i have been spending the last week trying to figure out a way to say “thank you” to John, the nurses, and the nursing students at both Dambwa and Maramba clinic for putting up with me over the last month.

they have all been extremely kind and welcoming and open. they have (for the most part) answered my questions with patience and let me roam the halls and wards at will. they have shown me birth and death and just about everything in between. they have shared their boiled sweet potatoes and sugary cocoa hot drink. how on earth can you let someone like that know how much you appreciate their efforts?

when i left the hospital in Fort St. John after a week of doctor shadowing, i ordered a huge bouquet of flowers for the nurses’ lounge, brought in a few dozen donuts from Tim Horton’s, and mailed personalized cards with thank you notes to all of the doctors i worked with. in hard times, i have learned not to take kind people for granted. they aren’t as common as you might think.

i already know i can’t trust the African mail system enough to send something of worth after i have left. so my “thank yous” have to be made this week before i go. the nursing students have their last day at Dambwa clinic on Thursday and i thought some sort of group appreciation in the form of a cake from Wonderbake might be nice. Janice took a group photo of the nurses at Maramba clinic and had it blown up and framed. they were delighted when she presented them with the gift this week.

John, the clinical officer that wants me to set him up with My Sister The Pilot, is a remarkable and kind man. he is smart and funny and a very sharp dresser. he always wears well-pressed suits or dress shirts under sweaters. he uses one handkerchief to dust his shoes when he walks in the door and another to dry his face throughout the day. he obviously makes a bit of money with his job, but not enough to drive a car or carry a fancy briefcase or use anything other than the cheapest stethoscope.

i decided early on that i wanted to get him something personal that he would also find useful. since nothing is on computer and the photocopy machine is usually down, John writes by hand everything from prescriptions to radiology referrals to patient history to sick notes to lab test requests on small squares of plain paper that he frugally folds and tears. i searched all of the stationary shops in town for a nice pen set, but to no avail. they were all cheap and plastic-y looking.

this afternoon, i saw a simple, but elegant blue tie with dark blue squares in one of the tourist shops and thought it would compliment his dark suit. so i bought it. i just hope it doesn’t come across as too personal. i mean, back home it would seem like just a generic tie, but i would never buy an article of clothing for someone i barely know. i think the last time i bought a tie was for Father’s Day ages ago. at any rate, it seems in line with his taste and he should get some use out of it. hopefully wearing it will remind him of his promise to visit Canada someday.

i really won’t forget any of these people for as long as my wee brain cells are still firing properly. they have changed my character. they have shaped the future woman and doctor i am destined to become. i cannot be changed back and i am thankful for the lessons.

You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.