More Reflections With Photos

As Jim departs for Ghana tonight, I travel to Tamale with him in thought as I get myself medically back on track here in the U.S. Hopefully, I will be able to join him before too long; meanwhile there is Skype, FaceTime, email, What's App - and photos.

Dr. Theo Adjeso and Dr. Mike Damah, both ENT Consultants who are now working at Tamale Teaching Hospital with Jim.

Jane, at her son's new restaurant, Oasis.

Mariama with her brother, Andrew, at the wonderfully welcome Oasis.

Veronica, expert at putting up a clean mosquito net each week.

Taking a selfie with Veronica while we struggle & laugh putting up the mosquito net.

Rebecca and Grace, faithfully working at Colwod.

Lunch at Oasis with Rahi, Musah, Basma & Muslim.

Mona with her husband and baby.

Basma posing in her pretty dress.

Newborn baby who made her arrival in this world just hours after her mom visited us.

Basma and Muslim modeling their new outfits from the U.S.

Farewell visit with Barbara before leaving Tamale.

One of fond memories of our many special experiences shared in Tamale.

A Week To Remember

Life in Tamale is filled with experiences quite different from those in the U.S. The relative inconvenience of sometimes doing without power or water is balanced by a true appreciation when these amenities are available.

A hospital stay here was one thing I have always specifically hoped to avoid, but this past week provided me with that adventure as well. An unexpected episode of atrial fibrillation landed me in the ICU. Fortunately, a cardiologist from Accra just happened to be visiting the hospital and he gave me excellent care. I lay next to a "Saint" for three days in the person of Dr. David Abdulai, a well known and loved physician in Tamale, founder of the Shekhina Clinic which cares for the destitute, and who is now fighting for his life. It was truly a humbling experience.

Triage at the Emergency Room with Jim in the background tending to a bleeding patient while I waited for test results.

My bed in ICU at Tamale Teaching Hospital.

Oasis

Congratulations and best wishes to Andrew Alhassan on the highly anticipated opening of "Oasis" here in Tamale. Upon arrival, one immediately encounters a beautiful, large gazebo encircled by colorful tropical flowers and plants. We chose to have lunch outside at the gazebo, but choosing the interior of this elegant establishment is a delight as well with its tasteful decor of comfortable seating, cozy tables and well stocked bar. A perfect spot for both individuals and groups to meet, chat and enjoy delicious selections from a varied menu. Not far off the main Bolga Road and conveniently close to our home, I look forward to this unique and most welcome addition to Tamale.

Naming Ceremony

Early Saturday morning, we were invited to the "naming ceremony" for the baby boy recently born to Dr. Michael Damah and his wife, Joyce. Also referred to as an "outdooring," this special event welcomes the child into his family and introduces him to the outside world. Taking place at the home, a minister offered prayers and songs along with some words of wisdom. About 100 people were in attendance with several more expected to come and go during the remainder of the day. Food and drinks were in abundance, many enjoying the meal there, while others after expressing congratulations, left with their meals packed in the familiar white, foam containers.

Surprise Challenges

Jim frequently says he starts out in the morning thinking: "What exciting thing is going to happen today?" Often an interesting medical case presents itself. Sometimes it may be an enjoyable interaction with either a friend or complete stranger. This past Sunday and Monday, it was me tripping over a small step in church causing the old Baker's cyst in my right knee to give way, followed by Jim falling on a steep slope on the side of the road as he exited a taxi. I have been rolling around in an old office chair with wheels or slowly walking while supported with a sturdy cane loaned by my good friend, Jane. Jim is back to work with his shoulder injury, limited in how far he can raise his left arm, but plugging along as usual.

The result of friends to the rescue - sturdy cane and delicious food.

Unexpected Exit From Church

Attendance at Holy Cross Church was enhanced as always by three different tribes providing enthusiastic singing and rhythmic drums. Each tribe takes its turn performing at various parts of the Mass.

While going to receive Communion, however, I managed to miss a slightly raised step which caused my right knee to give way. No longer able to put any weight on it to stand, I was helped into a seat and eventually carried outside on a chair at the end of the service where still another kind parishioner gave us a ride home. Am hoping this may be just the recurrence of a Baker's cyst acting up as it did two years ago and that with a little rest, I'll soon be back on my feet.

Back in the Swing

Our first two weeks back in Tamale involved the usual cleaning up, re-settling and repairing. Plus we had a guest from the U.S. who had to deal with the inconvenience of no running water for a few days. He gamely survived, but looked forward to relaxing at the Holiday Inn in Accra while waiting for his evening flight home yesterday.

Now into our daily routine of work, marketing, cooking, etc. - always enhanced by seeing good friends here in town. Sunday lunch out is always a plus; so far this stay: Gariba and Chuck's. Soon we look forward to the grand opening of Andrew Alhassan's new restaurant "Oasis." To celebrate, we should wear the wonderful Ghanaian outfits recently received from Rahi and Musah.

Annelyse, Jane & Cyndy at Gariba

Gordana, Jane & Cyndy at Chuck's

Traditional Northern Smocks

Donning our new Ghanaian Gifts

Thank you to Rahi & Musah!

Philomena "expecting"

Summer Arrival in Tamale

After attending the wedding of our son, Jim, and Kate in the U.S., then spending a six-day holiday in Portugal on our way to Ghana, we arrived back in Tamale on 3 August. Challenges met us head-on as our roof needed repair having been damaged by heavy rains a few weeks prior. This was followed by three days of no water. During the night, a pipe broke apart which resulted in the entire water in our poly-tank emptying out into the backyard. Coincidentally, the town water flow stopped as well which had us filling coolers and other containers from a neighbor's supply. With the eventual delivery of a tank of water, we are now back on track.

More Photos From Tamale

Veronica

Blessing in her New U.S. Dress

Mona and Joanna

Woman With Her Children in Taxi

Accident Waiting To Happen

Speaks For Itself!

Rahi and Basma

Barbara and Jane

My Recent Protector Outside Our Front Gate

New Baby Goat Residents In Our Neighborhood

Together Is Good

Always "Bitter-Sweet" to Say Goodbye

I will not especially miss the "spoiled" pump which has recently had our water stream close to a trickle, or the 104 F temperatures which thankfully are now beginning to welcome some occasional rain, or the hair-raising misses as the taxis, motorcycles, bikes and lorries vie for their place on the road.

I will miss, however, good friends, a certain peaceful, slow-moving way of life which allows one to think, the feeling of accomplishment when a particular challenge is met, and of course, Jim, to whom I've become rather accustomed for the past thirty-seven years of marriage.

I am thankful for our good health and well-being; I am forever proud of the difficult and amazing work that Jim faces daily. I pray for those in need - the serious medical problems of Wetani who is now in Accra and Abdulai, who we have helped to get a German visa and air transport enabling him to undergo appearance-changing reconstructive surgery after the removal of a tumor of the jaw.

With a few more photos taken here in Tamale, I treasure my memories and look forward to a return in a few months.

Young Ghanaian Family Visit

  Today was Independence Day in Ghana - a national holiday, so Jim had a relaxing break from the hospital. This afternoon, we had a nice visit from my friend, Rahina, her husband, Musah, and their two young children: Basma (3 years) and Muslim (8 months). All four came on their motorcycle. Unfortunately, helmets are the exception rather than the rule in Tamale. Musah is a teacher of the Dagbani language in one of the Junior Secondary schools and seemed happy to give Jim and me a very welcome home tutoring session.

Wetani

Generally, I am not of much help in the hospital aside from doing some occasional clerical work for Jim, but for the past several days, I was able to interact with a lovely, young patient of his who came from Burkina Faso. Wetani is a pretty sixteen year-old girl who speaks French along with her tribal language, but no English. She is seriously ill and was transferred to Korle Bu Hospital in Accra this morning where she can be seen by a hematologist. Yesterday, after showing her some photos of my family, she asked if we could take some pictures together with her mother and grandfather. I pray Wetani will receive the treatment she needs and does well.

Happening in Tamale

The box of crayons that I gave Blessing for her third birthday occupied her for all of five minutes, but she certainly liked to model her new NYC t-shirt.

Sadness fell upon Tamale Teaching Hospital this past week with the passing of a well-liked young 30 year-old doctor. He leaves a wife and young daughter, extended family and many friends.

The soccer stadium hosted a colorful trade fair. Products of the local area were on full display - baskets, drums, jewelry, traditional smocks, dresses, wood carvings, paintings and plenty of shea butter in various containers of assorted shapes and sizes.