A TASTE OF NEPAL

Greetings Everyone!

So today's topic is kind of unconventional,  so heed the warning its surrounding bowel movements....To begin, of Nepal's biggest problems involve diarrhea, and that's due to constant contamination within one's food and water. Because hand-washing isn't apart of a daily routine bacteria is constantly spread from person to person contact or person to food cross contamination. For example, analyzing the bathroom situation, rarely is there toilet paper and soap provided for the process of properly sanitizing oneself. But, I choose this topic particularly because it pertains to my situation, I've had constant stomach issues with my body since I received my vaccinations for the country. My pains range from 4 to 6 hours apart and feel as if someone is consistently punching me in my upper abdomen. I've had diarrhea for about 2 weeks now but it wasn't until yesterday that my body gave me the true pain and misery of what this sickness has to offer... I broke my veggie streak to try a real sample of what Nepal has to offer and it felt like death came knocking at my door. I wanted to do any and everything to empty my stomach even if that meant sticking my fingers down my throat...OMG I've never felt sooooooooo bad. Because, I'm a intern within the hospital they gave me a free consultation, the doctor prescribed electrolytes to re-hydrate my body and return it to its normal state... At first, it tasted awful, so much to the point of vomiting, but within 15 to 20 minutes I was back to my normal state and ready to work... But just think a little Gatorade could have solved all my problems.... 2 hours later I was peeing like a race horse, and to make matters even better, I finally released my lunch and don't plan on eating anything soon....I feel so drained and physically and tired from all the straining and stomach pains. It seems that each week my digestive problems get progressively worse...Furthermore I forgot to include that my medicine cost was about 40 rupees altogether, thats barely a dollar just to give some perspective. But anywho that's all for now until tomorrow, its really late here and my day has been quite long so love, peace, and hair grease until next time!

Well Rounded

Greetings Everyone!

I hope all is well and good wherever you are! I finally feel comfortable in my own skin where I can safely say I am enjoying what Kathmandu has to offer...Soooooo the last time we spoke I was talking about the medical laboratory and how public health is implemented. But the things I saw transpire throughout the week were just amazing. To begin I saw a kidney stone removal, [just for those who don't know what a kidney stone removal is; basically its a calcium build up within ones urine, now depending on the size and mm of the stone one may or may not be able to pass the stone through urination, thusly for the surgery if passing the stone is difficult]. But the surgery itself was soooooooo cool, the patient was very fragile and in immense pain, the process was about 2-3 hours because the patient had three kidney stones the size ones thumb nail. The doctor that did the procedure was apparently one of the best surgeons in Nepal. He is the head urologist within his association, and travels quite frequent to conferences and meetings. The surgery itself was successful despite the fact that the power went out during the process and the patients blood pressure kept increasing...I also had the pleasure of viewing my very first ultrasound [OMG] seeing another life in that light was so beautiful, I saw the sex [a boy!], heart, liver, and the placenta from the mother. I also got a chance to witness some really interesting x rays....And the news doesn't stop there, I had the pleasure of going to another clinic with the hills of Nepal soooooooooooo beautiful by the way! But, the clinic is newly built and services the people within that region at a more discounted price. The problems range from children with worms to women with vaginal prolapse. Each person traveled far to recieve treatment, and keep in mind that each patient has persisting problems while waiting for the opening of this clinic. In many ways this clinic was a blessing in disguise, the doctors there mostly specialize in internal medicine but doctor in particular happen to have done multiple surgeries in many different sectors of the body like brain, cardiovascular, neuro, ortho, and much more this is a hot commodity within Nepal. But anywho I have sooooooooooooooooooooo much more to tell which I will save for my next posting tomorrow. But I'm really sleepy now and kind of ready to crash, my body's been really sickly lately due to the environment and dietary changes so I'll save that for another posting....But until next time enjoy some of the sites I saw while in the Hills of Nepal!

kidney stones

Kidney Stone Pre-OP

Me Scrubbed in :D 

HEY HEY HEY

Greetings Ladies & Gents

I'm so sorry for the late delay in postings, I've been traveling around the city of Chitwan for the past two days! The adventure was amazing and definitely an experience I will never forget! To begin lets start with the bus ride, oh my god these people have no concept of driving skills here! I think he hit every pothole, ditch, or whatever he could find in the road. The bus ride itself was average, the seats were small, uncomfortable and really compact [but then again what bus is comfortable?]. And lets not forget the bus ride was about 6 hours long, with only two stops in between, so I hope you were awake for both of them.... But each stop had something different to offer, the first stop I experienced my first modern outhouse, thank God I brought toilet paper and soap or else I would've been in a tight fix. The second stop was really cool, the rest stop was set up as a giant cafeteria with all the Nepalese food one can choose from! I ate a fried veggie ball, with veggie chomein SOOOOOO GOOOOOD! But as time passed we finally approached our stop and reached another bus to take us to this extremely luxurious hotel. The hotel provided hot water, food three times a day, AND......toilet paper with soap [not to mention one could flush the tissue paper down the commode].. Awesome RIGHT!? Furthermore we took a small hike and tour through the Chitwan village and their national park to get a preview of what we would be doing for time being spent there. I saw the Narayani River which by the way is BEAUTIFUL, I did a three hour long hike in the National park while in the presence a wild animals [mind you there's no protective barriers], I went canoeing and rode an elephant. Now the elephant ride included a hike through another portion of the Chitwan National Forest sooooooo cool, but I highly recommend bug repellents with lots of deet. The more deet inside, the stronger ones protection against getting bitten. I have a total of 28 bites on my entire body, from my face to my feet. So please please please make sure deet is a huge factor within your repellent because these bugs are relentless! But anywho I did a second trip back to the hospital today, much better treatment than last week. I went to the laboratory and observed their skills and what their methods were as far as testing fluids for pathogens. Very interesting system, each person has their own individual tasks and works on their own time. Its kind of like a divide and conquer systems everyone knows their job, but at the end of the day comes together to balance out all the information. What I find interesting is throughout the hospital there's no public health initiative taken by anyone. Only the Public Health Administrator does most of the promoting and what I find so intriguing about the whole process is, how does one expect a increase in disease control if no one is proactive. I always thought Public Health is group effort by everyone not jut certain sectors of the hospital. But anyway its really late here going on midnight so I heading off to bed but before I went just wanted to bring you all up to speed on everything. So until next time enjoy some pictures from the Chitwan adventure!

Clear Understanding

Greetings Everyone!

WOW! Last night sooooooo intense right! Well I'm here to tell you that was nothing compared to what I;m about to you....So today was my first experience with clinicals within the hospital, and boy let me tell you it was not a graceful easy going experience. The nurses were rude and disrespectful towards me, not only did they laugh at but they nit picked at everything about me from my name to my hair, even my size and culture in English and Nepali["why are you so fat and ugly" "why is your hair like that?"] just a sample of today's comments. And you know I could have easily snapped and said some mean comments but instead I became the bigger person and removed myself from the situation. I'm not going lie I went back to the ProWorld house and cried my eyes out...licked my wounds and slowly pulled myself together. But the process wasn't easy, you have to remember this my first experience overseas, I know things aren't always going to be smooth however rudeness I will not tolerate! That's where the line is drawn... So I plan on going back fresh Monday morning and blow them out the water. I'm going to ignore there comments and address them accordingly, I REFUSE to be bullied in a FREAKIN underdeveloped country. If anything I'm suppose to the rude "Ugly American" right? Now don't misinterpret my plan as a sign of vengeance, I chose to be the bigger person and not entertain ignorance....They will respect me because I am going to command it, they will accept my brown skin and I will not apologize for heritage and where I come from..... Its funny because I had to come all the way across the world to finally embrace my culture on whole new level. And that's okay, I think I'll come back a better person for it. However, today wasn't a total bust I did take some pictures of the hospital, and learned some of the common illness within the community. The list consist of:  COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, Pneumonia, Indian Fever, and Urinary Track Infections) The hospital does make an impact within the community but there's still lots of work that needs to be done, most sectors hold from 1-12 people at a time, and that's sections like medical ward, ICU (Intensive Care Unit), and hospice care sector [even though the tittle denotes dying patient it holds patients in recovery and patients awaiting treatment for typhoid]. Now places like surgery or x-rays hold 1-2 patients only, so I still have more to see. I can't go back tomorrow because I go on an excursion.But come Monday I plan on entering the medical testing facility (laboratory) I hear those are the meanest nurses but I need all sections covered so I can get a well rounded view of the hospital . So thusly I'm going to suck it up and push through it. Other than that I had a pretty productive day, I washed all my clothes and reorganized my room. I took a nice hot shower and enjoyed a movie. As of right now there's a power outage taking place for God knows how long sooooo that's the highlight of my day. Until next time enjoyed some diverse versions of embraced black culture!

VENTING MOMENT

Greetings Everyone!

I hope all is well where ever you are! Today was definitely interesting, I woke up to a rain free sunny day, with no power or water for about 4 hours. And surprisingly enough I wasn't really phased by it. I've been here now for 3 days and 4 nights, I'm still adjusting and trying to finish unpacking. So to release some steam I went out clubbing 2 nights in a row. The men were nice the drinks were good and the prices were cheap. However, its nothing like a taste of home to give me the real boost I need. I spoke to my dad yesterday and he gave me a dose of true reality. And in what he said really and truly changed my perception, he stated that I'm in their country, I chose them and they didn't choose me...And with that being said I can't expect or accept anything until gripping that concept. So thusly I took a step today and tried and enjoy the beauty in everything I witnessed today. I embodied the food, the streets, and even the smells (and let me tell they weren't sweet)  to then further appreciate what the culture has to offer. But what bothers me to no end is the constant distance and barrier between me and them [the color of my skin, the curl patterns in my hair, the style of my dress, even the language I speak] its like I'm the walking talking alien from America. Not even the whites here know or understand what I go through. I feel as if I'm the only black person here, and it bothers me THERE I SAID I FINALLY GOT IT OFF MY CHEST.... but ironically I don't feel any better about it. The people look at me and laugh or point and talk about me right in front of my face like I'm some side show attraction. You know all the books and classes really don't prepare you for the real moment, especially considering that they water down a lot of truth involved. And within the point my father made to mewas if I don't grasp that concept I'm slowly going to turn into that ugly American, complaining and nagging about everything, not appreciating anything, becoming arrogant and mean towards not only the people but the culture as well. Okay no more! I'm done I think laid enough heavy steam until next time. So with that being said I'm going to bed because I have a long day ahead of me and I don't want to miss anything. Until next time here's an ugly American to keep you company!

SOS

Greetings Everyone!

So today was the big day, I started my internship and finally got myself situated within the country. I went to meet with a Public Health administrator of the hospital. He gave me the inside scoop of how the system truly works and how the government is impacting the country. To be quite honest its not really good, the system there is very underdeveloped, as far as building maintenance and simple common knowledge. The hospital base on a non-profit organization called Helping Hands, and through that the hospital gets money from [government funding], and fees paid by patients for treatment. The medicine is modern and while the intentions are good the actions being made to bring progress grows faint. They preform surgeries at discounted prices and give treatment for little to nothing, the equipment is really old, some of their tactics aren't really clean. Gloves really aren't worn, masked aren't worn while certain procedures take place. Its kind of contradictory, because at the same your treating someone your still spreading the bacteria through personal contact with other people. Furthermore to add more insult to injury tissue or soap isn't provided at the hospital so when one decides to digest millions of tiny bacteria are being passed everywhere! So my question and concern here is how to truly implement Public Health without offending the people present, because at the end of the day its the best they can do with what they have. Just the simple small things really make a difference, I personally feel if you start at the source maybe the information can be passed to make a better tomorrow. For example an info session on how to properly do hand-washing or to wear and dispose of gloves. Again this is just from individual observation and my opinion, I have NOT in anyway impressed on the people my thoughts and feelings. That's not the purpose of my research, I simply want to remain seen and not heard. Now what I just told you  is only the surface I could on and on about whats wrong but I'm more focused on solutions.In addition, the doctor spoke of how most of their problems surround funding, they DON'T HAVE ANY MONEY! And to make matters worse the patients out number the doctors. Nepal has one of the most corrupt country's in South East Asia, so if one can imagine how that impacts the hospital and its constituents. These are some of the problems and struggles that Nepalese people have to deal with on the daily basis....I'm sorry if this offended someone reading or if I came off blunt but lets face it life isn't all about rainbows and sunny skies. Looking at this situation really makes one analyze and appreciate the healthcare system we do have; it also gives some perspective of what poverty truly looks like....

Final Destination

Namaste!

I finally made it with no time to spare! The experience of all this has been invaluable, the people I encountered and places I've seen will never be forgotten. The flight here was definitely interesting filled with so many Nepalese and Indian people, it was a good old fashion melting pot of cultures. The ride itself was four hours long and with unforgiving smells. But needless to say I made it safe and sound with no problems. The airport was very contemporary and yet still foreign to me, the scenery, the process, everything was brand new to me. For once I can say I was the foreigner, that had to go through immigration and customs. But nothing could have prepared for the traffic here, I guess everyone's on their own agenda with their own personal rules. If one can imagine there were people, cars, and bikes everywhere all at once! Our taxi cab driver was scaring me half to death swerving from side to side, bobbing and weaving through traffic like we're in grand theft auto or something. The scenery was definitely different from the states no traffic signs or lights, just bare and open for any given opportunity.

However, the process of checking into the ProWorld house was different. Everyone was really nice and excited for new company, I can't say I'm completely settled, I guess I'm still  culture shocked. Between the hard bed and the time difference everything is taking time for me to adjust. The showers aren't always hot and I can't flush tissue down the toilet so things are going to take of getting used to but I guess the experience shall be enriching for sure. I go through orientation today for my internship and the dos and don'ts for the program . The one I can say that makes me unique is that I can contact my family anytime as long as I have the internet. My dad was fortunate enough to buy me a magic jack so I can make international calls without paying a dime. I just got off the phone with my best friend about 30 minutes ago, so I do feel somewhat comfortable. My goal/ task for the day is not isolate and/or outcast myself, I'm really shy and still trying to figure out who to trust and talk to about my questions and concerns. [I mean lets face reality here: Not everyone has your best interest at heart.] So with that thought in the back of my mind I always remain a little reserve from the group. But with that being said how was one to enjoy themselves without letting down ones guard? So objective for the day learn what I'm suppose to do and immerse myself into the culture. Until next time Namaste!!!!!





P.S I didn't forget our last topic at hand just give me time and I will surly get back to business


KTM Airport!

HELLO DUBAI

Greetings Everyone! al-salaam alaykum (peace be with you)

I finally made it 13 hours later! The flight was long but very smooth, and really cold! I had a jacket and two blankets and was still freezing. The plane held 250 people and the food was decent, nothing fancy but edible enough to eat and actually enjoy:D. However, I'm in Dubai with very little sleep but much imagination! The country is beautiful and people are really nice. I think my favorite sight so far is the calligraphy, writing here is so pretty and diverse from what I'm use to. As of right now I'm inside the airport figuring out what to do for the 20 hours, do I read or venture. So many thoughts running through my head between the language and dress I'm in amazement. Soooo many different walks of life just within this airport! Africans,Asians, Middle Easterns, Americans you name it, its here. I'm kind of sorry that I can't tour right now, there's so much I want to see for example the tallest building in the world is located right here! The southeast coast of the Persian Gulf is the ocean view for the people of the beautiful country. Until next time wa alaykum e-salaam (peace be upon you)

 

FLY FLY FLY

Greetings Everyone!

Today's the big day! I had an early rise at 4:45 am to catch an 8:50 am flight to DC with a layover of 6 hours! Whew was that a loooooooonnnnnnnnggggggg time, and just think the worst is yet to come, Dubai is next on the itinerary which in fact is an overnight flight....YIKES and to add more adventure I have an overnight layover to follow YAAAY!  I'm tired overworked and under paid but the job still needs to get done. The process this morning was definitely one for the books, word to the wise LADIES pack LIGHT or double up on the luggage because the fees involved are unforgiving. I was 24 lbs over weight and  almost had to pay $400 so to avoid this I bought another bag to compensate.....oye! So 4 hours, one movie and web search later I finally get to prepare to board the plane. I'm really excited and my emotions are all over the place. I have general gist of what I'm feeling but not quite sure if its right.... My imagination is running wild  with curiosity the smell, the taste, the climate EVERYTHING! So I guess my next blog to you will be in Dubai WOOOOOOO, my first country overseas officially before I even get to Kathmandu how cool is that!?!?