BOB Part 3: BOB With A Vengeance

Dani’s Bit

The outreach for me (Dani) was a wonderful blend of fun, demanding and enriching experiences. It was delightful to get up in the morning and be met with the view of the sun rising over the hillside. I would watch the cow get milked while I stood at the water tap brushing my teeth, periodically shouting ‘Bula!’ or ‘Yandra!’ through a mouthful of toothpaste as people passed by. In some ways reminded me of old family camping holidays…

Doctor's Corner
Doctor’s Corner

The medical team was made up of 4 experienced nurses and me as doc. The first week I was blessed to have Ane, our resident GP around. So I underwent an on-the-job crash course on managing high blood pressure, diabetes, paediatric illnesses and other primary health essentials. The villagers were plagued with scabies, fungal infections, and musculoskeletal problems. Luckily I managed to squeeze in a few small operations before the word got out – from then on we had an abundance of people turning up with lumps and bumps ranging from small cysts to growths bordering on monstrous. In the end we started to make a Dani lump waiting list, with the view of us coming back again in a few weeks just to do some more operating.

Thumbzilla
Thumbzilla

The Fijian people made no attempt to hide their distrust of their own medical system. Many had been turned away by local doctors without any explanation, or batted off with some multivitamins or paracetamol. We received many surprised comments regarding our friendliness, patience and dedication. It really confirmed for me the reason we are here: to care for the Fijian people in countless ways, big or small. One day a man called Tomasi*attended with a dreadful infection in his ankle. He was an undiagnosed diabetic with a deformed, pus-filled foot. He was petrified of going to hospital and getting an amputation. A team gathered around him and his family to pray for him while I wrote the hospital referral letter. Over the following days we continued to visit his wife at home while our patient was taken into hospital. It amazed me to see the changes in her – the hope that started to appear in her face as she was enveloped by the unexpected attention and care.

The medical team in action
The medical team in action

The main challenges for me were the lack of privacy and the burden of being the only doctor dealing with problems outside of my comfort zone. I tried to go off on little wanderings to get some brain-space but everywhere I went, whether early or late, friendly villagers would approach and playful kids would tug at my hands. I felt my emotional and mental energy being sapped the last few days, and I found myself relying very much on God’s strength and the wonderful mothering I received from individuals in the team.

Our Saturday Night Emergency was a local pastor who sliced open his leg and hand with a pane of glass. Not to miss an opportunity, he requested one of our team do the sermon next morning!
Our Saturday Night Emergency was a local pastor who sliced open his leg and hand with a pane of glass. Not to miss an opportunity, he requested one of our team do the sermon next morning!

On return to Lautoka I went to visit Tomasi in hospital. Miraculously he has kept his leg and has now been discharged. On talking to the surgeons it seems they still view amputation as an inevitable outcome sooner or later, but for now his spirit is lifted and hopeful. What a change to the frail and fearful man I first met! He is living with family in the city so he can attend his dressing changes and I hope to join his hospital appointment this Friday. Will keep you updated!

 

*not real name

 

 

6 thoughts on “BOB Part 3: BOB With A Vengeance”

  1. Really interesting! How come so many people have lumps? – what is the cause(s)? Keep up the great work and enjoy the ‘camping’ life!
    Praying for energy / resilience for you and Ali..

  2. Wonderful work Dani. You must be exhausted! Your spell in Surgery has not been wasted!! God bless you both and I hope you will have some rest in the near future x

  3. Thank you for all your support! Many people in the UK also have lumps and bumps- difference is that we’ve got the NHS! Ali has had two different ones removed in the past (unfortuately health professionals not immune!)The cause depends on what the lump is but most often they just happen for no known reason…innit!

  4. Hi Guys, We have finally had time to read your blog (Rachel and Lauren), so nice to hear things are going well, and sounds like you are both getting into the swing of it. You are both doing a fantastic job.
    Pam has just said she logs on and reads the updates every week, and is really enjoying them.
    Take care x and have fun if you can with all these lumps and bumps x

  5. Hi Dani & Ali, It’s great reading all about the work you are both doing and hearing about the local people. I pray you can find the space you need to take time out and for good sleep too! Thinking of you both and look forward to reading more about your adventures! x

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