Concerning a lot

I had this really cool title for this blog, "Concerning falls and female ward" and then it turned into "Concerning falls, female ward, Soultrain and shrines" but then that didn't even cover everything I have to say, so hence the above title (haha, in the hospital they ALWAYS write "so hence the above diagnosis" in their reports).

Anyway, remember how I told you I was going to the market to buy some fabric and blablabla? Well, I didn't. I mean, I went to the market, but as soon as I entered the market, I had the misfortune to put my foot on a slope with loose sand, and I stumbled, and stumbled some more, and ended up on the ground. Bruised hip, bloody elbow and ankle, and grazed hands. Ouch. So, instead of the market, we raced home to disinfect everything, and I have to say, everything is healing well. The wound on my ankle became a little infected (instead of red, it was white from all the pus), but other than that, it's looking fine. The scabs on my elbow are actually falling off already! It did put me off for a couple of days, though. It hurt, and I was really afraid of infection, and I just wanted to be home for a while. I wasn't homesick, or anything, but it would've been more convenient to be in the Netherlands.

Speaking of being afraid of infection, I almost fainted. I was helping with taking care of a woman's foot, who had a wound on exactly the same place as my ankle-wound, and it looked really nasty, and all of a sudden I wondered, "Is this room always so dark?" but then I noticed black spots in front of my eyes, and then I decided it would be better to sit down. As soon as I sat down, I got cold all over, and I started sweating, and for some odd reason I thought I had malaria. But then the cold feeling stopped, and I realized that there was no malaria or something else to be afraid of - I was plainly busy fainting. Fortunately I didn't, that would've been embarassing.

I did NOT faint when I was holding someone's broken leg. The lower part of her lower leg was independently movable of the upper part of the lower leg. Let me tell you, holding something like that is the weirdest feeling, possibly ever. But, I stood my ground, held it, while trying not to move the two parts too much. No fainting whatsoever. I felt very big and grown up, and finally like I was doing some good.

One of the nurses at the Female Ward had invited me to a wedding of one of her family members. Berte and I decided to go, and I'm happy I did. So much dancing and singing, and that all under the roof of a church. "Let's dance for the Lord!" and yay, there we went again! Unfortunately, the sermon after that, about marriage (apparently, it's ordained by God, but fortunately it's also for sexual pleasure and friendship), lasted 45 minutes, and we were very hungry, so we left after that, and didn't see the marriage vows. Oh well, it was an experience to remember - I didn't know church could be this fun!

That same day, Saturday, I and the other Dutch volunteers decided to go out, to the one and only "niteclub" in Bolga - the Soultrain. 90% consisted of boys, all toohappy to grind into you, not really my cup of tea, but it was something I would not have wanted to miss. Out in Ghana! The only drinks they served were beer and Smirnoff, and I think most of the Ghanaians were drunk after 2 beer... losers. I went to bed at the astounding time of 1:30 in the morning. And I'm not being sarcastic (OK, a little), because normally I go to bed at 9, at the most 10. That's because I get up early, but also because life in Ghana is very tiring; although apparently, it could also be a side effect of the Lariam.

Sunday we went to Tongo, a little village situated in a stunning hill country, where they also have a shrine, which you're only allowed to enter when topless. We first visited the Chief's house/palace. We talked with him, or rather, he talked to us, about Ghana, and Tongo, and himself, and then were shown around his confusing compound. It's a maze, really, but what do you expect, he has 17 wives and there are around 350 people living in his house (I don't know if extended family is also involved, otherwise I feel sorry for those wives - SO many children!). The walk to the shrine was a little more challenging than expected, and since I was still afraid to fall after my market disaster, I unfortunately did not make it to the shrine. So, no topless adventures for me. Apparently I didn't miss much, but I was still a little mad at myself for being such a pussy.

Yesterday - Monday - I started work at the Male Ward. Since there was not much to do, one of the nurses wanted to go to the Maternity Ward to look at babies, and she took me with her. We were being shown around by the "prof", when all of a sudden there was a Labour Alarm - there was a baby coming! We all hurried to the delivery room, where within 20 minutes time, I witnessed two births - two girls. For one woman, it was her first, and after seeing her pain, I think I'm going to wait a little longer for my own kid. OK, OK, the materials aren't what they are in Europe, and we have painkillers, but still. She didn't know how to push, or wasn't able to anymore, because of exhaustion, so one of the doctors pressed on the belly, and he basically pushed the baby out with his hands. Ouch. The other woman had to go off her bed, since the linen had fallen off, and while she was standing next to her bed, she got a contraction again, and while she was kneeling or something (it all went very quick) the baby was born right there on the ground. Fortunately, both baby girls survived. It was so exhilirating to watch!

As soon as we got back to the Male Ward, I also witnessed my first death. An old man started choking, and even though they started CPR and they used a suction machine, it didn't make a difference, and he died shortly after. I don't believe he was in much distress, though, and I don't think he had a lot of pain, so that's good.

Today we had a rather uneventful day. In the last 2 hours we had some more admissions, so I got to take vital signs and help with some other things, but it wasn't as exciting as yesterday. Oh well, that's life at the hospital, I guess. And life in Ghana, most days are uneventful here. I mean, yesterday I spent the morning mostly watching TV, because there was nothing to do (there was a really interesting snake documentary, Matthijs). The births and death happened after 12.

Anyway, I have the feeling I'm being way too brief about everything I'm telling you about, but if I were to write down everything, then I'd be spending a day behind the computer. At least now you have an idea of what's going on.

As for the spiders: it rained again, there are more to watch. Also, in the Male Ward, the ceilings are covered in spiders. Yuck. But, I'm managing, and rarely afraid anymore.

Love you all, and for those who miss me: almost halfway! Time flies by when you're having fun!

Signawama (or however it's written), Jonneke

P.S.: My Frafra name at home: Ayenema and at the hospital either Akulkpocka or Ayempocka. Hehe.