Wow i'm in my last week and the 6 months has flown by. I guess that's what happens when you work hard and play hard, but i just feel that i could maybe change a few things here if i were to stay.... Dream on! The reality is that i probably couldn't but many people have been saying nice things to me about my work here. We're hosting a party at my parkhome on Thurs as my farewell, lots of meat, music and Zulu honeys dancing with those great asses...nice!
The contrast here continues with last week the police bringing in a 19yo lady accused of abandoning her baby. The previous day a newborn was brought to the hospital with the placenta still attached, covered in mud having been found in the forest by a passer-by!! The baby amazingly was fine.. Then i was asked to see the accused mother. She initially denied everything, but after peer pressure from the nurses she admitted having given birth alone in the forest the day before! I felt so sorry for the poor girl who seemed very much alone in life, but she was given little sympathy by everyone else. Amazingly she too was completely well (physically, not psychologically) and i discharged her into the care of the SAPS (South African Police Service). Ahh the miracle of birth!!
In complete contrast i played golf last Sunday with a colleague. My swing is still pretty good even after a 2 year absence and i got a par on the first hole - much to my surprise. I gradually got worse from there on! That is a perfect example of life in South Africa, the difference between the haves and the have-nots is so vast it really is inconceivable.
Don't really know how to sum up living and working here, except to say it has been an amazing experience and one that will live with me forever.
Thanks all for reading, i'm sure i'll speak to most of you soon from Melbourne. Australia here i come....
Wednesday 23 January 2008
Tuesday 15 January 2008
Soon to leave
And so my time here is nearly over. As the news filters out in the hospital most people have been saying such nice things to me and sometimes begging me to stay longer. Its difficult to explain to them the ease with which i can move on somewhere else, but its easier for me to comprehend why i can't stay here much longer. Long live the great maroon British passport!!
One friend said to me "why can't all doctors be as much fun as you", its nice to be unique!
I've been looking after the Paediatric ward since New Years and i think this has finally broken me. The african kids are so adorable and beautiful, not very playful and often they die on me. Its heartbreaking and despite all my best efforts a few die every week. I was so angry last week having worked all night on a girl with heart disease, stabilised her and got her transferred to the referral hospital. When the paramedics picked her up she waved goodbye to me and said "bye bye uncle dokotela".. i was so touched. But to my horror she was sent back the same day and then passed away the next day. I was so gutted!
Its heating up here now too and what with no running water life is becoming a real struggle. I honestly cannot wait to hit Melbourne with all its creature comforts there...good coffee, bars, women.. I don't know whether its because i'm leaving (or getting desparate!) but i've noticed more and more beautiful Zulu women here. I really need a girlfriend - yeah thats right the Aussies better beware!
I'll probably post one more before i go - hope everyone is well
One friend said to me "why can't all doctors be as much fun as you", its nice to be unique!
I've been looking after the Paediatric ward since New Years and i think this has finally broken me. The african kids are so adorable and beautiful, not very playful and often they die on me. Its heartbreaking and despite all my best efforts a few die every week. I was so angry last week having worked all night on a girl with heart disease, stabilised her and got her transferred to the referral hospital. When the paramedics picked her up she waved goodbye to me and said "bye bye uncle dokotela".. i was so touched. But to my horror she was sent back the same day and then passed away the next day. I was so gutted!
Its heating up here now too and what with no running water life is becoming a real struggle. I honestly cannot wait to hit Melbourne with all its creature comforts there...good coffee, bars, women.. I don't know whether its because i'm leaving (or getting desparate!) but i've noticed more and more beautiful Zulu women here. I really need a girlfriend - yeah thats right the Aussies better beware!
I'll probably post one more before i go - hope everyone is well
Tuesday 1 January 2008
A New Year
Happy New Year to everyone reading this. I've a feeling i'm going to have an awesome 2008, although 2007 will take some beating. I started the year caning it in Melbourne, holidayed in Koh Phi Phi, went to Liverpool to do a life changing course in Tropical Medicine, a few months living a great life in Brighton before coming out to rural South Africa. Wow - all in 1 year. Dr Bob's life is never dull and long may that continue (although laying down a few roots is a priority for 2008).
So i was "on call" for New Years Eve and Day. Although it was horrific the volume of work wasn't as much as i'd feared. The highlight for me was at 0430 as i stood on the steps to the hospital watching an amazing African sunrise over the mountains. The colours of orange, yellow, red and amazing deep blue sky are so beautiful, like nowhere else on earth. It was like a little oasis during a night of such savage carnage. I saw far too many people in whose hands their fireworks had exploded, and got a great view of a boy's skull from the beating he'd taken. As well as this i'd seen a man who'd shot himself in the head a few days earlier so its been a pretty gruesome few days.
Sorry if this is too much detail for some of you but i'm using this as a personal diary too, and its good to be able to express some of my emotions about all of this.
Its blazing hot today, perfect for sitting with an ice drink and reading in the shade. I've only got 4 weeks left here, in what has been a most amazing, life changing experience.
So i was "on call" for New Years Eve and Day. Although it was horrific the volume of work wasn't as much as i'd feared. The highlight for me was at 0430 as i stood on the steps to the hospital watching an amazing African sunrise over the mountains. The colours of orange, yellow, red and amazing deep blue sky are so beautiful, like nowhere else on earth. It was like a little oasis during a night of such savage carnage. I saw far too many people in whose hands their fireworks had exploded, and got a great view of a boy's skull from the beating he'd taken. As well as this i'd seen a man who'd shot himself in the head a few days earlier so its been a pretty gruesome few days.
Sorry if this is too much detail for some of you but i'm using this as a personal diary too, and its good to be able to express some of my emotions about all of this.
Its blazing hot today, perfect for sitting with an ice drink and reading in the shade. I've only got 4 weeks left here, in what has been a most amazing, life changing experience.
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