another exciting day

This morning we returned to St. Mary's to continue the peripheral neuropathy research. The goal for the week is to complete 100 surveys. After only completing 13 surveys yesterday, we were nervous we would not find enough participants to finish. But this morning was a different story. After a busy morning, we managed to bring our total up to 61 surveys completed. We are very excited at the prospect of completing the 100 surveys tomorrow.

Tonight we had two visitors from hospice organizations here in South Africa. We prepared an elaborate meal complete with appetizers and dessert and it was well worth it. Zodwa Sithole from the Hospice Palliative Care Association of South Africa and Sue Boucher from the International Children's Palliative Care Network were nice enough to spend a few hours with us sharing their experiences and giving us insight into palliative care both in South Africa and internationally. Their passion for the work they do was inspiring. And they prepared us for another great opportunity here in South Africa. Zodwa not only offered to organize a trip for us to accompany nurses on home-care visits, she insisted on it. As it looks we will be visiting Highway Hospice on the last day of our trip. The people here have been so gracious. I think they really want us to see as much as possible and have a good understanding of health care in South Africa.

I have included pictures of St. Mary's, of us preparing for dinner and of Innocent. Innocent has been so helpful and kind. He has an amazing way of connecting with patients and putting them at ease that has been wonderful to watch. Learning experiences are coming in all forms for us here!!!

Candice