That isn't the most comforting sstatement when you're the one wearing the gloves. Dr. Henry asked for my left hand so he could aapply the lube. He then instructed me to scoop the lube with my right hand pointer finger. The 98 year old African man laying on the bed had no teeth in his mouth and a blank stare on his face. He had prostate cancer. As soon as he walked into the hospital Dr. Henry recognized him. He was laying on the table, pantless, waiting for me to perform a rectal exam. It was possiblly the most awkward thing I have ever experienced. I'm not going to lie it was strangely envigorating. When I called Henry that morning to ask about coming and shadowing him rectal exams were no where on my radar. Only in Africa.
I spent the first few hours that morning following Dr. Henry around updating the patients charts. He gave me brief run downs on each patient. What theey had, what it was caused by, what the treatment plan is. Dr. Henry is an interesting person. I have never met someone who has made me feel so stupid but at the same time is the most encouraging person I have ever met. The thing about Dr. Henry that is most confusing to me is why he entrusts me witth so much. One of the patients we met with yesterday had just gotten to the hospital after being in a motorcycle accident. He was pretty banged up and brusied with cuts everywhere but his knee was the worst. His knee needed stitches. Henry looked at me and said "Have you ever given stitches before?" I replied with what I reply to most questions he asks me, "no…" His response, "well, today you will." We started by gloving up, double gloves to protect from AIDS. 70 percent of the patients at Lira Regional Referal Hospital are HIV positive. Then it was time to administer the local anestethics. The man, 43 year old Quinto, was a trooper. With each stick he stated " I can feel this, it pains, I can feel it." Henry is a tough love kind of guy so he simply and sternly told him that I was giving him pain meds. After showing me how to do the first stitch, it was my turn. He talked me through the next stitch and then convienently left the room instructing me to finish.
I love Dr. Henry.
I love the hospital.
The stitches were a success.
Henry said I was a natural.
I am hoping to spend as much time as possible at the hospital.
