Christmas Day found me in Mochudi where I mentored on the wards and then the OPD. The doc on call was very strong and the queue was out the door and down the street. I'm not sure why it was like that but maybe people thought that it would be a good day to get some attention. Once again the OPD was crowded with somatization, malingering, and the like. The bona fide pathology is usually quite thick and this day was no different with fractures, death and dying, and the like. One that sticks out is a woman who was "hit by a car" and was apparently brought in the night before wailing. The original doc the night before sent her to PMH for x-rays as she was protesting so much. She was seen by the OPD doc down there, had films that we negative and sent home. On the way she again stopped by our hospital demanding admission as she "couldn't walk". Well let's see....Can you lift your legs? Yep, flex your ankles? Yep. Any bruises? Nope. OK let's see if you can stand. And let the wailing begin. The short of the next 20 minutes was that she could in fact walk but was so deep in conversion disorder that she flopped on the floor kicking around and yelling that "you want me to die", a common declaration.
I took a break and gave myself a treat by investigating a clinic in an area north of there named Oliphants Drift. It is next to the RSA border and quite remote. I saw the clinic and the nurse that staffed it and it reminded me of how remote villages still get care that many nationalities would love to have.
Then the next day off to the States. I made to DC without a hitch was reunited with Lynne in the departure area to the tune of lots of mutual tears. Her beloved sister Terry had finally made the transition and we were/are still in bereavement. Then we had the classic situation where we boarded the plane for JAX were on the flight line only to find that the flaps didn't work, returned to the gate, and waited only to find out that the flight was cancelled. Several hours in line later we were given accommodations at a local hotel, and quite a hotel it was. Full of upper middle class people, an outdoor mall in the back street with an ice rink, and every national brand establishment (save Walmart) in the 4 block area. Every little yuppie named child was there, skating and having a great time as a parent would call out to them. Well and good, but I was reaching toxicity. So naturally I ducked into a Starbucks much to Lynne's amusement and while the coffee was welcomed and good, the toxicity went into the red zone. Not sure what I was expecting.....Called Eli and we laughed at how much of a third world hick I have become.
Next off to Jacksonville to see Forrest, Shannon, Judah, and the twins! And then we were joined by Eli and Amber! It was great. Now, I am blessed with strong willed kids who have in turn married women of equally strong will. The topic of the time was why I had "checked out" and what the hell was I going to do after my contract was completed, assuming Penn keeps me that long. Again the short of it is I GOT IT. Have no idea where the future will take us yet but the options including staying are being heavily considered. Anyone know of a town that has four seasons, is near an ocean, with an NPR radio station, great remote roads for cycling and motorcycling? Oh and has an opportunity to doctor with an under served population that would be happy for me to boogie off about every 12-18 mos to the wilds of some truly under resourced place for three to six months?
We went to Portland where we saw OUR twins and their spice. Oh and I best include yet another grand child (4 for those that are counting) where we engaged in the life of too much; food, sleep, treats, and the like. I had a chance to swim with my old masters teams in Portland and Hood River. My old lane mates put me to shame.....I saw my close friend and former partner for a cup of joe and then sank myself into my favorite breakfast at Egg Harbor. I really miss Hood River, much more than I anticipated; friends, masters swimming, the Columbia, having my choice of two national forests to see, cycle and hike. Jeez did I do the right thing?
Now it's back to what floats my medical boat and yet with a more concerted glance over my shoulder. I love the people of this great country and continue to make friends in the national population. I enjoy and hold dear our ex-pat friends to be sure but I want to miss the national Batswana. I'll be truly fortunate if I can achieve that.
