Since we arrived here at Mulago the UNC team has been pulling all sorts of crazy shifts, morning shifts followed by a short break in the afternoon and back to work for the night shift, it is rather in the trenches, but the laughter is flowing, and singing is often heard from Nurses, patients and physiotherapists... We have special CPT songs where we do chest percussion on the children in time to singing local tunes. The friendships developing between the Mulago and UNC Nurses are some of the most devoted I have ever known and the mutual appreciation is as prevalent as the intense learning taking place. In not even a week we are seeing some wonderful ICU nurses become more confident and proficient. I am so very proud to witness such a transformation and to hope that we may be able to come back to build on this program.
The children are stoic, and proud but we are watching them gain trust in us and even the most serious are beginning to smile. Until they become like Edward our second patient who laughs with us and sings, borrowing every ones camera to take photos, which are actually very good. One of the things I love about Edward is that even though he is now out on the ward, he will visit the ICU patients, hold their hands and give them words of encouragement, he is a very kind and generous little boy.
Alicia is a 3 yr old that I have been helping to care for today, she is the cutest little girl, with a charming smile and brave personality, she gave her permission to Karla our Nurse practitioner today to go ahead and pull out her chest tube, with barely a cry.
I feel very humbled by the achievements I have been so fortunate to witness and the love and dedication from staff and patients warms everyone that has has the privilege to be here.
Katherine Desrochers, RN, PICU
1 comment:
Hi Katherine and all the gang! I am so impressed!! Yesterday i wrote a reply to Karla's blog that was a bit cheeky, but I lost it signing up for blogging rights! But everything happens for a reason because just after I realized it, Bren remarked on Amal's plaque and how Saturday was his birthday!! He would be "fascinated!" w/ your achievements!! I can't wait for you all to fet back stateside to share the wonderful times you've had! In my more witty email i did mention how beautiful the children were... neat to see it said in Brian's blog! Katherine and Jen, your abscence has closed 3 PICU beds!! Strong work, now we can get some socializing done around here!! I have to go see my admit!!
hugs and love to you all! Jamie
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