July 21, 2014

A man had urinary retention intermittent for past 12 yrs. He had
been to several hospitals and had Foley’s put in and treated for
infections but still had the problem except this time unable to get a
Foley placed. So it was thought it was urethra stricture but could
not get even a filiform inserted. So we opened his bladder and his
prostate was small but about 3 cm down his urethra from the bladder
could feel something very hard and at first thought it was scar tissue
but with a metal probe could feel something like a rock and finally
with a forceps that is used for removing gall stones from the common
duct was able to remove a 1.5 x 1.0 cm stone from the urethra that was
wedged in very tightly.

We have been having electrical problems. We have two almost new
generators that came with the construction materials for the new
buildings. One was having irregular voltage output so have been
using the other generator primarily during the last 4 months.
Apparrently the oil level was not checked as it should be and it
quit this morning. On further inspection it was found today to be ok
after changing the oil and oil filter. The oil level barely touched
the end of the dipstick. The oil filter for my 4-runner fits so we
used one of those as everything seems to be locked up and our
maintainance man did not leave us a key for some things or else we
don’t know where to look. We were using the other generator today
but it quit tonight when an airconditioner was turned on. Not sure
what the problem is yet but the other generator is now working all
right. Usually we have the generator on 24/7 which costs about
$1200/month just for fuel.

The film crew from Loma Linda University is here for a few days to
film a documentary about Bere and LLU graduates that are involved here
and in Moundou and Abeche in Chad. They are getting to see some of
the problems that we face such as the electric problems, lack of
housing for volunteers or visitors because of unfinished buildings,
and equipment problems. We did repair one oxygen concentrator today
(just needed a fuse down inside it.) They are to be here 5 days
then on to Moundou and Abeche. Dr. Scott Gardner, also a LLU grad, is
at Moundou and Dr. James Appel, also a LLU grad, is starting a new place
in Abeche eastern Chad.

We also had a moto accident come in last night with a fracture
We had a C-section Fri eve, and again Sun evening another tibia-fibula and 

laceration of head. They have not given us permission to repair the fracture yet. 

Woops, this morning they took her to the “traditional healer” (witch doctor) 

like the previous two fracture legs were taken. 

The film crew have interviewed Danae and Olen and Samedi so far but plan 

more before they leave. Also they plan to get some stories of patients and how 

life is lived locally.  Also problems with Foley Catheters that the balloons 

leak or explode even with the correct amount of fluid in them. That sometimes 

is a great problem if the Foley comes out too soon especially if it was a
very difficult stricture.or a fistula repair.

Our emails are drbland@sbcglobal.net and dfbland01@gmail.com
Love Rollin and Dolores