Surgery

Yesterday I had the opportunity to watch orthopaedic surgery (after my failed attempt 2 weeks ago due to an upset stomach). The surgery was on an 18 year old girl whose legs had been affected by polio at birth. The surgeon planned to do bilateral tendon relseases and distal femoral osteotomies (for those who understand) as her knees were stuck in 90 degrees flexion. She will also need further surgery to correct her club feet. Some things were the same as when I have watched surgery in the UK, some were very different! There was power in the operating theatre thanks to a generator but the only pieces of electrical equipment used were a few lights and the finger sats probe and heart rate monitor. The patient was awake through the whole operation, with a spinal block and drapes so she could not see or feel what was happening but could hear EVERYTHING, including her bones being broken by a hammer and chisel!

Last night I attempted to make bread which turned out ok although didn't rise very much and one of my housemates asked, is it cake or bread? Next week I am going on an ‘induction to Rwanda’ tour for a few days… I’ll let you know what it’s like!