There were 3 blood smears with no history so I trotted off to the wards. All had WBC's over 30K. First was the woman with cervical cancer who had come in with post op pneumonia. Trying to find the charts is not always easy. There is no electronic record. Charts can be anywhere in the ward, but are frequently at the bedside, as the case with the second patient, an elderly (or middle aged), cachectic man laying in bed with a line in his neck and another in his arm. A nurse was speaking with him. He saw me, grinned and said "Karibu" (welcome), quite friendly and grateful for a visitor, though he made it clear when he heard I was from the lab that he DID NOT want to be poked again! He is there for antibiotics and possible skin grafting to treat multiple wounds. 3rd little girls chart was not to be found, but mother was interested in talking, from her somewhat sketchy English (but much better then my Swahili!), I gathered that the little girl is better, to be discharged soon, and likely had bacterial meningitis (I'm guessing, though Mom said it was something to do with the brain). It is amazing how little these people have, how grateful and gracious they are and how much good the hospital does with minimal resources.
Below is a stomach mass. Grossly looks likes cancer, but we are waiting on slides
Sunset from our porch!
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