The team was busy in many directions today. Michelle and I started the first of 5 lectures to a large group of Nairobi ICU and operating room nurses (about 25). Every morning we plan to complete a one-hour session before the first open heart surgery case arrives in the ICU for recovery.

Today, we concentrated on how to take care of the post-operative patient specifically the congenital heart defect, Tetralogy of Fallot. Every nurse was attentive and asked brilliant questions.  We applied the lecture to this morning’s case, Veronica. We also briefly discussed Denis’ heart defect as well.

During Michelle’s lecture, our hostess whispered quietly there had been a small explosion downtown, and there may be wounded coming to the hospital. The ICU staff was quickly bustling to transfer stable adult patients out in case there were going to be new admissions. We talked about canceling the open-heart surgery cases until we heard more. Our team’s immediate concern was how we could help if needed.

Luckily, those that needed the most critical medical attention were admitted to a different hospital, and the Nairobi Hospital received only those requiring minor medical attention. The decision was then made to continue with the planned surgeries. After a few hours of gathering any news and getting over the shock of the incident, things returned to normal and the busy pace of the hospital resumed.

Overall, the people in the hospital, in the streets, at the hotel, and pretty much everywhere we go are so friendly and inviting. We are fast making friends.  In Kenya, English is widely spoken and understood unless, however, you are speaking with a southern accent! We are learning simple greeting phrases in Swahili. In turn we are teaching our new friends the southern pronunciation of certain phrases such as “ya’ll,” “fixin’ to,” and of course, “git r dun.”  Our parents will be so proud.

You may remember meeting Veronica and Denis from yesterday. Read Yesterday's Post. Denis is now asleep in his bed, doing well after his surgery, and holding his new toy matchbox car. Veronica, our 12-year-old with Tetralogy of Fallot is doing fairly well after a very difficult and tenuous surgical and immediate postoperative course. Her mother was very tearful to see her daughter still with the breathing tube in place, but I think somewhat relieved with Veronica looked up at her and motioned with her hand for her mother to hold. Veronica never cried and never panicked. I have never witnessed such bravery and self-control. Though she is expected to be very ill as she recovers over the next several days, we are very hopeful that she will be feeling better and breathe on her own without the ventilator soon. The other three little girls who had their patent ductus arteriosus closed in the cath lab did very well and are expected to go home tomorrow.

It is now 8:30 p.m. and the majority of the team has returned to the hotel. We are a little more tired today, but everyone is still upbeat and excited to start the day again tomorrow to meet the 5 children that will get their congenital heart defect fixed tomorrow.

     Take care,
     Whitney

Our team would love to hear from you.  Please send your questions, comments or words of encouragement to
Whitney Partin, R.N.,  partinw@lebonheur.org.