Since university days when students cluttered the parks and open spaces of the university campus, sunbathing and socialising, while we medics slaved over our books indoors preparing for end of year exams, I always knew June was the month for a holiday and I determined to schedule a regular break in June once I regained control of my annual planner. Naturally, June was the month for us to return to UK, best month in the British Isles and coldest in the southern highlands of Tanzania.
This year Covid19 intervened and we find ourselves making-do in Milo, determined not to lose the month we had looked forward to, holidaying ‘at home’, relaxing and doing things we wanted to. Unfortunately, family issues took away our hospital director and we were left holding the baby…
And so many babies!
With 16 in April and 8 in May, the Caesarean rate seemed to be falling, promising a quiet and manageable June. Dream on! We hit fifteen on the 14th of the month, a Sunday which began with a breech presentation, legs hanging through a partially dilated cervix, brought in by 4×4 ambulance, delaying our departure for a preaching engagement in the church at Mbwila, an hour and a half drive away. Needless to say, the congregation was singing and dancing as we arrived, oblivious of (or accustomed to) the passage of time. After another 2 hours of ‘service’ and a welcome late lunch, we returned to Milo in time for the evening rush hour: three more Caesars, like buses in a row; for premature twins, for an obstructed labour and for a repeat 4th C-section well-deserving of tubal ligation, sewing up at 2am…
Dr Sandagila returned mid-week after dark and a long journey. That evening I was standing in our rabbit enclosure after shutting them in, gazing at the stars and listening to the familiar sounds of the night when a distant siren rose and fell, growing louder as it emerged from the forest across the valley and began the final climb to our village. All the members of the team had heard and were gathered in the hospital compound as the latest emergency Caesarean patient arrived at the maternity ward. Not far behind was the hospital car carrying our hospital director. By that time we were in theatre with Number 17…
In the morning, after No 18, I announced my intention, aside from dire cause, to take the rest of the week off. And now, with the second rabbit enclosure and gate complete, the second hutch built in time for the expected litter of babies, five garden beds prepared and planted with carrots, onions, Chinese leaves, spinach and rape, I am finally able to write a short blog.
Apologies for the delay but you will understand why.
And here’s to the rest of the holidays…
brechdan 