An exciting start.

Sorry for the long delay in posting. I finally got online at the University Teaching Hospital in Lusaka where I start and end each day. The cervical cancer clinicians are centered here and they do procedures for more advanced cervical cancer downstairs. I even got my own desk! :)

So I'm settling in well. My room is cozy in the basement and I even have my own shower...well, tub, I have to splash around to get clean b/c the showerhead is so low. :) I live in a neighborhood where all the houses are gated and guards are there at night, which is a new experience for me. I'd heard that was the case but it's still weird to be living it. I've already walked around the nieghborhood a bit though and it feels very safe with a supermarket a 20 min walk away.

The last 2 days I spent at a large clinic in one of lusaka's poorer neighborhoods, called George. I observed the pelvic exams and screening process that the nurse does there. She was a great teacher and gave me some great tips on screening. To my surprise, she handed me the gloves this mornign and I did a few pelvic exams! Um, yeah, definitely never used a speculum before! I felt very honored that she trusted me and gave me a chance to learn! We use a vinegar (ie: the fish and chips vinegar :)) to wash the cervix and look for cervical lesions. And a digital camera provides the images we can blow up on a TV and look in closer detail at the cervix. It's actually not that different than the system I saw at the clinic I worked at in baltimore last year! I'm really impressed with the way they've adapted the technology they can access and come up with their own methods to diagnosis the early signs of cancer. Cervical cancer is the 2nd most prevalent cancer in Zambia and huge killer of women, both HIV positive and negative.

I've just realized they're locking up the office so I have to run! But more soon!
And hopefully some pictures too!

Mwachoma Bwanji! (Good evening!)
Kristen

It begins

I'm running late as usual and need to jump in the shower, but I wanted to at least get one post up before I take off today!  I can't believe June 1st has arrived and I'll be finding myself in Lusaka in 2 days!  I'm traveling through Frankfurt and Johannesburg on route to Lusaka, Zambia so the trip out will be a nice 2+ days.

I'll be staying with a British girl, Ellie, who is graciously renting me her 2nd bedroom and who has just bought a kitten named Ollie. So I will have 2 friends to greet at least when I arrive! Sorry Josh, you'll have to load up on allergy meds for this one.

The organization I'm working with is called the Center for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia (CIDRZ - http://www.cidrz.org/) and I'll be teamed with the cervical cancer prevention program. My mentors have already set me up with what looks to be a packed schedule full of clinic visits, shadowing medical teams, and community health projects. I'm looking forward to getting started and meeting the staff!

Ok, T - minus 20 minutes until I have to leave, so off I go! I'm not sure how often I'll be able to get online, but I have a trusty 2 lb mini computer I'm bringing and I'm told the internet cafes are good in Lusaka so I will try and update as much as I can.

Wish me luck!