relaxing and educating

Novices Pali and Somxai suggested coming to watch DVDs to improve their English.
I couldn't agree more, we are in a world of multi media education after all.
Pali had lots of questions about the film and English language.
Somxai seemed happier having a relaxing Sunday and sampling falang food - we had take away breakfast bagels at their request, my suggestion of local pho was rejected.
Hope I'm not spoiling them. Mmm, did help Somxai finish his homework and Pali wanted to do some cleaning so maybe not too spoilt

happy birthday beautiful chris

i love chris, she's a wonderful friend, perceptive, wise and fun.
we had a yummy luncheon as a birthday treat
and later boogeyed the night away in celebration of life

Nice job if you can get it!

Since working here I've often heard people discussing their job description.

Not sure this is in the house keepers' job description but wish there was another bench for me!

Christmas!

Last year Christmas completely passed me by in Luang Prabang.

But it seems Christmas is happening here too this year, Development!

sometimes I get frustrated

I saw this14 year old at LFHC with one of the Lao doctors, he had  had a swelling of his jaw for 3 months, X-rays indicated an aggressive bone tumour. Remarkably he came alone as his family were all busy on their farm as it's harvest time.

The German surgeons were in town so I asked them to assess him, they did and had the skill to perform the surgery he required (resection of most of his mandible and reconstruction with a fibula bone graft), however the intensive care facility in Luang Prabang is not currently geared up for this level of post operative care. I asked the German team if they could bring him to Germany for treatment, they said that was an option but we needed to consider the logistics of getting him there and the ethics of taking him from his home for complex surgery which he may not survive. 

The other option of seeking help in the capital Vientiane was discussed but the family could not afford to get there or for any treatment and we were unsure if there was a head and neck surgical team with the expertise required or the facilities to perform staging scans, chemo or radiotherapy.

So this boy will receive no treatment, his tumour will grow, ulcerate his jaw, tongue and skin of his face and he will either bleed to death, starve or die from infection. He lives 2-3 hours away from the hospital and we will visit him to offer pain relief and support him and his family.

I just wanted this boy to have a chance, I feel so helpless and frustrated, he seemed very brave, really this is not fair. We need to continue to help Laos to develop good healthcare for their people, there is a huge need. And I'm very grateful to be involved in a project that is focused on training and sustainability, I feel we are making a difference but there is still so much more need.

We need more Dr Setthys in the world

Setthy is great, he's an A&E specialist from Sydney volunteering at LFHC for a few months.
He's a fantastic doctor and wonderful teacher, he's been working hard in the build up to the opening of our A&E on 23/11/15. He teaches the Laotian clinicians and the expats advanced paediatric life support every day and is helping with the logistics of setting up a new department .
He's one of life's special people, always giving, always smiling and he's so down to earth.
Not only has Setthy introduced Vegemite to the Laotian and Anericans he's also organised a shipment of essential equipment in conjunction with his colleagues in Sydney. We need more Setthys in the world

Friends Without A Border on Facebook

I'm loving the Friends Without A Border's posts on Facebook, they're very informative about the work of the 2 hospitals, LFHC and AHC, and the work that needs to be done to help improve the health and life of people in Laos. The team in New York organise the updates and ask us to send photos, I can help with that and recognised this one!

Friends Without A Border

Page Liked · 13 hrs · 

58% of the population of Laos is under 25 – the youngest in South East Asia (compared to 23% in the US). Children are the future of Laos and we are working to give every single one of them a reason to keep smiling.

brothers

These two brothers came to hospital today and were inseparable, small bro with no shoes adored his big bro, they sat side by side all afternoon and were so well behaved. I was working with Dr Dorkeo who is a fantastic doctor, wasn't quite sure why she wanted them to wear masks for 6 hours, after all the whole family had the same symptoms. didnt have the heart to burst anyone's bubble of kindness.

I think I need to adopt a Laotian family. This family was so warm, I loved their closeness and wanted them to adopt me!

Kenro is in town

I'm always struck by Kenro's gentleness and humility. On this visit He was so excited to see LFHC full of patients, his second hospital in full swing.
And Kenro always takes the team out for dinner when he's in town. And dinner led to clubbing where Dorkmai, one of our new doctors, took to the stage. She's quite a talent, I can feel another talent night coming on!

Hurray for volunteers

Once upon a time there were one or two expatriate doctors running around like headless chicken mentoring our Laotian doctors who's number has grown to 8. But times have changed, this week we've had 6 Laotian doctors and 12 expats so that's a pretty good teaching ratio! It's great to meet so many paediatricians and Emergency medicine doctors from around the world with their different experiences, 10 from North America, 1 from Australia and me repressing the UK. I think we need some more UK representation!

The volunteers all love their time here especially the interaction with the Laotian team. Currently we have volunteer nurses, pharmacists, doctors, IT experts, English teachers, laboratory technicians, radiographer so and physiotherapists. If you'd like to share your knowledge and skills with some wonderful students please get in touch.

Bye Dr Vinay, loved your enthusiasm and endless energy.

two nights with Molly, bliss!

I've know Molly for 3 years now, she's gorgeous, bright, intuitive and heaps of fun. Busy working lives mean I don't see as much of her as I'd like so it was fab to see her on 2 consecutive nights.
We took 3 former novice monks out for dinner and heard about life after the temple. Heaps of excitement about their new jobs as English teachers and potential or possible girlfriends! Not quite sure with all the giggling but Molly asked me to do a safe sex talk! really, me!
And night 2, was the opening of Marco and Phout's new Italian ristoranteeee, yippee, looking forward to some rice free evenings!

last breaky

I've loved Sasja, Andi, Ruby and Anouk's visit, loved their energy and non-stopness! we've done heaps. A favourite time of day has been our breakfasts on the balcony after a visit to the market and the french bakery time to enjoy the nosh, relax and chat. Thank you Janice for all your yummy cooking (bread, banana loaf, museli), can't believe Anouk has a new bestie!

back in Luang Prabang

and the novices from Wat NaLuang want to join in the McCann holiday fun, they've spent a lot of time together over the past week. So we needed to 2 tuktuks to get us all to the waterfalls and I finally got to Inika and Olaf's Dutch flinder park, they have very happy butterflies, a beautiful tranquil setting and delicious apple cake

a walk through the rice fields

on the way we helped the farmers thrash the rice.
and on we went for a waterfall swim and picnic.
and on the way back i fell in the river,
ruby was attacked by a leach,
or the leach was attacked by her screaching!!
and the farmers had finished their work for the day and shared their laolao.
great to all help each other, us with our free labour (not sure just how helpful we were) and the farmers sharing their fun, food and whiskey.
i love remote northern laos.