2010-09-09 A large pelvic mass arising from the cervix – possible a sarcoma, two sets of twins, one undiagnosed and already well into the second trimester, a 37 week breech > 3700 gms, fibroids galore, a patient with classic PCOS, a 13 year old pregnant child weighing no more than 85 lbs and many other patients with healthy pregnancies were scanned today. The course participants have all made great strides. I really am so impressed by them. Their ability to measure CRL and differentiate between a good and not so good BPD was impressive. Femur lengths and ovaries on endovaginal scan were the challenges today and we cautioned them not to be impatient but to practice, practice, practice!
 During our break Barbara and I walked through the hospital and out of the front gates to explore the surrounding area. Street vendors selling corn on the cob from a hot grill, textiles, soaps, bananas and household necessitites were set up beautifully in small stalls and manned by friendly Ghanians. Chickens and goats mingled within the busy small market area. A private Ultrasound clinic looked quiet about a block from the hospital. No clients today. We went into a small pharmacy where prescriptions are available as recommended by the local pharmacist, no physician's prescription necessary. Everyone wanted to talk to us. “Where are you from?” “First time Ghana?” “You must stay longer!” I can see how it would be easy to be seduced to stay a little longer than planned! At the end of the day we asked our 2 drivers who have been so faithful at picking us up and returning us safely every day if we could go by the Ghanaian Cultural Arts Center on the way home. Drs Opoku-Adusei and Asante Mante graciously came along as well to make sure we got to see everything. The handcrafts were so beautiful and inexpensive. Ann liked the hand woven baskets in particular. I admired the Ashanti beads, wood carvings and ceramics being fired in a large kiln the size of a small house. We learned from a young earnest woman while touring a museum set up as a typical Ghanaian home all about the Ashanti people and their king who still governs over land disputes.
Then it was ack to our Royal Park Hotel, another fine dinner at the Chinese Restaurant. We had a good discussion about how the schedule for Friday, our last day, would be structured, the closing ceremonies, the distribution of certificates and plans to return again in 6-8 months. It was a great day.