New Pictures

Hello MOM. (who has been requesting a photo update for weeks now)

Finally I have new pictures on my Flicker Page. 

Click on the Photos below to look at more from the particular event 

Check it out

Love YOU!

Dental Team working at the Refugee Camp last month.

80's Dance Party on Deck 8 a few weeks ago.

A weekend Hiking in Togo (last month)

Sunday night we went to an African Carnival... It was GREAT FUN!

Friday's Patient Pick.. a day early.

Friday's Patient Pick is coming to you a day early... due to tomorrow being a ship HOLIDAY and us not having to work and me being away relaxing at the beach. 

So today my patient pick was a sassy little independent 7 year old. 

Meet Fermande.

Femande walked into the reception room with such confidence and as Florent the translator started to ask her mother the questions on the health history form she piped up and started answering them before her mother. She then continued on to answer for her mother as she too was going through registration. After both health histories were completed she carried her attitude into the clinic jump up into the chair no worries and did not shed one tear during her treatment. 

Now that is an independent strong 7 year old. 

 

Patient Satisfaction Guaranteed.

Today I was able to get my hands dirty and get back to my first love dental hygiene. After I finished one particular patient today who was on a dirty scale of 1-10 about an 8, I was reminded of why I like doing hygiene cleanings in West Africa or for that matter anywhere. After about a 40 min session with me the patient was transformed into a new man, and he knew it. He asked for the mirror and as I watch the reaction on his face I knew he was satisfied. It was a priceless response. He left with the biggest smile on his face as he repeatedly voiced his gratitude towards my efforts in making him a new and improved man. 

To me that was enough, that in its self was worth more than a months pay. However a few hours later the same man showed back up at the clinic. This time in a new shirt and a huge bag of pineapples, and oranges still with the same smile he left with. He said he just wanted to give me a little something to show his appreciation and that he felt wonderful. 

This is just another example of why we do what we do here. 

Friday's Patient Pick!

I thought I would start posting pics of my favorite patient of the day on Fridays. Just to mix it up and bring something new to the blog.

So today's Friday Patient Pick is...drum roll please........... Momma Clarisse.

I just loved her sweet and innocent attitude that was accompanied by her very fashionable look. 

For a 67 year old she has it going on !.!.! 

Fall/Autumn Time in Cabin 4343.

With my decorations from last year and new additions that my roommate Laura received in the mail tonight we gave our little window that gives us a glimpse to the outside world a fall makeover. 

With all the leaves and the smell of apple cider room fragrance that has now filled our cabin, my second fall away from home is going much better than last year. Either that or I have just forgotten what it is like to be at home during my most favorable season of all. I think I will go with the first possibility. 

Regardless of how many fall seasons I spend away from home, I don't think I will ever forget what it feels like to have a nice run on a crisp cool Autumn day.. with the sounds of the leafs crackling as you pass over them, or the colors that fall from the sky that range from every color on the color wheel, or the fresh breeze that fills your house and makes you just a little bit chilled, or the pumpkin spice lattes from Starbucks with a good book. The moments that remind me of fall at home could fill this page if I really tried, but I suppose there is no use in torturing myself any longer. Tomorrow morning when I am running the streets of Cotonou and sweating like a crazy person I will just have to image being at home on the leaf covered trails all along thanking God for sending me here for the season of my life. 

P.S. Mom I still have the waxed leaves you sent me last year.... and yes they are out.:) 

Vi Savner Deg FrØken Emily!

We sure do miss you Ms. Emily!

They asked me if you were married yet? HAHA.

Meet Jugo.

On the first day of clinic back in February, I meet Jugo and her mother Joyce. They were sandwiched between hundreds of other people that were hoping for the mere possibility of maybe getting their sickness healed. I must admit that I was so overwhelmed that day and nervous not knowing what to do, or who we could help, or even how I was to go about getting them help. However when I came to Jugo and her mom the first thing Joyce said to me was please do you speak English. That was enough in itself to make me smile. She then explained to me that her daughter had a hole in her mouth... I looked and immediately knew that she needed a cleft palate surgery and that we could help her. Jugo and her mom spent all day at the clinic while I attempted to get in touch with the ship. Finally I had good news they could go to the ship for a screening appointment. The next day Jugo and her mom came back and when they walked in the gate to the clinic Joyce was waving a green surgery appointment card... and was yelling we have an appointment we have an appointment for surgery. 

A few weeks ago Jugo had cleft palate surgery and I was lucky enough to be able to go and visit them several times while she recovered. Joyce was always by her side. One night I peaked in on them and Joyce was sleeping and Jugo was just sitting in her bed looking around. On the day she left Joyce thanked me for helping them and then said how Jugo will always be able to testify to others what God has done for her and that she too will also be able to stand in her church on Sunday and give God Thanksgiving. 

I am sure you will be seeing more of this family, I have been invited to attend church with them and then visit the house afterwards. Sounds like a plan. 

At Jugo's 2 week check up. They dressed up so we could take this photo. They even brought big sister with them....  I love the hair.