Bittersweet Symphony

This week has been very bittersweet. It's had some sweet moments, and it's had some bitter moments. That's why I'm saying it's been bittersweet.

Bitter:

• A patient of mine that I've been following for a week and a half died over the weekend. Whenever a patient dies, you can't help but run through anything more you could have done in your head.
• I was in the Anticoagulation Clinic adjusting patients' warfarin regimens. Several patients didn't speak much English, so I had to have a translator. I was actually enjoying it quite a bit. However, toward the end, I did a couple patients by myself since they could speak English. What I didn't know is that warfarin tablets' colors are different strengths here than they are in America, and as a result I dispensed a patient a lower weekly dose than what they needed. Fortunately, I discovered my mistake and we were able to give the patient a call. Still though, I felt pretty dumb. Thank goodness their INR was high (3.8), or I would have been crazy worried about them having a stroke. I'm still a little nervous, to be honest.
• I did quite a number on my ankle playing dodgeball on Thursday. I rolled it pretty good, and it did not feel pleasant.
• I had to write this post twice because the first time I finished it, it wouldn't post and it didn't save what I had typed.
• We had to say goodbye to a few of the people we've met here. That's one of the strangest, best, worst parts of being here in Kenya: you meet a lot of new people, from all different walks of life, who come and go on a semi-regular basis. It's strange to think that in less than two weeks we'll become some of the goers and have to wish Eldoret, IU House, and our new friends TTFN.
• Still not having much time to run. Starting to get nervous about the marathon I'm running in about a month and a half.

Sweet:

• I have a new registrar, new consulting, and new Kenyan medical students on my team, and they are all fantastic. The registrar and consulting are great in particular, both as clinicians as well as teachers. I especially like that they are always open to my questions and suggestions. If they disagree with a suggestion, they don't make me feel unintelligent; they simply explain their reasoning behind why they think their plan is better for the patient and educate me in the process.
• Even though I hurt myself doing it, I enjoyed playing dodgeball.
• WE WATCHED THE LION KING.
• A few of us took some time to explore the streets of Eldoret a little more in depth than we've gotten to thus far. I have been wanting to do this since we got here--to just delve right into the culture and experience Kenya firsthand. It was very interesting; we got a lot of strange looks, and a lot of people trying to sell us things. I was sorely tempted to buy a pair of American Flag Toms, but I told the vendor flat out I would not pay above 1500 shillings and he couldn't budge from 1700. Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose. Still though, it was fun bartering and being in town.
• We finally got to visit Tumaini Drop In Center for street kids. Tumaini means "hope" in Swahili, and that is precisely what it's founder and operator intends for it to be to street kids across Eldoret. The idea is to provide a place where they can come, play safely, seek refuge from the streets for a little while, and even make crafts and other things to sell in order to make money to fund the shelter/buy food for themselves. It wasn't what I was expecting though; There weren't very many children when I visited, only a handful of older boys in their mid teens. There were, however, some 12, 13, and 14 year olds hanging out just off the premises. You see, it is very common for street kids to huff glue--they put it in the bottom of a plastic water bottle and constantly breathe it in through their mouth or nostrils. These boys were doing just that, and they have been informed they are not allowed at the center when they are huffing. It was extremely depressing seeing kids so young so obviously high on inhalants, but I am still putting Tumaini in the "sweet" column. They've come a long way from where they started, and they are currently finishing building a new center on a donated piece of land where 5-20 children can play, learn in a classroom, and even sleep once they get the beds. Speaking of which, that is the one item that their budget simply couldn't cover, and we were told they require a meager $1,000 to purchase the beds necessary for their anticipated inhabitants. If you are interested in helping fund this amazing cause to any degree, please feel free to email me (rjrivelli@gmail.com) and I will find a way to get you in touch with the right people.

Well, there you have it: my bittersweet week. I am really starting to (seemingly and hopefully) find my stride in the hospital and enjoy Kenya even more thoroughly than I have been of late. However, I am quite excited at the prospect of being home in 12 short days!

"Being happy is better than being king." ~ African proverb