I have a one year position in general surgery at Johnson City Medical center in Tennessee. We'll see where we go from there.
Wednesday, March 13, 2013
Monday, March 11, 2013
Sunday, March 10, 2013
God's Confirmation
Tonight I had the privilege of recapping the last year of my life in an interesting interaction. I met a 3rd year medical student aspiring to orthopaedics. Knowing little about him, I expected to be minimally helpful, but desired to give back some of the many gifts of information God had ordained in my life.
After talking awhile I found out that he went to a Christian college, had a similar background as I do, and is facing many of the same challenges as I was with resume gaps. It was too cool to share all of the ways God had blessed me in the application process. All of the connections, all of the moments of triumph, all of the failures. I got to initiate a process of perfecting the application for a person that would struggle to get into this highly competitive field, but with an incredible God, proving all things are possible.
I know if I don't get the job (as we will find out job or no job tomorrow, where I'll be going is Friday) this process had meaning. I know my life has purpose and the reiteration of being able to help others in the mean time is supremely rewarding.
I'm amazed.
After talking awhile I found out that he went to a Christian college, had a similar background as I do, and is facing many of the same challenges as I was with resume gaps. It was too cool to share all of the ways God had blessed me in the application process. All of the connections, all of the moments of triumph, all of the failures. I got to initiate a process of perfecting the application for a person that would struggle to get into this highly competitive field, but with an incredible God, proving all things are possible.
I know if I don't get the job (as we will find out job or no job tomorrow, where I'll be going is Friday) this process had meaning. I know my life has purpose and the reiteration of being able to help others in the mean time is supremely rewarding.
I'm amazed.
Saturday, March 9, 2013
My ole Kentucky home
Man this is a sight for jet lagged eyes. I am fortunate enough to have survived chaos. Let's pray this week is less spontaneous.
Things that make America great:
Drinkable water from a faucet
Hot showers
Steak and seafood
Crosswalks that drivers pay attention to
Southern accents
Collegial team spirit
Powerful car engines
Airplane pilots landing skills
Public education
Interstates
Amazing race here I come
Delayed 3 hours leaving Kenya.
Longest security check in Paris. With a 45 minute layover. Strollers were flying.
15 minutes late and see a Delta plane leaving.
Last person to board last Delta plane in France.
Wake up in California to a snowstorm in Denver with a cancelled flight.
On phone with United for 25 minutes.
Flight from Lax to Louisville.
Call cabby.
He's there before my luggage is packed.
Stop for natural gas. Fueling is universal for cab drivers picking me.
Three cards didn't work.
Used my card.
On the road again.
Prepared to battle at LAX. What a trip.
Thursday, March 7, 2013
2:30am Wakeup
I wake up to mass confusion and a PA message in Swahili.
5 minutes later a guy wades through a sea of people and says, "Flights leaving Paris after 10 am are going to make it"
The flight is now over 3 hours delayed and my 4 hour layover in Paris has been erased. We will see.
5 minutes later a guy wades through a sea of people and says, "Flights leaving Paris after 10 am are going to make it"
The flight is now over 3 hours delayed and my 4 hour layover in Paris has been erased. We will see.
Out of Africa...well almost
After having a good day with Dr. Emily and family in Nairobi, I am thankful for peace in Kenya, the American election process(no matter how flawed it may be), and coming from a place that I am proud to call home.
I am just passing through today, and quite fortunate to be a day earlier than the revealing of election results from Monday's contest(a runoff may be needed). 19 people died on polling day from a radical group(largely unrelated to the election, they are from the Mombassa costal region that I have been nowhere close to on this trip and were know about before the attack). The majority of the country has been peaceful. God is blessing Kenya.
I don't ever fear to cast a vote. I vote by mail or electronically and it is counted. It takes 25 minutes. All things I take for granted.
As I sit here in a very nice (and well protected) airport, I am notified that my flight is delayed. No worries. It is Africa, nothing happens on time. This is the second of six flights to get home. Hakuna matata. My stomach is starting to get angry. I have prayer and cipro. Life is very nice from the African perspective, even though most of us Americans would consider it less than ideal. There are many things we can respect and learn from this way of life.
I love when a country thrives because the majority of people love Jesus and therefore respect their government's authority. Ethiopians are proud. Kenyans are too. I am proud, to have a wonderful home on the Earth and a greater one for beyond this life.
I am just passing through today, and quite fortunate to be a day earlier than the revealing of election results from Monday's contest(a runoff may be needed). 19 people died on polling day from a radical group(largely unrelated to the election, they are from the Mombassa costal region that I have been nowhere close to on this trip and were know about before the attack). The majority of the country has been peaceful. God is blessing Kenya.
I don't ever fear to cast a vote. I vote by mail or electronically and it is counted. It takes 25 minutes. All things I take for granted.
As I sit here in a very nice (and well protected) airport, I am notified that my flight is delayed. No worries. It is Africa, nothing happens on time. This is the second of six flights to get home. Hakuna matata. My stomach is starting to get angry. I have prayer and cipro. Life is very nice from the African perspective, even though most of us Americans would consider it less than ideal. There are many things we can respect and learn from this way of life.
I love when a country thrives because the majority of people love Jesus and therefore respect their government's authority. Ethiopians are proud. Kenyans are too. I am proud, to have a wonderful home on the Earth and a greater one for beyond this life.
Wednesday, March 6, 2013
Last Night in Addis Ababa
Please continue to pray for the Kenyan election as the ballots are yet to be counted. I am leaving Ethiopia tomorrow en-route back towards the states.
Here in Ethiopia I am leaving many new connections and opportunities for further partnership. It was an ordained time to have spent with people who love God and have a heart for communicating that to His children. I have appreciated the time to witness and be part of many interesting and unique African ministries.
I will be doing some reflection (and sleeping) on the flights home. I plan on giving as many updates as possible where internet access can be found.
I look forward to reconnecting with many of you in the near future. Please stay tuned for prayers as next week is probably the most unique sending process one could ask for (the Residency Match). This time I will find out what kind of doctor and where I will be training. An exciting time is in store!
Thank you all for your continued support.
Here in Ethiopia I am leaving many new connections and opportunities for further partnership. It was an ordained time to have spent with people who love God and have a heart for communicating that to His children. I have appreciated the time to witness and be part of many interesting and unique African ministries.
I will be doing some reflection (and sleeping) on the flights home. I plan on giving as many updates as possible where internet access can be found.
I look forward to reconnecting with many of you in the near future. Please stay tuned for prayers as next week is probably the most unique sending process one could ask for (the Residency Match). This time I will find out what kind of doctor and where I will be training. An exciting time is in store!
Thank you all for your continued support.
Sunday, March 3, 2013
Lots to cover
Saying goodbyes is always difficult for me. I have a tendency to become attached. My time at Tenwek was fruitful, learning lots about myself and orthopaedics in the developing (but not 3rd) world.
One of my favorite interactions was with a patient that was in a serious accident (many fractures and polytrauma). He was seen at an outside facility before being transferred to Tenwek. At Tenwek I was his first contact with our orthopaedic team and I put a traction pin in his leg in the Emergency Room. Not quite the most fun thing for a patient who is mildly sedated yet still in excruciating pain to have a rod put through their bone with a Dewalt drill (sterile technique). I was pretty sure he hated me.
After the stabilization of his pelvis during the first major operating room procedure, he became quite interactive with the team, smiling and joking at every interaction. His excitement to stand up with two broken legs, yet to be fixed, made the staff and I wonder if he was 100% with us mentally, but that turned out to just be his nature.
The next day one of his family members gave him a mirror. This was quite an event. His face was marred, yet not destroyed; his ear was bulging with a hematoma which was likely infected from the first hospital's repair with incorrect sutures; and some of the scabs were now coming off showing unpigmented skin. He had many questions that I could reassure we would fix the issues upon his last surgery.
I got to be part of the OR team for his remaining fracture fixation as well as ear repair. The surgery went well.
The recovery days following I started to see even more of a friendship develop. The day before he discharged he gave me the most genuine of compliments. "You treated me as if I were your own father." I didn't know that orthopaedics would induce me to tear on rounds.
He was a believer before, but his ability to translate let him be a point person for many others care while they were on the ward together, I know having an impact in each of their lives. He was truly grateful that God provided his healthcare.
Interactions like this one is the reason medical missions makes sense. Life changing interactions on both sides of the white coat.
I feel like every patient is a VIP in a mission hospital. Since we are all God's creation, I find there should be minimal distinction except medical/surgical emergent need. Scripture is very clear in James 2 that we are to not treat people differently if they are wearing jewelery or fancy clothes, lest we are making a worldly judgement. Treating everyone with this high level of priority is exhausting. There great strength provided to bridge this gap.
God provided some awesome opportunities to connect with those who have been doing international missions for most of their life. I interviewed for both Orthopaedics and General surgery programs. Prior to my trip I was unsure what "God's will" was in this choice. All my education and life experience to this pointed towards orthopaedics, however there are many places general surgeons can serve where orthopaedics is too specialized. It is very reassuring that when a general surgeon who has done orthopaedics for 12 years says, "If I could go back again I would do orthopaedics". This sealed my ranking of programs.
I love followup. I was able to see churches thriving ministering to Muslims, street children being rehabilitated, and clinics in the poorest areas providing high quality healthcare that was once only a prayer.
I left behind all of this, praying for a peaceful election(tomorrow 3/4/13) in Kenya, to enter a new land to me. Ethiopia, is rich with tradition of its own. They are very proud to be the only African country to never be colonized (however they were occupied by Italy for 5 years). From the first moment there is a distinction from Kenya in this place. The people are unique. The injera(napkin bread) is full of aroma. Addis Ababa is under construction. It is like Kenya meets Egypt, which makes sense geographically, with a distinction in Amharic language to confuse any fringi(white foreigner). Faiths here are Orthodox, Protestant, Catholic and Muslim. The government is trying to be independent, but accepts assistance from almost anywhere.
What have I been doing in Ethiopia? I have helped American missionaries working at a Korean hospital, visited empowerment projects, observed clinics that are in need of short term assistance and done my best to encourage the difficult work. Staying on the college campus has been nice to continually be connected with the students that my friend, Holly Garrett, has in class.
Playing sports is universally enjoyable. I have had opportunities in both countries to use volleyball, or wallyball, to build relationships. Many of the things that tie us together can be used for God's glory. The one request from the street boys in Ethiopia was for some time to play football(soccer). It could be a very powerful motivator for behavioral change. There are many groups doing missions with sports including two cool missionaries that stay here on this campus.
All of these experiences are building a network for the future of the Kingdom. It has been a very blessed time of preparation.
Last night I was writing by candlelight when the power came back on around 8:15pm (12:15pm est). The connection was spotty, but I got to watch my Louisville Cardinals defeat the Orange. I'm excited for March Madness. Go CARDS!
One of my favorite interactions was with a patient that was in a serious accident (many fractures and polytrauma). He was seen at an outside facility before being transferred to Tenwek. At Tenwek I was his first contact with our orthopaedic team and I put a traction pin in his leg in the Emergency Room. Not quite the most fun thing for a patient who is mildly sedated yet still in excruciating pain to have a rod put through their bone with a Dewalt drill (sterile technique). I was pretty sure he hated me.
After the stabilization of his pelvis during the first major operating room procedure, he became quite interactive with the team, smiling and joking at every interaction. His excitement to stand up with two broken legs, yet to be fixed, made the staff and I wonder if he was 100% with us mentally, but that turned out to just be his nature.
The next day one of his family members gave him a mirror. This was quite an event. His face was marred, yet not destroyed; his ear was bulging with a hematoma which was likely infected from the first hospital's repair with incorrect sutures; and some of the scabs were now coming off showing unpigmented skin. He had many questions that I could reassure we would fix the issues upon his last surgery.
I got to be part of the OR team for his remaining fracture fixation as well as ear repair. The surgery went well.
The recovery days following I started to see even more of a friendship develop. The day before he discharged he gave me the most genuine of compliments. "You treated me as if I were your own father." I didn't know that orthopaedics would induce me to tear on rounds.
He was a believer before, but his ability to translate let him be a point person for many others care while they were on the ward together, I know having an impact in each of their lives. He was truly grateful that God provided his healthcare.
Interactions like this one is the reason medical missions makes sense. Life changing interactions on both sides of the white coat.
I feel like every patient is a VIP in a mission hospital. Since we are all God's creation, I find there should be minimal distinction except medical/surgical emergent need. Scripture is very clear in James 2 that we are to not treat people differently if they are wearing jewelery or fancy clothes, lest we are making a worldly judgement. Treating everyone with this high level of priority is exhausting. There great strength provided to bridge this gap.
God provided some awesome opportunities to connect with those who have been doing international missions for most of their life. I interviewed for both Orthopaedics and General surgery programs. Prior to my trip I was unsure what "God's will" was in this choice. All my education and life experience to this pointed towards orthopaedics, however there are many places general surgeons can serve where orthopaedics is too specialized. It is very reassuring that when a general surgeon who has done orthopaedics for 12 years says, "If I could go back again I would do orthopaedics". This sealed my ranking of programs.
I love followup. I was able to see churches thriving ministering to Muslims, street children being rehabilitated, and clinics in the poorest areas providing high quality healthcare that was once only a prayer.
I left behind all of this, praying for a peaceful election(tomorrow 3/4/13) in Kenya, to enter a new land to me. Ethiopia, is rich with tradition of its own. They are very proud to be the only African country to never be colonized (however they were occupied by Italy for 5 years). From the first moment there is a distinction from Kenya in this place. The people are unique. The injera(napkin bread) is full of aroma. Addis Ababa is under construction. It is like Kenya meets Egypt, which makes sense geographically, with a distinction in Amharic language to confuse any fringi(white foreigner). Faiths here are Orthodox, Protestant, Catholic and Muslim. The government is trying to be independent, but accepts assistance from almost anywhere.
What have I been doing in Ethiopia? I have helped American missionaries working at a Korean hospital, visited empowerment projects, observed clinics that are in need of short term assistance and done my best to encourage the difficult work. Staying on the college campus has been nice to continually be connected with the students that my friend, Holly Garrett, has in class.
Playing sports is universally enjoyable. I have had opportunities in both countries to use volleyball, or wallyball, to build relationships. Many of the things that tie us together can be used for God's glory. The one request from the street boys in Ethiopia was for some time to play football(soccer). It could be a very powerful motivator for behavioral change. There are many groups doing missions with sports including two cool missionaries that stay here on this campus.
All of these experiences are building a network for the future of the Kingdom. It has been a very blessed time of preparation.
Last night I was writing by candlelight when the power came back on around 8:15pm (12:15pm est). The connection was spotty, but I got to watch my Louisville Cardinals defeat the Orange. I'm excited for March Madness. Go CARDS!
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