An angel in Hell

I was just about ready to start studying when I came across this link to an article on Glamour magazine by Eve Ensler (The Vagina Monologues). She traveled deep into the Republic of Congo to follow the work of Dr. Denis Mukwege, who runs the OB/GYN ward at Panzi Hospital.

Ms. Ensler warns readers before-hand of the horrors you will read in this article, but what is astonishing is how mind-blowing femicide has become in this region of the world. Everyone hears about the stories of rape victims and they are all traumatic. However, reading through the individual accounts from the survivors of these atrocities gives me chills knowing that there are human beings that are capable of such destruction.

I believe the author makes an excellent point in her article in saying that these acts of violence are done to achieve a goal: destroying the human soul. My heart broke in reading about how strong these women are and how they are able to live each day with hope. It is a comfort knowing that there are amazing people, like Dr. Mukwege around in this world, who dedicate their lives to repairing the after-math of inhumane violence.

Here's an excerpt from the article quoting Dr. Mukwege on why he became a physician: “My father was a pastor. He was very gentle, very human. From him I got the caring to treat patients. When we would go and visit sick people together, he would pray. I would ask, ‘Why can’t you give them tablets or prescriptions?’ He said, ‘I am not a doctor.’ I decided then that prayer is not enough. People must take things into their own hands. Asking God does not change anything. He gives us the ability to say yes or no. You must use your hands, your mind. When I receive women here who are hungry, I can’t say, ‘God bless you.’ I have to give them something to eat. When someone is suffering, I can’t tell her about God, I have to treat her pain. You can’t hide yourself in religion. Not a solution.”

In this part of the world, Dr. Mukwege is the doctor, healer, pastor, prayer leader, comforter, advocate and listener...I'll add one more to the list: inspiration.

Induced labor

Today I saw seven patients with my preceptor, which is the most I have ever seen on a given afternoon in her office. Usually there are two other students besides myself and today there was only one, so maybe that's why I was able to see more patients.

There was nothing too out of the ordinary with today's patients. There was one lady who had an aweful year with both her grandmother and mother passing away within a month of each other. That's so aweful. She also was on a job placement abroad with her spouse when the hotel they were staying at was bombed by terrorists. Yikes! That's a story you don't hear everyday. I always feel awkward in these kinds of situations, because I never know what to say. Death in the family is one thing and I can empathize with that, but a near death experience from a bomb!?! Hmmm.... "that must have been so frightening!" I think my eye balls nearly popping out of its sockets was enough concern for my patient's taste.

On a side note, another patient wanted to be induced into labor on Friday the 13th. Now that's a first. Usually people attempt to stay hidden under something sturdy in fear of something terrible happening to them on Friday the 13th. I know I tread through my day a little more carefully on 04/20 because I went to a high school that constantly had bomb threats on that day to celebrate the Columbine shootings. So this patient has an interesting outlook on life requesting this date. But maybe she wants her baby born on Valentine's Day...who knows. However, she was told by my preceptor that if she was induced on Friday, she will likely have her baby that day. I'm secretly rooting for her to have her baby on Saturday, though...just to be on the safe side.

Month of concerts

It has been an awesome past couple days. First, I found out randomly that one of my favorite singers will be coming to DC early March. Missy Higgins, the singer-songwriter from Down Under will be playing at the 9:30 club on March 2nd and who else to open for her but that one cute Asian guy, Justin Nozuka:) This concert alone made my week! I've been dying to see Missy live and I just watched an update on her U.S. Green tour...and what do you know...I'll be seeing her myself! Holla!

Then...I was sitting in my normal back corner of the lecture hall listening so attentively to cases of nephrotic syndrome while checking my emails on the AnnaBerry (my blackberry) when I stumbled on an informational email from the GradLife Office announcing ticket sales of Jason Mraz and Ben Folds for a concert next weekend. OMG! There are three bands/artists that I would just fall over if I saw live and the Geek in the Pink is one of those artists! Holla again:) It will be a great month of live music!

Air going nowhere

Ok...what kind of genius attempts to pump air into a bike tire but somehow proceeds to completely deflate the tire?? There goes my brilliant plan to ride my bike early tomorrow morning to take a spin class. Bummer.

The sidewalk steals gloves

I was walking to school this morning and came across a lonely blue glove lying on the sidewalk on New Hampshire Ave and two blocks down from there, found another lonely and misplaced glove (a red one this time) laying on some grass. This made me even more angry than I already was because I was desperately searching for my left hand glove minutes earlier at home!

I loved this particular pair of gloves too! I'm so sad right now, which probably explains why I've been in such a sour mood all day.