Archive for November, 2009

Caralee was just here for a visit in Lospalos.  Caralee was in Timor together with us last year, and it was a sweet treat to have a friend come and slide right in, not surprised or afraid of the heat, the insects, the toilets, the lack of electricity.  When she and Jacinta (her Aussie friend/midwife/nurse) arrived last Sunday, the water wasn’t running, and the tanki (the water storage container in the bathroom) was running low, but we all managed to find what we needed to bathe, flush, and clean the dishes with, until it turned back on again Monday afternoon.  Not exactly how you hope to welcome a visitor: sorry, the water’s not on; but, there you have it.  We are lucky to have running water in the house, truly, as most in Timor carry it from near or far for everything they need.

Caralee and Jacinta were welcomed to spend time helping out in the clinic on Monday.  A good thing, as we saw 130 patients, and we were short staffed by 2 people.  As they’ve both been just in Bali, their Indonesian language skills made them assets for the day, and the week, actually, as they stepped in much of the time, and were invited back by the staff!

I love the clinic.  I always have an assistant to help with translation, and I love these women.  They are hungry for knowledge, know very much by practice alone, and are very sincere and kind to the patients.  Lots of worms here in Timor: moms come in complaining of the child/ren pooping worms, or even vomiting worms.  fortuneately, there is medicine for this!  Sadly, every day I see very malnourished children.  Mothers either don’t have the money to feed children, or don’t understand how frequently they need to feed their non-breastfeeding 1 year old.  Painful abscesses come in; or rather, children adn adults with big, swollen infections, from the noses to the eyelids to the feet.  The naturopathic physician has a real appreciation for simple antibiotics in this environment.

So, Caralee got to see lots of this.  Also, a 55 year old woman with a uterus the size of a basketball.  I sent her for an ultrasound, and the results came back to me: ” a great uterine mass”.  Hmmm.  I knew that without the hightech USG.  So, I will consult with dr.Dan in dili, and I am thinking the woman may have tuberculosis.  this would be better than the alternatives, as we can treat TB just fine here.

I was treated to a blessing ceremony/dinner last night by Caralee, to celebrate the coming baby.  All of you in the birth community in duluth were present, via candles lit in your names!  I appreciate all the prayers, well-wishes and support over these next months as we prepare for yet another transition, Baby number 2!  Hannah is ready.  By the way, she is speaking Tetum very well now.  Time to go, lots of love, Monica