18-21 June - Data collection begins

From this point onward, my weeks will likely be much less exciting - all the more excuse to have crazy adventures on the weekend. This weekend will be one of the most intense as I make a whirlwind trip back to the States for my sister's wedding. I leave early Friday morning to take a bus to Kumasi, spend the night on a plane back the U.S. and arrive in Michigan on Saturday morning. I'll make the opposite trip Sunday night to Monday night of next week. Crossing my fingers for minimal jet-lag!

Data collection for my project has two main aspects: chart review and gathering of administrative data. The next few weeks I'll be reviewing charts of HIV-positive women and recording data that is relevant to my project, including when they have children, how many children they have, and what kind of co-morbidity (aside from HIV/AIDS) they experience. I've spent three days this week at Suntreso Government Hospital and one at Kumasi South Hospital. The staff at each facility has been so helpful and friendly! Needless to say, reviewing 50-100 medical charts each day is not too exciting, but I haven't gotten too burned out yet.

One odd thing I've realized since moving to Kumasi is just how much I enjoy driving in Ghana. By "driving", I actually mean "riding in vehicles while other people drive me around." Long drives feel just as pleasant as short ones and the roads that seem to have more potholes than smooth surfaces don't even detract from the experience. During Unite For Sight volunteering, I had long drives each day and now I really miss them with only a 20 minute commute to work. All the more reason to look forward to a bus ride to Accra tomorrow!