Today was a really good day at BMC. We had a nice, even pace in clinic and actually finished up early....we got down to the Theatre early to start on the procedures of the day. We did what I would call a "High-powered Vacuum" thoracentesis of the lung on an elderly patient in pretty significant heart failure. Her left lung was almost full to the top with fluid and the right about one-third of the way up. We don't have the usual vacu-tainers that we drain fluid into in the US. Normally you put the needle in, hook up the tubing and pop it into the suction container where you take off 3-4 liters over an hour. Here we do it quite differently. Becky put the needle in perfectly (on the third try - she'll be a pro before she gets back to the States though), she got a flash of the yellow colored fluid into her syringe. She pulled out the metal needle leaving the plasitc angiocath inside the patient where the fluid was. At this point, the tech handed Becky the large tubing that is connected to an electric-powered vacuum device that is normally used in the OR to suck up blood during a case. She put the tubing on the catheter and the tech flipped the power switch and what happened next was quite amazing to see !! All the fluid in her lung was instantly, and I mean instantly removed from her lung - like a vacuum cleaner would do. For a moment we were all scared the patient may crash. A liter was sucked out of her body in a matter of seconds and we repeated it several more times. She breathed better in the end and could lie a little flatter in bed now without becoming short of breath......we just do it differently over here but in the end the outcomes all appear to be the same !! So there you have it - the "high-powered vacuum" thoracentesis. I guess it beats an hour - we were done in seconds !!
After the day ended we went to the Hewitt's house for a movie and pound cake with fresh strawberries - just for a moment we felt like we were back in the USA. It was delicious and the movie was the "Illusionist" which was quite good. Mary Ann and I are on call tonight so we'll see what comes in tonight. We leave for Tamale and Accra on Friday morning at 4:30 a.m.
That's all for tonight - good night all and I hope you enjoy the stories - I have a picture of this I will try to post tomorrow.....
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2 comments:
If I am figuring right, that means you have tonight and just one more day before you are finished at Baptist Medical Centre. We are assuming that all students and doctors remain healthy both physically and mentally. You all have been through so much. We are amazed at what you have accomplished, and we are sure we just know about the tip of the iceberg. We're figuring that you're coming home a bit different people from what you were when you arrived. As observers, we have been changed, as well, after examining our spoiled American attitudes on many issues. We thank you again for allowing us to participate in both your trials and your victories.
Hey - thanks for supporting us throughout all of this - I have enjoyed your comments.
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