I am sitting here preparing to return to America. I have already completed the first leg of my trip from LAMB to Dhaka and soon will start my 23 hours of flying, the longest leg being 14 hrs from Dubai to NYC. I just
cannot believe that 6 months have passed so quickly. I look back at my time and feel truly
blessed, so my leaving is with mixed emotions.
I am very sad to leave an excellent job and what now feels like a second home, but am very excited
to see my loved ones in America. I’m
also excited to return to some of the conveniences of America, although I am
fully prepared for “reverse culture shock” which I have experienced before when
returning from time spent overseas.
My last month here (January) was probably the most
challenging medically. We had two cases
within 4 days of each other of massive postpartum hemorrhage.
Both patients required life saving hysterectomy and massive blood
transfusion (18 units for the first patient and 13 for the second). Unfortunately, the first patient (let’s call
her "Amy") did not survive, which was devastating to me and all involved. Please
pray for Amy’s family. They are grieving a major loss and her baby is going to face many challenges
growing up without a mother. The second
patient, let’s call her “Mary”, went home 10 days after surgery and is very
healthy. Praise God! She is truly an example of the life-saving work we do here. She is pictured below with Keya, the doctor
who managed her care with me.
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| Healthy "Mary" and baby |
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| How we eat with our hands |
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| Gynae team at my going away party |
My last few days at LAMB were spent trying to enjoy all of
the little things. I went on a few
walks, spent time with friends, and had a going away party at Keya’s house: she
is an excellent cook as well as an amazing doctor!
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| Planting new rice |
I do not know exactly the road that God has for my future,
but I am sure I will return to Bangladesh.
I am already tentatively planning my next trip, which will be much
shorter (5 weeks) for next winter/early spring.
Please also pray for my health. I have a cough/cold and am praying that it
improves a bit before I depart.
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| My Aiyas (I look like a giant) |
Thank you all again so much for your prayers and financial
support during my time here. God has
been so good and it is obvious that HE truly hand picked me to be here. I couldn’t have asked for a better
experience.
Angela
