March 13, 2015

It seems as if everything keeps going about the same except the usual problems. It is still dry season and quite warm now. Today the dust which infiltrates everything has increased again but that shields out some of the sun so maybe will be a little cooler. Visibility is less than 1 km (about 1/2 mile). The dust makes the voice more raspy especially if you are trying to sing. 

We are just now receiving Christmas cards and letters which we always enjoy. We especially enjoy all your emails and just knowing that you know and care about us out here. Linda, Gail, and Tina we hope you can email us as we don't have your email addresses. 

It has been challenging putting in a computer system. It has taken a lot of time to teach employees how to use it. It is used primarily for prescribing medicines, hopefully to prevent some of the theft problems. Patients are to pay for their meds as they get them, also pay for surgeries (maybe $100) before surgeries are done at least the elective ones. The software was created and donated by Dr. Dirk Wonderlich from Germany. Olen and others have spent quite a bit of time getting it initiated. We have a SM from Walla Walla University that has helped a lot. 

We had one day that we had 3 mastectomies besides some usual hernias etc. We did another mastectomy today. One lumpectomy was fibrocystic disease but others appeared to be cancers. We also had a little boy that was full of some sort of retroperitoneal cancer. Also had an AKA leg amputation for an infection that had necrosed his foot and leg yesterday. Last week we did a thyroid mass which about 10 cm diameter. Also we had a hematocolpos with imperforate hymen (Her menses could not get out because the vagina was obstructed) We are doing surgeries side by side in one small OR so that we don't have to work quite so late at night and yet get most of the waiting list done. Have not seen increase in infections with that arrangement.

Three munchkins enjoying life

Dolores has not had any more chest pain problems since coming back from her check up in the USA. She is quite busy keeping up with the grandkids:  Lyol, Zane, and Addison.
We still plan to be back in the USA June and July perhaps going to at least part of the General Conference and the Oklahoma camp meeting.  Our 50th wedding anniversary celebration on July 26 in Jay, Oklahoma. We would like to see some of you there.

Our emails are drbland@sbcglobal.net and dfbland01@gmail.com
Love
Rollin and Dolores Bland
Hopital Adventiste de Bere
Boite Postal 52
Kelo, Tandjile, Chad, Afrique