Um Hippos lurk in the woods....

I received this from the physician I will be working with in Kijabe, Kenya.

"I have often shared of some of the unusual problems that I
encounter here in Kenya. We see diseases in far advanced, untreated states.
We encounter very unusual physical deformities; we discover problems that
have no clear solution. But today I thought I would introduce Isaac. He
has a different story.

Imagine yourself at home enjoying a quiet evening with the
family. All are now in bed; the hour of midnight has recently passed. You
had an extra cup of chai; nature calls. Now the bathroom is outside of the
home so you wander into the yard. The night is dark but the way is
familiar. You walk along the path toward the choo (bathroom). Suddenly
crashing rushing sounds cause him to look fearfully. As Isaac turned a
massive dark object hurled toward him. He was seized and flung toward the
trees and rapidly followed. A deep grunting roar emanated from his foe.
The beast grabbed him and gave a vicious shake. The intruder dropped his
prey and then disappeared through the dense brush on the path. The family
rushed to the scene. Isaac was in a rough way. The hippopotamus voiced no
complaints.

Hippos are not the gentle cuddly animal as are often
portrayed. They are rather funny looking animals as they float along the
rivers or lounge on the banks. Reality is however another thing. More
people are killed in Africa by hippos than lions. Hippos flip over boats
and injure people. Each evening the hippos leave the water to roam the
countryside searching for food. Although they are graze for their meals
when startled they will attack.
Isaac's injuries necessitated that once again I become a
'Hippo Surgeon'. Isaac had numerous lacerations and bruises. His left
forearm had segmental fractures of the forearm which needed surgery. I was
asked to see him for a spinal fracture. He had a fracture that needed to
be supported to heal. We reduced his fracture and placed some screws and
rods. The pedicle screws worked well and Isaac is left for home after a few
days of healing. Pedicle screws are very useful although expensive and we
rely on donations here in Kenya. Isaac is doing well. 'Thrilled to be
alive!', as Isaac told me. His family is trying to remove some of the brush
on the way to the choo so the view is clear. I imagine Isaac will limit his
evening chai consumption.
So after hippos what else could be new? Well, the students
returned to the RVA School after the Christmas break. A student returned
and reported to the infirmary the following day. He had been in Korea
visiting family. He had a high fever and was very ill. Since the swine flu
was common in Korea he was tested---positive. Despite efforts several other
students and staff have developed the H1 flu. Now the school is in limited
quarantine canceling all sporting events and visitors outside of family.
Hopefully, this will be isolated quickly. Pray for us. A large boarding
school is no place for Swine flu.
The week looks to be yet another busy time. Last week we
had a bus load of disabled kids arrive after from the far northern, western
part of Kenya, Lockichar. They travel 30 straight hours to arrive for
treatment. This week the patients will travel far less but the house is
full as all Lockichar kids must wait for the last to finish treatment before
the bus can leave. We have been treating some very difficult problems but
also enjoying some terrific smiles. Life continues with its ups and downs.
We see all sorts of problems from crooked feet to fractured spines from
hippos. "

Apparently the first rule when going to Kenya is to learn the rules for evening walks to the choo!