Settling in....

Although there were plenty more challenges, today feels as though we might be settling in. It was a relatively light day at work for me with just some brief rounds and one operation to do – an orchidectomy in a young man with an atrophic and maldescended testis.

Yesterday, there were some questions about how to sterilise the diathermy implements (electrocautery – the modern equivalent of a hot poker to stop bleeding) and these had been left very much unanswered. When I walked through the door into theatres this morning the chief of CSSD (clinical sterilisation services department) was there to greet me with the sort of smile that lights up anyone’s day. This might be somewhat surprising, given that it transpired he had been recalled from his holidays! Whilst I was so delighted to see him again, I was also somewhat horrified to be the unequivocal ‘cause’ of such things. He seemed to be very ok with it however.  

He is a fantastic example of the many exceptional individuals here in Muheza. One of those people who really gets ‘it’ and can’t do enough to help anyone, inspiring all those around him. Having come to the UK on one of the Hereford Link programmes a few years ago, he is working so hard to emulate in principle here what is done back home. The work of CSSD is definitely something that I would ordinarily take for granted. But here, particularly being so involved with it all, it becomes so starkly apparent just how crucial their work is to the care provided. The care that as a surgeon you feel ultimately responsible for and the work that you will be certainly judged by. Having this kind of support definitely makes things significantly less worrisome. The diathermy protocol was clarified and he briefed his deputy on the complex process involved using chorine, soap and surgical spirit (the plastic of the handpieces melts in the normal autoclave – at home they are disposable).

On the home front, whilst the older two are thriving at school, unfortunately it is proving just too much for Beth. Today Kate picked her up at morning break and we have agreed to try a few half days. She is very willing to go and likes the idea in principle, but when there just finds it overwhelming; bless her. Fortunately, we brought some materials which we can use for ‘home tuition’ which she loves (at an age when it is all fun), so some reading, writing, drawing and maths this afternoon. She then played after school with some of the immediate neighbours’ children. Fingers crossed we can get her settled.

And I thought I would share the sunset we get to watch most days from our window. The sun goes down very quickly here and the views are stunning.