Kibogora 2013: Where is Home?

We really did not leave Kibogora this year--at least not completely.

Kibogora came back to Mobile, in our hearts, in our minds, in the thought processes that dominate daily life.  To reinvest in the daily life here while remembering what we left behind is difficult--knowing that Valentine will probably never get the cardiac evaluation she needs, and will probably die a young death from the congenital structural problem that was so obvious on her exam. Her story is representative of many other patients.  Identifying the need for care is just the start in Africa--finding a way to supply the need is often beyond the capability of the hospital or the infrastructure of care within the country as a whole.  This is especially true for medical disorders or highly specialized surgical problems without local solutions.

Micki and Valentine

We are thankful for the group of USA (as in University of South Alabama) surgeons, Jon Simmons, Andrew Bright, and Kristen Hummel, who, along with J. C. Bataneni from the Congo, performed many procedures while at Kibogora.  They gave Tim Berg, a general surgeon from Texas who is spending a year with his family at Kibogora, a much needed break.  Laura Jelf, who will be doing her internship in Baltimore in a trauma surgery unit, worked with them, and when they departed, she carried on care for patients they had seen and assisted Drs. Albertson and Berg in their work.

Drs. Andrew Bright, Jon Simmons, J. C. Bataneni, and Kristen Hummel

Andrew, Laura, Kristen, Jon, and Duane in OR

Laura Jelf, Kristen Hummel, and Jon Simmons at work in the OR at Kibogora:

Laura and the African Mutts, Salt and Pepper

Joseph Sewell, Meagan Pate, and Carter Edwards, joined later by Anna Foust, were the Internal Medicine team, a unique experience for 4th year students who team with Congolese and Rwandan generalists to run the medicine wards at Kibogora.  In a manner similar to last year, their abilities prompted the local physicians to rely heavily upon their knowledge and understanding of the problems their patients faced.  

Anna Foust, Joseph Sewell, Meagan Pate, and Carter Edwards--The Medicine Mean Team

Meagan and Anna on Medicine Ward

Carter contemplating the view from Kibogora

Joseph pondering a diagnosis

The Pediatric team rounded in the Neonatology Unit, on the "well baby/maternal" area, and in general pediatrics.  The time was one of significant loss of life due primarily to the complications of preterm birth and the difficulties of managing infants without the necessary equipment and technology.  Duane asked us to think of one word to summarize the trip and, being ambivalent, I thought of two:  persistence--Kibogora will become better and better at caring for newborns with the persistence of people like Julie Yerger, who is in the first year of her second four year commitment to sharing the love of Christ through her nursing care and overall leadership;  and risk--when you go to Kibogora and see the need, you cannot "unring" the bell--the needs and the people become part of the fabric of your life and you cannot leave that behind no matter where you go geographically.

 On rounds in the "NICU" with Jamie Partain, Mary Margaret Clapp (nearest), Julie Yerger (center), Katy Lalor, and Keith Peevy

Jamie Partain, who took a month of her vacation to go to Kibogora

Her input in the NICU will have lasting benefit

Peds team:  Mary Margaret Clapp (with friend), Anna Foust, Jamie Partain, Katy Lalor, and Micki Peevy

Katy Lalor and Dr. Nathaneal, a Rwandan doc with whom we rounded on Pediatrics....hmmmmm....his favorite expression!!

Mary Margaret

Carl and Francie Albertson are still in Kibogora, having committed to a two month stay.  Carl is an orthopedic surgeon who has gone, often with Francie and family, to Africa many times and to several places.  He and Duane Baxter "checked out" Kibogora in October of 2011 before we committed our group to go there last year. They flew a 5 day round trip to spend 30 hours at Kibogora--that is commitment to an idea!!

Francie and Carl Albertson

Carl, along with Daniel Smith, a fourth year student headed to Jacksonville for an orthopedic residency, worked the longest hours of anyone.  They performed many procedures to repair old injuries, congenital problems in children, and new problems that presented to the hospital while we were there.  Carl also conducted spiritual rounds on Sunday afternoons, taking time to pray and visit with his patients.

Carl and Daniel at work

Daniel before the beard

and afterwards, always aware of where the food was!! He burned all the calories working on orthopedics.

Sarah Beaver, a Duke trained physical therapist who works in Fairhope, traveled with us and used her expertise to help patients and to educate the local therapist.  She is picture below with Micki after the Nyugen Forest Canopy Trail trip as we had tea and coffee at the Nyugen Lodge:

Leadership came from Duane Baxter, who planned this entire trip and who is the spiritual leader of our group.  

Duane (white shirt) with Dr. Jon Simmons.  This trip is a product of God placing a vision in Duane's heart.

Duane preparing to do dental surgery (not!)

When Duane left to return to the States, Joseph Sewell became the leader for devotionals and did a great job of facilitating discussions as we studied Phillipians.  

A few pictures and words cannot adequately summarize weeks of travel, adventure, medical care, and relationship building that occurs on a trip like ours. Perhaps one picture can do a better job:

Faith is involved when taking adventurous walks, whether a mission trip or a stroll across a suspension bridge hundreds of feet in the air.  Unseen planning and support are required--dependence on those things that humans can do; but ultimately, before we take the first steps, we have to trust that God has ordained the steps and that he knows the end even when we cannot see it.

And it helps to take a friend:

Thanks to all who supported this trip and for all who took pictures that have been shared here.  I had a hard time finding pictures of Carter because he was usually the one behind the camera.