In a few days we saw so many patients and I assisted with some serious cases. We saw several people with swellings that we had to treat and then we saw a sad case of Osteomylitis(sp?). We did start out our week doing several fillings which was nice because I love when we can save a tooth versus extracting it.
But then it mostly was all extractions the rest of the week. Many people come in with a lot of areas of badly decayed teeth and we can not possibly save the tooth unless we were to do major work with root canals,build ups and crowns.
We have fabulous day workers working in the clinic with us. A Day worker is a Congolese person that works for Mercy Ships alongside us translating and doing various duties. The day worker, working with me is excellent and has been trained to be a dental assistant also.
Been trying to use my very little French that I know with the patients. Most of the time they do not respond when I say anything. My translator said it's because the patients think we only speak English so they don't listen to things we are saying.
I've learned a few important words in French and their native Language.. Like close your mouth.. Open.. Thank you.. Your welcome.
I'm taking the survival French lessons and need to be practicing. Bonjour is my favorite word!
I would really like to be able to communicate with our patients more. I would love to tell them I like their shoes or something like that.
The woman patients always come in to the clinic very nicely dressed and their hair is always very nicely done. Puts us to shame sometimes.
So, once our work week was over.. I was able to have an AMAZING weekend. Congo is VERY beautiful.
My friends and I went to a nearby gorge that just happened to be so pretty and right next to the ocean! So after hiking through the gorge(we felt like we were in the bush of Africa) we jumped into the ocean with our clothes on. And got some amazing photos!
I'll post more photos later. :)
Ship life is keeping me very busy when I'm not working. There is always someone wanting to do something.. Lots of game playing in the evening and lots of laughter. We have a community meeting on Thursday in our International lounge where we sing and have a speaker. Our speaker this week was the president of Compassion International. And it was such an amazing testimony!! It was hard to sit there listening and not cry. God is up to some amazing things through that organization!
Now I'm off to bed. Another busy week ahead of us!
No comments:
Post a Comment