Misadventures

So I fainted. The first time ever in my life. It comes as a shock to me, as I'm not a woman of weak constitution who requires smelling salts. If I was, I would not have lasted long here in Madagascar. Anyway, on to the story, though I warn you, it gets a little graphic...

Well, it all begins with my friend Andry. He needed to get his tonsils out, and when he told me this I thought, "Oh no big deal... quick operation." But then I remembered that this is Madagascar and not the United States, so I asked him for more specifics. He then asked if I wanted to go with him, as I seemed so interested and he needed someone to take him back home after the operation. It was set for Friday morning, and I woke up late and did not have time to eat anything as I rushed off. We arrive at the doctor's house (no, not the hospital) and Andry has a bag full of stuff. I ask what it is, and to my surprise, I find a sheet, a towel, two syringes, vials of lidacaine, vials of alcohol, and even sterile gloves. In my shock, I exclaim, "Did you have to bring everything for the surgery?" Apparently, a stupid question, as the answer is obviously yes. The doctor then opens the door and we step inside a small office. I think to myself, "Oh, she must be doing the surgery in another room, and this is just a consultation." But no, she asks him to sit in the small wooden chair in the center of the room and to cover himself with the sheet. She then asks me if I have a strong constitution (you, of course, know the answer) and if I would like to help and hold his head. I thought why not... I've worked in the maternity ward of a hospital for a summer... this is nothing compared to that. But apparently I didn't think too clearly. I watched very closely as she (correctly) sterilized all her instruments etc and then prepared to inject the lidacaine into his throat. This is where I start to have second thoughts and feel a little light headed, but I keep holding onto his head. She starts injecting the lidacaine, I close my eyes, and the next thing I know, I'm on the floor, very confused with the doctor standing over me. She hurriedly takes me outside to lie on the bench and then goes back to finish the operation (which, given from the sounds I heard, I'm glad I did not see). Apparently, the operation went very well and quickly and there were no problems after I fainted. Luckily I fainted before she actually started the surgery... it would have been bad news otherwise. Anyway, it turns out I cut my head when I fell, and the doctor put in a few stitches right away. I'm fine now, though a little embarrassed and frankly shocked. I still maintain that I am no fainter! Andry has healed well and is now back at work... so, though the details of the operation are vastly different from what I expected, the outcome is the same, and all is well for medicine in Madagascar.

In other news, I have a departure date!! I leave Madagascar on June 16th, stay in Paris for a week, and return to my beloved home on June 24th. Needless to say my parents are thrilled with this information. I also am happy to know when I'm leaving, as I was starting to feel like I would never leave. But now, my time here feels like a countdown and I have a lot to do before I leave, and a lot I haven't seen yet. In any case, I'll keep you posted on my adventures, feelings, and hopefully no more fainting spells, as the countdown to departure begins... 65 days and counting!!