Pediatric Ward

This was the young boy that captured my heart. James is what they called him. He was all over the place. He reminded me of a little "Opie" curious and full of discovery. He would play full heartedly with anyone and anything. After review of his case it was determined that he could not be operated on. If you look at his left arm  in the second photo below you will notice that it is abnormally large, tumor. When Doctor Faux and Williams were examining the child they found more under his armpit spreading towards his chest. It was the first time for me to hear a no. But of course he didn't understand, he wanted the balloon that the nurses had blown up using an old medical glove. 

He was so happy. He loved seeing the hospital uniforms. He would squeal with delight when you got close. I took my polaroid the last day and took photos of all the children that could not be helped. We gave the photos to the children's parents. They didn't understand and we didn't tell them. We just smiled and told them that their children were beautiful. They loved the instant photos.
Mackenzie playing with James above. 

Dan Faber also known as Mcgiver seen below carrying one of the children post operation. 

So many beautiful children. One of the cleft pallet operations pictured below. The blanket is from a local Utah young women's ward. 

Linda one of the recovery nurses holding a small child post surgery. 

This is Deena, the mission coordinator and Caprice. Burns from a fire caused his right hand to close to a permanent fist. 6 hours of surgery, Doctor Crofts and Doctor Williams opened each finger, used a graft from his lower pelvic area and in a few months he will be throwing baseballs like other boys his age.... or getting into trouble :) 

This ward was the hardest for me to capture. It was hard for me and I think many to understand. So many beautiful faces, unyielding smiles and hope. Although much was done, surgeries were performed, children were helped- still so many left undone, most due to circumstances outside the medical teams control. It's hard to see a new life cut short, doesn't make sense. 

Death is very foreign to me

Medical Mission

Well the medical mission was finished last week. I don't know if anyone slept. The doctors and nurses dedicated well over 12 hours and more each day. What a huge success. Most of the wounds we were able to treat it was just " a moth to the flame effect". Endless cases.
The biggest case for me to see was a machete case. "Charles" a farmer was out doing some work when a gang attacked him. He raised his arm up to protect his face and almost lose the whole arm. Doctor Crofts and Doctor Faux performed a seven hour surgery with the machete case. Fascinating.
Lots of cleft lip surgery and club foot. The children's pediatric is a hard one to visit. So many children to fall in love with only to learn that they won't be there long. The week was incredible. Dan Faber a anesthesiologist was mcgiver all week. He took some aluminum foil and got monitors working. Everyone put far more work in then required. Lots more stories but I'll keep you in suspense until I can get some visual stimulation up :)

Egypt is dirty... and fun :) I am very dog deprived, it's hard for me not to touch every fuzzy puppy I see until I see their skin falling off on the other side :)Driving through Israel was a totally different feeling, very clean and safe. Jordan has been an adventure. I am just headed to my turkish bath and tomorrow Petra to see the Treasury and monastery

Day One and Two

28 hours of flying. The photo of the 12 month old lab was my buddy sitting next to me on my first leg. On his way to his owner in the German Military. Flights were long but empty so I had four rows to myself trans-atlantic. ( whoo- hoo ... hello Ambien ) We started from; SLC to Atlanta, Atlanta to Brussels, Brussels to Bunkjara ( Burundi ) and finally to Nairobi. 40 zombies walking into the hotel, it was a long trip. 

This is half the group that I arrived with on Friday, the other 30 got in tonight. (sat) Thanks again to "Ogio" who provided a great deal on luggage. You can see that the offer was taken advantage of. 

The first day, Saturday was a free day. We ran some errands gathered last minute items ( salt and ketchup ) and then went to the giraffe zoo. This was Lydia laying one on me. Just for some information a giraffes heart weighs 28 lbs! 

This is Shauna Light who runs "In Our Own Quiet Way), the outreach group we joined up with this year. And Bernadine is next to her. A  bubble of energy, very cute girl. Is the sole survivor o of her family of five. now lives in Germany but has dedicated her life to the people in Kakamega. A will of steel. So far we only have two people down that are sick, but getting better. The weather has been clouded with occasional drizzle. All over you see "Obama". The paper's read " What Obama will do for his Kenya". Pretty crazy stuff. It is now a National Holiday in Kenya. I am not sure how much internet access I will have once we leave tomorrow for the bush lands. It's been incredible. I love the sim cards and buying minutes. It has been a huge asset to the team. Cant wait to get in the heart of the villages. 

Sad Days...

A couple weeks ago my foster dog, Onyx was adopted. A family in Denver, Co. They're previous Dane owners and have worked with Rocky Mountain Great Dane Rescue before. He is such an incredible dog. It's sad to see him go.

 

Onyx was found tied to a pole at Wal-mart in Phoenix Az. The humane society rescued him and adopted him out to a wonderful local couple. After a few years they moved to Salt Lake City, Ut. Due to a living situation the complex they were staying at did not allow big dogs and threatened to take him to the pound. After a few unsuccessful attempts to adopt him out themselves they surrendered him to Rocky Mountain Great Dane Rescue. 

I received Onyx about 2 months ago. My first foster experience and not my last. What an incredible opportunity to share your life with a dog that has been through so much. 

He is very curious and inquisitive about new objects. He likes to watch at first before he joins. Even if he is afraid at first, he soon becomes curious about it and investigates. He has such a sweet demeanor. Loves people, is very curious about kids, and gets along with every dog he has meet. Onyx is my little shadow, once he feels safe he will leave your side but occasionally come check on you. He is an extremely active dog. In the photo above you can see him running with his friend Kairo ahead of him and later with Atticus. Get him in an open field and he will love you forever. He has great speed. He lacks confidence and as a result is quite a bit of a shadow dog.

Onyx has been such a learning experience in my life. I will be anxiously waiting to foster again. I was spoiled with Onyx, and his good behavior.