We've been getting a great mix of cases. We already have a great collection of recuts to show people when we get back! Yesterday we were pouring over a brain tumor in a 16 year old who came in with 3 months of headaches, and difficulties with balance. We talked to the clinicans who noted that the tumor was located in the cerebellum and invading the brainstem. It was partially cystic and solid with a lot of calcifications. Here are some of our pictures that we sent to UW and Children's for consultation.
Our differential at this point is an ependymoma vs medulloblastoma (likely anaplastic?). What do you think? Post a comment!-- Don't be shy.
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Since our weekend was jam-packed, I still haven't posted all of the fun things we did. We went to the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust Elephant Orphanage in Nairobi.
"Baby elephants rely exclusively on their mother's milk for the first two years of their lives. So if they lose their mother, their fate is basically sealed. Elephants live a precarious existence these days, many are poached for their ivory, and some come into conflict with farmers as both groups struggle to survive on ever decreasing available resources and land. Since you can't exactly go out and milk elephants to feed these babies, through trial and error, and a lot of heartbreak from losing several baby elephants in the early years, the organization finally concocted a winning formula, based on human baby formula as opposed to cows milk. By 2012, over 140 infant African elephants had been successfully hand-reared by the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, and released into the wild. Some of the orphans still don't make it, they can fall sick, or just be too weak by the time they are found and rescued. But a remarkable number survive based on round the clock care by a team of dedicated keepers. Once the orphaned elephants reach 3 years of age, and can feed on their own, they are transferred from the orphanage in Nairobi to Tsavo East National Park. In Tsavo East there are two holding centers for the now ex-orphans. Here they meet and mingle with wild elephants at their own pace, and slowly transition back into the wild. The transition can take up to ten years for some elephants, none of them are rushed. " -Anouk Zijlma
You can visit them while they have lunch and play in the mud, from about 11 to 12:30.
Adopting a Baby Elephant For a Year at the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust Orphan Project
It's hard not to be touched when you see the orphans, and the dedication and hard work it takes on behalf of the keepers to keep them happy and healthy. Feeding them every three hours around the clock, keeping them warm and playing with them, requires huge efforts and of course money. For just $50 you can adopt an orphan, and the money goes directly to the project. You receive regular updates on your orphan via e-mail, as well as a copy of his biography, an adoption certificate, a water color painting of the orphan, and most importantly -- the knowledge that you have made a difference. Once you adopt, you may also make an appointment to see your baby when he goes to bed, at 5pm, without the crowds of tourists. Sheldrick Wildlife Trust Orphan Project
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