel generator for about 30
hours. We take power as a given and yet
know how limited we are in our response to manage this critical infrastructure
component.
The people power is also limited. We have learners at all levels! The good news is that there is an “esprit”
here that looks for the strengths in each individual care provider...”Together
we can go far”. However, there is no apparent limit to the
challenges that we face! Here is the
example of today:
One of the patients,
LC, has no living children after 4 pregnancies.
She has been in the hospital for about 3 weeks with the diagnosis of
placenta previa and today was the day for a repeat cesarean delivery at 36 weeks. As we
expected, there was a concern that cesarean would be complicated by bleeding
and we were not disappointed. The baby
boy was active and healthy and named “Kipchumba” which is literally translated
as “A boy born in the presence of a white person”! It is just a description of the environment
and the gender of the baby - more about naming some other time.
The other part
of the story is a gift from New Hanover Medical Center of a “Bakri
Balloon”. I brought it with an
expectation that sometime it would be helpful to control the bleeding that we
too often see here at Tenwek. So for the
first time at Tenwek, we used this device.
As I write, it appears to be working as designed. Let’s rejoice in a healthy baby boy, named
Kipchumba and a mother who is doing well.
The “Power” was found in the gifts
that make a difference in the lives of our brothers and sisters in Africa. Thanks to all for the gifts that we were able
to bring, they make a difference!
Marvin
References
Bakri YN; Amri A; Abdul Jabbar F. Tamponade-balloon for obstetrical bleeding. International Journal of Gynaecology & Obstetrics. 74(2):139-42, 2001 Aug.
Beckmann MM; Chaplin J. Bakri balloon during cesarean delivery for placenta
previa. International Journal of
Gynaecology & Obstetrics. 124(2):118-22, 2014 Feb.
Marv...what a wonderful gift you have to give....not just medical knowledge, or an understanding of the need for specialized equipment and supplies at Tenwek, but giving children to others, and hope and recovery. My mother always told me that her name, Dorothy, meant Gift of God. I so smiled at the meaning of Baby Kipchumba's name. If only we had the promise of another grandchild I would suggest it. Thanks for your post. Lv mc
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