Day 4: Vodai for breakfast!

I've been to India a fair amount, but I definitely feel like a foreigner each time I go. Which in some ways is a little frustrating. I wish I could speak the language, be able to explain certain customs, and know what certain dishes are called, especially when in the US people usually think of me as Indian. Which, I am... just a very um, foreign kind.

It's kind of neat being here in Vellore because of the international student population. I've met exchange medical students from New Zealand, the Netherlands, and even Boston. The most surprising thing happened when we went to take pictures for the student registration. The store owner took my picture and when I wrote down my name he exclaimed "oh! that's an Indian name!" I should have said "because I am Indian!" but then remembered that, technically I'm American, not Indian since really the US is just a mix of cultures. Then I wondered... aren't we all American in the US? Why classify us into different ethnic groups when in reality we all would feel like foreigners when we went to those countries?

But, that doesn't change the fact that I love it here. I loved being able to wake up in the morning and have... VODAI! (pronounced wuh-duh, but very quickly, and with conviction.) And, we went to the CMC campus, which was beautiful... so many flowers and very quiet. The students actually have a weight room, I was impressed! we didn't get a good look, but I'm guessing it just might rival UTHSCSA's gym. And check out the box marked "terrestrial magnetism." Ooooh.

Hmm... patient stories. The hospital is really awesome, I'm amazed at how the docs are such great teachers. I think it also takes a real skill to be able to work with such little resources that are available to still treat patients. It must be frustrating too, to know what needs to be done for patients and not be able to do it.

I learned that here at the CMC they don't prescribe antibiotics until at least 5 days into an infection, especially if the patient is stable. This is partly because usually the infection tends to be viral, and also to prevent resistance to antibiotics. Apparently outside physicians in India may be quicker to start them. I thought this was pretty cool, but did question it when I saw an 11 year old boy on the ward with meningitis for the past 3 days and splenic lesions (awaiting a CT) who wasn't on anything yet. But, he was stable...

I also learned a bit about infant nutrition, and how sometimes mothers who can't breast feed are told to use boiled cow's milk with coconut oil to help digestion. I wonder how that would work in SA as well, with the parents who can't afford formula and dilute it with water (which is really bad for babies.)

Hmm... that's about it for now. It's been kind of interesting being the only one that doesnt really need to "adjust" to the culture shock of a new country. For Frank and Edna's stories, check out their blog site! All right... more later!