Let's Play Doctor

I am very far from being considered a medical expert. My brother studied kinesiology in college, so he knows a lot about the body and how it works, but I know practically nothing. Almost everything I know about medicine and first aid comes from my time as a boy scout.

I know the basics, and could do CPR or the Heimlich on someone if necessary. By chance, here in Arusha, I had bought and just finished a book about Dr. Ben Carson, at Johns Hopkins, so I felt like I had new knowledge on the subject (The book is called “Gifted Hands”, and is a great story about his life and faith).

But then, my little knowledge had to be put into practice. We were up at the school, playing soccer and other games, when suddenly we heard a loud scream. “AHHHH!!! TEACHER, TEACHER! NJOOOO (come, in Swahili, one of the few words I knew)!”

The social worked and I ran over, and Maggie, an 11-year-old girl, had cut the bottom of her foot very badly. We were there in just a second, but there was already blood everywhere. The cut was about 3 inches long, and deep. She had been playing barefoot (like most of us, myself included), and stepped on some glass.

The social worker didn’t know what to do. Luckily he spoke English, so I gave out instructions. I got out my handkerchief, wrapped it around her foot, and pulled it tight. I told him to tell her to put pressure on it, using her hand or whatever else she could, and to keep the foot raised if possible (I don’t know if this was the right thing to do or not, but that’s what my instinct told me would help slow the bleeding). Then I ran down the hill to the center (about a 15 minute walk away) to get my first aid kit.

I ran back, putting on rubber gloves as I cradled the bag around my arm. I didn’t really know how serious it could be- it seemed like she was bleeding a lot, so I didn’t want to waste any time. When I got back to her, I saw that the handkerchief had been tossed aside, completely red and soaked in blood. They had put something else on her foot, and when I got there with the supplies, she took it off when I asked her to. Blood came pouring out.

Now, I really don’t like thinking about blood. Even since the car accident over 12 years ago where my father died and I was badly injured, I cringe at the thought or talk of blood. I no longer like needles, and it’s really difficult for anyone to take blood from me, and it’s impossible for me to give blood (which is a shame, because it is very important to give blood!). I even close my eyes during movies when there is even a threat of seeing blood.

This is even more ironic because as middle school student, I was one of the lucky ones who got to go and see Dr. Ben Carson speak at Johns Hopkins. And, after that I knew I wanted to be a doctor. The accident shortly after changed that dream.

Back at the school with Maggie, I felt like the guy in one of our commercials: He performs brain surgery, and then one of the nurses asks, “Doctor, when did you start working here?” He replies, “Oh, I’m not a doctor, I’m just with the tour. But I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night”.

Of course this wasn’t brain surgery. I didn’t hesitate- I got out an alcohol wipe, and quickly ran it over her cut. I got out the gauze, put iodine on it, and taped it tightly over the cut. Then we carried her back to the center. I talked with the social workers, and told them that, in my not so expert medical opinion, she needed stitches.

So, we carried her down to the bus stop, and waited for a minibus. We had to squeeze into a crowded bus, and then get off at the hospital stop. But it was the Saturday before Easter, and this hospital was closed. So we hopped back on another crowded minibus and went to the closest clinic. It was a long walk, and it seemed like an obstacle course just to get her help. Since I was the one carrying her this whole time it seemed like a very long obstacle course!

The verdict: five stitches, and a tetanus shot. I think it was good that I was around, because the social workers had no idea what to do in that situation. It’s funny how God will use you even in those ways you never thought possible. But, that was enough blood and playing doctor in for me!