Not my first
choice but I think that I can handle a month with the little rug rats. Their
all doped up on Quinine anyways. The month went by fast and I hate to say it
but I rather enjoyed myself. It might have more to do with my awesome co-worker
Alexis. Thank God he knows some English.
And he’s not lazy either so I didn’t have to do all the work. I actually think
that he might have worked harder than me. He is a pro when it comes to baby
IVs. I can’t find a vein anywhere and he just sticks it in and finds one right
away. I’m in AWE!
And when there wasn’t babies
crying and IVs to do he would help me with my French. I think it was enjoyable
to hear me destroy every word that I tried to say.
One of the more memorable
conversations with Alexi was about babies.
“Give me one white baby”
“Umm sorry I cant.
“Why”
“Well, one we’re not married so
there will be no baby making. Two I’m not white I’m brown so the baby would
definitely not be white. And im leaving in 8 months”
He looks at me for a second and I
know that he didn’t understand everything I said. Then he says something that
just made me almost pee my pants.
“You give me premature baby”
“hahahahahaha…..”
30 minutes later
“hahahahaha”
Wow!
Only 3 days left. Not to much
activity. Lots of Malaria and IV Quinine.
I’m out passing meds when I stop
at bed 18. I turn to hand the mother her babies meds and I’m stunned, frozen.
His eyes roll back, quick eye blinking and bubbles are pouring out of his
mouth. Seizure!
“Alexis!!! Convulsions!”
“Oú” (where)
“Lit 18”
He comes with
stethoscope in hand. Baby’s respirations are less than 15 per minute which
automatically cancels out giving him diazepam which could lead to further respirator
depression. So what do we do? That’s the hard part, Nothing. Only one conclusion can account for the seizures Malaria
has gone cerebral.
The next day I
find bed 18 is still alive but has suffered 2 more seizures since last night.
By 6:30pm three hours into my shift his seized two more times and then dies. I
watch as his little chest slowly ceases to move.
What should have I done? Is there something else I’m missing? Has being
in Africa and having nothing to work with made me stupid?
On the other side of the ward in
bed 8 the baby with Malaria dies 15 minutes later. Really!?
Malaria is a curable sickness so
why are people dying left and right all around me? T.I.A. (This is Africa)
Last day in
Pediatrics. Where is Alexis? Well, I
guess I’m running this show solo. Please
God give me the wisdom and strength to make it through the shift without any
problems. The night goes smoothly. I have one new admit and I say another
quick pray God help me. I set
everything up to start the IV and I see one vein…so I’d better make it count.
YES!!!! I got it. Who needs Alexis…..ha ha I do but not tonight.
Just call me the
survivor. Completing a month of working in the most hectic and chaotic ward
with 27 beds and 2 nurses I can honestly say I’m prepared for just about
anything life has to throw at me.
So I guess I
left peds on a good note. I did enjoy working there and the kids and parents
were a lot of fun to see and play with but I’ve had enough. I need so more
action. Some blood and guts. I’m taking my act to the OR I hope their ready for
me.
Alexis
