A week ago, Saturday afternoon, the clinic was officially closed, a grandma brought her 1 year old granddaughter to us who had been playing with a rooster, and attacked by the rooster. She had chicken scratch marks on her face and head. As Delfin, the clinic nurse, was gone at the time, I asked Tom to help me with this child. I cleaned her bloody face off, and found 3 wounds that needed to be stitched.
As you may know, I have stitched plenty of perineums for my birth clients. But faces: well, let’s face it, everyone sees your face , every day, for your whole life. I have stitched an earlobe in the past, but this was going to be my first face repair, and on a 1 year old at that.
Fortuneately, Delfin walked into the clinic just as I was preparing to inject some lidocaine (numbing medicne). He jumped in and helped the grandmother hold the child still for this procedure, while Tom took the easier job of handing me gauze and other items.
Within a relatively short time, the little girl’s face was clean, a stitch under the nose, and 4 facial stitches were secured. She was sent away with tylenol and antibiotics, and told to return on Monday for a checkup.
Tom was ready to leave the room well before I told him I was done with needing his help. Delfin, unshaken, helped me wrap up. there is a wonder to working in an environment where the daily suffering is such that, to help, you turn off your senses to the sounds of crying, terrified children, and just get the job done. And, I will say, we do not have to dehumanize the patient, the person, to do so. Gentleness and kindness are almost always possible. Delfin and the rest of the clinic staff have mastered this, much better than providers I have seen in other places, both here in Timor and the States.
How’s the girl? healing well, last I saw her.
I’ll try to attach pictures soon.
Monica
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Sending our congratulations and blessings to the little one in womb!!! We continue to be energized by reading your posts. Thank you for sharing your experiences with all of us. The Liddle family is doing some amazing work, reminding us all to take a step back from life and focus on what is really important.
Good news – Ed recently confirmed his admission to Bastyr! Who would have thought that our homebirth would open such doors?!! You inspired us. We are preparing for an upcoming transition this summer. Sad to be leaving the many wonderful people we have connected with here in Duluth, but excited to embark upon a new adventure. Sending lots us love from us to you and your family. – The Szymczaks
Amazing work, Monica – as always! You are making a difference each and every day – especially in the gentle,caring and thoughtful way I know you do it! Thank you and always remember God is in you hands, your mind, your words and your heart as you do God’s work!
Many are reading your blog all over the country and loving hearing of your work. We love you all three (almost four), Mom Lorene
Hi Monica!
This story reminds me of the time a friend was visiting with her daughter, who was about 6. The girl got a piece of leaf stuck really badly in her eye. Her mother tried to get it out, the kid screaming, but it just got worse and worse because the mom kept flinching. Then bossy me took over. I sat on the kid, pinned her head, force open her eye and swooped that leaf out in a half-second. (Years ago, I had a dog that had to get eye drops four times a day. That’s the base of my experience!)
Anyway, after registering with wordpress and tracking you down halfway around the world, you are the last person I haven’t told yet about my miscarriage. Yes, back in August I miscarried. Then I got pregnant again and miscarried again about three weeks ago. I feel better telling you because it seemed like a loose end!
I hope things are going better for you. I’m glad I found this blog. I’ll be checking back.
Love, Beverly G.
Dearest friends, i’m writing you on Christmas Day here. Curt said, let’s send a Merry Christmas message to y’all, and i hunted for your email address, found your blog info, and logged on. i’ve just read your blog (from the first entry to the latest) and it made me cry. missing Timor, happiness at all you and your family are experiencing there, well, lots of other emotions. We came home and got sick! I got sicker than I ever was in Timor. I think my body is missing Timor as much as my spirit is. We came home to a cold front here, and I’m missing the heat (even that terrible Dili heat). Merry Christmas! Zaya and Paulo want to go to Los Palos tomorrow and play with Hannah. We’ll keep reading your blogs and hope to see you there again before too long. Best, Pam, Gabriel, Paulo &Zaya
So great to read about the snippets from your journey! I think of you often and of course with that thought comes prayer! Soooo admire your courage to travel emotionally, spiritually and of course physically! Keep writing when you can! Blessings always!
Jonie
It is also a wonder to be challenged to learn and do new things as a health care provider! I’m sure that your stitches looked beautiful and more importantly I’m sure that the family will remember your caring manner. Good work, Monica and assistants!
Susan