Well, things are chugging along here in India. I only have two more days at the hospital before Laura and I venture to Agra to see the Taj Mahal and Jaipur to visit some other touristy sights. Honestly, this past weekend both of us hit a low point. India isn't as new and exciting as it used to be and we were both sick. We just wanted to be home! Since then, however, we have had several experiences that have been God's way of encouraging us.
On Tuesday, we got to see the birth of a baby! The delivery itself was quite fast! Once the head was out, it almost seemed to shoot right out of the mother. Laura and I were rather surprised by this. I've noticed that the women here seem to be pretty tough compared to the women in America. The mother hardly made a sound as the baby was being born. On top of this, she only had one relative in the room (I think it was her mother??? Men are never allowed in the delivery room unless it is a doctor performing a C-section). The woman who was supposed to be offering moral support didn't really seem engaged in helping her daughter get through the painful process.
The baby was healthy and doing well, but the mother began to bleed a little more than usual after finishing the delivery. Because of this, the nurses had to do a lot of sewing and some other procedures (we don't really know what happened since no one in the room spoke English...this is very typical and sometimes awfully frustrating). The episiotomy (sewing) took forever. It lasted an hour and I could tell in was excruciating for the woman because she began to cry and wail in pain. This really says something, as she hardly made a sound during the delivery. By this time, her mother had left the room to play with the new baby girl and only the nurses and I were in the room. The nurses began to get frustrated and were honestly treating the patient quite rudely. I felt so badly! I didn't know what to do...I was standing there pretty awkwardly but I didn't want to leave since the woman had no one there for support. A couple of minutes later, she grabbed my hand! She held on to it so tightly as she cried and cried. As I can only speak a handful of words in Hindi, I couldn't offer any words of encouragement. This lasted for so long that I began to cry myself. Everyone had left her during what seemed to be the most painful part of the experience and I couldn't do anything to help. As I cried with her all I could do was pray. About a half hour later, the procedure ended and the woman struggled back to her hospital room. Once she arrived, she looked up at me through her tears and uttered two of the few English words she knows, "Thank you" and gave me a huge hug. I really saw the Lord that day.
This is a picture of the woman and her new baby girl. I never found out the mother's name and they haven't named the baby yet. It is common to wait to name babies in India. I'm not really sure why...
Today the woman actually came to clinic for her baby's check up. She would not stop thanking me and smiled the hugest smile I have ever seen. It was great to see :) Also today we got to watch a C-section! It was seriously incredible. Dr. Joe performed the surgery so he explained everything to us (in English!).
So, there you have it. We witnessed two miracles this week! I'm really looking forward to this weekend. Since both Laura and I have more than enough of our internship hours completed, we're going to spend the day at the market looking around. I think some of the girls that work at the hospital will join us, but I'm not really sure because we could hardly understand what they were saying. Anyhow, I'm excited :)
Thanks so much for reading! I can't wait to share more details when I get home. Only a little over a week left!
Oh and thanks for the comments. I'm not kidding when I say that they make my day :)
On Tuesday, we got to see the birth of a baby! The delivery itself was quite fast! Once the head was out, it almost seemed to shoot right out of the mother. Laura and I were rather surprised by this. I've noticed that the women here seem to be pretty tough compared to the women in America. The mother hardly made a sound as the baby was being born. On top of this, she only had one relative in the room (I think it was her mother??? Men are never allowed in the delivery room unless it is a doctor performing a C-section). The woman who was supposed to be offering moral support didn't really seem engaged in helping her daughter get through the painful process.
The baby was healthy and doing well, but the mother began to bleed a little more than usual after finishing the delivery. Because of this, the nurses had to do a lot of sewing and some other procedures (we don't really know what happened since no one in the room spoke English...this is very typical and sometimes awfully frustrating). The episiotomy (sewing) took forever. It lasted an hour and I could tell in was excruciating for the woman because she began to cry and wail in pain. This really says something, as she hardly made a sound during the delivery. By this time, her mother had left the room to play with the new baby girl and only the nurses and I were in the room. The nurses began to get frustrated and were honestly treating the patient quite rudely. I felt so badly! I didn't know what to do...I was standing there pretty awkwardly but I didn't want to leave since the woman had no one there for support. A couple of minutes later, she grabbed my hand! She held on to it so tightly as she cried and cried. As I can only speak a handful of words in Hindi, I couldn't offer any words of encouragement. This lasted for so long that I began to cry myself. Everyone had left her during what seemed to be the most painful part of the experience and I couldn't do anything to help. As I cried with her all I could do was pray. About a half hour later, the procedure ended and the woman struggled back to her hospital room. Once she arrived, she looked up at me through her tears and uttered two of the few English words she knows, "Thank you" and gave me a huge hug. I really saw the Lord that day.
Today the woman actually came to clinic for her baby's check up. She would not stop thanking me and smiled the hugest smile I have ever seen. It was great to see :) Also today we got to watch a C-section! It was seriously incredible. Dr. Joe performed the surgery so he explained everything to us (in English!).
So, there you have it. We witnessed two miracles this week! I'm really looking forward to this weekend. Since both Laura and I have more than enough of our internship hours completed, we're going to spend the day at the market looking around. I think some of the girls that work at the hospital will join us, but I'm not really sure because we could hardly understand what they were saying. Anyhow, I'm excited :)
Thanks so much for reading! I can't wait to share more details when I get home. Only a little over a week left!
Oh and thanks for the comments. I'm not kidding when I say that they make my day :)
KELLI!!!!! I love that you've been able to have such rich experiences in India. Can't wait to just sit and listen to all you have to say when you get home (after some sleep, of course).
ReplyDeleteDad, Robbie and I got to meet Dee and Eric! They are just like you said - love them! VERY special people. Had a yummy breakfast at Good Day Cafe before they drove home. Tyler didn't get to meet them because he was working then went to some grad parties til late. He's now officially done with school, and doing just what you did at this time two years ago - spending LOTS of time hanging out with and swimming with friends, and going to 18 grad parties a day. The grocery bill has been very low lately! They "graduated" the seniors out of Sunday mornings so now they're going to the Gathering. Dad ran into him and Sam just as they were heading out the door to go to the Gathering and swimming afterward. He was wearing his bathing suit and a t-shirt. He thought that would be just fine to wear since the Gathering is "casual." Yeah right. Dad made him change. :) Robbie has 5 days of school left, and has summer fever really bad. He and Noah have been doing a lot of biking and working on the go kart. He's sitting next to me stringing his first lacrosse stick right now!
Give our best to the Weaver family and to Laura. I love you tons!!
Mom
XXOO
Kelli -
ReplyDeleteWe just had a great time with your parents! Thank you so much for connecting us with them. They were just wonderful, and it's clear to us why you are such a special young woman. Your Mom wouldn't admit it, but I think they gave up their room for us...so nice! We slept great and made it home with just a couple of detours. I made them promise to stay with us when they are in Wheaton, so you'll have to help them keep that promise. Maybe when they're moving you in this Fall? Too bad they live so far away...I'd love to hang with them more. And they have great taste in restaurants! The best Huevos Rancheros ever. :)
So excited to hear all about your trip and the last few days in India. I'm sure you are having a whole jumble of emotions about leaving... Hopefully you've journaled a lot about all of your experiences and the flood of feelings you've had. If not, maybe on the plane. You won't want to forget a thing...and sadly you might if you don't write it down. I'm guessing you are tired of Eric and I always telling you to write things down. ;)
So we'll see you in August...can't wait!
Love to you both.
- Dee
Hi Kelli:
ReplyDeleteSounds like your time at the hospital has given you a glimpse into not only how healthcare works but how different cultures operate as well. I'm always amazed about the things we take for granted in this country.
You guys are going to have a blast site seeing a bit before you leave. I'm sad that I can't be there with you to see the Taj Mahal! Look for a tour guide named "Geem"...he will give you the best info and always has granola bars on hand :).
God bless you, Laura and the Weavers. Look forward to seeing you in a little over a week.
Love,
Dad