When We Come To It

The countdown has started, and I think this is the final test post for this trip. I am posting remotely, instead of my home computer. If this blog is up, then we should be good to go.

We are traveling to KCMC (link below) in Moshi, Tanzania. If everything updates appropriately, this blog should give you a direct link into the daily lives of medical volunteer work. My last trip was in 2019 and the blogging efforts remain available. You will quickly see my skills do not trend toward the written word, but we will see how it goes together.

Quick bits for this trip-

1-Leaving the family unit – Last trip was a family endeavor. This time around I’ll be accompanying for part of the trip with my wife but the boys will be in school and (hopefully) tending to the home. While their struggles will hopefully not require documentation on this website, I suspect it may make for interesting stories!

2-Taking a team – I will be joined by 2 chief residents from nearby orthopedic training programs. For clarity, a chief resident is in the last year of their training program – for orthopedics that is a 5 year stint. So these young surgeons are on the cusp of completing their training. I hope they will be able to add some insights on these pages during the trip. I am so excited to learn from them. We will very quickly become a tight knit group in our local quarters. I’ll also be joined for a week each by a pediatric orthopedic specialist and a trauma orthopedic specialist. Normally one week is too short to get really involved, but hopefully the residents and I will be able to get these specialists in and up to speed quickly to maximze their teaching time. I am really looking forward to watching them share their knowledge with the training program at KCMC!

3-Post-COVID unknowns – We really don’t know what to expect regarding OR equipment and such. Pre-pandemic there was a fairly steady supply line of tool/implants/etc into the hospital but that chain has been hit by travel lockdowns. We heard of the supply line shortage fairly late in our planning process and I’m not sure how much we will be able to contribute for our trip, but we’ve hopefully started the supply chain machine (donations local and corporate) back up.

4-Safety – Travel safety is always in the back of everyone’s mind and certainly has been a common question in the days leading up to travel from co=workers and family. I’ll try to address these feelings and experiences as we go.

Today in the OR, the conversation settled onto dangerous wildlife. Yes, there are poisonous snakes in Tanzania, but the risk of snake bite is very low. As my safari guide years ago once said, the most dangerous animal in Tanzania is the mosquito. As a result, we will be taking our malaria prophylaxis medications. Interestingly, the Cape Buffalo, or African buffalo, is often cited as the most deadly wildlife for humans. I suppose its docile appearance causes the unsuspecting tourist or local to be surprised by its sudden speed and very large size. Don’t worry, I won’t try for a selfie! The cape buffalo is pictured in this blog post.

Until next time!

Feel free to leave a comment or ask questions in the comment box below. If the website is working well, I’ll see it and try to answer/respond!