Kathmandu 10/05/2013

Turning toward thoughts of home.  Kathmandu to Hong Kong, a 4 hour flight, then an 8 hour layover (delay), and then 12 1/2 hours to SFO.  Going to be about 30 hours by the time I get to Arcata.

Looking forward to seeing family, my son on his birthday, and the doggie-doos.

Almost like it never happened, except not.

Kathmandu 10/04/2013

This is our last day in Kathmandu.  It has been an amazing experience.

Today we had rain.  A welcome change that damped down the dust and brightened the colors.  This young man jumped on his pal's lap for cover.

We all met in the class room for a debriefing with the nursing staff, Dr. Rai, and the new nurses we have been teaching.  It was a useful meeting.  Then the nurses surprised us with shawls and a cafe.  Exchanging addresses and photos!

Shankar took me to see 4 more FULL rooms of donated equipment, including 140 beds, a C-arm, dental equipment, and linens.  It seems in a bit of disarray, and if it would help them, the next team could do some organizing so supplies could be found when needed.  I just wanted to double check to be sure some of the cables they could use were not hidden somewhere, but could not find any.

These supplies are currently being stored in large rooms that will be part of the medical school.  It is very generous of everyone to send this equipment, but the keys to locked cabinets, cables to monitors, converter plugs for non-240 volt items, or usage manuals would be helpful.  We must consider when we send things - who will maintain it?  where will they get parts when it is outdated?  How will they know to piece it together and use it safely?

Sandee, Anne, and Vickie at work making pillows for the OR patients.  Never an unfilled moment!

I am very attached to our dear librarian, Premila.  So cheerful each day, and very helpful.

Sleeping under a bridge on a busy road.  Fumes and dust, but warm and protected.

We were going to try to see another temple today, but because of an important festival and the fact that it is Friday (the last day of the work week before their one day off, Saturday), the roads are full and we opt to head to the hotel to pack and rest.

Back to the hotel, pack, and to the airport.  Hien spun off to her flight to Vietnam, and the six remaining team members began the shlepp home. 

Kathmandu 10/02/2013

Day of talks again – pediatric hydration, hand therapy, fires in the OR, and positioning.  The last lecture had to be postponed because there was another program the nurses had to attend, so we will pick up  on that one tomorrow.

Cute families we are beginning to recognize and greet each day.

More work organizing machines and noting deficiencies.

Cute kids again; just chillin'.

Nancy with her board full of teaching pearls.  What a resource she is.

Back of an ambulance at the hospital.  Guerney, tank for O2, and sink with rags.

Drive to Model Hospital to take care of some charges with the travel agent, back to the hotel for about 45 minutes to change, and then off to dinner with the CEO of PHECT and a few other medical movers and shakers.

Great meal and good company.  Very thankful to them for their gratitude, but the gift has been to us.

Kathmandu 10/03/2013

On some days our driver goes out of his way because we are going to pick someone up or drop them off.  I don’t think we have gone the same way twice to get to the hospital or back, and each day brings new alleys, neighborhoods, and ever tighter sqeezes between walls, buildings, pedestrians, motorbikes, dogs, trucks – sometimes all at once.  Our driver is amazing and we owe him a lot for the excitement, driving adventures, and private glimpses of Kathmandu back ways and roads.

Today was our last day to lecture to the nurses, and Anne got a beautiful chocolate cake from the hotel.  We had a nice cake party, then lunch, and our final lecture that was about positioning in the OR and turning patients who are asleep.  We finished with a surprise mock code blue and cardiac arrest in the recovery room, so the students had to find the defibrillator, charge it up, and have a plan.  They have been such wonderful and gracious listeners.

Nurses' lounge on the ward.  Hospital still under construction.

This is the girl with the scalp defect who got a flap done, and the girl with the bent leg that is now straight.  They have struck up a friendship; brings tears to my eyes.

This young man is having a complex flap and reconstruction of his lower leg.  Right now he has an external fixator and the base of the same leg is attached to the calf of his good leg.  This flap of skin will be divided Friday and he can begin physical therapy.  He was in a car accident, but does not let it get him down.  There is a stack of chemistry books by his bed, and he continues to work at his studies.

Our little mascot - now his fingers open enough that he can give us not only high 5's, but "Namaste".

Good teaching on the ward, more patients, and more bamboo scaffolding.

Had a few minutes to walk up the street again to the temple, but the incense shop was closed.  Saw a couple of sisters on the road; kind enough to pose and introduce themselves.

Welding with goggles, no gloves, and an audience of unprotected friends.

On the way home we stopped at the Crematorium and viewed the many streets and shops.  Always colorful and full of hungry faces (monkeys included).

Gentle beast.

Loves a chin rub from our deft driver Sujan.

Dinner at the hotel, and early to bed.  Joe Lippi left today for India, and tomorrow we all head for home.