Entry #6
May 7, 2014
I woke up at 3am last night, desperate for the bathroom. I still did not feel fully relieved when I woke up again at 5:25 for yoga. I was nervous to have my session while feeling so bloated and ready to pop, but yoga actually seemed to help a little. This morning's session was my favorite so far because there was a lot of balancing, rather than stretching.
At about 7am, Dr. Paul told us to come to clinic early because a patient had arrived. We joined him and learned that the patient was a young girl with a UTI. She appeared to be in quite a bit of pain. She was given antibiotics and a diuretic injection to stimulate a jaunt to the washroom. She did not excrete enough and was placed on an IV. During the time she was in the office and taking the antibiotics, she heaved what she had just drank (and possibly more) onto the floor and surrounding furniture. It was a fairly large projection and was cleaned some time later using a water-dampened cloth. This is one example of the lower hygienic standards than one would find in American clinics. I hypothesize that this is because we are visiting a rural clinic completely funded by an independent, global volunteer organization. Furthermore the clinic is located in a remote, tiny village often not marked on maps. It is to be assumed that staffing is minimal, supplies are not easily obtained, and general hygienic and safety practices are streamlined.
After seeing the patient, we had breakfast. The family asked the day before if I liked eggs and brown bread, and Rita consequently made me egg sandwiches and porridge for breakfast today. She was very excited to see me grab two sandwich halves, but I honestly could have eaten 5 of those sandwiches. Eggs and bread are such a sweet relief, like an island of safety and comfort in a sea of unfamiliar, hot and spicy foods. I am so grateful for her kindness and concern. We chatted in Hindi for a bit. I really do catch on to words and phrases quickly. I brainstormed with Greg how to thank the family for their hospitality since there are no restaurants we could take them to. We decided that Greg will give his four gifts to the family here, and I will give my two gifts to the Mehtas in Dehra Dun. This works out perfectly because Greg has a McGill University t-shirt, similar to the t-shirts worn every day by Dr. Paul. We also suspect his woman's medium t-shirt will fit Rita since she is fairly small. I am pleased with these arrangements because I so desperately want to show the family our appreciation and gratitude. Rita just came to my door and told me to come into the kitchen. She gave me lemon water and said it was a secret. We giggled as Greg walked by, not noticing us. The drink was essentially lemonade and mouthwatering. I really enjoy Rita.
I have become much more comfortable checking lungs and am now better at checking ears with an orthoscope. I have noticed that patient confidentiality is not a concern here and, often times, there are multiple patients in the exam room at one time. It is also hard to maintain discretion when health camps are conducted in some one's house and the family is serving snacks while a patient describes his or her symptoms.
The cultural differences in wealth and costs here are astounding. Everything seems impossibly cheap to me, yet many citizens here struggle to afford what would be similar to $6 in the United States. I understand that India is still a developing country and is dangerously overpopulated, but it breaks my heart to see such money difficulties for amounts that I consider absolutely nothing. Things I don't consider at all, actually. I want to send a blood pressure cuff and sphygmomanometer, maybe also a stethoscope to Dr. Paul's clinic when I return home. His current instruments are not terrible, but it is clear they are very old and worn down. I hope that Dr. Paul would appreciate this. It makes me realize that is it entirely impossible to help the entire world, but the joy you can bring to one person by helping them in a small way is also extremely effective and rewarding.
After supper we played a board game based purely on skill. Apparently I have none. Afterward, we went outside to stargaze. While looking up at the large, winking sky, Dr. Paul noticed a leopard's shadow. It was creeping at the top of the staircase leading directly to where we were standing, just outside the house. I was literally breathing no more than 20 feet from a hunting leopard, completely in pouncing distance. Dreams really do come true! We all stood, mesmerized by its shadow for a few seconds until Dr. Paul quickly ushered us inside the heavy, black metal gate to the house and closed it. In Patti, every one goes inside around 9pm because leopards and other animals stalk the villages every night around this time until about 4am, looking for livestock to prey on. I am still stupefied by this experience, but Dr. Paul and Rajesh's nervous behavior made me realize I was actually in true danger. If anyone knows the first thing about me, it is that I'm hilarious. The second is how much I am obsessed with big cats, especially jaguars, leopards, and tigers. I am becoming more aware of the fact that no matter how much I admire and love the graceful creatures, they are wild animals that do not hold the same love and admiration for me–although if they got to know me...No matter, I must be careful and keep this in mind when I visit Corbett. Greg and I stayed up to watch for bears and leopards but only spotted numerous jackals. Greg kept referring to them as hyenas, but I know better!
No comments:
Post a Comment