I've found my Niche!

Hi Dear Friends
This is my first attempt to use ”Word” to type my blog, then copy and paste (a newly learned skill!) Wish me luck! We pay for internet time by the minute, so hopefully this will save me money! What a week this has been and it is only Thursday morning. Monday was a bit frustrating as miscommunications between myself and the caregivers almost drive me crazy, but, as usual, friends(namely Carol B. and Bill N) talked me down and Tues, Wed and Thur, so far, are going swimmingly.
Tues is AIDS Clinic day and that is always a zoo, but this week I felt more like a nurse than a babysitter, and was thrilled when a young Austalian woman doctor asked my opinion about little 2½ yr. old Simon, who though precious, has no affect and seems unable to even decide what he wants to eat. I offered him a banana, juice, and bread(they eat a lot of just plain unbuttered bread here.) He would eat anything I gave but just look at me pitifully when he wanted more. The Dr. said his levels indicated it was time to start him on antivirals. Simon arrived about the same time as I did, so I feel a kinship with him--smile. Of course we know little about him, but it is obvious he has not had a particularily joyful life thus far.
I mentioned to the Dr. that he had a congested cough and a runny nose and questioned whether it a cold, pneumonia or possible TB (which most of the children have or have had in their young life.) Upon listening to his chest, she said she thought it was upper airway as his lung seemed clear. I guess my “OK” was unconvincing , so she ordered an X-ray for further studies.
Simon wasn’t very happy about the bloodwork, and x-ray but didn’t seem to hold it against me. Children are wonderful that way, they don’t take things personally. Something for us all to take note of--smile.
In any case, Simon does indeed have TB and treatment will commence immediately, followed in several weeks with HIV-AIDS treatment. Bless his little heart, I am sorry he is sick, but happy to have been instrumental in his recovery.
I also started to work as an Aide with the adult hospice patients. In the mornings I enjoy both the work and the interaction with the patients. We have not had any terminal patients dropped off in over 10 days, which apparently is a record.
Then in the afternoons I start the assessments: general once over of each child(150) each week. I report any problems(earache, skin conditions,chest colds,swollen glands etc.) to Corine(the founder of Sparrows.) She orders treatment and arranges for the Dr. to check them if necessary. It is enormous fun trying to get the name that matches the child, as most have names like Awakese, or Mbalienhle, not easy like Simon or Happiness or Patience.
So ,as you can see, I am settling in and finding my place amongst the many caregivers at Sparrows. Again, I suggest you google www.sparrowvillage.org to find out more about this wonderful hospice/orphanage.
Mornings are cold, but it is only 10 am and it has warmed considerably.
Thank you for all the birthday wishes.
Love and Blessings
Marie